Episode Summary 
DTown TV is a weekly show brought to you by Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski with KelbyTraining.com.
Episode Summary
In this week's episode, Scott and Matt discuss:
- Matt explains Autofocus Priority modes; when you want to be in release priority mode or focus priority mode.
- Scott shows the built-in SCENE modes the new D5000.
- Learn about Picture Control settings from Scott Diussa, Nikon Professional Services Manager.
- Explore Picture Control settings on this website from Nikon http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/picturecontrol
- Scott goes into the studio for a tip on avoiding the black gradient at the bottom of photos when using strobes.
Scott, blue shirt???
great !
can’t wait till next week
I love picture control, I have a couple of them setup on my D90, its a quick way to recall your fav settings.
Scott, love the shirt by the way, I want one with the apple logo.
It should have been mentioned that if you are in Continuous mode and have selected Release + Focus, you will slow down the frame rate. There are times when you absolutely don’t want to do that.
Thanks! Always look forward to your shows. Really helpful stuff for one who is not shooting every day and is still learning about all the features of the D 300.
Love the new shirt, Scott
Great show and now in style!
Just watched the program, informative as ever. Canon must be wondering why they did not think of this first !
Bill
I thought the D300 allowed flash sync speeds in excess of 1/250 with the SB800
Can’t you just turn on High Speed Sync?
I also use Rear sync
derek
Great video guys and I like the blue shirt, a softer Scott Kelby.
At Last!!! and he said that he would never change his shirt, thanks Scott about time after 12 weeks
apart from that … another FANTASTIC SHOW!!!!
[...] lastly, there’s a new episode of DTown TV up, which includes tips on AF Priority modes, features on the new D5000, info on [...]
Great ep. Can’t wait till next week!
1st off, love the blue shirt. Second, Why not mention High speed sync? Maybe next week?
Scott states that reducing from 1/350 to 1/180 “really has no effect on the exposure”
My understanding is that this actually doubles the ambient exposure.
This difference can clearly be seen in the background of both shots.
(regardless of the sync speed shadow)
As Matt is so close to the background this has also made a difference to the exposure on the dark side of his face which again can be clearly seen in the shots. i.e. the doubled ambient is now adding to the flash on the subject.
The main points about sync speeds are correct but surely the exposure comments are wrong?
Thoughts?
You know, I really do like the episodes and shouldn’t take them so seriously I guess, but I never see any tips on the “cheap” cameras. I would venture a guess that all of the responses to this episode are from D300 and higher users. I think you guys give a great presentation but no content for me…I watch every week to see if there just might be a small segment about the D90 (don’t laugh). Yea, that’s what I have, just can’t afford the biggies. Oh, I’ll keep watching and I’ll keep subscribing to NAPP, but sometimes it feels like I’m wasting my time watching and hoping.
Hi, I love this Episodes! Today I startet testing the Picture control. Nice tool, but knows anybody how to show the results in Lightroom after importing? I’m shooting in RAW only.
Brad,
I just realized that there are two additional Picture Control settings for my D300. I have downloaded the .dmg files but cannot find any tutorials/instructions on how to install. Do you have any suggestions or is installation similar to updating the firmware (i.e. same process). Please let me know.
Thanks,
Seth
Especially liked the Autofocus Priority tips. Having you guys’ no-nonsense explanation and visual demonstration is worlds better than digging the same out of a manual or looking it up on the web. I now watch DTown with camera in hand so that if the tips apply to my shooting I can make the menu changes immediately.
Hoping that DTown will keep past episodes available permanently so we don’t have to download them ourselves or type our own notes (ugh).
Now that Scott has changed his shirt, I wonder what other wardrobe changes we can push him to??
While you’re on sync speed, drop a hint to Nikon to raise their sync speed above 1/250 — why have a great feature like i-TTL (TTL/BL) and limit sync speed for fill-flashers (high-speed sync is a different discussion).
Guys, please keep up the good work. I have had a D200 for a while, but over the last 13 weeks I have learned so much from DtownTV.
Scott, the blue shirt is OK, have you thought about yellow over black?
I am really enjoying these shows. The only problem is that I am adicted and want more….please keep them coming. I have already made several refinements in the settings on my D300. thanks you !
Scott/Matt-LOVE THE SHOW!!!!! I have learned more about my D90 from you two than any other resource. I can’t wait for each week’s episode… maybe you could turn it into soap… As My Nikon Clicks! LOL!
Brad; keep those tips coming!
Scott; wear whatever you like, people gotta relax
See you in Las Vegas!
Great show, Watch you every week. Keep up the good work.
I know that it is always said to “try this on your camera” and if it doesnt exist then it’s most likely not on my camera. I looked through all the of the Autofocus settings on the D90 and couldn’t find anything similiar to the release priority. Is there any way to gaurantee that when I press down on the shutter release the shutter is actually released even if the lens is not in focus. I do this by flipping the switch to manual when I need to but I was hoping that there was another way. Any workarounds or similiar settings on a D90 that compare with the tip Matt gave?
