Camera Control Reference

Supplement to Mastering the Nikon D500

This supplemental information is intended for readers of Mastering the Nikon D500 only. Please do not distribute this
extra material to anyone other than a legitimate owner of the book. Mastering the Nikon D500 is available at the
following website: http://rockynook.com/shop/photography/mastering-the-nikon-d500/?ref=13/

Copyright © 2017 Darrell Young, All Rights Reserved

Now, let’s have a tour of the camera’s buttons, dials, and switches. We will consider what each does. This will, of
course, be expanded upon in following chapters, but this section, along with the Camera Body Reference section
in the beginning of Mastering the Nikon D500 are good reference points for where and what each of the controls
accomplish. For the description of each control you’ll need to match the number of the control in figures 1–5 to
their list entries. All control names are marked in blue to help delineate them as Nikon-created control names.
Green items are words you will see on a camera LCD display. This section is different from the Camera Body
Reference in the table of contents area of the book. Instead of merely showing you where the controls are, it goes
into detail about what they do.

Figure 1: Back of Nikon D500

Back of Camera (see figure 1)

1. Accessory shoe: This “hotshoe” is where you will insert various accessory units that provide services for
the camera. The primary use is for Speedlight flash units. However, you can also insert the SU-800
Speedlight commander in the Accessory shoe, or even the Nikon GP-1 GPS unit or an external stereo
microphone (e.g., Nikon ME-1). There are all sorts of items that you’ll want to attach to the camera and
the Accessory shoe provides a place for attachment.
2. Eyepiece shutter lever: Allows you to close a shutter inside of the camera’s viewfinder eyepiece to
prevent bright light shining on the rear of the camera from influencing the exposure. An example use

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 may be when you are shooting a landscape image and the sun is behind your camera. Extremely bright
light shining in the viewfinder eyepiece may influence the exposure based on normal through-the-lens
metering. Close this shutter for the most accurate exposures in very bright rear light.
3. Delete button: Used to delete pictures when they are displayed on the Monitor (#12). Also used to delete
characters when inserting comments in various functions such in the camera’s menu system. In addition,
this is one of the buttons you hold down to format memory cards, as signified by the FORMAT symbol
above it. You use it with the Metering button (#32) by holding both of them down at the same time until
For starts flashing on the Control panel (#34), release them, and immediately reapply both. The memory
card will then be formatted. More detailed information on card formatting, such as how to choose which
of the two to format, is available in the chapter titled Setup Menu under the sub-heading Format
Memory Card.
4. Playback button: Used to preview images or movies you have just taken on the Monitor (#12). You’ll
press this button and the image(s) or movie(s) will appear. Then you can scroll through them with the
Multi selector (#21). To play a movie selected on the Monitor, you’ll press the OK button (#10).
5. Viewfinder eyepiece: Place your eye here to see your subject through the lens with the reflex viewing
system.
6. MENU button: Used to open the camera’s menu system on the Monitor (#12). You’ll use this button often
when making changes to your camera’s configuration.
7. Protect/set Picture Control button/help button: This is a context-sensitive, multi-function button. First,
it allows you to protect images you are viewing on the Monitor (#12) by marking them with a key (locked)
symbol as a picture that can’t be deleted. Second, when nothing is showing on the Monitor, the button
opens a quick access menu that allows you to choose a Picture Control. Third, it is used to display a help
screen on the Monitor when you have a menu open and want to know what a particular function does.
8. Playback zoom in button: This is a context-sensitive, multi-function button. First, it allows you to zoom
in on pictures you see on the Monitor (#12). Second, it is often used to select or deselect items when
configuring some functions in the menu system.
9. Playback zoom out/thumbnails (ISO) button: This is a context-sensitive, multi-function button. Second,
when you have zoomed in on an image on the Monitor (#12), it allows you to zoom back out, or even
display multiple tiny thumbnail images. Third, this is often used to select/deselect items when
configuring many functions in the menu system.
10. OK button: The OK button is used to select all sorts of items and approve of various changes in the menu
system functions. You’ll use it often.
11. Fn2 button: This is a button that can have various camera functions assigned to it by selecting a setting
in the Custom Setting Menu > f Controls > f1 Custom Control assignment > fn2 button function.
12. Monitor: This is the primary LCD display screen for the camera. This 3.2-inch LCD display will show you
your pictures after you take them and let you select and modify functions under the main menu system
(Menu button #6), i button menu (#14), and Information display.
13. Memory card access lamp: This lamp lights up anytime the camera accesses one of its memory cards in
Slot 1 or Slot 2. You will see this light up in green while taking both pictures and movies.
14. i button: Opens the i button menu, with its multi-item Quick Menu. You can directly adjust several
functions that you would normally have to look up in the standard menu system under the Menu button.
15. Live view (Lv) button: This button acts like a toggle switch that places the camera in and out of one of the
Live view (Lv) modes. The modes are controlled by the Live view selector (#16) switch. You’ll use this to
enter Lv mode when you want to either take pictures by looking at the Monitor (#12)—instead of peering
through the Viewfinder eyepiece (#5)—or just before you start recording a movie with the Movie-record
button (#35). Place the Live view selector switch into Movie live view if you are about to record a movie,
otherwise the Movie-record button will have no effect.
16. Live view selector: This is a toggle switch that places the camera in either Live view photography mode
or Movie live view mode.
17. Info button: This button opens the Information display screen on the Monitor (#12). Second, it is used in
Live view and Movie modes to scroll through various useful screen overlays.
18. Memory card slot cover: This is the cover (door) on the right side of the camera (viewed from the rear).
Underneath this cover are the two memory card slots. You will slide the cover toward you to open it.

