Learn & Explore Tip of the Day

May 24, 2013

Ask people to write down their e-mail address on a piece of paper and take a photo of that paper along with their photos. That way you’ll always have their e-mail address on file. Send them a copy of the photo as a thank-you for their time.

May 23, 2013

Keep an eye on your LCD after you take photos of people, and when you find a particularly flattering shot, show it to them. Nothing makes a person relax like knowing that the photos you’re taking make them look good.

May 22, 2013

Planning to take a vacation by the beach? Look for a compact digital camera that’s waterproof, such as the Nikon COOLPIX AW100, AW110, S30, S31 or get an underwater housing for your camera. You’ll be able to take your camera under water and capture what goes on below the surface.

May 21, 2013

When shooting nighttime landscapes, use a low ISO (400 or below if possible) while working from a tripod. Open your aperture to F/4 or F/5.6. This will allow you to have a shot full of detail and of good quality. Remember that night shots need a subject, just like day shots.

May 20, 2013

Don’t forget to bring your camera to holiday barbeques so you can capture all of the fun. Take pictures of the food being grilled, games being played, as well as groupings of friends and family.

May 19, 2013

Wait until the camera has finished writing the photo(s) to the memory card (green light is off) before turning off the camera or removing the card. You can lose pictures if you do either before the camera has had time to download the file(s) from its internal memory to the card.

May 18, 2013

You should format the memory card in your camera on a regular basis. By using the camera’s built-in “Format” function, found in the menus, you lessen the chance of having card problems in the future. Doing so is better than just deleting the images using the camera or the computer.

May 17, 2013

When you’re at a parade take photos of the parade goers, especially your children and the looks on their faces. You’ll see a lot of smiles and excitement.

May 16, 2013

Take a self-portrait each day for a week or month (or a year). It’s harder than you think to take an attractive photo of yourself, and if you do it for long enough you’ll have an interesting series that shows how you’ve changed over time.

May 15, 2013

Everyone loves a parade. For more interesting photos, look for details like the band’s uniforms, a cheerleader’s colorful pom-poms or a bright red fire engine.

May 14, 2013

When shooting groups of five or more people, make sure you stagger them. Put tall folks in the back and the shortest ones in front. It may seem simple, but blocking out just one face can ruin a group portrait. Always tell them, “If you don’t have a clear view of me, the camera can’t see you.”

May 13, 2013

Posing a bride and groom for photos is sometimes difficult. Concentrate on close shots of just the two of them, with clean backgrounds. Then create a fun group shot having them in the center, with others gathered around them. Just make sure no one gets in front of them. After all, it’s their day.

May 12, 2013

Take plenty of photos during your Mother’s Day celebrations. Remember to print multiple copies, so everyone can have their own photographs of mom to cherish.

May 11, 2013

Use a polarizing filter to lessen or eliminate reflections from glass. This works really well on windows of stores or cars. But the trade-off is that your exposure will be a bit longer, as the light is cut down by almost two stops.

May 10, 2013

Capture the hustle and bustle of the city at night. Place your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure (slow shutter speed) to blur the movement of cars and people. Try shooting for about 10 seconds first, and then adjust creatively to catch the motion of the lights and the feel of the city.

May 9, 2013

Make a great team picture. Get the team together in front of a nice background—maybe the goal, the net or the team logo on the field or floor. Shoot the ordinary, and then let the kids have some fun, making faces or funny poses. That’s the one they will always remember.

May 8, 2013

Try shooting panoramas if you’re at a sport stadium, beach or park, for more interesting images. Some Nikon Digital Cameras have an Easy Panorama mode or a Panorama Assist mode, which make these photos easy to shoot.

May 7, 2013

When photographing animals of any kind—pets, birds in flight, animals at the zoo—try to zoom in as close as you can or use a longer lens to isolate the animal from its background. By getting a close-up view you have a greater chance of capturing a wonderful expression on the face of the animal, which will give you a more interesting photograph.

May 6, 2013

Want a unique video of sports action? Use the slow-motion mode that many Nikon digital cameras offer. By shooting the action faster than normal and played back at normal speed, your subject’s movements are slowed down and look more deliberate.

