You welcome Funduro

Paperman said: The D300 can control 2 functions with Fn button - one with front wheel and the other with back wheel . So I can control both bracketing & metering . Just curious if the D300s is not the same?

Yes it is, set the dual functions. Thank you Adamz for the instructions.

On my D90 i used it for AF modes

On D700 I am using it for Virtual horizon.

jonnyapple said:

Yes, it swaps out the exposure meter in the viewfinder for a scale that is centered when the camera is level.

Gotcha - I just use the grid and my inner ear..... ;^)

jonnyapple said:

It's custom setting f1, Andrew, and you set it to "both" instead of just top LCD illumination.

Ah, a malcomprendre - I thought you had some secret way of displaying the actual battery info off the setup menu. Ignore that last PM then.

Chz,

Awesome idea with the variable Fn button behavior, crocodilo. I hadn't thought of that and I'll keep it in mind.

spraynpray said:
So the horizon you are talking about - does it automatically stay level or summat? I thought you meant the grid which is what I use as a reference when judging level?

Yes, it swaps out the exposure meter in the viewfinder for a scale that is centered when the camera is level.

spraynpray said:
Jonnyapple said "Or, better yet, just set the ON/OFF switch to display the info when you roll it to the "light bulb" icon. Am I remembering wrong when I think that both batteries show on the top LCD with the D90?"

Nice idea about the switch - how do you do that (I can't find it)? I think you are remembering wrong about the batteries on the top LCD.

It's custom setting f1, Andrew, and you set it to "both" instead of just top LCD illumination.

crocodilo said:
On the D3000 I used it to select ISO.

On the D7000:
U1 - FV_lock - this is my user setting for using speedlights
all other modes - ADL_mode_selection

Update
On U1, for tripod/strobism:
Fn - My_menu top item, which is the page for commander mode on the pop-up
AE/AF-L - Fv
On U2, for fast action:
Fn - ADL_mode-selection
AE/AF-L - AF-ON
On all other modes, for general use, including shoe mounted flash:
Fn - Fv
AE/AF-L - AE/AE-L

Doesn't sound as tricky as it seems. On all modes, the preview button is set for preview.
The My-menu selection is geared towards tripod/strobism and includes commander mode settings, multiple exposure, interval shooting and virtual horizon settings.

The ability to get these sttings personalized is absolutely fantastic!

So the horizon you are talking about - does it automatically stay level or summat? I thought you meant the grid which is what I use as a reference when judging level?

Jonnyapple said "Or, better yet, just set the ON/OFF switch to display the info when you roll it to the "light bulb" icon. Am I remembering wrong when I think that both batteries show on the top LCD with the D90?"

Nice idea about the switch - how do you do that (I can't find it)? I think you are remembering wrong about the batteries on the top LCD. If you mean the basic battery symbol, there is only one and I prefer the percentage left in the battery and knowing whether I have the second battery full or if it has just started to be used. I didn't get a manual for the grip though so maybe I am missing something.

EDIT: Just found two basic battery symbols on the rear LCD so I'll use that as a compromise.

Thanks to all the ideas above, I am trying AF area mode as the top of 'my menu' with all of my other likes below it for faster access.

Nice one chaps.

spraynpray said:
Easy ISO is on the D90 too.

Really? Boy, do I feel stupid!

Mike Gunter said:
A tip of the hat to everyone!

I've got a lot of great ideas as to what I might change and do with my function button.

Agreed! These types of threads are great!

spraynpray said:
At the moment I have it set to display battery info for the grip.

Gareth said:
does your camera have an info button? that displays battery info.

Or, better yet, just set the ON/OFF switch to display the info when you roll it to the "light bulb" icon. Then the battery info will be on the rear LCD like Gareth is suggesting. Am I remembering wrong when I think that both batteries show on the top LCD with the D90?

There is no horizon on the D90, unfortunately. That came with the D300s and is on the D7000 (not sure about higher-end).

My reason for going to "top item in My Menu" is it gives me fast access to any of the My Menu items no matter which menu I've been poking around in last.

Hi,

A tip of the hat to everyone!

