Nikon^® D3500 For Dummies^®

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2018965106

ISBN 978-1-119-56183-5 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-56184-2 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-56185-9

Nikon® D3500 For Dummies®

To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Nikon D3500 For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.

Table of Contents

Cover

Introduction

About This Book
How This Book Is Organized
Icons and Other Stuff to Note
Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Fast Track to Super Snaps

Chapter 1: Getting Up and Running
1. Preparing the Camera for Initial Use
2. Exploring Basic Camera Features
3. Displaying Help Screens
4. Familiarizing Yourself with the Lens
5. Working with Memory Cards
6. Taking a Few Final Setup Steps
7. Restoring Default Settings
Chapter 2: Reviewing Five Essential Picture-Taking Options
1. Choosing an Exposure Mode
2. Setting the Release Mode
3. Checking Image Size and Image Quality
4. Adding Flash
Chapter 3: Taking Great Pictures, Automatically
1. Shooting in Auto and Auto Flash Off Modes
2. Taking Advantage of Scene Modes
3. Accessing a Few Hidden Scene Types

Part 2: Beyond the Basics

Chapter 4: Taking Charge of Exposure
1. Introducing the Exposure Trio: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
2. Stepping Up to Advanced Exposure Modes (P, S, A, and M)
3. Checking the Exposure Meter
4. Choosing an Exposure Metering Mode
5. Setting Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
6. Solving Exposure Problems
Chapter 5: Controlling Focus and Depth of Field
1. Choosing Automatic or Manual Focusing
2. Exploring Standard Focusing Options (Viewfinder Photography)
3. Focusing During Live View and Movie Shooting
4. Manipulating Depth of Field
Chapter 6: Mastering Color Controls
1. Understanding White Balance
2. Choosing a Color Space
3. Taking a Quick Look at Picture Controls
Chapter 7: Putting It All Together
1. Recapping Basic Picture Settings
2. Shooting Still Portraits
3. Capturing Action
4. Capturing Scenic Vistas
5. Capturing Dynamic Close-Ups
Chapter 8: Shooting, Viewing, and Trimming Movies
1. Shooting Movies Using Default Settings
2. Adjusting Video Settings
3. Controlling Audio
4. Exploring Other Recording Options
5. Manipulating Movie Exposure
6. Screening Your Movies
7. Trimming Movies
8. Saving a Movie Frame as a Still Image

Part 3: After the Shot

Chapter 9: Playback Mode: Viewing Your Photos
1. Picture Playback 101
2. Choosing Which Images to View
3. Adjusting Playback Timing
4. Enabling Automatic Picture Rotation
5. Shifting from Single-Image to Thumbnails Display
6. Displaying Photos in Calendar View
7. Magnifying Photos During Playback
8. Viewing Picture Data
9. Creating a Digital Slide Show
10. Viewing Your Photos on a Television
Chapter 10: Working with Picture and Movie Files
1. Rating Photos and Movies
2. Deleting Files
3. Protecting Photos and Movies
4. Taking a Look at Nikon's Photo Software
5. Downloading Pictures to the Computer
6. Processing Raw (NEF) Files
7. Preparing Pictures for Online Sharing

Part 4: The Part of Tens

Chapter 11: Ten Fun (And Practical) Ways to Manipulate Your Photos
1. Applying the Retouch Menu Filters
2. Removing Red-Eye
3. Straightening Tilting Horizon Lines
4. Removing (Or Creating) Lens Distortion
5. Correcting Perspective
6. Adjusting Exposure and Color
7. Cropping Your Photo
8. Applying Effects to Existing Photos
9. Shooting in Effects Mode
10. Combining Two Photos with Image Overlay
Chapter 12: Ten Special-Purpose Features to Explore on a Rainy Day
1. Adding Hidden Image Comments
2. Adding a Copyright Notice
3. Creating Custom Image Folders
4. Customizing Filenames
5. Turning Off the AF-Assist Illuminator
6. Adjusting Automatic Shutdown Timing
7. Changing the Look of the Information Display
8. Keeping the Information Display Hidden
9. Customizing the AE-L/AF-L Button
10. Using the Shutter Button to Lock Exposure and Focus (or Not)

Appendix: Intro to Nikon SnapBridge

What Can I Do with SnapBridge?
Preparing for Launch
Connecting Your Camera to a Smart Device
Taking a Look at SnapBridge Functions

