Nikon D200 User Manual

Page 9

Flash (lightning bolt): I never use this. It's almost the same as direct sun. I'm told it's
really for studio strobes, since the Auto mode compensates magically for flash if you use it
on-camera. The reason to use this is if you use a different trim value for your strobes than
you do for sunlight. I'll get to trims in a bit.

Cloudy (cloud): Warmer than the sunlight position. I use this in shade, too.

Shade (house casting a shadow): very warm. Use this for sunset shots.

Continuously Variable (K): This setting lets you choose any amount of blue or orange.
Once you select "K" you choose the value, from 2,500 to 10,000, with the front knob while
holding WB. The calibrations are abstract in what we scientists call (degrees) Kelvin,
Forget that, because it's backwards to how it really works. More degrees look warmer!

2,500 K is very, very blue. I'll use something around 2,650 K in dim home lighting to get
neutral results. 3,200 K is the same as tungsten above. 5,400 K is the same as direct sun
above. I'll use something around 4,000 K indoors with a mixture of sun and tungsten light.
10,000 K is very orange. The shade setting is similar to 7,500 K, and 10,000 K is warmer.

Preset (PRE): You use this setting with a white or gray card to get perfect color matching.
The D200 can recall five settings: just hold "WB" and spin the front know after choosing
PRE with the rear knob. You need to use menus, explained later, to save the five settings.

To set it to a white or gray card:

1.) Ensure your card or other neutral object is in the light representative of the light on your
subject.

2.) Hold WB and spin the rear dial to get to the PRE setting.

3.) Release WB.

4.) Press and hold WB again for a few seconds.

5.) PRE starts to blink.

6.) Release the WB button.

7.) Point your D200 at the card and press the shutter.

8.) If the display flashes "good" you're set.

9.) If the display flashes "ng" then repeat from step 4.)

The D200 stores this as value d-0. Recall other saved values by holding WB and spinning
the front knob. The five values are d-0 through d-4. d-0 is always the value you just saved.
Thank God you can use this without menus. THe menus (explained later) are only for
storing, sorting and managing these. I have mine set to 1.) indoors under crummy
residential light, 2.) the screen of my laptop computer, 3.) mercury street lights and 4.) a
cloudy day. I'm sure you will be more inventive.