Hey guys:
Great show. I look forward to these each week. I love playing with picture controls and have lately been sharing some of my custom pic controls with friends that also have a Nikon. I have taught them how to load and use the settings and have referred them to DTown so they can learn more info.
Keep the cool tips coming.
James
In AF-C mode, is “Release + Focus” on a D300, the same function as AF-A on a D90?
Hi Guy’s,
thanks agai foe the show, unfortuntly here in France i can not see until 3 weeks the trhirds episodes !! i don’t think is my Net_connection ( i have 100 Mb/s lol ), i missed the last thirf’s one’s !!! arfff ! i am sad that i can not see them !! propably a banswitch problem’s…
Anyway, any idea to download the EP’s ?????
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Yves
I only shoot a D40 and am not sure I know enough to even call myself an amateur at times, but I still manage to come away with at least one or two useful tips with each episode. Thanks for providing such an awesome learning tool!
my pictures are getting better with more sharping with picture control, thank you !
I hope you can make an episode about the next two things:
- how to make your computer screen display the correct colors and contrast? examples please in a simple/cheap way and with a electronic-tool
- auto-iso: when this features is usefull? and why the heck this feature disable auto-shutter-time with zoom-lenzes?? (if you zoom on 300mm the shutter-time isn’t going to 1/300 anymore when auto-iso is enabled…)
Kind regards,
Marco smeets
the netherlands
What a great little show,you guys sure know how to put it together.Been a Nikon user for yonks but thanks to you i am back to learning.
Really weird that u only said 200-250′the of a second syncspeed because the d40 has 1/500the of a second syncspeed
This little show is worth it’s weight in gold. I’ve been a Nikon shooter for several years now but I’m learning something new with every episode.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
j.
Scott:
On your last segment on black gradient and flash: That wouldn’t be the new PW for Nikon CLS on your camera would it?
Us regular guys are still waiting. If it is, how do you like it?
T. C. Knight
I travel a tremendous amount. I download PSUTV, Killer tips for Lightroom and Photoshop and watch them as sit “comfortably” on the plane.
Have not been able to download these programs. PLEASE HELP.
Enjoy the program, keep sending the good work.
Scott & Matt,
I have been shooting Nikon since the early ’70’s and feel comfortable with the system. I’m amazed that I always get that one thing that I thought I knew, but didn’t, from the show . Not only does this go for the menu setups, to even the details on the straps! Thanks for the good information. I will keep watching for that small, but important detail that I may have over looked or didn’t quite understand. Keep up the GREAT work!
Larry Loar
Hi Scott/Matt/Brad,
Another great show. Just been downloading these podcasts from itunes and it has been wonderful. Shared with friends and so forth. Great tips.
Good work on the autofocus modes and one thing I would personally like to see is a section / episode / advice / tip on different metering modes as I believe that is also quite important along with understanding different autofocus modes as well.
Many do not know how to differentiate the few metering modes on offer and when to use them…. a demonstration would instantly click with users in many ways….
hope to see that in future episodes!
Has anyone come up with a camera control “recipe” which most closely simulates Velvia? (For younger readers, that’s a film.)
Dear DTownTV-Guys,
besides the fact that the show is great content wise, I would like to add that the video quality you provide is absolutly stunning.
Regards,
Carlos
Great show!! Some how couldnt watch it last week, so watched it now.
Cool tips.
Just watched this episode and was a little disappointed in Matt’s autofocus setting comments. In AF-C, he says he uses and recommends Release + Focus priority mode, but does not really explain how this mode works and why it is preferred over just focus priority? If the camera is set to this dual priority mode, under what conditions does it select either release or focus priority?
Great info on the Picture Control features. But now that I’ve created some Custom Picture Controls in my camera, how do I get those saved into Capture NX2?
Just notice you got some dust on your sensor
its in the right lower corner visible when you take picture in studio (the one with proper speed for flash).
Что то Автор почти совсем перестал писать новые посты и даже админить блог? Может чего случилось?
А в чем смысл добавлять свой блог на FeedBurner? Траф это увеличит или что? (сорри: за оффтоп)
I can’t find the option of “Release + Focus” on my D90, any D90 folks here manage to find it?
I don’t see the option of “Release + Focus” on my D90, any D90 folk here manage to find it?
I can’t find the AF-C prioriy selection in my D90, can anyone help?
With the use ov picture control, do we take a risk on getting the wrong impression on the shots? Ex: if I pump up de sharpening on picture control, it may give me the wrong idea about how sharp a photo really is. Thank’s a lot. Great show!
Derek – This tip is for using studio strobes. High speed sync doesn’t work with these types of lights because they do not have the pulsing capability that the Nikon Speedlights have.