Index

About the Author

Advertisement Page

Connect with Dummies

End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1

FIGURE 1-1: Align the white dot on the lens with the one on the camera body.
FIGURE 1-2: Insert the memory card with the label facing the back of the camera.
FIGURE 1-3: On the AF-P kit lens, press this button while rotating the lens barr...
FIGURE 1-4: Rotate this dial to set the viewfinder focus for your eyesight.
FIGURE 1-5: Rotate the Mode dial to choose an exposure mode.
FIGURE 1-6: Use the Multi Selector to navigate menus and access certain other ca...
FIGURE 1-7: When recording movies, be careful not to cover the microphone holes ...
FIGURE 1-8: Look on the left side of the camera for USB and HDMI ports.
FIGURE 1-9: Set the Mode dial to Guide to use the guided menus.
FIGURE 1-10: Use the Multi Selector to highlight an option and then press OK to ...
FIGURE 1-11: Highlight a menu in the left column to display its contents.
FIGURE 1-12: Select the option you prefer and press OK again to return to the ac...
FIGURE 1-13: The Recent Settings menu offers quick access to the last 20 menu op...
FIGURE 1-14: Rotate the Live View switch toward the back of the camera to engage...
FIGURE 1-15: Press the Info button to change the Live View display.
FIGURE 1-16: Camera settings appear on the Information screen (left) during view...
FIGURE 1-17: A few picture settings also appear at the bottom of the viewfinder.
FIGURE 1-18: Press thei button to activate the control strip (left); highlight a...
FIGURE 1-19: Here are a few features found on certain AF-P lenses.
FIGURE 1-20: With an AF-P lens, set the lens to automatic or manual focusing by ...
FIGURE 1-21: On this AF-S lens, as on many lenses, you set the lens to automatic...
FIGURE 1-22: When this feature is enabled, you can set an AF-P lens to use autof...
FIGURE 1-23: Some AF-P lenses offer Vibration Reduction.
FIGURE 1-24: Avoid touching the gold contacts on the card.
FIGURE 1-25: Basic camera operations are controlled through the Setup menu.
FIGURE 1-26: Danger, Will Robinson! Change the File Number Sequence option to On...
FIGURE 1-27: When you set Airplane Mode to On, the camera disables the camera’s ...
FIGURE 1-28: Choose the Reset option to return to the default settings for the r...
FIGURE 1-29: Choose this Setup menu option to restore all but a couple camera op...

Chapter 2

FIGURE 2-1: The Mode dial determines how much input you have over exposure, colo...
FIGURE 2-2: This S represents the Single Frame Release mode, which produces one ...
FIGURE 2-3: The Release Mode button offers the fastest access to the setting.
FIGURE 2-4: You can adjust the self-timer capture delay and the number of frames...
FIGURE 2-5: Pixels are the building blocks of digital photos.
FIGURE 2-6: A high-quality print depends on a high-resolution original.
FIGURE 2-7: At 50 ppi, the image has a jagged, pixelated look.
FIGURE 2-8: Adding pixels in a photo editor doesn't rescue a low-resolution orig...
FIGURE 2-9: A high-resolution original (left) enabled me to crop the photo and s...
FIGURE 2-10: The reduced quality of the right image is caused by excessive JPEG ...
FIGURE 2-11: The current Image Quality and Image Size settings appear here.
FIGURE 2-12: After pressing thei button to display the control strip (left), I c...
FIGURE 2-13: Changing the Image Size from Large to Medium reduced the file size ...
FIGURE 2-14: You also can set Image Size and Image Quality via the Shooting menu...
FIGURE 2-15: You can add light via the built-in flash or by attaching an externa...
FIGURE 2-16: Adding flash resulted in better illumination and a slight warming e...
FIGURE 2-17: Slow-Sync flash produces softer, more even lighting than normal fla...
FIGURE 2-18: I used Rear-Curtain Sync Flash mode to create this candle-lighting ...
FIGURE 2-19: An icon representing the Flash mode appears in the displays.
FIGURE 2-20: The fastest way to change the Flash mode is to hold down the Flash ...
FIGURE 2-21: You also can adjust the Flash mode by using the normal control-stri...
FIGURE 2-22: When normal flash output is too strong, dial in a lower Flash Compe...
FIGURE 2-23: These symbols represent Flash Compensation.
FIGURE 2-24: Rotate the Command dial while pressing the Flash and Exposure Compe...
FIGURE 2-25: You also can adjust the setting by using the normal control-strip m...
FIGURE 2-26: Using this option, you can control the flash output manually.

