Support Articles

AE	Auto exposure
AF	Auto focus
AI	Automatic index
AI/S	Automatic index/Shutter
AP	Aperture priority
ASA	American Standards Association
ASP	Aspherical lens
AS	Anti shake
ASSY	Assembly
APS	Advanced photo system
AWB	Automatic white balance.
BTL	Behind the lens
BF	Back focus
B&W	Black and White
CA	Chromatic aberration
CCD	Charge-couple device
CD	Compact disc
CMOS	Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor
CMS	Colour management system
DI	Digital imaging
DIA	Diaphragm
DOF	Depth of Field
DRAM	Dynamic Random Access Memory
DZ	Digital zoom
DVD	Digital Versatile Disc
EC	Exposure compensation
EF	Electronic Focus
EOS	Canon EOS - electro-optical system
E-TTL	Evaluative, through-the-lens flash metering (Canon)
EV	Exposure Value
EVF	Electronic view finder
EOS	Canon EOS - electro-optical system
FEB	Focus editing bracketing
FEC	Flash exposure compensation
FF	Full frame
FF	Front focus
FPS	Frames per second
F STOP	Fractional stop
GB	Gigabyte
HD	Hard drive
HS	Hot shoe
HSS	High speed sync
IEEE	Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers high speed serial bus standard or firewire
IR	Infrared
IS	Image stabiliser
ISO	International Organization for Standardization
IQ	Image quality
JPEG	Joint photographic experts group
LCD	Liquid crystal display
LE	Long exposure
LED	Light editing diode
MB	Megabyte
MLU	Mirror lock up
MMC	Multimedia card
MF	Manual focus
MS	Memory stick
NiICd	Nickel Cadmium battery
NiMH	Nickel-Metal Hydride battery
NR	Noise reduction
OS	Optical Stabilisation.
OOF	Out of focus
OVF	Optical view finder
OZ	Optical zoom
PL	Positive lock – lens mount
RAW	Random Access Memory
SD	Secure Digital – card
SLR	Single lens reflex
SP	Shutter priority
SSFDC	Smart media
SRT	Shutter release time
SS	Shutter speed
SWM	Silent wave motor
TIFF	Tag image file format
TFT	Thin Film Transistor
TTL	Through the lens
RAW	Raw Architecture Workstation
USB	Universal Serial Bus
USM	Ultrasonic autofocus motor
UV	Ultra Violet
VR	Vibration Reduction
WB	White Balance

On a digital SLR camera, remove the lens, look through the viewfinder and adjust the diopter dial/lever until the focus/metering brackets appear sharp to your eyes. Diopter adjustment can also be done by looking carefully until the fine surface markings/granules of the focus screen appear sharp to your eye.

On a digital compact camera that has an optical viewfinder, look through the viewfinder and adjust the diopter dial/lever until the focus brackets appear sharp to your eye.

Diopter

On a digital compact camera that has an electronic (LCD) viewfinder, activate the camera menu display in the viewfinder. While the menu display is on, look through the viewfinder and adjust the diopter dial/lever until the words are sharp to your eye.

If I use a filter on my lens, will my image quality suffer?

This is a very common question that we get asked, and one that isn't so straight forward to answer! There are two main variables to consider, one is the optical quality of the lens and the other is the optical quality of the filter being used.

The fact is that whenever you place a piece of glass in front of your lens, there is a possibility that your image quality will suffer depending on the optical properties of the glass. However, if you use a quality filter that has better optical properties than that of the lens then the images should be unaffected.

So how do we choose the right filter for our lens?

A simple rule we can all apply when choosing a filter is that of price and brand. In most cases the price is a reasonable reflection of the quality of the filter. So if you're lens is a low end model, then it would be overkill to go out and buy the most expensive filter because the optical properties of the filter would be far superior to that of the lens. Likewise, if you have a high end professional lens then you wouldn't use a $10 filter on it.

By following this "rule of thumb" and you sticking to commonly known brands of filters, you are very unlikely to have a problem.

