Pixel Shift Shooting
G button U C photo shooting menu
The camera automatically shoots a series of NEF (RAW) photos, changing the position of the image sensor with each one. The photos can be blended using Nikon’s NX Studio software to create a single high-resolution image.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| [Pixel shift shooting mode] |
|
| [Number of shots] | Choose the number of photos taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed. Long series require more time to record but produce better-quality results when blended into a single image. |
| [Delay] | Choose the delay between the shutter-release button being pressed all the way down and the start of pixel shift photography. |
| [Interval until next shot] | Choose the interval between shots, in seconds. |
Taking Photos Using Pixel Shift
- Pixel shift is intended for pictures of landscapes, buildings, and other static subjects shot with the camera on a tripod. The desired results may consequently not be achieved with moving subjects or shots taken without a tripod.
- To improve the image quality of the resulting pixel-shift blended pictures, we recommend performing pixel mapping via [Pixel mapping] in the setup menu before shooting.
- Take a test shot at current settings.
We recommend using one of the following power sources to prevent loss of power while shooting is in progress:
- A fully-charged battery
- An optional EH‑7P charging AC adapter
- An optional EH-8P AC adapter connected using the supplied UC‑E25 USB cable (featuring Type C connectors at both ends)
Be sure to download and install the latest version from the Nikon Download Center. Earlier versions may not support pixel shift blending.
Mount the camera on a tripod or take other measures to keep it steady.
Highlight [Pixel shift shooting] in the photo shooting menu and press 2.
Select a [Pixel shift shooting mode].
- Highlight [Pixel shift shooting mode] and press 2.
Highlight the desired option using 1 or 3 and press J.
If [On (series)] or [On (single photo)] is selected, an icon will appear in the display.
- Image quality will be fixed at [RAW].
- The electronic shutter will be used regardless of the option selected for Custom Setting d5 [Shutter type].
Choose the [Number of shots].
- Highlight [Number of shots] and press 2.
Choose the number of shots using 1 or 3 and press J.
Choose a value for [Delay].
- Highlight [Delay] and press 2. You can now choose the delay between the shutter-release button being pressed all the way down and the start of pixel shift photography.
Choose a delay (in seconds) using 1 or 3 and press J.
Choose a value for [Interval until next shot].
- Highlight [Interval until next shot] and press 2. You can now choose the interval between shots, in seconds.
Choose an interval (in seconds) using 1 or 3 and press J.
Frame the photograph, focus, and shoot.
- Press the shutter-release button all the way down; the camera will begin taking NEF (RAW) photos after the time selected for [Delay] and continue until all the shots selected for [Number of shots] have been taken.
- Shooting may continue for some time depending on the value selected for [Number of shots].
- If [On (series)] is selected for [Pixel shift shooting mode], you can continue to take photographs using pixel shift until [Off] is selected.
- If [On (single photo)] is selected for [Pixel shift shooting mode], pixel shift will end automatically after a single series.
Blend the NEF (RAW) photos using NX Studio.
- See NX Studio’s online help for detailed instructions.
- The desired results may not be achieved if the subject moved or lighting changed during shooting.
Ending Pixel Shift
To end pixel-shift photography before all the photos in the current series have been taken, press the J button between shots.
The memory card access lamp flashes between shots.
- Optional flash units will not fire.
- In continuous release modes, the camera will not shoot continuously while the shutter-release button is held all the way down.
- Changing camera settings while pixel shift is in progress may cause shooting to end.
- Long time-exposures (“Bulb” or “Time”) are not supported. If the shutter speed dial is rotated to B (“Bulb”) or T (“Time”), [Bulb] or [Time] will flash in the shooting display.
- The focus mode for autofocus is fixed at AF-S. If the option currently selected for AF-area mode is available only with AF-C, the AF-area mode will switch to single-point AF.
- Custom Setting d6 [Extended shutter speeds (M)] is fixed at [OFF].
Pixel shift cannot be combined with some camera features, including:
- video recording,
- the self-timer,
- high-speed frame capture +,
- long exposure noise reduction,
- vibration reduction,
- bracketing,
- multiple exposures,
- interval-timer photography,
- time-lapse video recording, and
- focus shift.