Episode Summary 
DTown TV is a weekly show brought to you by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski with KelbyTraining.com.
Episode Summary
This week Scott and Matt cover:
- How to set up the back of your camera to automatically zoom into 100% view (by just pressing one button) so you can see the details in your photo
- Some tips in camera for shooting HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos
- A Capture NX tip for processing an HDR image
- The low-down on Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses - when to use it and, just as importantly, when not to.
Also, don't forget to check out Matt's video on how to merge your multiple images together to create an HDR photo using Photomatix Pro. Thanks for watching and don't forget to visit Nikonians.org. It's a great online community for Nikon shooters.
[...] Matt Kloskowski gets more in-depth on showing you how to shoot HDR photography from Episode 02. [...]
Another very informative episode. Once again, I loved the commercial.
Great tips today guys! Never would have thought of turning off VR for hand held sports shooting, brilliant!
Can’t get enough, keep it coming!
Is there a download link available for this episode or is it only viewable via streaming ?
The first episode had one.
Keep up the good work.
So using Capture NX now on dtowntv.com and being Mr Lightroom (Matt
) would you feel comfortable to give a comparison? strengths and weaknesses of each? preferences? or is that a no-go as it’s Nikon USA sponsored? (and not Adobe 
)
Thanks for a great show as always – no matter which website you’re running it from
One click zoom – very helpful – thanks! I like your focus on tips that make the process faster/easier.
Also, liked the HDR bonus. Some HDR ?’s: Why shoot in A mode, not full manual? How to handle motion effectively, for example if there had been waves or the clouds moved.
Thanks,
http://www.fotobento.com/
And yeah, I also liked the commercial.
Great stuff again. Brilliant commercial.
Good stuff, thanks for the tips!
To Scott, Matt and everyone behind the scenes (even the Scriv) keep up the great work. I know that the first week of comments contained some incredible belly-aching, but a lot of us really appreciate all of the work you guys do. To those who are complaining about a clanking table and the intro music, I think you epitomize the problem with many photographers today. You are missing the BIG PICTURE and instead of going out with you camera and trying to practice a new skill and enjoy your hobby, you are posting about small irrelevant details. I don’t know about you, but with that off my chest I’m heading out to do a little HDR photography with some new tips from Matt. For those of you still sitting at you computer, re-watching the video for things to complain about, I will be out with my old D50 taking fabulous images, not because I have the best equipment, but because I don’t sweat the details and just go make images.
Great program guys, love all your tips. Thursday night is my DTown-night.
From The Netherlands, kind regards, Jeroen
PS Was that bull drugged?
Hi Guys,
Great show, it is really good to see how you guys uses your cameras. Especially not being able to afford to go at your guys workshop in the States. You should come to Banff and do a worshop their so that I could afford and have the greatest learning curve with my photography.
Beside that, I was wondering if the Canon cameras have the same features for zooming in and out with one press of a button? Yes, I know this is D-Town for Nikon but just wondering if anyone would have a quick answer for me.
Cheers and keep up this show because it is AWESOME
GT
Great stuff, I’m really learning from this. I’d also like to thank Nikon for sponsoring the program.
Al
Is that Moose Peterson ad link available stand-alone? I have a bunch of people I need to send that to.
What a great show. I loved all of the tips, very informative and practical. Keep up the great work and I’m already looking forward to next weeks show. You guys totally ROCK!!!
Ditto what Jase says….Yet another program to learn..capture NX.. Is it better than lightroom or photoshop?
Might have to use due to Nikon sponsor???? Maybe do a comparison on the programs, pros and cons of each, if not on this forum, maybe phothshop TV or kelby training.
Thanks for a wonderful learning opportunity. Love soaking up this stuff!
Owner of:
D300
D90
@Mark Dalrymple
The new ad with Moose isn’t available anywhere else as of yet, but it will be soon. Many of our small clips are available on our youtube page or vimeo:
http://www.youtube.com/thescriv
http://vimeo.com/thescriv/videos
cool.
scriv, video guy.
Great show and it’s now my favorite video podcast. Look forward to future tips and tricks.
