Using the Knight Visual Resources Facility Digital Cameras

The Knight Visual Resources Facility has three digital cameras available for faculty and student use. These include two Nikon Coolpix 990 cameras with fixed zoom lenses with an equivalent range of 38-115mm and the Nikon D-1 professional single lens reflex camera, (available with an 18-35mm Nikkor zoom lens), which accepts a wide range of Nikon lenses.

The Nikon Coolpix 990
The Nikon Coolpix 990 is ideal for project and model documentation as well as photographing three dimensional works of art. Though it is possible to shoot two dimensional work the 990's viewfinder and fixed zoom lens are not designed for accurate recording of two dimensional work.

The 990 has a macro feature which allows the user to focus as close as .02 meters (.8"), with sharp and detailed results. This is particularly useful for photographing models and other closeup studio setups.

Using the Macro feature on the Coolpix 990: 1. Set the camera to "M-Rec" mode. 2. Set the camera lens position to the mid-optical zoom position, (the macro close up flower icon in the LCD monitor will turn yellow when you are in the mid optical zoom range). 3. While holding down the focus mode button (lower left button beneath the monitor screen) turn the command dial to set the focus distance. The focusing range is .02 meters to infinity. 4. By releasing and pressing the focus button a second time you can cancel manual focus operation.

For best results when using the macro feature, use the monitor screen to frame and focus pictures. The camera's flash can be used in the macro close up mode, but it is recommended that you make a test exposure to verify your results.

The Nikon D-1
The D-1 is a professional digital camera with high image resolution potential for a variety of shooting situations, including copy work and photographing two and three dimensional works of art, architecture and architectural models. The D-1 can be used with most Nikon lenses. See the D-1 user manual if you are unsure about the compatibility of a lens to the D-1.

Use of the D-1 is currently limited to faculty use only. Students may use the D-1 only with the permission of an AAP faculty member.

Using the Nikkor 18-35mm lens with the D-1:
The Nikon AF 18-35mm zoom lens is a sharp and versatile lens which we recommend for use with the D-1 camera. Important points to remember when using the lens with the D-1:

The AF 18-35mm zoom lens offers an equivalent wide angle range equal to 27-52.5mm when used with the Nikon D-1. This is because the sensor on the D-1, which records the image, has a narrower picture angle or field of view than the normal 35mm picture plane. Thus, the D-1 picture frame is a cropped version of the 35mm camera frame. With the loss of picture area, the actual area exposed using the D-1 is approximately fifty percent less than when using this lens on a 35mm camera. When the 18-35mm lens is attached to the D-1 the actual picture area (at 1.5 or 1.50 x picture area), becomes 27-52.5 mm. This gives you a workable picture area range from "wide angle" to "normal".

1. Always mount lenses on the D-1 with the camera turned OFF.

2. Carefully mount the lens onto the camera body. To do this, align the white aperture index line that you set the aperture number to with the white dot on the left side of the camera lens mount opening and gently secure the lens to the camera body by rotating the lens from left to right until it locks into the camera body. You'll hear a click!

3. Turn the power ON and set the aperture ring to its maximum aperture, F-22. (Unlike the other aperture numbers on the lens, F-22 is colored orange). You must use F-22, in order for the lens to become fully operational with the camera. Use the "minimum aperture lock lever" to lock the aperture at F-22. To do this, slide the orange lock lever - to the right of the white aperture index line - towards the aperture ring, so that the two orange dots are aligned.

4. At this aperture setting the lens becomes fully functional in any mode - "P"-Auto program, "A"-Aperture priority, "S"-Shutter priority or "M"-Manual.

5. Aperture and shutter speed settings are now controlled from the camera as follows:

a. Shutter speeds are set by rotating the main command dial behind the top control panel.
b. Aperture is set by rotating the sub-command dial in front of the power ON-OFF switch.

See the D-1 users manual for a more detailed explanation about camera settings and advanced controls.

IMPORTANT
Camera users are required to read through all instructional webpages pertaining to each piece of equipment to be checked out, as well as to read and sign a user responsibility statement for that equipment. There is a fee of $5.00 for every four hours of camera use, payable at the time the equipment is checked out.

Because lighting is such a critical factor in digital copywork, photographing copy larger than 20"x30" is not recommended. Copy larger than 20"x30" should be professionally scanned. A list of vendors who provide this service is given below.
Line weight and color can significantly effect the results of your copywork. High line weight and darker colors will reproduce with greater contrast and graphic qaulity.

Using the Nikon D-1 on the VRF copystand in room B-19a:

These suggested settings are based on the daylight bulb set-up in room B-19a . For use with other types of light adjust white balance selector for the kind of lighting used and make test images to achieve the correct exposure. To photograph drawings using tungsten balanced Lowell "Tota Lamps", an exposure of 1/10 sec. @ F-8 is a good starting point (ASA setting at 200).

Lens: 55mm macro, (non AF).

Lighting: Daylight full spectrum flourescent bulbs.

Settings: M (manual) mode; 1/8 second, bracket between F-5.6 - F-8.

Image quality: "Hi" (256 MB card space is 32 images)

Speed: ASA 200

White Balance: Set to kind of lighting used.

Image Format: Tiff

Using the Nikon CoolPix 990 for copywork:

Despite its design and lens optics, the Coolpix can be used to photograph flat copy with adequate results.

Focus Mode: manual focus.

Settings: M (Manual mode, press mode button while rotating control dial). Press mode button again to set aperture and shutter speed. Move command dial while holding down mode button to switch from aperture to shutter speed controls.
You can utilize the Coolpix 990's macro feature for doing close up shots or details of your drawings. For a description on using this feature, click on "macro feature".

Lighting: Cancel default flash setting, use available light or studio lights.

Image Quality: "Fine" ( 64 MB card space is 46 images ).

Image Size: "3:2" (35mm equivalent)
Speed: ASA 100

White Balance: Go to the white balance sub menu in the MREC menu. Choose lighting source.
Then press multi selector button to the right to set the source.