I've got a lot of great ideas as to what I might change and do with my function button.

Thanks for the tips!

My best.

Mike

micron49 said:
"d90 - af mode selection (whoops)"
--------------------

Why whoops? That's what I'm using it for since purchase (3D, AF point selection, etc.)...did I forget to notice that a dial can do the same? Can't wait to get to camera to see.

:p whoops cause I originally put AF point selection, not mode. I've done it since day 1 cause it was annoying to dig through menus just to change AF modes!

"d90 - af mode selection (whoops)"
--------------------

Why whoops? That's what I'm using it for since purchase (3D, AF point selection, etc.)...did I forget to notice that a dial can do the same? Can't wait to get to camera to see.

Easy ISO is on the D90 too.

crocodilo said:
A note regarding ISO selection for the D7000: one can activate the Easy_ISO function, that on P, A and S modes sets the unused command dial for ISO selection. Most usefull, especially combined with the option to view ISO selected on the viewfinder, replacing the remaining_pictures_available display.

Great tip! I thought "Easy ISO" was some kind of "auto ISO." Good to know--I'll definitely be using that function, now! Thanks!

you have to use the function button for that?

i guess i'm spoiled with my cameras!

does your camera have an info button? that displays battery info.

Some interesting ideas there guys.

I have the grid on full time on my cameras so no need for that, and with so many dedicated buttons and easy access to the info buttons items, what to put on the Fn button is an interesting choice. I don't see the point in having it take me to something on a menu that I then have to use the multi-selector wheel for, I'd rather choose something like the flash off, battery display, FV lock or horizon or at worst a function that then just uses the command wheel to change.

At the moment I have it set to display battery info for the grip.

Artificial horizon, I so love that option.

Top item in my menu (on-camera flash control).

On the D3000 I used it to select ISO.

On the D7000:
U1 - FV_lock - this is my user setting for using speedlights
all other modes - ADL_mode_selection

A note regarding ISO selection for the D7000: one can activate the Easy_ISO function, that on P, A and S modes sets the unused command dial for ISO selection. Most usefull, especially combined with the option to view ISO selected on the viewfinder, replacing the remaining_pictures_available display.

bhoveyga said:
On the D7000: The AE-L/AF-L button is set to "AE lock (hold)," and the Fn button is set to spot meter, so I can instantly grab a reading from anywhere, no matter what exposure mode or shooting mode I'm in.

A man after my own heart. A great combo.

On a slightly tangential note: anyone know why AE-l/AF-L defaults to locking both? Isn't that redundant when the shutter half-press locks as well? Always seemed like a wasted button, but I'm more than happy to hear what I could be doing which I'm not.

Gareth said:
i understand cropping, but not crop mode, id much rather do it in post.

No kidding. 5:4 in-camera would be great, IF the sides of the viewfinder blacked out. I like the safety of being able to push that 5:4 framing a little left or right in post.

Unless you're shooting for FPS, DX crop mode seems silly. Double silly if you're shooting it for a supposed 1.5x TC.

SkintBrit said:
That's interesting adamz. Do you remember how to set it up? I dont mean how to assign the function button, I obviously know how to do that, but how did you assign it to that feature? I don't remember seeing that option in the list.

menu->pencil->f (controls)->f4 (assign Fn button->Fn button + command dials->Choose image area

You can assign only FN button + command dials or Fn button press, can't assign both of them.

On the D7000: The AE-L/AF-L button is set to "AE lock (hold)," and the Fn button is set to spot meter, so I can instantly grab a reading from anywhere, no matter what exposure mode or shooting mode I'm in.

D300 -> Spot metering
D3100 -> ISO

On the D40 I set it to ISO.

Sometimes I change it to self timer, 2 seconds. When I had slower lenses in a museum, I would set the self timer on, pull the strap tight against my body (with the camera around my neck) and use it as a bipod.

Works pretty well.

That's interesting adamz. Do you remember how to set it up? I dont mean how to assign the function button, I obviously know how to do that, but how did you assign it to that feature? I don't remember seeing that option in the list.