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19. Focus selector lock: This is a toggle switch that locks or unlocks the ability to move the selected
autofocus (AF) point around the Viewfinder. When you unlock the AF point and use an appropriate AF-
area mode, you can select and control which AF point(s) focus on your subject. If this switch is set to the
dot position it is unlocked. It is locked if pointing to the L position.
20. Multi selector center button: Use the Custom Menu > f Controls > f2 Multi selector center button function
to assign what this button does when you are using the camera in Shooting mode, Playback mode, and
Live view.
21. Multi selector: This is a primary control for the camera and very important to your everyday use. You
must learn the name of and how to use the Multi selector. Any time you have to move between items in
the menus, or scroll through pictures on the Monitor (#34), you’ll use the Multi selector to do it. Embed
this control in your memory. The Multi selector center button (#20) in its middle, along with the rear Main
command dial (#24), and front Sub-command dial (#40), will be your constant friends as you use this
powerful camera.
22. Sub-selector joystick: This assignable control has the primary function of moving the focus point around
within the camera’s 55 selectable AF points when looking through the viewfinder (Focus point selection).
The Sub-selector can also be assigned to emulate the Multi selector pad (Same as multi selector) by
changing its assignment with the Custom Setting Menu > f Controls > f1 Custom control assignment > Sub-
selector function. Pressing on the center of the Sub-selector button can also execute various functions as
assigned by the Custom Setting Menu > f Controls > f1 Custom control assignment > Sub-selector center
function.
23. AF-ON button: The AF-ON button’s primary function is to initiate autofocus when pressed. It can be used
as an alternate to the Shutter-release button half press for autofocusing. This is called “back button focus”
or back-button focusing. Of course, as an assignable button, you can choose a different function for this
button by changing the Custom Setting Menu > f Controls > f1 Custom control assignment > AF-ON button
function.
24. Main command dial: This is a very important multi-function dial. You must learn and remember this
control’s name. First, it is used to control the shutter speed when using shooting modes that require
manual adjustment. Second, it is used while configuring all sorts of functions in the camera’s menu
system. This is one of the camera’s most important controls, along with the front Sub-command dial (#40),
and Multi selector (#21) pad. Learn its name and location as it will be referred to often in this book.
25. Speaker: If you have recorded a movie to the camera’s memory card, this is where the sound will come
out. If you have Beep enabled in Setup Menu > Beep, you’ll hear camera notification sounds through this
speaker.
26. Diopter adjustment control: Used to adjust the optical strength of the Viewfinder eyepiece (#5) lens so
that you can make the subject sharper for your eyes. It is like adding a pair of glasses to the Viewfinder,
except that it does not correct for astigmatism. Adjust this dial (+/-) until the image is clear and sharp in
the Viewfinder. This has nothing to do with autofocus, it is merely a special lens to help you with any eye
weaknesses you may have. If looking through the viewfinder gives you a headache, you need to adjust
this dial.