Thanks
I loved the Moose Peterson ad. I couldn’t stop laughing. Keep up the great work.
Once again, great stuff. I love this show. Great zoom tip, and editing in LR2 AFTER HDR processing? What a concept!!!
Great stuff guys. Keep it up…I’m looking forward to the next segment.
Totally cool. Almost makes me wish I were a Nikon user instead of a Canon. But the tips you shared so far (such as the WB and HDR) can be done on Canon as well. So very good. Nice, short and to the point. Much love.
I like the show – very useful. I’ve incorporated at least one tip from each episode already on my D700.
Liked both shows and only wish they were longer. (Great CM!) Looking forward to many more to come.
Great move with the bonus videos!
Good luck!
Thanx guys for GREAT show and thank You too for those cool tips ‘n tricks on D300 – especialy that easy one click zoom in and zoom out in a point, where has been focused on! It is really helpful to me. I’m looking forward to see your next show! (please, excuse my poor English).
Keep doin’ it that great, bye Jan (Prague, Czech rep.)
Zoom in and out? Great tip guys!!!! Thanks a lot. Thank you for doing this for all of us.
Like MisterB wrote here…Can’t get enough either guys…keep it coming:-)
Thanks guy’s for another great episode hope you will go on for a long time.
Great show, nice tips, funs to watch!
I would love to see an episode about Studio Light VS Nikon Speedlight Flash’s. Some people use only flash’s and other do only use studio light. If I am new to the whole studio thing and is about to get my own litl studio – witch system is to go for?
What are the advantages and downsides of a Speedlight flash system?
Really, really enjoying these – cannot wait for more!
Next week never comes!! for more. Fantastic Job. Thankyou very much to everybody who is putting this together.
Keep em coming…great stuff!! Can watch it as a podcast as well. Fantastic!
Travel Photo Blog:
http://places2explore.wordpress.com/
Thanks guys! It’s great.
Scott I got a little jealous when you said that the instant zoom only worked on the models mentioned and you did not mention my D90. So I searched the electronic version of the D90 owners manual and found that you were correct, however I found a REALLY cool feature. I do not know what other models have this but when the camera recognizes faces (up to 10) and if you zoom in to a face to view detail then if you rotate the sub-command dial the same zoom ratio will take you to the next face. So if you have a family photo and everyone is looking at the camera you can quickly view all faces!
Great show!
Thanks,
Mike
Wow- great tips. Thanks for remembering us D200 folks.
Why not add a little Q&A at the end of each show from this comments section?
Heres one to start with- you say turn off VR for tripods and speeds above 500- but what about Monopods?
Awesome site guys! I can see that this will eventually develop into a great source of information for Nikon photographers!
A suggestion.
As the site grows and more and more episodes are added, I assume you will need to archive some episodes off of the main page. If it’s at all possible, it wold be great to have a link to these archives for new people to be able to go back and pick up on your great tips. (I’m guessing that’s in the works) but also, an index listing the tips that will link to the episode would be an awesome feature, especially when you have many episodes under your belts! Plius it might be nice to have the tips listed below each episode so somebody browsing around could see new things easily!
I feel that I know my cameras pretty well but I learned two new things about my D300 on your first two episodes! Great work, I hope you can keep it up for a long time!
Michael Hager
Congrats on the new show …. really love the Moose Peterson Commercial …
Great show. Would love more tips that apply to the D60.
Great show guys but now you’re both wearing black, its like that thing in the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy -
“Zaphod Beeblebrox: It’s the weird colour scheme that freaks me. Every time you try to operate one of these weird black controls, which are labeled in black on a black background, a small black light lights up black to let you know you’ve done it. Hey, what is this, some kind of galactic hyper-hearse? “
You guys missed one of the great new features on the D300/700 for HDR. The lower right button (the same one you press to set the HDR Mode) can be programmed to put you directly into Continuous High burst mode when you hold it down while shooting. No need to change the dial on the left to CL. This way you don’t forget to set the dial back to normal when you are done with HDR.
Love this sight. It is so awesome to find a place on the web with practical tips and advice for my D300! I have to say it would be great to see more than one episode a week!
