COD Library: Media Lab Equipment Guides: Nikon Z30

Equipment Photo

What Does It Do?

The Library has Nikon Z30 cameras available for checkout. This camera can be used to record still photography or to record video. This model of camera allows you to customize shooting features.

About

The default "normal" photo extension is .JPG. You can change this from the menu if you want to explore other options.
When the camera is returned, the SD card is reformatted and all images are erased. There are no exceptions. Please remember to remove your footage before you return the camera. We cannot recover any images once it has been turned in.

I- button

This is a quick menu for most of the common features you might want to access.

Lenses:

To attach a lens, align the dot on the lens to the similar white dot on the camera, then insert and rotate until you hear a click.
To remove a lens, push in on the black button next to the lens on the camera body, then twist the lens to remove.
The camera lens rear cover and camera body cover can screw together when not in use to make one larger, hard to lose piece.
When removing the lens and reattaching the cover, do not point the camera or lens to the light or sun. This is a mirrorless camera and fire or sensor damage is something that can easily cause fines. Place the lens caps back on the piece by lining up the white dot on the piece and the black dot on the cap, then screwing together.
The included 16-50 lens can accommodate a wide area within a photograph.
The 50-250mm lens allows for long-distancing zooming.
The Nikon Z30 lens collapses by turning what you think may be beyond the limit of the lens to the tiny white dot. Example, with the 16-50 lens, turn the lens to the 16, then push to turn the lens further to get to the tiny white dot. The lens will lock into storage mode.

Shooting options:

Video Mode can be accessed by switching the button to the video camera. You can use the M on the wheel for Manual settings or the green Auto button for "point and shoot" automatic settings. To record video, press the red record button to start and stop recording.
Photo Mode can be accessed by switching the button to the photo camera. You can use the You can use the M on the wheel for Manual settings or the green Auto button for "point and shoot" automatic settings. To take a photo, press the black shutter button in the center of the on/off wheel.
- If you are using Auto, you can press the shutter button lightly to see a green square on the display of what is in focus before taking a photo. You can press the button a few times lightly until the area you want in focus is highlighted. You may need to adjust camera placement to get the correct item. When ready, press harder on the button to take the photo.
Shooting timelapse video
- Timelapse is shot using the video crop.
- Before proceeding, ensure camera date and time are set correctly in the setup menu.
- In the green camera photo shooting menu on the touch screen, navigate to Time-lapse video. Press the wheel arrow to select it. You can access your interval times, start/stop time and more from this menu. Maximum shooting time is 7h59m.
- To start, highlight start and press ok.
- To finish earlier than the schedule, press ok or select Time-lapse video in the menu and change it to OFF, then press ok.
Setting the self-timer
- Press and hold the button with the timer icon and three sheets icon on the left. Use the wheel on the right to scroll through options until you get to the self-timer intervals.
Settings
- Can be adjusted on the touch screen for aperture, exposure, or by using the manual controls on the camera.
Zoom and focus: Use the smaller zoom ring on the lens closest to the front to zoom in and out. Use the larger focus ring on the lens nearest the camera body to focus on your subject when you have established your framing.
Resetting photo shooting mode
- Should be done after any changes.
- Press the menu button. Navigate to the wrench icon. Select reset all settings. This will reset any changes you have made to camera settings and revert them back to the default/starting options.
Saving and exporting: Your photos will be saved to the camera’s included SD card. To remove the card, open the battery hatch on the bottom of the camera body, press down slightly on the SD card until there is a slight click and the card ejects from the camera. Insert the SD card label up in a SD card slot on a compatible personal computer, or using one of the Media Lab’s Mac workstations.
Power: The camera will be provided a battery and charger with the checkout. To swap batteries, open the hatch on the bottom of the camera body, and press the small grey latch to release the battery. Insert the fully charged battery, aligning the copper leads to those of the inside of the camera. The included battery charger can be plugged into a standard power outlet or with the attached cable to a car outlet, and indicates that a battery is currently charging with and amber light, or fully charged with a green light.
Wifi/Bluetooth: The camera can be connected to a smart device or computer via the menu. Press the menu button. Navigate to the wrench icon and scroll down through the screens to locate Connect to Smart Device or Connect to Computer. Toggle these by pressing right on the menu and you can access the bluetooth and wifi options.