May 5, 2013

When celebrating Cinco de Mayo, take plenty of photos of the colorful decorations in addition to candid photos of everyone having a great time.

May 4, 2013

Change your white balance during a sunrise or sunset. Take your camera off auto white balance and switch to Cloudy or Shady white balance. This will add more strength to the reds, oranges and yellows. Auto White Balance tries to keep colors neutral.

May 3, 2013

To get a shot of someone at sunset, turn on your flash and place the person with the beautiful sunset behind them. With the flash on, they will be illuminated. With the flash off, they will be silhouetted.

May 2, 2013

Spend a day capturing images only in black and white. You have to look at the world differently to take a good-looking photo in black and white, and that will help sharpen your artistic skills.

May 1, 2013

May is National Photo Month! Celebrate by taking photos every day. Give yourself an assignment such as taking a self-portrait each day of the month, or photographing an object every day.

April 30, 2013

If your camera can capture images in both RAW and JPEG format, do so even if you don’t work with RAW images now. These RAW files have the highest image quality possible, so you can edit them years from now and be sure you’re getting the best looking image possible.

April 29, 2013

Set your Speedlight to Rear Curtain Sync. This fires the flash at the end of the exposure, not the beginning, and can create interesting streaks and effects in moving subjects. Experiment with the different flash modes your camera and Speedlight offers.

April 28, 2013

Pick a day and use a fixed focal length lens instead of a zoom (or only one focal length on your zoom, like 35mm). By practicing moving you and the camera to re-frame your images you’ll become more engaged with your subject.

April 27, 2013

If you are photographing out of the window of a plane be sure to keep from touching the window, walls, armrests or other parts of the plane. The vibrations caused by the engines are transmitted through the fuselage and can make your photos blurry. Instead, sit up in the seat and hold the camera as still as you can, close to the window.

April 26, 2013

Arbor Day, which celebrates the planting and caring for trees is celebrated across the USA at different times of the year. Some states celebrate in February while others celebrate the holiday in April, so we decided to celebrate it twice! Use this holiday to take some cool photographs of trees.

April 25, 2013

Frame your storm photograph before it happens. Remember that the sky is your subject, so dramatic clouds are what you’re framing for, and then you hope that lightning will happen in that space. Keep the horizon in the lower third of the frame with the sky the top two-thirds.

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Key Features

Compact, Lightweight and Easy to Use: The Nikon D50 is easy to take with you anywhere you go! From its inviting body contours to its easily accessible controls, this is a camera that makes picture taking satisfying and fun!

High-Quality Nikkor Optics including NEW Compact and Lightweight AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Lens: The new D50 offers seamless compatibility with Nikon's extensive family of high-performance AF Nikkor lenses, as well as the expanding family of DX Nikkor lenses, providing superb color reproduction, razor-sharp image clarity and fast and accurate autofocus performance.

Incredible Battery Performance - with EN-EL3 Rechargeable Battery: The EN-EL3 rechargeable lithium-ion battery increases energy capacity to shoot approximately 2,000 images. The new Quick Charger MH-18a is smaller than the original MH-18, and is capable of charging both the EN-EL3a and EN-EL3 batteries.

High-performance digital processing: employs exclusive Nikon technology to render vivid color and clear details with all the speed necessary to freely capture those precious moments as they unfold.

2.5 Frames Per Second with Uninterrupted Shooting up to 137 Frames: High-speed continuous shooting assures uninterrupted shooting up to 137 frames*, while shutter speeds from 30 to 1/4,000 sec., and flash sync speeds up to 1/500 sec. provide the capability to capture images not possible with non-SLR type cameras. *When using JPEG NORMAL - Large settings, and a SanDisk Ultra II SD Card (256MB). The number of continuous shots possible in a single burst may be fewer depending on the type of SD card used.

New Small Picture Function: A one-button email option, this feature saves photos in the camera at the reduced sizes of 640x480, 320x240, or 160x120, perfect either for mail attachments or for use on a web page.