Thanks for the videos guys.
I just got my first dslr the D90.
The tips so far are helping me learn and im hoping to see even more D90 tips especially.
Looking forward to next week.
Watched Both Epsiodes Today for First Time. Very Informative,
Got Tip from Someone on Nikonians.org about Show.
I am A Nikon D300 User. Bookmarked your Site look Forward to future Shows.
Thanks, K Nobles
Brilliant gone from F4 slide/film I have D2x allways been a Nikon Buff I must say top tips as i do struggle on digital gear I find when you read the info it is far better to see you guys teaching on Nikon Equipment Thank you great show.
Matt’s comment about how he can bracket 3, 5, or 7 shots made me wish my Canon could do that.
Canon, it isn’t you. It’s me. I’ve moved on.
Nikon, leave the light on. I’m comin’ home!
Thanks Guys! I am such a newbie, this stuff is just great. I am shooting with a D-90 and my wife inherited the D-40. As a middle aged man I have something i want to learn. I also have purchased NX2 as well. I learned alot, the tips have been very informative and I am looking forward to learning more.
So far you’re batting a thousand! Every tip has been useful to me and the equipment I use. Having said that, my favorite part of the 2nd episode is the Moose Peterson ad.
I hope you continue doing this until I know everything.
This is so awesome! Love the tips! Thanks for what you do and keep up the great work. Look foward to next weeks!
Hi guys,
I’m loving the show so far. Now I have a problem as I have been using lightroom, but I want to move to Capture NX. Now the problem is all of my Raws are in DNG, is there anyway I can convert the dngs back to the NEF format or should I count my loses and just discard them.
You guys just won your newest fan!
I’m just finishing up Scott’s second digital photography book, and I love these quick simple tips for getting the most out of your camera and lenses. Thanks so much!
Great work guys.
Keep the good tips coming.
This show will undoubtedly increase the skills of all Nikon users.
A giant leap forward for us all.
THANKS !
WOW! I’m hooked! I am reading Book 1 and was hooked, interestingly enough, by the passion in Scott’s feelings towards his wife, children, and friends. That passion is easily seen and read in his books and now these GREAT video tip sessions. Tune in! You will learn something! I promise. Keep it going guys. Thanks.
This is such a great show and where else can you learn all these cool tips. I just bought a D300 a couple of months ago and have used tips from every show. Next Thursday won’t come fast enough.
Can you explain on your show in short detail the difference between Lightroom, Capture NX and Adobe Photoshop. Do you need all three of these? Which is the best for managing your photos and the best for editing your photos.
All those complaints from your last show I did not even notice. I was so into trying to listen to all you tips.
Hi guys,
Great show. I’d love to see a discussion of autofocus modes. They still baffle me.
Thanks,
m
Thanks for the tip on the center button zoom! It is awesome. I also loved the tip from the first show on scrolling through the photo review with the command dial. Keep up the great work guys!
Wow! Watched the first two episodes with great interest. These are really high quality presentations, easy to follow and understand. I love the tip on scolling through the photos using using the command dial. Will definitely enable the use of the center button zoom function to quickly check focus accuracy.
Can’t wait for the next episode. Thanks a million!
Richard
Love this podcast…please show us how to use the autofocus and when?
great partnership..you guys work well together.
D
Great job, guys. Happy to see NX2 tips. NX2 is a great application and of course the best for NEF RAW conversion.
Absolutely love this program. Just purchased a D700 and would greatly appreciate general tips on Nikon DSLRs. I use Photoshop and Lightroom and wonder about Capture NX. Does it offer more than Adobe’s programs in terms of NEF files?
This is all very useful. I learned a few things. Thanks.
I like this great shows.
But there is only one problem! I can’t translate every tip to a Canon camera.
I’ve got a Canon 40D.
Are you also going to make this show for Canon photographers?
I am sure you are going to get a lot more fans when you also make Canon video’s.
Please let me know?
Thanks.
Thank you both for another great episode! I would love to see a segment on manual and auto focus. See you next week.
