IrfanView - Nikon Raw Viewer / Conventor

You can use IrfanView to view and convert the Nikon RAW format to other format.
You can download it from here: http://www.irfanview.com

Viewing the files:

• IrfanView has a Thumbnails option: "C:\Program Files (x86)\IrfanView\i_view32.exe" /thumbs 
• It works as an image browser and the Windows Explorer
• You can preview all the RAW files in thumbnail instead of open them one by one. 

Converting the files:

• You can open an image and select "Save as..." from the File menu
• For Batch conversion, press "B" in either the image view or thumbnails view to open the Batch conversion window.  The following image will give you an idea how to do it 

Nikon Autofocus: AFS / AFC

AF-S: Single Focus

• when you press the shutter button half way down as long as your finger stays down on the button your focus will not change.
• It is good to use the Single point AF
• Good for group picture (since the focus is lock and I don't want to re-focus again if people are moving around)

AF-C: Continuous

• as long as your finger is pressed half way down it is gong to continue to focus on what ever subject is in the focusing square.
• It is good to use the Dynamic Area AF (3D is no good, the focus keeps switching when tracking the subject)

Nikon Autofocus: Auto Area AF

Auto Area AF (formerly Close Subject Priority AF)
The camera automatically selects a AF point within the viewfinder - focusing on the closest subject.  With Type D or Type G lenses, the lens sends distance information to the camera, assisting the camera to find the closest subject within the AF area to select a AF point to use.

Ideal for handing the camera over to a stranger to take a picture of you, also it could be used in many shooting scenarios but expect some out of focus images that is caused by either back-focusing or front-focusing.

Nikon SB800 Color-Gel Filters

SB-800 comes with two colored Gel filters:

• the FL-G1 for taking flash pictures under fluorescent light and 
• the TN-A1 for use with incandescent/tungsten light

With digital cameras, if you shoot flash pictures under fluorescent light with the camera's white balance set to Flash, the main subject illuminated by the flash will look normal. However, the background will come out green. To compensate, use the FL-G1 (green gel filter) to convert the light coming from the flash to the same color as fluorescent light, then adjust the camera's white balance to Fluorescent. 


Follow a similar procedure when shooting flash pictures under incandescent/tungsten illumination using the TN-A1 filter. In this case, set the white balance to Incandescent.

Nikon Autofocus: Dynamic Area AF

Dynamic Area AF
The Dynamic Area AF is separated into two different functions, depending on the AF Drive (AF-S and AF-C only) set on the camera.

In AF-S Drive, the camera will focus in only one AF point selected by the user.
In AF-C Drive, the camera will focus on only one AF point and its surroundings selected by the user.

Again, in AF-C Drive, once a subject is moving away from the main AF point (central), the surrounding AF points, that lies around the main AF point, sends the distance information to make quick focus adjustment to the main AF point to get the off-center subject, which is located within the surrounding AF points, in focus.
In higher end digital and film SLR's, it allows the user to choose total amount of AF points:
9 Points

• Ideal for photographing any subjects that will move predictable, such as football, basketball, weddings, rock concerts, wildlife, and some portraits

21 Points

• any subjects that will move unpredictable, such as runners (not large group) or skateboarders.

39/51 Points and

• for very isolated subjects that moves very quick and difficult to frame within the viewfinder's AF area, such as running cheetahs, military jets, or flying birds.

39/51 Points with 3D tracking

• In AF-C Drive and Dynamic Area AF, the camera will use all AF points within the AF area to track a moving subject.  The user is required to get the primary subject in focus, while holding the shutter release button halfway down, the camera will start tracking the moving subject, keeping the subject in focus.  The 3D tracking with Focus Tracking with Lock-On (in the Autofocus menus) set to Off is highly recommended for fast action.

How do I decide which AF Area to use for the current shooting scenario?
It depends on the size of the subject, unpredictable or predictable, and how isolated the subject appears in the frame (depending on the lens' focal length).

Excellent tip for accurate continuous focusing and tracking

• the subject's majority color must be different apart from the background's majority color.
• Reminder: If the user plans to do a lot of sports using AF-C Drive + Dynamic Area AF + Focus Tracking with Lock-On set to Off, the user must carry spare batteries and high speed autofocus lenses with AF-S [AF-SWM (Silent Wave Motor)] engine because with these combinations, it uses up more power from the batteries.

Nikon Autofocus: Single Point AF

Single Point AF

Once the user chooses Single Point AF, the camera will use only one AF point in the AF area - limiting the camera to focus automatically using one same AF point.