Responsive Performance: Shutter speeds from 30 to 1/4,000 sec. and flash-synchronized shutter speeds of up to 1/500 sec. provide a photo experience with greater breadth and creative flexibility to catch more of those important picture moments.

NikonCapture Software (Optional): Nikon Capture 4 offers a unique image-editing environment and is the only program that provides complete functionality to edit NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) files, enabling photographers to optimize output for every possible need.

High performance 6.1 Effective Megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD Image Sensor: The D50 delivers vivid color and sharp detail with high resolution for great pictures and enlargements.

7 Digital Vari-Programs: The next evolution of Nikon's scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes produces great results for the intended shot, while freeing you to concentrate on the moment. New Child mode makes it easier to take memorable pictures of the children with the right amount of vivid color and contrast straight from the camera. Choose from Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Close Up, Sports, or Night Portrait.

Large, 2.0-inch LCD: provides immediate feedback when viewing images and aids smooth operation with a new easy-to-view, easy-to-understand menu design and instructive help dialogs.

Refined 5-Area Autofocus System: The D50 has a refined 5-area autofocus system that features speed, precision, broad frame coverage, and class-leading low-light detection that makes it easy to take great pictures in low light situations. An automatic autofocus illuminator is also provided when taking pictures with the built-in Speedlight or when using the optional SB-600 or SB-800 Speedlights.

3D Color Matrix Metering II: The D50 incorporates a 420-pixel RGB sensor for accurate exposure control in all types of lighting situations. By comparing the scene to a built-in database of various lighting patterns, the camera's light meter can accurately produce your best pictures ever.

i-TTL and Nikon's Creative Lighting System: Makes taking pictures with flash as easy as turning the flash on! Easy multiple flash lighting is possible using the new Nikon Creative Lighting System. Add an SB-600 Speedlight for more power and coverage for flash photography.

PictureProject Software INCLUDED: PictureProject is refined with an intuitive new user interface that makes image management, editing and sharing easier and more fun. Simply connect the camera to a computer to automatically import pictures. Quickly e-mail or Auto Enhance images, run slideshows, burn CD/DVDs*, and access other commonly used functions via practical buttons. Use drag-and-drop to organize pictures into separate collections, and quickly locate any file by name, keyword, or date.

Footnote:
*Configurations available at individual retailers may vary.

Specifications

Lens Mount

Nikon F bayonet mount

Picture Angle

Nikon DX format (Effective picture angle 1.5x [Approx.] conversion factor)

Effective Pixels

6.1 million

Sensor Size

23.7mm x 15.6mm

Image Sensor Format

Image Sensor Type

CCD

Total Pixels

6.24 million

Image Area (pixels)

DX-format
(L) 3,008 x 2,000
(M) 2,256 x 1,496
(S) 1,504 x 1,000

File Format Still Images

Compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW)
JPEG (Baseline Compliant)

Picture Control

Custom
Direct Print
Landscape
Normal
Portrait
Sharper
Softer
Vivid

Previously referred to as Optimize Image in the manual.

Storage Media

Card Slot

1 CompactFlash© (CF) card

File System

Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
EXIF 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras)

Viewfinder

AE/FV Lock Indicator
Aperture Value
Exposure Compensation
Exposure/Exposure Compensation Indicator
Flash Output Level Compensation
Flash-Ready Indicator
Fixed Eye-Level Penta-Dach Mirror
Focus Indications
Number of Remaining Exposures
Shutter Speed

Viewfinder Frame Coverage

95 % Approx.

Viewfinder Magnification

0.75x Approx.

Viewfinder Eyepoint

8mm (-1.0m¯¹)

Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment

Built-in diopter adjustment (-1.6 to +0.5m¯¹)

Focusing Screen

Type B BriteView Clear Matte Screen Mark V with Superimposed Focus Brackets

Lens Compatibility at a Glance***

AF-S Lens Required for Autofocus

Compatible Lenses

AI-P NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except 3D Color Matrix Metering, i- TTL Balanced Fill-Flash for Digital SLR and Autofocus Supported
IX NIKKOR Lenses Cannot be Used
Micro NIKKOR 85 mm f/2.8D:All Functions Supported Except Autofocus and Some Exposure Modes
Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but Exposure Meter does not Function; Electronic Rangefinder can be used if Maximum Aperture is f/5.6 or Faster
Other AF NIKKOR (Excluding lenses for F3AF): All Functions Supported Except 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All Functions Supported