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 Figure 2: Top of Nikon D500

Top of Camera (see figure 2)

27. Release mode dial lock release: Hold this button down and turn the Release mode dial (#31) to change
Release modes.
28. QUAL button: Allows you set the Image quality by holding down the QUAL button and turning the rear
Main command dial (#24), while watching the Image quality names (e.g., JPEG , RAW ) change on the
Information display (press info button #17), or the Control Panel (#34).
29. WB button: Hold down this button while turning the rear Main command dial (#24) to change the
camera’s Auto white balance type (e.g., Keep warm lighting colors), or the primary WB setting (e.g., Direct
sunlight, Shade, Fluorescent). You will see the WB selections change on the Information display (press
info button #17), or the Control Panel (#34).
30. Mode button: Hold down the Mode button and turn the rear Main command dial (#24) to change the
camera’s exposure mode (i.e., P, S, A, M).
31. Release mode dial: The Release modes (S, CL, CH, Q, Qc, Self-timer, and MUP) are selected by holding
down the Mode dial lock release (#27) and stopping the dial at the white indicator (seen under CH in
figure 1).
32. Metering button: Allows you to select one of four exposure meter types (Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot,
and Highlight-weighted) when you are using a shooting mode that allows choices. You will hold down
the Metering button and turn the rear Main command dial (#24) while watching the meter type change
in the Information display (press info button #17), or the Control panel (#34). You’ll learn more about the
differences in the meter types in the chapter titled Metering, Exposure Modes, and Histogram, in the
section called Metering (page 495).
33. Self-timer lamp: This LED light will blink while the self-timer is counting down. Two seconds before the
shutter fires the light will stop blinking and remain solid. You can control how long the self-timer
countdown lasts—and how long the Self-timer lamp blinks—by adjusting the Self-timer delay setting in
the Custom Setting Menu > c Timers/AE lock > c3 Self-timer function.
34. Control panel: This is the secondary LCD screen for the camera. It provides a constant readout of several
important camera settings, such as Flash compensation, AF-area mode, Autofocus mode, White balance,
meter type, shutter speed and aperture, memory card in use, and number of images remaining. You’ll be

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 referring to this frequently while using the camera, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with each of the
symbols shown on the Control panel.
35. Movie-record button: Once you have set the Live view selector (#16) to Movie live view and pressed the
Lv button (#15), you can press the Movie-record button to start and stop recording movies. Also, this
button has some programmability when not using Live view mode. When it is held down while turning a
dial, you can choose from several task assignments by adjusting the Movie record button + [Dial] setting
found in the Custom Setting Menu > f Controls > f1 Custom control assignment function.
36. ISO button: You may use this control to set the camera’s ISO sensitivity by holding down the button and
turning the rear Main command dial (#24), while watching the ISO numbers change on the Control panel
(#34).
37. Exposure compensation button: This button allows you to override the camera’s exposure meter and
choose up to +/- 5 EV steps of exposure compensation. You’ll hold down the Exposure compensation
button and turn the rear Main command dial (#24) while watching compensation settings change on the
Control panel (#34). You’ll learn more about exposure compensation in the chapter Metering, Exposure
Modes, and Histogram.
38. Shutter-release button: This is the most used control on the camera and has multiple purposes. First,
the Shutter-release button is used to release the shutter and take a picture. Second, it is used to activate
the exposure meter. Third, it activates autofocus. The exposure meter activates and autofocus happens
anytime you hold the button halfway down. Autofocus can be disabled by using back button focus (pages
239-241, Custom Setting a8: AF Activation).
39. Power switch: This switch has two functions. It turns the camera Off and On in its first two positions. The
third position turns on the Control panel’s (#34) backlight for a few seconds.

