Nikon D200 User Manual

Page 34

HINT: You set the lowest ISO used in Auto ISO with the ISO button, of course.

Firmware Defect: Nikon's firmware leaves Auto ISO active even in manual exposure
mode. This makes the D200 change the ISO automatically and defeat the purpose of
manual exposure. Remember to deactivate Auto ISO when using Manual exposure mode.

b2 ISO Step Value

defaults to 1/3 stops. That's silly.

I set mine to change the ISO in full stops. I shoot at 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 or 3,200. By
not bothering with thirds I can select my ISOs with fewer clicks.

Grain (noise) only becomes significant above ISO 1,600. If you shoot above ISO 1,600 you
may want to play with the third stop settings of ISO 2,000 and ISO 2,500 before going to
the grainy ISO 3,200.

HINT: Nikon calls ISO 2,000 "H+0.3," ISO 2,500 "H+0.7" and ISO 3,200 "H+1.0."

b3 EV Step

Defaults to 1/3 stops. You need this precision in manual exposure.

In the Auto modes I set it to full (1) stops. This lets me make my settings faster, since they
take fewer clicks. Depth of field or motion control doesn't need more precision than a full
stop.

FIRMWARE WEAKNESS: Ideally Nikon would provide separate settings for manual and
auto exposure. I'd set 1/3 stops for manual exposure and full stops in auto exposure (P, S
and A modes). You need the precision in manual mode, but not in the auto modes,
because the values chosen by the D200 are set steplessly regardless of how they are
displayed.

b4 Exp Comp/Fine Tune

Leave this at 1/3. It's silly to fine tune in full stops. I tune in

thirds.

b5 Exposure Comp.

If you turn this on you can alter your exposure by turning the rear

dial without having to press the

Exposure Compensation

(lighten/darken) button.

I love "Easy," which is the name of this feature, but it's too easy. I hit the rear dial too often
by accident, so I don't use it. I leave it at its default of OFF.

RESET is a great idea if you use the EASY setting. RESET automatically resets the
exposure compensation to zero every time you turn the camera back on. This is a very
good idea. Otherwise you may lose a lot of shots from having a wrong value set from
yesterday's last shot.