B. Taking pictures

Let's start simple: Normally, the camera should take exactly one picture immediately after the shutter release button is pressed. This is still the case if none of the other settings described below is active.

What | The release mode of the D7000 has the following options:

• S: Single images = one image per press of the shutter release button.
• C_L : Continuous shooting with low speed, approx. 1-5 pictures per second
• C_H: Continuous shooting with high speed, as long as you keep the shutter release button pressed, max. 6 pictures per second
• Q: Quiet shutter release. The mirror inside the camera moves more slowly and only swings back when you lift your finger. The shutter sound is much quieter and you can wait for a favourable moment for the second part.
• : Self-timer = shutter release with a delay of 10s.

You can change the delay time in the custom settings menu c3 Self-timer and set the D7000 to take several photos in a row.

• : Remote release. For this you need a separately purchased remote control, ML-L3 from Nikon or a compatible one from other manufacturers.

Note: If you do not take a photo during the time set in the custom settings menu c5 Remote on duration, the D7000 will turn off the remote shutter release receiver. One minute is preset.
See also the heading Remote release below.

• M_UP: Mirror up.

In this setting, pressing the shutter release button will only raise the mirror, not take a picture. Only with a second press of the shutter button or after waiting 30 seconds will the D7000 take the photo.

This sounds impractical – and there is actually a better way: switch on the mirror lock-up in a menu, see below.

You could also include interval shooting, multiple exposures and bracketing in the release mode. But there are separate menus for them, see the headings at the end of this chapter.

Where | With the setting ring at the top left; press the small button on the corner with your left thumb and move the ring with your index finger.

Tip | I always leave C_L set for continuous shooting. You get used quickly to pressing the shutter button only briefly to avoid unwanted pictures, and you can take several shots immediately if necessary. Especially if there is a risk of blurring due to longer exposure times, the finger just stays down a little longer and I later keep only the sharpest of several pictures.

What | You can set how many frames per second the D7000 takes in low-speed continuous shooting (C_L).

Where | In the custom settings menu d6 CL mode shooting speed.

What | In continuous shooting, the D7000 takes pictures as long as you hold the shutter button down − or a maximum number set in the menus is reached.

A limit of 100 is preset, but if you want to change this for whatever reason, you can set the limit as low as you like.

Where | In the custom settings menu d7 Max. continuous release.

What | You can adjust the self-timer:

• How long the D7000 waits after pressing the shutter button before taking the picture.
• How many pictures it will take in a row and how quickly.

If you capture images with the built-in flash, you will need longer than the preset 0.5 s between shots.

Where | In the custom settings menu c3 Self-timer.

You can set a sound signal in volume and pitch that will be heard

• when the autofocus has successfully focused (without focus tracking) and
• during the countdown of the self-timer.

The place to do it is in the custom settings menu d1 Beep. It can only be switched on and off for both the self-timer and autofocus together.

What | Exposure delay mode is another term for mirror lock-up. It means that the camera waits a little after the mirror is raised before taking the photo. This allows minimal camera vibrations to subside that come from the movement of the mirror and cause slight blurring in the picture. If you want to get the best possible sharpness out of your photos, activate this setting when the camera is mounted on a tripod.

Where | The mirror lock-up can be switched on with the shutter release adjustment ring as described above or in the custom settings menu d11 Exposure delay mode.

I prefer the menu, because then one press of the shutter release button is enough.

What | If the release mode is set to remote release , you can determine details in the menus:

• Whether the D7000 responds to the remote release immediately, with a slight delay or with mirror lock-up.
• How long the D7000 remains ready to receive the remote release when you are not taking a photo.

Caution: When the set time has elapsed, the D7000 no longer reacts... If in doubt, set a longer time.

Where | You set the type of shutter release in the shooting menu Remote control mode. How long the D7000 stays awake is set in the custom settings menu c5 Remote on duration.