Shutter type

Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb

Fastest Shutter Speed

1/4000 sec.1/3
1/2
1

Slowest Shutter Speed

30 sec.1/3
1/2
1

Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution

2.5 frames per second

Self-timer

2-20 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled

Exposure Metering System

420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Center-Weighted Metering (75% of the meter's sensitivity concentrated on the 8mm dia. circle)
Spot: Meters 3.5mm dia. circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
TTL full-aperture exposure metering system

Metering Range

0 to 20 EV (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering)
2 to 20 EV (spot metering)

Exposure Meter Coupling

CPU

Exposure Modes

Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Digital Vari-Program
Manual (M)
Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P)
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)

Shooting Modes

Single-frame shooting (S) mode
Continuous shooting mode: approx. 2.5 frames per second
Self-timer mode: time duration can be set
Delayed remote mode: 2 sec. delay
Quick-response remote mode

Scene Modes

Auto
Child
Close-up
Landscape
Night Portrait
Portrait
Sports

Previously referred to as Digital Vari-Program in the Manual.

Exposure Compensation

±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Exposure Bracketing

3 frames ±2 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 steps

Exposure Lock

Yes
Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

Mirror Lock Up

Yes (for image sensor cleaning)

ISO Sensitivity

ISO 200 - 1600

Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity

2001

Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity

16001

Long Exposure Noise Reduction

Yes

High ISO Noise Reduction

Yes

Dynamic AF Mode

Dynamic-area AF (supports closest subject priority)

Autofocus System

AF-assist illuminator (1.6-9.8 ft./0.5-3.0m approx.)
Detection range: EV -1 to EV +19 (ISO 100 equivalent, at normal temperature: 20°C/68°F)
TTL phase detection
Nikon Multi-CAM900 autofocus module

Focus Lock

AE-L/AF-L button
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)

Focus Modes

Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF
Dynamic Area AF
Face-Priority AF
Single Area AF

Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points

Built-in Flash

Yes

Flash Bracketing

2 to 3 frames in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV

X-Sync Speed

1/500

Flash Control

SB-28DX: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash, Red Eye Reduction
SB-29: Manual, Rear Curtain
SB-30: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain
SB-50DX: Manual, Rear Curtain
SB-80DX: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash, Red Eye Reduction
SB-400: i-TTL, Manual* (*with D40 using Custom Setting only)
SB-600: i-TTL, Manual, Red-Eye Reduction, AF, Zoom, Rear Curtain
SB-800: i-TTL, Auto Aperture (AA), GN, Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, AF, Zoom
SB-900: CLS cameras: i-TTL, AA, Non-TTL Auto, GN, M, RPT, AutoFP High Speed Sync (D3-series, D2-series, D700, D300s, D300, D200, D80 only) , FV Lock, AF-Assist for mulit-area AF, Flash Color Info. Comm., Rear Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Auto Zoom
SB-R1C1/SB-R200 triggered by SU-800: i-TTL, AA, Manual, RPT, AutoFP High Speed Sync (D200/D80 only), FV Lock, AF-Assist for multi area AF, Rear Curtain Sync
SB-R1/SB-R200 triggered by camera's built in flash: i-TTL, Manual, AutoFP High Speed Sync, FV Lock, Rear Curtain Sync
SB-22s: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain
SB-28: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash, Red Eye Reduction
SB-24: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash
SB-26: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash, Red Eye Reduction
SB-25: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain, Repeating Flash
SB-27: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain
SB-23: Manual, Rear Curtain
SB-20, SB-16B, SB-15: Auto, Manual, Rear Curtain

Flash Sync Modes

Front-curtain sync (normal)
Rear-curtain sync
Red-Eye reduction
Red-Eye reduction with slow sync
Slow sync

Flash Compensation

-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV

Accessory Shoe

Yes

Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)