Figure 3: Front of Nikon D500

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Front of Camera (see figure 3)

40. Sub-command dial: This, too, is a very important multi-function dial. You must learn and remember this
control’s name. First, it is used to control the aperture when using shooting modes that require manual
adjustment. Second, it is used while configuring various functions in the camera’s menu system. This is
one of the camera’s more important controls, along with the rear Main command dial (#24), and Multi
selector (#21). Learn its name and location as it will be referred to often in this book.
41. Stereo microphone (right): This built-in stereo microphone is used when you are recording videos with
your camera and you do not have an external microphone plugged into the external mic port (#60). It
provides true stereo mic functionality with left and right channel separation. This small mic is only one of
the two stereo mic locations and is the right-channel mic. The left-channel mic is located on the opposite
side of the camera, just under the D500 label (#55).
42. Depth-of-field preview (PV) button: This is a button that allows you to view the actual depth of field in
a particular image. It “stops down” the aperture immediately to its current setting—usually darkening the
Viewfinder since you are looking through the actual lens aperture opening—and shows you the zone of
sharpness, otherwise known as depth of field.
43. Fn1 button: This is a button that can have various camera functions assigned to it by selecting a setting
in the Custom Setting Menu > f Controls > f1 Custom Control assignment > fn1 button function.
44. AF coupling: Also called the Built-in autofocus motor actuator or screwdriver autofocus coupling. This
little device inserts into the back of lenses that have no built-in autofocus motor. It lets the camera body
provide mechanical power to autofocus the lens. Because your D500 has this AF coupling, it will work
with older AF lenses that have no built-in motor.
45. Lens mount (F-Mount): This is where the lens mounts to the front of your camera. This silver-colored ring
is called the F-Mount and has been in use by Nikon cameras since the late 1950s. Nikon has never changed
this bayonet mount, so virtually any lens made by Nikon for their SLR and DSLR cameras can be mounted
to your camera. Most aftermarket lens manufacturers make lenses for the Nikon F-Mount. (Note: Do not
mount old non-AI lenses on your camera.)
46. Reflex mirror: This mirror redirects light that has just traveled through the lens up into the viewfinder
prism and through the viewfinder eyepiece (#5) into your eye. The focal-plane shutter and DX imaging
sensor are behind this mirror, which moves out of the way at the time of exposure, allowing the light from
your subject to expose the imaging sensor and temporarily blackening the viewfinder.
47. CPU contacts: These small contacts match pins on the back of modern lenses having an internal CPU. By
using these contacts, the lens is able to communicate focal length (zoom), distance, autofocus, VR, and
aperture information electronically with the camera body.
48. Lens lock pin: This pin retracts when you press the Lens release button (#8). It locks the lens so that it will
not turn unless the Lens release button is pressed. Used when changing lenses.
49. Focus-mode selector: This toggle switch is a fast way to disable autofocus and disengage the Built-in
autofocus motor actuator (#44). It physically pulls the actuator’s tip back into the camera body so that
you can safely turn the autofocus ring on older AF lenses that could otherwise be damaged by that action.
Set it to M for manual focus and AF for autofocus.
50. AF-mode button: The AF-mode button allows you to change the camera’s Autofocus and AF-area
modes. You hold in the AF-mode button while turning the rear Main command dial (#24) to change the
Autofocus mode (AF-A, AF-S, and AF-C) or the front Sub-command dial (#40) to change the AF-area mode
(Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, 3D-Tracking, Group-area AF, and Auto-area AF). The AF-mode button
is in the middle of the Focus-mode selector (#49). When you make mode changes you can see them on
the upper Control panel (#34) and the Information display (info button #17).
51. Lens release button: The big D-shaped Lens release button allows you to remove a lens from the camera.
Once latched to the body the lens is attached until you are ready to change it. You press this button,
which retracts the Lens lock pin (#48) and turn the lens clockwise to remove it from the camera.
52. Lens mounting mark: Line this raised white dot on the camera body up with the smaller white dot on
your Nikkor lens while inserting a lens into the F-Mount (#45) on the front of the camera. Turn the lens
counterclockwise about ¼ turn until it snaps into place audibly. Do not force the lens to turn, it should turn
easily. The small white dot on the lens will point up at the Nikon logo when the lens is properly attached.