The user is required to move the AF point around the AF area manually by hand by using the multi-selector button to suit the shooting scenario.
If the subject moves outside the focal box, the camera will re-focus on whatever is behind or in front of the subject after they move.

It is idea for controlled situations, such as landscaping, close-up, photographing non-moving subjects, or to isolate the primary subject apart from the overall image frame.

Manual Focus with the electric rangefinder

Make sure to check the focus indicator (the electric rangefinder) until the green dot lights up continuously in the viewfinder.

For Nikon D7000: If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the subject in the selected focus point is in focus (the focus point can be selected from any of the 39 focus points). After positioning the subject in the selected focus point, press the shutter-release button halfway and rotate the lens focus ring until the in-focus indicator (green dot) is displayed.

AF Fine-Tuning

Calibrate lenses to improve issues of lens' focusing "slightly off the mark" (focus shifting) where soft images are caused by front or back focusing (several cms or inches) off the primary ofcusing target area on the subject


in Setup Menu select AF fine tune, change the value depends on the lens has

• for back-focused (the background is in focus while the subject and foreground is out of focus), use positive values
• front-focused (when the foreground is in focus while the subject and background is out of focus), use nagative values

Two things to keep in mind if AF Fine Tuning is on:

1. the camera might have difficulty in focusing at infinity and minimum focus distances; depending on what AF Fine-Tuning value is set at
2. when use LiveView in Tripod Mode, AF Fine-Tuning will be disabled, so you will need to focus the lens manually instead

Lens Sharpness Test

Preparation and Settings:

• Clean the Lens
• Put the camera and lens on a tripod
• Remove the glass filter
• Attach the lens hood
• Turn the camera on
• Set the lens' autofocus drive for M/A, A, or AF
• Turn the lens' VR OFF
• Set for Single Point AF
• Set for AF-Continuous Servo AF (AF-C)
• Shoot at RAW Uncompressed (or Lossless compressed) and 14-bit (if available)
• Turn Active D-Lighting OFF (if available)
• Turn Long exp. NR OFF (if available)
• Turn High ISO NR OFF (if available)
• Set AF-C Priority Selection (in a Autofocus menu) for Focus (if available)
• Set Focus Tracking with Lock-On to OFF (if available)
• Set Self-Timer Delay (in c Timers / AE Lock menu) to 10s
• Set Exposure Delay Mode (in d Shooting/display menu) to ON (if available)
• Set for the LOWEST Base ISO sensitivity
• Manual mode
• Set the aperture for the highest aperture
• Adjust the shutter speed until meter reads "0"
• Place the aluminum soda can (e.g. Coke) dead in the center

Shooting:

• Use Remote Cable and Mirror Up (Mup) to shoot (add the sandbeg onto top of the camera on its axis, if available, before shooting)
• Repeat the steps for all apertures from maxumum aperture (lowest f/number) to minimum aperture (highest f/number), differing by one full stop (e.g. 1.4, 2.0, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11.0, 16.0, 22.0)
• If you wish to test a zoom (changeable focal length) lens, do full test for the widest focal length, medium focal length, and narrowest focal length (e.g. on the 24-70mm lens, test at all appertures at 24mm, 50mm and 70mm).

Inspection:

From the Lens Sharpness Chart, find the focal length(s) and aperture(s) your lens will be normally sharp.

Download the Lens Sharpness Chart in PDF
Download the Lens Sharpness Chart in DOC

Use one of the RAW development softwares (Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.)

• Import the images into LR, 
• Click on Develop tab to start developing and scroll down to the Detail section
• Set the Amount for 75%
• Set the Detail for 50%
• Go to the last image on the filmstrip then press and hold Shift then click on the last image (selecting all images)
• Click on Sync then ensure all boxes are checked
• Click Synchronize
• Go back and click on the first image
• Click on the main preview for 100% magnification
• Inspect only in the dead center (the can) of the image
• Check the softness of all images (and compare the Lens Sharpness Chart)

Next Stpes:

• If the lens suffering some softness, run the tests again.
• If you lens continues to suffer from softness, proceed to AF Fine Tuning to calibrate the lens for improved sharpness performance.

Nikon D7000 PC Sync Port

Nikon D7000 doesn't have a PC sync port to connect to studio flashes, what you can do is buy the Nikon AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter (Hot Shoe to PC) or a third party product.

The TF-322 / TF-327 Pixel Flash Hot Shoe Sock Converter also works.