Re: White Buttons and Gold Buttons

--- In Nikon-D70%40yahoogroups.com">Nikon-D70yahoogroups.com, "Deen Hameed&quot; <public...> wrote:
&gt;
> Nice tip (try), but what about exposure compensation, metering mode,
exposure meter setting, focus mode?
>
> Another way to quickly check those four buttons would be to use the
SHOOTING MENU; all the info from the D70's white buttons are displayed
at a glance, and another quick glance at the top LCD will tell you the
rest.
>
> I've saved you maybe 10-15 seconds; just try not to press FORMAT.
>
> (now where do I put that wind-up key?...)
>


Hi Deen,
Our group list policies allow for a difference of opinion, which I
think I sense in your reply. Since I have a different opinion, I
would like to offer my comments in support of my position. I'm not
sure what you mean by the parenthetical "(try)", so would like your
elaboration on that. I posted the same original message on the
D100-D200 Yahoo Group, and did say that I was using both the D70 and
the D200 as examples.

It is impossible to distill into words, much less a single message,
the quality of experience and expertise that Mike Hagen exuded in the
workshops. So I apologize for my meager attempts to offer some
helpful things here. As he shared information, he repeatedly urged us
to get to know our cameras better, so that we could - by touch and
feel - make adjustments to settings if needed. Part of that is
pressing all the "white buttons&quot;, to help perform an active "hands-on"
checklist type of protocol. This serves a couple of purposes. It
makes the photographer more familiar with where a certain button is,
and what to do to change the value. It also actively engages the
photographer in the process of evaluating the camera settings, rather
than just looking at the panel and perhaps not noticing that a value
is perhaps not the optimum. By that I mean "seeing" a setting, but
not "realizing" or catching that it needs to be changed. (Case in
point is the WB indicators that show a +/- change to something like
&quot;cloudy&quot;. The only thing visible on the top panel are two tiny arrows
below the "WB&quot; symbol. These tiny arrows are often not noticed if one
quickly glances at the top LCD panel. And if one uses the shooting
menu (back LCD panel), even if you see that the WB is set on what one
thinks is the proper selection, the "fine tuning adjustments" of the
WB setting are NOT visible unless you go deeper into the WB menu
option. But if you press the WB button, and look at the top panel,
you will get a definite visual indication of what the basic WB setting
is, AND if there is any fine tuning value set.)

Another very significant advantage of being completely comfortable
with your camera, and using the buttons to change settings, as opposed
to using the LCD shooting menu, is being able to make quick changes
while looking through the viewfinder as you evaluate and compose the
shot. If you have to remove your eye from the viewfinder, and use the
menu on the back LCD panel, you are not able to quickly make a change
while viewing the shot, or perhaps even get the shot.

Now about the four things that you point to in your reply:
1) Exposure compensation (EC) – There is a button for exposure
compensation, and it must be used to change EC unless you change
Custom Menu option #10. It is located just behind and to the right of
the words "OFF ON" at the shutter button, and shows a small box with a
"+;/-" symbol. Pressing this while in active shooting mode will
display the current exposure compensation on the top LCD panel, with
values ranging from +5.0 to -5.0. Values are changed by pressing and
holding the EC button, and using the rear dial. (Custom menu #10
allows this to be done with only the command dial, if CS#10=ON, but
this is dangerous because EC can be changed accidentally very easily.
2) Metering mode – I am assuming you are referring to Matrix, Spot,
and Center-weighted metering modes. These also have a button, which
is just to the left of the EC button discussed above. It has a
"target symbol&quot; on it. Pressing it, and using the rear (Command)
dial, allows you to change the metering mode.
3) Exposure meter setting – This is the setting of either Matrix,
Spot, or Center-weighted, which is handled by the button discussed in
#2 above.
4) Focus mode – This must be clarified as to what you are referring
to. If you are talking about whether the camera is set to either
Auto-Focus or Manual Focus mode, this is done – you guessed it, by a
button with white markings. It's on the front of the camera, near the
button used to remove the lens, and indicates the settings by the
values of "AF&quot; or "M&quot;. Within the "auto-focus"; mode, is something
that Nikon calls "focus mode" which is either the Single-Servo AF
setting, or Continuous-Servo AF. This option DOES have to be set
within the menu (using `pencil menu' #2), as does the selection of the
auto-focus area (single, dynamic, or closest subject) using `pencil
menu' #3.