CLS Supported

Flash Sync Terminal

Yes

White Balance

Auto (TTL control using image sensor)
Manual
Preset
White Balance Bracketing

Movie File Format

NTSC
PAL

Monitor Size

2.0 in. diagonal

Monitor Resolution

130,000 Dots

Monitor Type

TFT-LCD

Playback Functions

Auto Image Rotation
Full Frame
Highlight Point Display
Histogram Display
Slideshow
Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments)
Zoom

Interface

USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)

Battery

Rechargeable

Battery / Batteries

EN-EL3 Li-ion Battery Pack

AC Adapter

EH-5 AC Adapter

Tripod Socket

1/4 in.

Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)

5.2 in. (133 mm) x 4.0 in. (102 mm) x 3.0 in. (76 mm)

Approx. Weight

19 oz. (540 g)

camera body only

Optional Accessories

CF-D50 Semi-Soft Case
EN-EL3 Li-ion Battery Pack
MH-18a Quick Charger
MH-19 Quick Charger
EH-5 AC Adapter
ML-L3 Remote Controller
DG-2 Eyepiece Magnifier
DR-6 Rectangular Right Angle Viewfinder
Nikon Capture 4 software (version 4.3)

Supplied Accessories

Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3
Quick Charger MH-18a
Video Cable
USB Cable UC-E4
Strap, Body cap
Eyepiece Cap DK-5
Rubber Eyecup DK-20
Accessory shoe cover
PictureProject CD-ROM

*Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

**Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
***Refer to the product manual or the Compatible Lenses Specification for additional details.

DR-6 Rectangular Right Angle Viewfinder$265.00

ViewNX 2

Capture NX 2$179.95

SK-6 Power Bracket$418.00

ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (Infrared)$20.50

EN-EL3a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery$49.00

UC-E4 USB Cable$35.50

AN-6W Nylon Wide Neck Strap (Wine)$50.00

EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery$59.00

SG-31R IR Panel for Built-In Flash$15.50

MH-18a Quick Charger$59.00

EH-5a AC Adapter$118.00

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ViewNX 2

Capture NX 2$179.95

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D50 4.6 5 26 26

Still a great camera, considering it's age This was my first digital camera, bought it when it first came out many years ago. I still use it as my main DSLR today, although I do have a D7000 on order. I love this camera, even though it's only 6mp. I've used it for weddings, car shows, rodeos, concerts, etc, and it has never failed me. My only complaint, is the noise with ISO settings higher than 400. But considering the age of this camera, it still performs very well, and with good light, it produces great photos. I still plan on using it after I get my new camera...actually planning on converting it to an IR camera. I'll continue using this camera, until the shutter gives out.. Great camera. July 6, 2012

An old reliable friend I purchased this camera when it first Mae out. Since then I have owned various Nikon models including the D300 which was an awesome camera. I was forced to sell my D300 togethere with all my accessories but I have kept the D50. It wasn't until I started using it again that I realised how good it really is. I can honestly say that, apart from noise issues in low light, the D50 is awesome. Easy to use, intelligent and very very reliable. It's a lot closer to a film SLR than the newer high spec models. On comparing shots taken with my D300 with those of the D50, it is clear to me that, if image size was not an issue, the D50 could win hands down. Thank the lord I didn't sell it. I still use it for weddings, christenings etc to great effect. April 26, 2012

By Far My Favorite Toy I have had this camera for several years, (my wife got it for a wedding gift to me). I have never been anyting but pleased with it. It is very easy to use and understand and I have not found anything to do with it that I couldn't accomplish without a little know how. This has been an amazing treat and I while I know that I need to get a new camera (or at least a newer one with video) This one will still be one of my first and best loves. April 12, 2012

Great Camera I got this camera used. Even though it was used I have no complaints! I love it! It is a great starter camera for anyone wanting to enter the world of dSLR's. February 23, 2012

I have enjoyed this camera for several years. It has worked as advertised with only one minor problem with was repaired. My next camera will probably be a D90. December 1, 2011

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Will the included D50 Nikon lenses work with the D5100 and/or the D7000

Dec 5, 2011 by

Anonymous

on D50

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