a few questions about my brand-new D80 (well, new to me!)

[doublep]

hey guys,

I just bought a second hand D80 with Nikkor 18-105 lens and I have a few questions.

There seem to be dust-particles in the viewfinder including 1 fairly large one (I bought the cam at night and unfortunately didnt notice). It's not on the lens, since it doesnt appear on pictures. I've tried blowing gently into the body with the mirror up...no improvement. Any tips?

I tried using the dust off ref photo function, but that says "exposure settings not appropriate". How can I fix that?

I have the camera set to "P" but when I try to set ISO sensitivity to auto it says "this option is not available with current settings" why?


Well, thanks for the help!

 

[tirediron]

If you have dust on the bottom of the prism, blowing with the mirror up isn't going to do a lot. Your best bet will be to remove the lens, and with the camera held at about a 45 angle with the lens opening down (so that dust can fall out) use a good quality air-bulb (I like the Giottos Rocket) and see if that helps. I wouldn't worry about it however, if it's not affecting picture quality. As for the operation questions, you can obtain an electronic copy of the manual from either Nikon.com or Nikon.ca which will answer them.

 

[doublep]

You're absolutely right. If I leave the mirror down, I do even see the little spec in there, while I don't see it with the mirror up. I don't own a bulb at all, since I bought the camera 2nd hand yesterday.

I know it doesnt affect photo's, but it's a nuisance!

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome aboard.

Yes, dust in the viewfinder is annoying...but it won't show up in the photos, so it may not be worth the trouble to get rid of it.

I have the camera set to "P" but when I try to set ISO sensitivity to auto it says "this option is not available with current settings" why?

As mentioned, you should get a copy of the user manual and read it thoroughly.

Off the top of my head, you should be able to adjust the ISO when in 'P' mode...but not in the green 'Auto' mode....so I'd guess that maybe you were actually in auto and not in P.

 

[doublep]

Yes, I read the manual, and a good D80 guide online. Turns out there seems to be a bit of an error in the menu of the D80. You can set the ISO level in the "Shooting Menu". In the list there, it also says the word auto, however, this can not be selected, not in any mode I've tried.

In the "Custom Setting Menu" there is a seperate setting for ISO Auto, which does work. Seems like Nikon just added the auto option to the shooting menu but forgot to activate it or something...

 

[Big Mike]

Auto ISO is a relatively new function for cameras. The D80 came out, just around the time that cameras started getting that option...so it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't smooth or easy to turn on/use.

Have you checked that you are using the most up to date firmware?

 

[doublep]

Yes, I just did! What a good tip! That actually solved the auto-ISO issue, the menu now makes sense!

 

[Big Mike]

In your menu somewhere, it should say what firmware version is loaded. Then just go to the Nikon site (or Google) and find out what the newest version is for your camera. If you don't have the newest version, then download and install it.