(In #4 above, these two shortcomings on the D70 have been corrected
with buttons that perform these functions on the D200. In the case of
the AF-S or AF-C choices, the button for AF or M has been modified to
allow the AF choices of "S&quot; or "C&quot;, and the choice of auto-focus area
has its own 4-position button on the back of the camera.)

I hope that I have adequately explained my opinion on using buttons to
check settings. If I have made some factual or typo errors, I
apologize, and hope that someone corrects my mistakes so that
erroneous information isn't left uncorrected.

It's getting to be that "golden hour" of perfect sunlight, and I'd
rather have a camera in my hands than typing on a keyboard!

Respectfully,
T.J.

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.

Well done, T.J! That was a totally professional response to a
somewhat flippant alternative. As with quite a few of your previous
posts, this one goes into my keep file.

I couldn't help noticing an analogy between detailed knowledge of the
camera's workings, and the need for a soldier to be able to handle
his weapon swiftly and in the dark. In both cases, immediate response
can be impeded by fumbling for a control thru lack of familiarity.
Failure to respond swiftly in the case of the camera, can result in
loss of a good shot. The other case is, fortunately, OT ...

--- In Nikon-D70%40yahoogroups.com">Nikon-D70yahoogroups.com, "T.J. Shuflin&quot; <tjcajun...> wrote:
&gt;
> --- In Nikon-D70%40yahoogroups.com">Nikon-D70yahoogroups.com, "Deen Hameed&quot; <public> wrote:
&gt; >
>; > Nice tip (try), but what about exposure compensation, metering
mode,
> exposure meter setting, focus mode?
> >
> > Another way to quickly check those four buttons would be to
use the
> SHOOTING MENU; all the info from the D70's white buttons are
displayed
> at a glance, and another quick glance at the top LCD will tell you
the
&gt; rest.
&gt; >
> > I've saved you maybe 10-15 seconds; just try not to press
FORMAT.
> >
> > (now where do I put that wind-up key?...)
> >
>
>
>
> Hi Deen,
&gt; Our group list policies allow for a difference of opinion, which I
> think I sense in your reply. Since I have a different opinion, I
> would like to offer my comments in support of my position. I'm not
> sure what you mean by the parenthetical "(try)", so would like your
>; elaboration on that. I posted the same original message on the
> D100-D200 Yahoo Group, and did say that I was using both the D70 and
> the D200 as examples.
>
> It is impossible to distill into words, much less a single message,
> the quality of experience and expertise that Mike Hagen exuded in
the
&gt; workshops. So I apologize for my meager attempts to offer some
>; helpful things here. As he shared information, he repeatedly urged
us
&gt; to get to know our cameras better, so that we could - by touch and
> feel - make adjustments to settings if needed. Part of that is
> pressing all the "white buttons&quot;, to help perform an active "hands-
on&quot;
> checklist type of protocol. This serves a couple of purposes. It
> makes the photographer more familiar with where a certain button is,
> and what to do to change the value. It also actively engages the
> photographer in the process of evaluating the camera settings,
rather
> than just looking at the panel and perhaps not noticing that a value
&gt; is perhaps not the optimum. By that I mean "seeing" a setting, but
> not "realizing" or catching that it needs to be changed. (Case in
> point is the WB indicators that show a +/- change to something like
>; "cloudy". The only thing visible on the top panel are two tiny
arrows
> below the "WB&quot; symbol. These tiny arrows are often not noticed if
one
&gt; quickly glances at the top LCD panel. And if one uses the shooting
> menu (back LCD panel), even if you see that the WB is set on what
one
&gt; thinks is the proper selection, the "fine tuning adjustments" of the
> WB setting are NOT visible unless you go deeper into the WB menu
>; option. But if you press the WB button, and look at the top panel,
&gt; you will get a definite visual indication of what the basic WB
setting
> is, AND if there is any fine tuning value set.)
&gt;
> Another very significant advantage of being completely comfortable
> with your camera, and using the buttons to change settings, as
opposed
> to using the LCD shooting menu, is being able to make quick changes