Andrew – High speed sync does not work with studio lights because they do not have the pulsing capability that allows the Nikon Speedlights to achieve high speed sync.
William – I have been making a conscious effort to include tips for the entire range of cameras, especially as of late. In this episode Scott talked about a feature on the D5000 (which costs less than the D90). Last episode we showed how to turn off the AF Assist light, which was demoed on the D60. In episode 10, one of the tips was on embedding copyright info, which was also shown on the D60. And many of the tips are applicable to all cameras, not just Nikon, even if they are shown on a higher-end camera.
Since Nikon offers such a wide range of products, it’s difficult to include a tip for every single person in each episode. If we only show tips for D300 and up users, we get complaints from people who use the D40 through the D90. If we only show tips for D40 through D90 users for being too advanced, we get complaints from D300 through D3X users for not being advanced enough.
The D90 is a great camera, and definitely not anything to be ashamed of! You’ll hear no laughter coming from us
. Just before we filmed this episode, Scott was digging some of the features on the D60 that aren’t on the D3.
Thanks for watching and keeping your NAPP subscription!
Brad Moore
DTown TV Technical Editor
Will L,
I think the D90 is a great camera, and I believe a lot of the tips still apply to that camera, i.e. the flash segments, shutter speeds, exposure, camera straps, etc. The D90 has a lot more features than one would think. I’m a D90 shooter myself. I have found that most of the tips they present work for me, and even with some of the “lower end” cameras have used. However, in the menu setting, some items might just be named differently.
Keep them coming guys!
What about a show on the D90?
davgil,
Aperture and shutter speed (together with the ISO setting) indeed determine the amount of ambient light captured.
In a studio setting you want full control of the lighting. This means no ambient light should be influencing the shot. Studios are therefore (normally) totally dark, except for the modelling lights of the flashes (which turn off at the time the flash fires).
As flash is the source of light under these circumstances, the shutter speed does not really matter at all; the flash pulse is much shorter anyway.
Note: even if there is some ambient light present in the studio, this generally still has negligible influence on the shot. I normally shoot f/11, 1/125 when in studio and even the modelling lights (and they are pretty bright) are not enough to show anything but a black image when I take a shot without the flashes firing.
So in this respect the comments sound right to me. My guess is the difference in lighting you noticed is still a side effect of the too fast shutter speed.
Cheers, Hayo
Lightroom performs its own RAW rendering. Picture control settings are not used by it. If you want to be able to reuse the Picture Control effects in your post processing, you’ll need Nikon’s own software (e.g., ViewNX and CaptureNX).
Cheers,
Hayo
Thanks Hayo!
Brad, Thank you very much for your kind reply. I apologize for my impatients, I really didtn’t see it from your perspective. The points you make are absolutely right on the mark! I know you have a large audience and need to fullfil as much of the territory for them as possible…Look, I’m on your side…these episodes have been very helpful, in some of the other areas, so I intend to continue to watch and be more patient and wait for articles that pertain to my hardware…
Again, the explanation of your situation is very thorough and one that we all should remember…
Thanks again, Frank
Johnnie…
I agree, the D90 is a great camera. It’s almost the D300 in a different body..some differences though….
You are very correct about it and as you can see from my comment, my impatients caused some angst. I guess it’s just that I am a sponge for all the info on the D90 I can get…
Thank you for the comment…
Best to you and yours…Frank
Frank,
The entire segment that I did in this episode can be done on the D90. In fact, it’s the camera I was holding the entire time.
Scott
That segment was really helpful, I didn’t know that I could dial up the sharpness and various other settings. That was an awesome tip.
Sonny,
At the upper right corner of your browser screen you can see a small “RSS”-icon… Click that and you’ll be taken to another page where you CAN download all of these great D-Town TV programs!
Enjoy!
I beleive thats the Elinchrom Skyport System. You can check out http://www.elinchrom.com/ for more info on that system and if you are waiting for the pocket wizards because of their ttl features then you should also check out http://www.radiopopper.com these little things look promising and a lot of people are using it already.
I too was having problems locating the programs. Thanks!!! One other question. I was able to download programs 9-13, how can I download programs 1 through 8? I’d like to share them with my father.
Thanks!! Keep up the GREAT work!!
Ryan Copeland
Seth,
The install instructions are at the bottom of the picture control download page on Nikon’s website. It is similar to the firmware upgrade procedure.
Thanks.
According to Thom Hogans “Complete Guide to the Nikon D700″ all it does is slow down the frame rate so that the camera has more time to attain focus….
Vern:
That’s what the “max flash sync speed” setting is for. Scroll down and find that one, and you can set it to whatever speed you like. I use that one with TTB-BL a lot. Just remember not to set it faster than the flash lite timeing: probably not a problem on most cameras. I have had some problems with the SB-600 when I set the shutter to 1/8000th
Richard