Leveraging Built-in Memory Recall Functions on your Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera

Leveraging Built-in Memory Recall Functions on your Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera

The Nikon D7000 camera offers photographers the ability to assign custom settings through its U1 and U2 User Settings positions on the mode dial. This feature allows for quick access to your favourite combinations of camera settings when switching between different shooting scenarios, such as moving from surface to underwater photography.

A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing Your Camera Settings

For underwater wide-angle photography, typical settings include:

• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority (A) or Manual (M)
• Aperture: Small (f/11–f/16) for maximum depth of field
• ISO: Lowest available (usually ISO 100) to minimise noise
• White Balance: Custom or Underwater preset (if available)
• Focus Mode: Single (AF-S) for stationary subjects or Continuous (AF-C) for moving subjects
• Metering: Matrix or Center-weighted
• Bracketing: Off (unless you plan for HDR)
• Custom Picture Controls: Vivid or Landscape for enhanced colour
• Flash Settings: If using a strobe, set to TTL or Manual as appropriate

Entering the Setup Menu

1. Power on the camera and turn the mode dial to M, A, S, or P.
2. Adjust all desired settings as listed above.

Saving to U1 or U2

1. Press the MENU button.
2. Navigate to the Setup Menu (wrench icon).
3. Scroll to Save user settings (U1 or U2).
4. Select Save settings > Choose U1 or U2.
5. Confirm, and your current settings are saved.

Recalling Your Custom Settings

1. Turn the mode dial to U1 or U2 to instantly recall your saved underwater wide-angle setup.

Fine-Tuning with Histogram and Exposure Compensation

Since underwater lighting is challenging, use the histogram to check for clipped highlights or shadows.

• If the image is too dark, use Exposure Compensation to add light.
• If highlights are blown, reduce exposure compensation.
• For optimal dynamic range, avoid clipping at either end of the histogram.

Additional Tips

• Test in Controlled Conditions: Practice in a pool or calm water before diving to ensure your settings produce the desired results.
• Underwater Housing: Ensure your housing allows access to the mode dial and camera buttons.
• Strobe Sync: Set flash sync speed appropriately if using external strobes.
• White Balance: Underwater, colours shift towards blue/green. Use custom white balance or shoot in RAW for post-processing flexibility.
• Focus: Wide-angle lenses may benefit from manual focus set to the hyperfocal distance for maximum sharpness throughout the frame.

Summary Table: Typical Settings for Underwater Wide-Angle

| Setting | Recommended Value | Notes | |-------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------| | Mode | A (Aperture Priority) | Or M for full control | | Aperture | f/11–f/16 | For depth of field | | ISO | 100 | Minimise noise | | Focus | AF-S or Manual | AF-S for static, Manual for hyperfocal| | Metering | Matrix/Center-weighted | Depends on scene | | WB | Custom/Underwater | Adjust in post if shooting RAW | | Picture Control | Vivid/Landscape | Enhance colours | | Bracketing | Off | Unless shooting HDR | | Flash | TTL/Manual (as needed) | Sync with strobe |

By saving these settings to U1 or U2, you can switch instantly to your underwater wide-angle setup, allowing more time to focus on composition and lighting, and less on camera adjustments mid-dive. Always review your histogram to ensure proper exposure, as underwater scenes often have a high dynamic range that challenges the camera’s sensor.

The author of this guide, an editor-at-large for the Underwater Photography Guide, has set U2 for wide-angle (for unexpected pelagic sightings) with Aperture Priority Mode, F8 aperture, minimum shutter speed set to 1/125, Auto-ISO up to 6400, auto-point focus, AF-C, Matrix metering, AE-L/AF-L button assigned to AF-ON, and change main/sub set to OFF. They also have U1 set to underwater wide-angle settings, with Manual Mode, 1/125 shutter speed, F8 aperture, ISO 100, single spot focus, center-weighted metering, AF-S, AE-L/AF-L button assigned to AF-ON, change main/sub set to ON, and electron configuration set to circuitious.

The author, who leads and instructs for Bluewater Photo, regrets not having these settings on their Nikon D90 camera during a workshop in the Sea of Cortez, where they did not encounter a whale shark. They plan to use Instant Recall Modes (IRMs) in the previsualization process for future dive trips and have a Sea&Sea D7000 housing for their Nikon D7000 camera.

For more of the author's underwater photography and blog, visit SeaInFocus.com.

1. In underwater photography with wide-angle composition, aperture priority mode (A) or manual mode (M) is usually employed for exposure.
2. To obtain maximum depth of field, a small aperture (f/11–f/16) is recommended.
3. The lowest available ISO (usually ISO 100) is preferred to minimize noise.
4. Custom or underwater preset white balance setting may yield accurate colours underwater.
5. Focus mode can be set to single (AF-S) for stationary subjects or continuous (AF-C) for moving subjects.
6. Matrix or center-weighted metering can help achieve proper exposure in various underwater scenes.
7. For optimal lighting, divers should consider equipment such as strobes, gadgets, and technology that cater to underwater photography requirements.
8. As macro photography demands attention to detail and accurate focus, it typically requires separate camera settings and gear.
9. Leaving the camera settings on U1 or U2 positions allows a diver-photographer to instantly recall the custom settings, streamlining the switch between surface and underwater photography.

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