Chapter 3

FIGURE 3-1: Set the Mode dial to Auto or Auto Flash Off for point-and-shoot simp...
FIGURE 3-2: The fastest way to set the Focus mode to AF-A is via the control str...
FIGURE 3-3: Frame your subject so that it's within the area covered by the autof...
FIGURE 3-4: The selected focus points flash red, and then the green light appear...
FIGURE 3-5: Rotate the LV switch toward the back of the camera and release it to...
FIGURE 3-6: For portraits, a focus box appears automatically over the subject’s ...
FIGURE 3-7: These symbols represent the Scene modes.
FIGURE 3-8: Portrait mode produces soft backgrounds to help emphasize your subje...
FIGURE 3-9: Try Sports mode to capture action.
FIGURE 3-10: Close Up mode helps emphasize the subject by throwing the backgroun...
FIGURE 3-11: After setting the Mode dial to Guide (left), press the menu button ...
FIGURE 3-12: Choose Easy Operation (left) to display a list of scene types (righ...
FIGURE 3-13: Select Advanced Operation (left) to reveal an additional assortment...
FIGURE 3-14: To exit the guided menus and start shooting, choose one of the firs...

Chapter 4

FIGURE 4-1: The aperture size and shutter speed determine how much light strikes...
FIGURE 4-2: A lower f-stop number means a larger aperture, allowing more light i...
FIGURE 4-3: Widening the aperture (choosing a lower f-stop number) decreases dep...
FIGURE 4-4: If both stationary and moving objects are blurry, camera shake is th...
FIGURE 4-5: Caused by a very high ISO or long exposure time, noise becomes more ...
FIGURE 4-6: For this image, raising the ISO allowed me to bump up the shutter sp...
FIGURE 4-7: You can control exposure and certain other picture properties fully ...
FIGURE 4-8: In M exposure mode, the exposure meter appears in the Information an...
FIGURE 4-9: The viewfinder offers a simplified meter design, with bars under the...
FIGURE 4-10: This symbol represents the Matrix metering mode.
FIGURE 4-11: The Metering mode determines which area of the frame the camera con...
FIGURE 4-12: Press thei button to activate the control strip and access the Mete...
FIGURE 4-13: You also can change the Metering mode via the Shooting menu.
FIGURE 4-14: You can view the current f-stop and shutter speed on the Informatio...
FIGURE 4-15: The settings also appear in the viewfinder.
FIGURE 4-16: The ISO setting appears in the Information and Live View displays.
FIGURE 4-17: Press thei button to access the control strip and adjust the ISO se...
FIGURE 4-18: You can access advanced ISO options from the Shooting menu.
FIGURE 4-19: In the P, S, A, and M modes, use these options to set up automatic ...
FIGURE 4-20: For a darker exposure, lower the Exposure Compensation value.
FIGURE 4-21: These indicators tell you whether Exposure Compensation is enabled.
FIGURE 4-22: Hold down the Exposure Compensation button and rotate the Command d...
FIGURE 4-23: You can also change the setting via the control strip.
FIGURE 4-24: Active D-Lighting captured the shadows without blowing out the high...
FIGURE 4-25: This symbol tells you whether Active D-Lighting is turned on or off...
FIGURE 4-26: You can adjust the Active D-Lighting setting in the P, S, A, and M ...
FIGURE 4-27: Vignette Control tries to correct the corner darkening that can occ...
FIGURE 4-28: If you enable Vignette Control (left), a symbol indicating the sett...

