Hey Wino, Bvar, Regina, Gregorian...

[Touchdown]

...anybody with a D200.

I've been going through the spreadsheet that Gregorian linked for me. How do I lock in the shooting mode "Point & Shoot" from the spreadsheet into one of the ABCD modes?

Can this be done with Nikon Capture instead? This menu on the camera's for the birds! If I can do it on my Mac, and just download it into the camera, that would be great. I wish I knew where that CD was hiding. You know how you save stuff in a "safe place" and it ends up being safe from you? I think that's where my CDs went to, along with a few pairs of socks.

[Gregorian]

1. This might help.

I don't know if it's possible to input the menu stuff by simply plugging in.

I'm quite feeble at this stuff, so if I can do it so can you. I think.

(Remember, the manual has most of this in it. }

Here's a few webpages that have menu stuff. It may not help at all. But it's something. On each page, or at the drop-down at the top of the page, you can navigate to the three or so pages that discuss the menu.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond200/page9.asp

I have not set up the custom abcd menus. I just took the spreadsheet and set up each variable.

It's not as bad as it seems since most of the stuff on that spreadsheet is the default setting.

The most important setting I found was the sharpening setting.

Auto ISO and auto WB I also use as I'm getting used to the camera.

I wouldn't even think about setting up the preset custom menu, since a two button reset will get you back to default at any time. And the settings on the spreadsheet are good enough to keep for most situations.

BTW, a few the menus settings are things that can be and should be changed for differing shooting settings. I believe using this camera properly is not much simpler than flying a helicopter. So don't let it overwhelm you. It's something that takes time.


Also, just to make you feel better, I find the D200 to be ergonomically great compared to my Oly E-10. I mean as far as controls. After four years of shooting with the E-10, I just realized I never ever changed the ISO! It was a menu item, and I didn't go into the menu to change things. On the D200, most of the menu can be altered from outside the menu, by just clicking on the right buttons. Now I'm paying attention to ISO, and exposure.

I'm not sure this helped at all. But if you want an answer to your original question about if the spreadsheet can be input all at one time, you might ask it on Dpreview's forum. That's a fast moving forum.


Here's another simpler menu setup-

http://www.planetnikon.com/index.php?showtopic=267


And remember, shooting RAW, and you can forget about most of the custom menu settings.

[Touchdown]

2. I lost my manual.

Any help you can give is appreciated.:hi:

[Gregorian]

3. Here is the online pdf version

http://tinyurl.com/gulyy

[bvar22]

4. Nikon Capture DOES let you adjust or reset all MENU items...

for EACH shooting bank. There is a "RESET" button at the bottom of the menu for each bank.
I assume that this will RESET to default. I didn't push it because I didn't want to change any settings.
There is an individual drop down menu for each of the adjustment sub categories (a-f), for each of the 4 shooting banks. There is also the RESET bottom at the bottom of each menu.

Additionally, "Nikon Capture Control" lets you upload custom Curves, custom White Balance, Measure White Balance, and other custom setting that can either be downloaded from the INet, or developed on your own.

I haven't used Nikon Capture very much beyond just playing with it. I'm not anywhere near experienced enough to be loading my own Custom Curves. I have set up 2 of my banks for "outside", "inside".
I'm studying the Xcel Spreadsheet, and may set up my banks pretty close to what they outline.

I find Nikon Capture to be very cool to play with, but have never really used it in a productive capacity. If I was shooting portraits in a studio, it would be a "must have" if only for a good promotional tool. Any client would be impressed to have the photographer taking pictures from a terminal, and the pictures showing up directly on the screen. It would also make on the spot adjustments and fine tuning easier.

[NV Whino]

5. Sorry,

over my head. I'm doing good to adjust white point and try RAW once in a while.