Global  Support  for  Professionals

Technical Solutions | D500 TIPS

Before Recording

Before recording, adjust settings in the movie shooting menu.

movie shooting menu

Frame Size/Frame Rate

Choose an option according to how you will use the movie.

Option Maximum length
3840 × 2160 (4K UHD); 30p

29 min. 59 s (recorded across up to 8 files of up to 4 GB each; the number and length of the files varies with Frame size/frame rate and Movie quality; files can be joined together using ViewNX‑i as described here).

3840 × 2160 (4K UHD); 25p
3840 × 2160 (4K UHD); 24p
1920 × 1080; 60p
1920 × 1080; 50p
1920 × 1080; 30p
1920 × 1080; 25p
1920 × 1080; 24p
1280 × 720; 60p
1280 × 720; 50p

File Names

During recording, a new file is created when the current file reaches 4 GB. Normally displayed in white, the file name in the information display flashes amber 30 s and turns red 10 s before a new file is created.

File Names

The Movie Crop

The movie crop varies with frame size and, at frame sizes of 1920 × 1080 and 1280 × 720, the option selected for Choose image area in the movie shooting menu.

Movie Crop

ISO Sensitivity Settings

ISO sensitivity can be adjusted in movie mode (in live view or during recording).

  • ISO sensitivity (mode M): Choose the ISO sensitivity for exposure mode M from values between ISO 100 and Hi 5. Auto ISO sensitivity control is used in other exposure modes.
  • Auto ISO control (mode M): Select On for auto ISO sensitivity control in exposure mode M, Off to use the value selected for ISO sensitivity (mode M).
  • Maximum sensitivity: Choose the upper limit for auto ISO sensitivity control from values between ISO 200 and Hi 5. Auto ISO sensitivity control is used in exposure modes P, S, and A and when On is selected for Auto ISO control (mode M) in exposure mode M.
ISO Sensitivity Settings

Auto ISO Sensitivity Control

At high ISO sensitivities, the camera may have difficulty focusing and noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) may increase. This can be prevented by choosing a lower value for ISO sensitivity settings > Maximum sensitivity.

Set Picture Control

Choose a Picture Control for movies.

  • Same as photo settings: Use the Picture Control settings currently selected in the photo shooting menu.
  • Standard: Standard processing for balanced results. Recommended for most situations.
  • Neutral: Minimal processing for natural results. Choose for footage that you intend to process in post-production.
  • Vivid: Footage is enhanced for a vivid, photoprint effect with emphasis on primary colors.
  • Monochrome: Film monochrome footage.
  • Portrait: Footage of portrait subjects is processed to give skin a natural texture and rounded feel.
  • Landscape: Film vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
  • Flat : Details are preserved over a wide tone range, from highlights to shadows, maximizing the potential for tweaking in post-production. Use with highlight-weighted metering to minimize loss of detail in highlights.
Set Picture Control

White Balance

Adjust white balance according to lighting conditions. Choose Same as photo settings to use the white balance settings currently selected in the photo shooting menu.

Measuring Preset Manual White Balance

Instead of using a specially-prepared reference object, you can measure white balance from any white or grey object in the frame.

When Preset manual is selected for white balance, you can hold the WB button in live view to enter direct measurement mode. PRE will flash in the display; tap a white or grey object to position the spot white balance target ( ) over the selected object and measure white balance. To zoom in on the target for precise positioning, press the button. Press the WB button again to exit direct measurement mode.

White balance presets d1–d6 can be viewed by selecting Preset manual for White balance in the movie shooting menu. The white balance target is shown on the preset.

White balance

Active D‑Lighting

Use Active D‑Lighting to preserve details in highlights and shadows when filming high-contrast scenes, for example when shooting through a window or at the beach.

Matrix metering is recommended. Active D‑Lighting does not apply at high ISO sensitivities (Hi 0.3–Hi 5) or at a frame size of 3840 × 2160. If Same as photo settings is selected for Active D-Lighting in the movie shooting menu and Auto is selected in the photo shooting menu, movies will be shot at a setting equivalent to Normal.

White balance

Microphone Sensitivity

Adjust settings for the built-in stereo microphone or optional ME‑1 stereo or ME‑W1 wireless microphones. Choose Auto sensitivity to adjust sensitivity automatically, Microphone off to turn sound recording off. To select sensitivity manually, select Manual sensitivity and choose a value between 1 and 20 (higher values indicate increased sensitivity).

Frequency Response

If Wide range is selected, the built-in microphone will respond to a wide range of frequencies, from music to the bustling hum of a city street. Choose Vocal range to bring out human voices.

Wind Noise Reduction

Select On to enable the low-cut filter for the built-in microphone (optional stereo microphones are unaffected), reducing noise produced by wind blowing over the microphone (note that other sounds may also be affected). Wind-noise reduction for optional stereo microphones that support this feature can be enabled or disabled using microphone controls.