Chapter 5

FIGURE 5-1: The first steps in your focusing routine depend on whether you’re us...
FIGURE 5-2: The Focus mode and AF-area mode settings appear here.
FIGURE 5-3: The fastest route to the Focus mode setting is the Information displ...
FIGURE 5-4: When setting the Focus mode through the Shooting menu, be sure to se...
FIGURE 5-5: The AF-area mode setting determines which of the 11 autofocus points...
FIGURE 5-6: The fastest way to select the AF-area mode setting is via the Inform...
FIGURE 5-7: You also can adjust the AF-area mode setting through the Shooting me...
FIGURE 5-8: Select Viewfinder (left) and then press the Multi Selector right to ...
FIGURE 5-9: This symbol gives you information about which autofocus points are a...
FIGURE 5-10: Use the Multi Selector to select the focus point that you want the ...
FIGURE 5-11: Select these autofocus settings for stationary subjects.
FIGURE 5-12: The green light indicates that the camera achieved focus.
FIGURE 5-13: For moving subjects, the AF-C and Dynamic Area settings work best f...
FIGURE 5-14: The rangefinder offers manual-focusing assistance.
FIGURE 5-15: Enable the rangefinder via the Setup menu.
FIGURE 5-16: During Live View shooting, symbols representing the Focus mode and ...
FIGURE 5-17: Press thei button to bring up the control strip and adjust the Focu...
FIGURE 5-18: You also can choose the Focus mode for Live View and Movie recordin...
FIGURE 5-19: Access the AF-area mode via the control strip.
FIGURE 5-20: You also can change the setting via this Shooting menu option.
FIGURE 5-21: The red box represents the focusing frame in Wide Area and Normal A...
FIGURE 5-22: The focusing frame appears differently in Face-priority mode (left)...
FIGURE 5-23: The focus frame turns green when focus is achieved.
FIGURE 5-24: Press the Zoom In button to magnify the display and double-check fo...
FIGURE 5-25: A shallow depth of field blurs the background (left); a large depth...
FIGURE 5-26: A lower f-stop number (wider aperture) decreases depth of field.
FIGURE 5-27: Zooming to a longer focal length also reduces depth of field.

Chapter 6

FIGURE 6-1: Each light source emits a specific color.
FIGURE 6-2: Multiple light sources resulted in a yellow color cast in Auto White...
FIGURE 6-3: A symbol representing the current White Balance setting appears in t...
FIGURE 6-4: Select a White Balance setting by using the control strip.
FIGURE 6-5: In Live View mode, the display renders colors according to the selec...
FIGURE 6-6: To uncover more White Balance options, open the Shooting menu.
FIGURE 6-7: If you adjust the White Balance setting from the Shooting menu, you ...
FIGURE 6-8: Press the Multi Selector right to get to the fine-tuning screen.
FIGURE 6-9: The asterisk indicates that you fine-tuned the White Balance setting...
FIGURE 6-10: Select these options to set white balance by measuring a white or g...
FIGURE 6-11: You can create a white balance preset based on a photo.
FIGURE 6-12: Highlight Select Image and press the Multi Selector right to choose...
FIGURE 6-13: Select the color space through this Shooting menu option.
FIGURE 6-14: This two-letter code represents the Picture Control setting.
FIGURE 6-15: Picture controls apply preset adjustments to color, sharpening, and...
FIGURE 6-16: The fastest way to select a Picture Control is by using the control...
FIGURE 6-17: The Shooting menu provides access to settings that let you tweak th...
FIGURE 6-18: After selecting a Picture Control, press right to display options f...

Chapter 7

FIGURE 7-1: Check the shutter speed and aperture (f-stop) settings in the Inform...
FIGURE 7-2: A blurry background draws more attention to your portrait subject.
FIGURE 7-3: For soft, even lighting, forego flash and instead expose your subjec...
FIGURE 7-4: To properly illuminate the face in outdoor portraits, try adding fla...
FIGURE 7-5: Slow-sync flash produces softer, more even lighting and brighter bac...
FIGURE 7-6: To eliminate harsh lighting and strong shadows (left), use bounce fl...
FIGURE 7-7: Use a high shutter speed to freeze motion.
FIGURE 7-8: Using a shutter speed slow enough to blur moving objects can be a fu...
FIGURE 7-9: I set the aperture to f/18 for this shot, creating a depth of field ...
FIGURE 7-10: For misty waterfalls, use a slow shutter speed and a tripod.
FIGURE 7-11: Using a slow shutter speed creates neon light trails in nighttime c...
FIGURE 7-12: The bench in the foreground helps provide a sense of the vastness o...
FIGURE 7-13: A shallow depth of field helps separate these companions from the b...
FIGURE 7-14: A macro lens enables you to focus close enough to fill the frame wi...