Thanks for EP.2. I do really love to watch DTownTV. I am waiting for EP3 and so on.
DTownTV is the great show. Keeb going guys I cheer for you.
I like you guy’s show. Great tips that you guys provide for all. I want to see an episode on shooting at night or panorama shot at night and stitched all together. Also another suggestion is to a little info on which bokeh is good and which is bad and which is acceptable. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Love this site..can’t wait for more episodes!!
Great show from two of the best photographers!! Made changes to my D200 that will remain part of every shoot. This is a must see each week!! Keep up the great work.
Great show and wonderful tips. I have a D300. I’d love to see more tips on coordinating the various metering modes and focusing methods, i.e. spot, center weighted, etc. to obtain the best results. I find it difficult to know when to use what especially when you add other variables like slow shutter speed, control of depth of field, hyperfocal distance, continuous focus, etc. I guess whole books could be written on this area alone.
great show! very informative! i hope you show tips that would apply to the D90. thanks! cheers!
The instant zoom tip for the D300 is awesome
– Great stuff guys!
Love the show, but could you do some tips that would be applicable for owners of nikon DSLR’s or the D60.
hey, great show, could you give some tips that would be aplibicle for ALL users of nikon DSLR’s
Thanks a big lot for a very concise, precise and helpful show. Your approach is most helpful and encouraging, as you do not talk down or put on airs. I hope you don’t mind but I have placed a link to this site in my blog about the Nikon D700 already, and intend to send you as many viewers as possible. Again, many thanks for taking the time!
Enjoying this podcast very much. Question about your button tip to zoom the screen image easily. If you do this, how do you get the full sized histogram? Can you reprogram another button or do you just have to make a choice. If a choice is to be made, I’d rather have the full sized histogram…
Hey guys – great show.
I’d like to create some of my own Nikon tutorials and I’d like to know how you get those good quality screen captures of the camera’s menu system. Are you pointing a camera at the viewfinder or using software like Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 (which is $180!!!), or something else (and cheaper!)?
Thanks and good luck with the rest of the shows. I’ll be watching!
Mike
Hi Guys,
Great start! I have a suggestion… after seeing all the requests so far, maybe post an agenda of up coming episodes week by week, so as to cut down on the requests. (as if you don’t have enough on your plate time wise).
Also Matt, you didn’t mention in you HDR episode to tell owners to turn off auto ISO, and once focused, switch to Manual focus to stop the camera from changing focus on you.
Again great job guys!
//Paul
p.s. where can I buy your stock issues on NASDAQ…
Great show guys. Already changed a few of my settings.
Question: When using the screen of the D300 to evaluate a photo I sometimes find them either to bright or to dark, but in the end it can be different. How do you set the screen to reflect a much as possible what it will give when reviewing them in LR for example (calibration??)
Thanks
Hi I was looking for sme mean coments but couldnt find any
how disapinting. So I guess I’ll have to give you my critique
1 I think you should turn down the sun because its a little bright outside maybe just
make it night time with some twinkiely stars and maybe every time you say the word
tip a lightning bolt would strike.
2 I love the warehouse loft look but I would ad somthing in the background like a plant.
or crate or maybe one of those big wooden spools that my friend in art school used
for a table.
3 for a little more intrest you could let loose some really big rats wandering in and out
of the set
4 some pop up bubbles so we can see what Matts thinking while your talking.
5 If you could throw in a few tips on F-3s and I have a Kodak disk camera that I
could use a few tips on.
I have more good ideas but the phone rang but the phone rang and reminede me that
I’m supose to be working oh look a puppy
David
Another useful episode. Right on target!
I’ve been using Nikons since the F2 – had the split image focusing down pat. Then came the autofocus and I haven’t felt comfortable with the many focus setting on the Nikons. The C & S settings make sence, but the +, [+], and multi-focal points are still confusing. How about a segment on the Nikon focus settings>
hello,
This site will be great. My problem is that I DO NOT use Capture NX 2 software. I use Photoshop CS3/Lightroom 2. Will you only be using Capture NX 2 on your videos? I am a Nikon user but have tried Capture NX 2 and simply do no like it as much as PS/Lightroom. It seems really odd to see Matt and Scott using this Nikon software as they have preached and taught PS/Lightroom for a long time now.
