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FFocal Plane

The precise position (plane) within the camera body, behind the shutter curtain, at which the light gathering surface of the image sensor is fixed. In a film SLR, this is the same plane across which the film would be positioned for each exposure.
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FireWire
A protocol for transferring data to and from digital devices at high speed, often up to 800 megabytes per second.
Fixed Bit Rate
A type of lossy media compression that uses the same data per second throughout the entire audio/video file. The file size will be smaller than one with a variable bit rate. Find out more.
Focal Length
The distance from the principal point to the focal point.
Front-Curtain Sync
A technique in which the flash fires an instant after the first (front) curtain of a focal plane shutter has completed its travel across the film plane. See also Rear-Curtain Sync.
Flash Output Level Compensation
A control used to adjust an automatic TTL flash unit’s operation, enabling an increase or decrease of flash output to lighten or darken the flash effect.
Front Lighting
Lighting that illuminates the subject from the position of the camera. Because illumination falls evenly on the subject, a front-lit subject may look flat and less dimensional.
Foreground
The area in a scene that is closer to the photographer than the main subject.
F Mount
The F Mount is the designation given to the Nikon single lens reflex interchangeable lens mounting system introduced with the Nikon F in June, 1959. Find out more.
File Format
A selected program type or data file such as JPEG, NEF, RAW or TIFF.
Focal Point
A point on the optical axis where light rays converge to form a sharp image of an object.
Flash Value (FV) Lock
A function of the Nikon Creative Lighting System, Flash Value (FV) lock maintains the same flash exposure for your main subject when you're shooting a sequence of photos. Find out more.
Floppy Disk
A flexible, thin, 3.5-inch square plastic disk used to store data or images. Not widely used anymore as their storage capacity is limited.
Fast Lens
A lens with a large maximum aperture, usually in the range of f/2.8 or larger. Because such a lens will allow more light to reach the film or image sensor, it will allow the use of faster shutter speeds.
FP High-Speed Sync
A feature of flash units and SLR cameras that enables flash pictures to be taken at shutter speeds higher than the camera's normally synchronized speeds.
Focus Mode
A method of operation for an autofocus system. Basic focus modes include single servo AF, continuous servo AF and manual focus.
Focus Tracking
A focusing system that analyzes a moving subject’s speed and anticipates the position of the subject at the exact moment of exposure. Enables you to take in-focus pictures of moving subjects.
Fluorescent
The illumination produced from a gas-discharge lamp or tube is called fluorescent light. Find out more.
Focal Plane
The precise position (plane) within the camera body, behind the shutter curtain, at which the light gathering surface of the image sensor is fixed. Find out more.
FX-Format
Refers to Nikon cameras that feature a 35mm film-frame size sensor. Find out more.
Full-Aperture Metering
A metering method in which light is measured with the lens at maximum aperture.
Flash
An electronic unit that provides a relatively brief burst of light.
Frame
A single image; also, the scene viewed through the camera's finder.
Fast Glass
Slang term, often used by professional photographers, for a fast lens with large maximum apertures.
Flicker Reduction
When shooting in the movie mode, the Flicker Reduction option, offered on select Nikon cameras, allows you to compensate for the flicker that may be seen on the display or final movies when shooting under certain lighting conditions. Find out more.
Flash Shooting Distance Range
The distance over which a flash can effectively provide light.
File
A computer document; also, a collection of information, such as data, images or text that can be saved on a disk or a hard drive.
Flexible Program
See Program Shift.
Flash Duration
Refers to the very short amount of time it usually takes for a flash to fire. Automatic flash control varies the brightness by varying the duration of the flash. Flash duration for an auto flash is typically 1/1000 to 1/20,000 second.
f/number or f/stop
The numerical expression of the relative aperture of a lens. Each f/number is 1.4 times larger than the preceding one, and each number indicates a halving or doubling of the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens.
Focus Range
The range within which a lens can focus on a selected subject. Often used to indicate the capability of a macro or micro lens.
Fixed Focus
Refers to a lens in which the focus is fixed at the time of manufacture and is not adjustable. These lenses are most often used in single-use cameras. They are also found in phone cameras and webcams.
Flare
The soft effect visible in a picture resulting from stray light passing through the lens that is not focused to form the primary image. Flare can be controlled by using optical coating, light baffles, low reflection surfaces or a lens hood.
Feature (F) Button
A button on select Nikon digital cameras that gives you acces to select features. In the Nikon 1 camera system, the Feature button gives you access to certain features in the SPS, Motion Snapshot or Playback modes.
Filter Adapter Ring
Placed between a filter and the lens when attachment size differs.
Flat
A term often used to indicate an image that's too low in contrast; a "flat" image.
Firmware
Firmware is a read only set of instructions that is embedded in a hardware device to either add or improve function. Find out more.
Formatting
Preparing a memory card for use. It is recommended that before each shooting session, digital camera users format their memory card, in the camera, which completely wipes the data that had been on the card. Find out more.
Firmware Update Capability
A first for Nikon flash units, the latest firmware for specific Nikon Speedlights can be downloaded from Nikon's website to a memory card while the Speedlight is mounted on certain Nikon D-SLRs.
Flash Card
A type of camera memory card that can retain data after the system has been turned off. Also known as a flash memory card or media card.
Flat Lighting
Lighting source or method that produces a low contrast image or depicts a subject with little dimensionality.
Focusing Screen
An element between the mirror and pentaprism or pentamirror in a single-lens-reflex camera. Find out more.
Filter
A plastic or glass lens that fits in front of the camera lens and is used to manipulate or affect the final image.
FPS
Frames per second. Refers to the rate at which film is exposed when a camera's motor drive is engaged; in digital photography, the rate at which image frames are exposed.
Framing Priority
A photographic technique that is selectable when shooting in the Smart Photo Selector mode of the Nikon 1 system cameras. Find out more.
Flash Exposure Bracketing
A feature that enables you to automatically bracket exposures at varied flash outputs without changing the shutter speed and/or aperture.
Flash Sync Speed
The speed at which a flash synchronizes with the opening of the shutter.
Freezeproof
Freezeproof cameras are designed to be used in frigid temperatures. The Nikon COOLPIX AW100 digital camera is freezeproof, able to be used in the frigid cold down to 14°F and in cold water, down to 32°F.
Fisheye Lens
A lens that has a picture angle of approximately 180 degrees or more.
Flood Lamp
A type of photo reflector lamp that can illuminate a rather wide area.
Fill-Flash
A technique that uses flash illumination as a supplement to ambient light. Useful when photographing subjects that are backlit with very high-contrast lighting or in shadow.
Focal Length Multiplier
For a D-SLR that uses an imaging sensor smaller than 35mm film frame, the ratio of the diagonal of the camera's imaging sensor in comparison to the diagonal of a 35mm frame is the crop factor. The ratio is known as the FLM. Find out more.
Focus-Priority AF
An autofocus mode in which the shutter cannot be released until the subject is in focus.