Chapter 8

FIGURE 8-1: Press the Info button to cycle through the Live View display modes u...
FIGURE 8-2: You can set the Focus mode via the control strip.
FIGURE 8-3: You also can change the setting via the Shooting menu.
FIGURE 8-4: If the camera detects a face, you see the yellow focus frame shown o...
FIGURE 8-5: The red Rec symbol appears while recording is in progress.
FIGURE 8-6: Press the Info button to hide most of the onscreen data or display a...
FIGURE 8-7: Select Movie Settings from the Shooting menu and then select Frame S...
FIGURE 8-8: You get a choice of two frame sizes and frame rates ranging from 60 ...
FIGURE 8-9: To set the Movie Quality, follow this menu path.
FIGURE 8-10: In the default Movie display mode, the Frame Size/Frame Rate and Mo...
FIGURE 8-11: For fast access to video settings, press thei button to bring up th...
FIGURE 8-12: Be careful not to accidently cover the microphone or speaker holes ...
FIGURE 8-13: These symbols indicate the current Microphone setting and volume le...
FIGURE 8-14: You can access the Microphone settings via the Movie Settings optio...
FIGURE 8-15: The Manual microphone option enables you to set a specific volume l...
FIGURE 8-16: You can adjust the Microphone setting from the control strip.
FIGURE 8-17: Access the Wind Noise Reduction setting via the Movie Settings opti...
FIGURE 8-18: This symbol tells you that Wind Noise Reduction is turned on.
FIGURE 8-19: Here's your road map to other symbols shown on the monitor in the S...
FIGURE 8-20: Enable this option to take control over movie exposure.
FIGURE 8-21: When you use the default playback display mode, you see this movie ...
FIGURE 8-22: The icons at the bottom of the screen remind you which buttons to u...
FIGURE 8-23: With the movie paused, press thei button to access the movie-editin...
FIGURE 8-24: To trim frames from the beginning of a movie, select the Start Poin...
FIGURE 8-25: When you’re happy with your edited movie, choose Save as New File t...
FIGURE 8-26: The scissors symbol tells you that you're looking at a trimmed movi...
FIGURE 8-27: This option lets you save a single frame as a JPEG image.

Chapter 9

FIGURE 9-1: These buttons play the largest roles in picture playback.
FIGURE 9-2: If your memory card contains multiple image folders, specify which f...
FIGURE 9-3: You can control how long pictures are displayed before automatic mon...
FIGURE 9-4: To save battery power, you may want to disable Image Review.
FIGURE 9-5: You can display vertically oriented pictures in their upright positi...
FIGURE 9-6: These Playback menu options affect whether pictures are tagged with ...
FIGURE 9-7: You can view multiple image thumbnails at the same time.
FIGURE 9-8: Calendar view makes it easy to view all photos shot on a particular ...
FIGURE 9-9: After highlighting a thumbnail, press the Zoom In button to temporar...
FIGURE 9-10: Use the Multi Selector to move the yellow box over the area you wan...
FIGURE 9-11: You can choose from these display modes during picture playback.
FIGURE 9-12: Enable the display options you want to use via this Playback menu s...
FIGURE 9-13: In File Information mode, you can view these bits of data.
FIGURE 9-14: These symbols indicate the protect, retouch, and send-to-smart devi...
FIGURE 9-15: In Highlights mode, blinking areas indicate blown highlights.
FIGURE 9-16: In RGB Histogram mode, you see a brightness histogram and an RGB hi...
FIGURE 9-17: The Brightness histogram indicates tonal range, from shadows on the...
FIGURE 9-18: The RGB histogram can indicate problems with color saturation.
FIGURE 9-19: Here you see the first Shooting Data screen.
FIGURE 9-20: In Overview mode, you can view your picture along with the major ca...
FIGURE 9-21: Here you can inspect major exposure settings along with the lens fo...
FIGURE 9-22: This row contains additional exposure information.
FIGURE 9-23: Look at this row for details about color settings.
FIGURE 9-24: Choose Slide Show to set up automatic playback of your pictures and...
FIGURE 9-25: Choose the By Rating option to include only your pictures rated wit...
FIGURE 9-26: Select options for HD playback here.
FIGURE 9-27: The HDMI-out port is under the door on the side of the camera.