After you purchase your filter, it is easy to do some comparison shots with and without the filter for your own piece of mind.

Camera Clinic have seen a few cases of varying degrees of softness due to filters with most being very subtle, we have however also seen many severe cases. Below is an example of a severe resolution issue due to a bad filter.

Inferior Filter No Filter

Information from Nikon Australia web-site

Service Advisory for users of Nikon D5000 digital-SLR camera (Update)

To the users of Nikon D5000 digital-SLR camera

Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photography needs.

It has come to our attention that a certain electronic component related to power control in some Nikon D5000 cameras is of substandard quality and may, in rare cases, prevent the camera from powering on.

This announcement is to inform you that we are currently working on measures to resolve this issue, and preparing for repairs to begin at Nikon service facilities after July 27, 2009. Nikon will repair for free any camera that is affected by this issue. There is no time limit to our offer, and you do not need a warranty card to arrange a free repair.

Note: Additional product serial numbers have been added to our list. We recommend that you try the updated search, even if you may have tried it before.

Nikon will continue to take all possible measures to prevent similar issues from occurring again in the future. Therefore, we hope that you will continue to choose Nikon for your photography needs.

We sincerely apologise for any inconveniences this matter may have caused you.

Please see the following for details regarding the indications of this issue.

[ Indications ]

1. The camera cannot be operated when the power switch is turned on even with a fully-charged battery.

2. The camera cannot be operated when the power switch is turned on when connected via the Power Connector EP-5 and AC Adapter EH-5a.

Please verify whether your D5000 kit has been affected by the problem by inputting your camera serial number.

A very common fault/complaint we receive is soft images.

There are many contributing factors to soft focus, the camera, the lens, movement, fungus, dust, settings and alcohol induced photography.

How the lens can cause soft images?

Apart from the above contributing factors to soft focus the two main reasons for soft focus in a lens are:

Point of focus

Resolution

What is the point of focus?

This is the ability of the lens focusing system to stop accurately on a subject. If the point of focus is out you will notice forward or back focusing.

What is resolution?

Resolution is the ability of a lens optics to resolve to it's maximum capabilities. Most lenses are not perfect; as light passes through the lens it degregates to a certain degree. Lenses are one piece of equipment that you really do get what you pay for.

Generally the more expensive the lens, the better the quality of the optics, meaning less degregation of light resulting in better resolution.

Regardless of what quality lens you have, each lens has an optimum resolution. Impact, wear and tear, dust, fungus are all things that will affect the optimum resolution of a lens, resulting in soft images.

How do I know if my lens has a focus or resolution fault or both?

Back and forward focusing will be more evident at a wide open aperture due to the shallow depth of field. Try several lenses because your camera could also be forward or back focusing.

To test the lens, set the aperture to 2.8, 1.4 or 1.8 (depending on your lens) take several images in your normal shooting environment, but try to use a still subject. Take particular note where the focusing point is falling on the subject.

Take careful note of the settings and the lenses you used.

This is the best focus testing for you: there are many variables that will effect the focusing system – lighting, angle of shooting, the type of surface you are focusing on and a moving target.

Review your images on the computer at 100% (1:1) and look for the following:

Is the main subject sharp?

YES	Point of focus ok
NO	If it’s sharper behind the subject – back focusing
NO	If it’s sharper in-front of the subject – forward focusing
If nothing is sharp	It is a resolution problem.

What can be done to correct the focus or resolution?

We have the adjustment software and tooling to adjust most equipment.

For the best results we suggest leaving your camera when you book your lenses in for an adjustment/repair. This allows us to adjust the lenses to perform to their best ability with your camera.

If the lens has a focus or resolution fault due to wear or impact parts will be required to correct the fault.

Please phone ahead we can address your specific case.

Important: If your images are blurred in the view finder but your images are sharp on your P.C – check your diopter setting on the camera. Most of the digital cameras have an in-built diopter. Check your manual for the diopter location and how to change the settings.

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