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 53. 10-pin remote terminal cover: When this rubber cover is retracted the 10-pin terminal is available to
mount external devices, such as the Nikon WR-10 Wireless Remote Controller Set.
54. Flash sync terminal cover: Retracting this rubber cover exposes the camera’s old-fashioned flash sync
terminal. Which can be used with a flash sync wire to make a physical connection (wired not wireless) to
external flash units.
55. Stereo microphone (left): This left-channel mic is used along with the right-channel mic (#41) to
implement stereo recording when making videos.
56. BKT (bracketing) button: Used to initiate bracketing. Bracketing allows you to take multiple pictures
with varying exposures for later individual use or combining together in HDR (high dynamic range)
imaging. How to use Bracketing is explained beginning on page 163 of this book.
57. Meter coupling lever: Used by AI/AI-S/AF-D Nikkor lenses with old-style, on-the-lens aperture rings. This
lever mounts in a notch on the back of the lens. The coupling lever allows the lens to set the camera’s
light meter for metering at a particular f/number when the lens aperture ring is turned.

Figure 4: External connectors under the rubber Connector cover

External connectors (see figure 4)

58. USB connector: The camera offers a USB 3.0 micro USB port connector for image transfer through a USB
3 cable.
59. Headphone connector: This is a 3.5 mm stereo mini-pin jack for plugging in stereo headphones.
60. External microphone connector: You can plug in an external microphone, such as the Nikon ME-1
stereo mic with this 3.5 mm mini-pin jack. This allows you to use a much higher quality mic for recording
sound. Plugging in an external mic automatically disables the built-in stereo mic (#41 and #55).
61. HDMI mini-pin connector (type C): Use the HDMI port for sending clean, uncompressed video to an
external recorder, such as an Atomos Ninja-2® or Ninja Blade® (www.Atomos.com). Use Setup Menu >
HDMI to configure the HDMI output.

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 Figure 5: Bottom of camera

Bottom of camera (see figure 5)

62. Power connector cover: Used to plug in a Nikon EP-5B power supply connector to provide external
power to the camera.
63. Battery-chamber cover latch: Use this latch to open the battery chamber cover (#64) when you need to
change the camera’s EN-EL15 battery.
64. Battery-chamber cover: This cover opens to reveal the battery. Use the Battery-chamber cover latch
(#52) to open this cover.
65. Camera ID, battery info, and serial number plate: The plate lists the camera identification (type and
maker), battery voltage and amperage information, compliance logos, country of origin, manufacturer’s
name, and the camera’s serial number.
66. Tripod socket: Use this socket to attach a tripod head or removable tripod quick-release plate to your
camera. It uses standard ¼ inch threads.
67. Contact cover for optional MB-D17 battery pack: Before attaching the optional Nikon MB-D17 battery
pack, you will need to remove and store this rubber cover. Underneath it is a connector that interfaces
the camera with the battery pack, allowing its buttons and dials to work with the camera.
68. Battery pack mounting pin hole (1 of 2): When you mount an optional MB-D17 battery pack, this guide
hole matches a pin on top of the battery pack for proper alignment. There is an additional mounting hole
on the bottom of the camera’s handgrip.