Chapter 10

FIGURE 10-1: You can rate a batch of photos by choosing Rating from the Playback...
FIGURE 10-2: During playback, press thei button, select Rating, and then press t...
FIGURE 10-3: The rating appears here in File Information playback mode.
FIGURE 10-4: To delete all files (except those you protected), use this Playback...
FIGURE 10-5: This Delete menu option offers a quick way to delete a batch of pho...
FIGURE 10-6: With the Select Date option, you can quickly erase all photos taken...
FIGURE 10-7: Press the AE-L/AF-L button to give an image protected status.
FIGURE 10-8: You can see the selected focus point and other camera settings when...
FIGURE 10-9: Capture NX-D offers a more advanced assortment of photo editing too...
FIGURE 10-10: The port for connecting the USB cable is hidden under the door on ...
FIGURE 10-11: Select the check boxes of the images that you want to download.
FIGURE 10-12: Specify the folder where you want to put the downloaded images.
FIGURE 10-13: Use the options on this tab to automatically send duplicates of yo...
FIGURE 10-14: Turn off the Delete Original Files after transfer option!
FIGURE 10-15: Select Retouch (left screen) and then scroll to the NEF (RAW) Proc...
FIGURE 10-16: These Raw conversion options are on the first page of the menu scr...
FIGURE 10-17: Press the Multi Selector down to scroll to the second page of conv...
FIGURE 10-18: Capture NX-D offers a large assortment of tools for finalizing the...
FIGURE 10-19: Use the Resize option to create a low-resolution version of a pict...
FIGURE 10-20: Select one of these options to set the size for your low-res copy.
FIGURE 10-21: To resize a batch of photos, it's quicker to do the job via the Re...
FIGURE 10-22: Press the Zoom Out button to tag the selected photo for resizing.

Chapter 11

FIGURE 11-1: After selecting a Retouch menu option (left), use the Multi Selecto...
FIGURE 11-2: In Playback mode, you can press thei button to access the Retouch m...
FIGURE 11-3: Use Side-by-Side Comparison to see whether you prefer the retouched...
FIGURE 11-4: The Retouch menu offers an automated red-eye remover.
FIGURE 11-5: You can level crooked photos with the Straighten tool.
FIGURE 11-6: Press the Multi Selector right or left to rotate the image in incre...
FIGURE 11-7: Barrel distortion makes straight lines appear to bow outward.
FIGURE 11-8: The Distortion Control filter can reduce barrel distortion.
FIGURE 11-9: Press the Multi Selector right or left to adjust the correction.
FIGURE 11-10: The original photo exhibited convergence (left); applying the Pers...
FIGURE 11-11: Again, use the Multi Selector to manipulate the image.
FIGURE 11-12: An underexposed, backlit subject (left) gets help from the D-Light...
FIGURE 11-13: Press the Multi Selector right or left to vary the strength of the...
FIGURE 11-14: You can create three monochrome effects through the Monochrome too...
FIGURE 11-15: Cropping creates a better composition and eliminates background cl...
FIGURE 11-16: The yellow box indicates the cropping frame.
FIGURE 11-17: The Cross Screen filter adds a starburst effect to the brightest p...
FIGURE 11-18: Color Sketch produces the effect you see on the right.
FIGURE 11-19: The Miniature Effect filter throws all but a small portion of a sc...
FIGURE 11-20: Use the Multi Selector to position the yellow rectangle over the a...
FIGURE 11-21: I used the Selective Color filter to desaturate everything but the...
FIGURE 11-22: To select a color you want to keep, move the yellow box over it an...
FIGURE 11-23: Effects mode lets you apply special effects to movies and still ph...
FIGURE 11-24: Rotate the Command dial to cycle through the effects.
FIGURE 11-25: Put the camera into Live View mode to preview effects (left) and t...
FIGURE 11-26: The Night Vision effect creates an exceptionally noisy black-and-w...
FIGURE 11-27: The Silhouette effect purposely underexposes backlit subjects.
FIGURE 11-28: Image Overlay merges two RAW (NEF) photos into one.
FIGURE 11-29: If you want each subject to appear solid, use a black background a...