> while looking through the viewfinder as you evaluate and compose the
> shot. If you have to remove your eye from the viewfinder, and use
the
&gt; menu on the back LCD panel, you are not able to quickly make a
change
> while viewing the shot, or perhaps even get the shot.
>
> Now about the four things that you point to in your reply:
> 1) Exposure compensation (EC) – There is a button for exposure
> compensation, and it must be used to change EC unless you change
&gt; Custom Menu option #10. It is located just behind and to the right
of
&gt; the words "OFF ON" at the shutter button, and shows a small box
with a
> "+;/-" symbol. Pressing this while in active shooting mode will
>; display the current exposure compensation on the top LCD panel, with
>; values ranging from +5.0 to -5.0. Values are changed by pressing
and
&gt; holding the EC button, and using the rear dial. (Custom menu #10
> allows this to be done with only the command dial, if CS#10=ON, but
> this is dangerous because EC can be changed accidentally very
easily.
> 2) Metering mode – I am assuming you are referring to Matrix,
Spot,
> and Center-weighted metering modes. These also have a button, which
&gt; is just to the left of the EC button discussed above. It has a
> "target symbol&quot; on it. Pressing it, and using the rear (Command)
> dial, allows you to change the metering mode.
&gt; 3) Exposure meter setting – This is the setting of either Matrix,
> Spot, or Center-weighted, which is handled by the button discussed
in
&gt; #2 above.
&gt; 4) Focus mode – This must be clarified as to what you are
referring
> to. If you are talking about whether the camera is set to either
&gt; Auto-Focus or Manual Focus mode, this is done – you guessed it, by a
> button with white markings. It's on the front of the camera, near
the
&gt; button used to remove the lens, and indicates the settings by the
> values of "AF&quot; or "M&quot;. Within the "auto-focus"; mode, is something
> that Nikon calls "focus mode" which is either the Single-Servo AF
> setting, or Continuous-Servo AF. This option DOES have to be set
> within the menu (using `pencil menu' #2), as does the selection of
the
&gt; auto-focus area (single, dynamic, or closest subject) using `pencil
> menu' #3.
>
> (In #4 above, these two shortcomings on the D70 have been corrected
> with buttons that perform these functions on the D200. In the case
of
&gt; the AF-S or AF-C choices, the button for AF or M has been modified
to
&gt; allow the AF choices of "S&quot; or "C&quot;, and the choice of auto-focus
area
> has its own 4-position button on the back of the camera.)
>
> I hope that I have adequately explained my opinion on using buttons
to
&gt; check settings. If I have made some factual or typo errors, I
> apologize, and hope that someone corrects my mistakes so that
>; erroneous information isn't left uncorrected.
>
> It's getting to be that "golden hour" of perfect sunlight, and I'd
> rather have a camera in my hands than typing on a keyboard!
>
> Respectfully,
> T.J.
>;

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.

> 2) Metering mode – I am assuming you are referring to Matrix, Spot,
&gt; and Center-weighted metering modes. These also have a button, which

I think he was referring to exposure modes - P, S,
A and M which, if memory serves me right, are also
painted white in colour. The auto mode icons are
probably green. In this case however, one really
has to actually see the dial and set it properly.

========
OT but relevant to the list as such, from this
point on -

I think I am not the only one who has been seeing
too many comments on this list that are directed
at individuals and/or their knowledge or lack
thereof. I understand that we are humans and have
emotions and that the world in general is in
turmoil, but let us please not have any of that
on this list as much as we can help it.

I am not trying to act like police. I am just
putting myself in the shoes of a new member or
someone who lurks or posts infrequently at best.
Snide personal comments and oneupmanship will
drive these folks away. New members and lurkers
will be afraid to post and everyone else will
generally just feel uncomfortable.

Thanks to everyone who understands and appreciates
this. Brickbats are welcome on my personal mail id.
========

Regards,
Prashanth

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.