UH PEOPLE IT’S 2-0-0-9…!!! NIKON is hosting this party, so get with it, Photoshop DUH… Nikon SELLS NX2 N O T Adobe products.
Come on people use your HEAD(s)!
For those wondering about tips for the D60 and D40, we haven’t forgotten about you! They might not show up in the next couple of episodes because of our filming/editing schedule, but they are on their way. Thanks, everyone, for your patience and great feedback!
Brad
DTown TV Technical Editor
D-Town is great. I like the mix of hardware and software (particularly NX2) and have learned something useful from both episodes.
Very nice your 2nd episode. This is the first time I see how HDR works. I will try it with some of my next shoots. The only question I have is if HDR totally replaces the use of graduated filters for my digital shoots (bad news for Singh Ray?). Thanks
I know its early, and I like it so far, but I think its a bit basic. all the vr stuff is on the manual, and we didnt really need a run down of what you said because its so simple. I think it should be just a little bit more advanced, concentrating on parts of the camera that you wouldnt really think of doing, for instance i liked the custom settings, more like this please!
yes and another vote for more lower end camera-centric tips. cheers!
mt
Guys, love the show, keep the episodes coming! What a neat thing to look forward to each week. Technique demonstrations are always needed and welcome, especially with your laid-back, conversational delivery style. The camera-handling shortcuts are a great idea. I especially appreciate that you mention and even demonstrate how the shortcuts apply to and are done on older cameras. Not all of us can afford a D300, etc. yet!
You might want to mention (sorry if I missed this) how long the episodes will be retained to re-view.
Great segment. I didn’t think I would learn anything new but a good point was made in regards to VR and shooting sports games. I usually leave it on, but after watching this I’ll make sure to turn it off.
Great show guys, I was wandering what kind of tripod that is that Matt is using? Looks to be the perfect match for the RRS BH-40 which i have just purchased.
Excellent technique is useful program.
very much thank for this guy…
Another great episode – keep ‘em coming!
On the HDR demo, there is a trick I use that you didn’t cover. Well, two.
1 – I use the interval timer to fire the shots, so that my hands are not on the camera at all (less shake). I use the steps Matt used, but then I set the interval timer to 1 second, and the “intervals x no. of shots” to 001 x 9 (or 5 in Matt’s example). This will take the same number of shots as my AE bracket setting and allows me to keep my hands off the camera (no remote required).
2 – I use 9 shots and discard the +/- 1 & 3 ones, leaving me with -4, -2, 0, +2, and +4 (wish Nikon would allow 2 EV steps). This gives me less noise in the shadows, greater detail, and greater range. Everyone has their own opinion on what works best here, but if you’ve never tried using 2 EV steps you should try a few shots and see if you like it. Also, not every shot needs that much dynamic range “help”, some shots are fine with -2, 0, and +2.
Thanks for the great tips so far! Love the show!
Kevin, I use the same technique, and it’s a hidden gem.
Although, with my settings I first turn on exposure bracketing with the function button (can be set) then I set the interval timer to 00:00′01″ then 001×1=001. Just press OK and it’s finished. No shake, no pressing the shutter button. Great show guys, keep up the good work.
Great show!
Cool trick with the zoom function.
Greets from Germany
Great stuff. Me and my D300 love it .
Thanks for the VR tip–I was completely confused on that. Sadly, I just shot a swim meet at high speed with VR on Active, and I thought I was being so smart. Love your tips! I have profited with each episode, and I study my camera instruction manuals! You are like my D300 instruction manual on overdrive! Appreciate….
Great stuff so far. Looking forward to many more tips.
Would be of help to go over the different situations that the AF-ON and the AF/AE lock buttons can be used for quicker framing and reframing.
wow… excellent tips!! specially the automatic zoom shortcut on the D300 — thanks guys!
Once again thanks for a great video tutorial…
very practical… easy to follow and great to use tips….