Chapter 12

FIGURE 12-1: You can tag pictures with text comments through this feature.
FIGURE 12-2: Use the Multi Selector to highlight a letter and press OK to enter ...
FIGURE 12-3: You also can tag files with copyright information.
FIGURE 12-4: After entering your copyright data, select Attach Copyright and pre...
FIGURE 12-5: Use this Setup menu option to create custom-numbered folders and sp...
FIGURE 12-6: Press the Multi Selector right or left to highlight a number box; t...
FIGURE 12-7: Select these options to customize the first three characters of fil...
FIGURE 12-8: After entering the replacement prefix, press the Zoom In button to ...
FIGURE 12-9: The File Naming screens confirm your changes.
FIGURE 12-10: Turn this option off to disable the AF-assist lamp.
FIGURE 12-11: Customize auto shutdown timing here.
FIGURE 12-12: You can alter the Information display design and color scheme.
FIGURE 12-13: Modify the look of the Information display through this Setup menu...
FIGURE 12-14: Choose these options to change the function of the AE-L/AF-L butto...
FIGURE 12-15: You can set the button to perform any of these five functions.
FIGURE 12-16: The final two settings on the Buttons option list affect the shutt...

Appendix

FIGURE A-1: Most camera options related to using SnapBridge are on these two pag...
FIGURE A-2: After selecting Bluetooth from the Setup menu, choose Network Connec...
FIGURE A-3: To select multiple files for transfer, select these Playback menu op...
FIGURE A-4: Highlight a thumbnail and then press the Zoom Out button to tag it f...
FIGURE A-5: During playback, you can tag the currently displayed image through t...
FIGURE A-6: Choose Connect to Smart Device from the Setup menu to begin the conn...
FIGURE A-7: Wait until you see this screen to start SnapBridge on your device.
FIGURE A-8: After confirming that the code shown on the camera matches the one o...
FIGURE A-9: Here’s a look at the Camera tab as it appears on an iOS device (left...
FIGURE A-10: Tap Select on the first download screen (left) to display the secon...
FIGURE A-11: After displaying the remote-control screen (left), tap the Settings...
FIGURE A-12: Display the Gallery tab to view photos that you transferred to your...

Introduction

Nikon. The name has been associated with top-flight photography equipment for generations. And the introduction of the D3500 has only enriched Nikon’s well-deserved reputation, offering all a terrific blend of features for capturing both still photos and high-definition digital movies. You also get tools for cropping, resizing, and enhancing pictures right in the camera. The D3500 even has built-in Bluetooth technology, which enables you to transfer photos wirelessly to smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

In fact, the D3500 offers so many features that sorting them all out can be more than a little confusing, especially if you’re new to digital photography, SLR photography, or both. For starters, you may not even be sure what SLR means or how it affects your picture-taking, let alone have a clue about all the other techie terms you encounter in your camera manual — resolution, aperture, white balance, and so on.

If you’re like many people, you may be so overwhelmed by all the controls on your camera that you haven’t yet ventured beyond fully automatic picture-taking mode. And that’s a shame because it’s sort of like buying a Porsche and then only driving it around the block at 10 miles an hour. In both cases, you’re missing out on a whole lot of fun and, when it comes to photography, making it more difficult to capture certain types of images.

Therein lies the point of Nikon D3500 For Dummies. With the help of this book, you can take full advantage of everything the D3500 has to offer.

About This Book

Unlike many photography books, this one doesn’t require any previous knowledge of photography or digital imaging to make sense of things. In classic For Dummies style, everything is explained in easy-to-understand language, with lots of illustrations to help clear up any confusion.

Even if you have some photography experience — or quite a bit of experience, for that matter — this book has plenty to offer, however. I provide detailed information about all the camera’s advanced exposure, focus, and color controls, explaining not just what each feature does but why and how to put it to best use.

In short, what you have in your hands is the paperback version of an in-depth photography workshop tailored specifically to your Nikon picture-taking powerhouse.

How This Book Is Organized

This book is organized into four parts, each devoted to a different aspect of using your camera. Although chapters flow in a sequence that’s designed to take you from absolute beginner to experienced user, I’ve also made each chapter as self-standing as possible so that you can explore the topics that interest you in any order you please. Here’s a brief preview of what you can find in each part of the book:

Part 1: Fast Track to Super Snaps: Part 1 contains three chapters to help you get up and running. Chapter 1 guides you through initial camera setup and shows you how to view and adjust camera settings. Chapter 2 introduces you to basic picture options such as Exposure mode, Release mode, Image Size (resolution), and Image Quality (JPEG or Raw) and also provides information on flash photography with the D3500. Chapter 3 walks you through the steps of taking your first pictures using the Auto and Auto Flash Off exposure modes and then introduces you to Scene modes and a few other automated options available in Guide mode.
Part 2: Beyond the Basics: Chapters in this part help you unleash the full creative power of your camera by detailing the advanced shooting modes (P, S, A, and M). Chapter 4 covers the critical topic of exposure; Chapter 5 explains how to manipulate focus; and Chapter 6 discusses color controls. Chapter 7 summarizes techniques explained in earlier chapters, providing a quick-reference guide to the camera settings and shooting strategies that produce the best results for portraits, action shots, landscape scenes, and close-ups. Chapter 8 shifts gears, moving from still photography to HD movie recording.
Part 3: After the Shot: This part offers two chapters, both dedicated to tasks you do after you press the shutter button. Chapter 9 explains how to review your pictures on the camera monitor and connect your camera to a TV for large-screen playback. Chapter 10 topics include rating, deleting, and protecting photos, downloading images to your computer, processing Raw files, and preparing pictures for online sharing. Chapter 10 also introduces you to two free Nikon photo programs, Nikon ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D.
Part 4: The Part of Tens: In keeping with For Dummies tradition, this book concludes with two top-ten lists containing additional bits of information and advice. Chapter 11 covers the photo-editing and effects tools found on the camera's Retouch menu and also shows you how to use the Effects exposure mode to add special effects to movies and photos as you record them. Chapter 12 wraps up the book by detailing some features that, although not found on most “Top Ten Reasons I Bought My D3500” lists, are nonetheless interesting, useful on occasion, or a bit of both.
Appendix: Intro to Nikon SnapBridge: Nikon SnapBridge is a free app available for Android and Apple iOS smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices. It’s this app that enables you to use the camera’s Bluetooth wireless technology to connect your D3500 to your smart device. After making the connection, you can transfer photos to the device for viewing or easy uploading to your favorite social media site. You also can use your device to trigger the camera’s shutter button remotely.

Because not all readers will have a smart device compatible with SnapBridge, I opted to cover it in an appendix rather than in the body of the book. For the same reason, I provide just enough details to get you started using the app, including information on how to quickly access online SnapBridge support through the app.
Cheat sheet: When you have a minute or two, visit www.dummies.com and enter the name of this book in the search box. You’ll find a link to a cheat sheet, which provides a handy reference guide to important camera settings and terms.

Icons and Other Stuff to Note

If this isn’t your first For Dummies book, you may be familiar with the large, round icons that decorate its margins. If not, here’s your very own icon-decoder ring:

The Tip icon flags information that will save you time, effort, money, or some other valuable resource, including your sanity. Tips also point out techniques that help you get the best results from specific camera features.

When you see this icon, look alive. It indicates a potential danger zone that can result in much wailing and teeth-gnashing if ignored. In other words, this is stuff that you really don’t want to learn the hard way.

Lots of information in this book is of a technical nature — digital photography is a technical animal, after all. But when I present a detail that is useful mainly for impressing your tech-geek friends, I mark it with this icon.

I apply this icon either to introduce information that is especially worth storing in your brain’s long-term memory or to remind you of a fact that may have been displaced from that memory by another pressing fact.

Additionally, replicas of some of your camera’s buttons and onscreen graphics appear in the margins and in some tables. I include these images to provide quick reminders of the appearance of the button or option being discussed.

Where to Go from Here

To wrap up this preamble, I want to stress that if you initially think that digital photography is too confusing or too technical for you, you’re in very good company. Everyone finds this stuff mind-boggling at first. So take it slowly, experimenting with just one or two new camera settings or techniques at first. Then, every time you go on a photo outing, make it a point to add one or two more shooting skills to your repertoire.

I know that it’s hard to believe when you’re just starting out, but it really won’t be long before everything starts to come together. With some time, patience, and practice, you’ll soon wield your camera like a pro, dialing in the necessary settings to capture your creative vision almost instinctively.

So without further ado, I invite you to grab your camera, a cup of whatever it is you prefer to sip while you read, and start exploring the rest of this book. Your D3500 is the perfect partner for your photographic journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to act as your tour guide.

Fast Track to Super Snaps

IN THIS PART …

Familiarize yourself with the basics of using your camera, from attaching lenses to navigating menus.

Find out how to select the exposure mode, Release mode, Image Size (resolution), and Image Quality (JPEG or Raw file type).

Discover options available for flash photography.

Get step-by-step help with shooting your first pictures in Auto Mode, Flash Off Mode, and the Scene modes.