What | Focus priority means that the D7000 only shoots when the autofocus can focus accurately. Otherwise it will continue to take time for focussing even when you hold the shutter button fully pressed down and the D7000 will release with a delay.

Shutter priority means that the camera shoots in any case when you press the shutter button. Even if the autofocus has not (yet) been able to focus perfectly.

Where | There are two menus for this, the custom settings menu a1 AF-C priority selection and a2 AF-S priority selection in which you can select focus and release priority separately for the two types of autofocus.

The default setting is focus priority for the single autofocus AF-S and release priority for the tracking autofocus AF-C.

What | The D7000 can be programmed like a timer to take photos automatically at regular intervals. You can choose

• the start time
• the interval = the waiting time after each shot until the next, from seconds to hours
• the number of intervals and how many photos the D7000 should take each time.

The D7000 refocuses before each shutter release.

Interval shooting allows nice series of shots if the camera is mounted on a tripod and keeps the same frame.

Where | All this happens in the shooting menu Interval timer shooting.

Don't forget to activate the function at the end by selecting On, otherwise nothing will happen!

The recordings will then start immediately or at the set start time without you pressing the shutter button.

You can cancel a running interval shot in this menu, by switching the camera off and on, or by turning the camera mode dial.

Tips | When the D7000 is left to its own devices, it is a good idea to cover the viewfinder so that no ambient light interferes with the exposure metering.

And: When shooting long series, be careful that the battery does not run out in between! It is best to recharge it beforehand and, as a precaution, switch off the playback menu Image review during long series.

What | Multiple exposure means that the D7000 overlays several individual shots to form one image.

In the end, the D7000 saves the overlay of all shots as one image − the individual shots are not retained.

Where & How | It starts in the shooting menu Multiple exposure. There you set how many shots you want to combine and whether the D7000 automatically corrects exposure (downwards). If not, the final image will become brighter with each additional exposure.

You must explicitly confirm the settings in the ready line, otherwise they will not take effect.

The D7000 will then show two overlapping rectangles on the LCD display and in the shooting information as a symbol for multiple exposure. They disappear when you have pressed the shutter button often enough.

For the next multiple exposure, you have to visit the menu again and switch it on again.

Tip | You can achieve great creative and artistic effects with multiple exposures, the possibilities are endless. It is worth experimenting with them.

What | Bracketing means taking a series of shots in which one setting is varied − typically the exposure.

Where & How | It starts with the BKT button on the front, hold it down and watch the LCD display.

• Together with the rear dial, you can set the number of frames: 

0F = no bracketing (F for frame)
+2F / -2F: a total of 2 pictures, one initial picture and one with positive or negative correction, respectively.
3F: a total of 3 pictures, one normal and one each with positive and negative correction. If you want to take series with more pictures, the only way is to adjust them manually.

• Together with the front dial, you can select the exposure difference between the individual pictures.

In the custom settings menu e5 Auto bracketing set you can choose to change the setting instead of the exposure.

In the custom settings menu e6 Bracketing order you can change the order in which the images of a series are saved.

Last but not least, there is a very special function for those who frequently use bracketing: In the custom settings menu f3 Fn button or f4 Preview button you can assignment one of these keys to bracketing. Then it is sufficient to press the respective button and at the same time press the shutter release once to take the complete series.

Grid lines | In the custom settings menu d2 Viewfinder grid display you can switch on&off  three fine horizontal and vertical lines in the viewfinder. They are helpful to align the camera straight and unobtrusive, I always have them switched on.

Virtual Horizon on Monitor | The system menu Virtual horizon causes an indicator to appear on the monitor that helps to level the camera.

This is helpful when the D7000 has taken seat on a tripod.

Virtual horizon in viewfinder | You can display a similar indicator in the viewfinder with the FN or preview button if the custom settings menu f3 or f4 is set to Viewfinder virtual horizon.

Then the exposure compensation scale at the bottom of the viewfinder signals, whether the camera is level or not, like a spirit level.