…and love those commercial breaks…
Awesome, This media is perfect for getting info out to us Nikon users . Your show is both informative and entertaining.
I’m glad you include info for the D200 as well as other older Nikons keep the info coming.
Thanks.
can you release the Matt’s HDR bonus episode on ITunes podcast?
thanks for the helpful hints!
This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
The swede
The quick zoom feature also works on the nikon d2xs and d2h. Those are the cameras I still use.
Hi, guys! There are a couple of extra little goodies related to the one-button zoom that I think are worth emphasizing. When you press it, not only does it zoom right in to the image, but it also automatically jumps to your selected AF point! If you are using one of the peripheral AF points, instead of zooming into the center (which is what the + button would do), the zoomed view will align itself over the correct focus point. Perfect!
Also, when Scott demonstrated the feature, he took the shot, pressed “Play”, then zoomed in. If you have Image Review enabled (so the last photo is automatically displayed after shooting), you don’t need to press the Play button first. Just shoot, and press the center button to zoom right in to your selected AF point. Shoot, zoom, shoot, zoom, etc.
I can’t get the video to go past 45 seconds. It just stops and the wheel spins with a number 4 in it.
What do I do to make it continue?
Also, I am having problems with the lack of a pause button. Am I missing it somewhere? I want to do something but if I stop it it goes back to the beginning and I cannot even drag the slider to where it was when I wanted to pause…
Surely you didn’t want it to be this way did you?
Thanks,
bonnie
Matt spoke about a video available on Dtown TV for processing the 5 HDR shots. I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Is it still available?
Sorry – found it right alongside this video on the home page. I swear it wasn’t there when I first looked. I claim temporary insanity so that should cover my stupidity.
Wahooooooooooooooooo
The info about the VR lens was very helpful!
Thanks,
Marty
The quick zoom is not available on the D90, right?? If it is I can’t find it.
Love this videos. Visit my blog if you want to know more about me. From Sweden……….it’s a translation function on my blog, look at the right and click on your country flag.
Do not money to buy a car? You should not worry, because it is achievable to take the loans to resolve such problems. Thence get a car loan to buy all you require.
Great workaround, but wouldn’t it be nice if the camera would take the number of shots I’ve chosen in my bracketing sequence. So, when I select 5 shots in Auto Bracket I only should need to press the shutter once and the camera then shots 5 images. This whole thing about holding the shutter if you’ve selected a bracketing sequence could be avoided with a firmware update I guess.
Scott – I thought the same thing – it is somewhat annoying you have to choose between the two. I wish Nikon would have left the full screen histo as in the D2X.
Look for tips into Flickr groups, you’ll find lots of Nikon users there. They’ll not have the experience of DtownTV hosts, but maybe the answer for some of your questions
http://flickr.com/search/groups/?w=all&q=nikon+dslr&m=names
regards
Bob
Look for tips into Flickr groups, you’ll find lots of Nikon users there. They’ll not have the experience of DtownTV hosts, but maybe the answer for some of your questions
http://flickr.com/search/groups/?w=all&q=nikon+dslr&m=names
regards
Look for tips into Flickr groups, you’ll find lots of Nikon users there. They’ll not have the experience of DtownTV hosts, but maybe the answer for some of your questions
http://flickr.com/search/groups/?w=all&q=nikon+d60&m=names
regards
Kevin, outstanding add-on tip! On the D300 the Interval Timer will automatically stop after reaching the set number of bracketed frames.
Andre,
When engaging the Interval Timer on the D300, the help menu states that it does exactly as you wish:
“Take photographs at the specified interval until the specified number of shots has been recorded. IF AUTO BRACKETING IS IN EFFECT, SHOOTING WILL END AFTER THE NUMBER OF SHOTS SPECIFIED IN THE BRACKETING PROGRAM HAVE BEEN TAKEN. If multiple exposure is in effect, shooting will end after the number of exposures selected for “Multiple exposure” and the resulting shots will be recorded as a single image…”
Would be nice if it would just auto fire the programmed bracketing sequence, but until/unless a firmware update addresses that, the timer solution handles it quite well.
Its not available on the D90