nikon D600 qual button!!! ugh.....please help

Hi

 

I shoot in Raw. I want the best quality for when I edit and I

don't care about memory space etc.

The qual button annoys me.

Sometimes I press it in error. I have done this today. What

should the qual button be set to for the best possible non

compressed image? I thought it only applied to jpeg so I

am confused the numbers still roll if I move the dial.

Any explanation? And what should the number be that I

use?

Many thanks indeed

Sam

<p>Best option is obviously RAW; JPEG is always compressed (though JPEG Fine has little noticeable compression).<br>

There are compression levels for RAW as well; the best choice here in my view is Losless Compressed - no compression only makes for larger files than necessary, and losless compression should leave no artificats (and I never noticed any - I always used this one). Next, 14-bits versus 12: the more, the merrier.</p>

Thanks wouter as ever - but what about the button on my

camera which says qual? When I look through the view

finder and scroll the dial the numbers on the far right in

brackets move around?? The bit next to Iso I don't get it??

<p>As Wouter points out, JPEG is always compressed. The QUAL button lets you select different quality of JPEG with various image sizes (in terms of image dimension) or RAW. Some cameras include TIFF as an additional option.</p>

<p>The amount of JPEG compression and RAW compression are controlled separately from Shooting Menu selections. For example, RAW (NEF) can be uncompressed (this option only available on certain models), lossless compressed or lossy compressed. On some newer models there are 12-bit and 14-bit options.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>the numbers on the far right in brackets move around</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I think that would be the estimated amount of shots left on your memory card - so yes, that is bound to change when you change between the various compression levels of JPEG and RAW. It also shows on the top LCD.</p>

<p>Placing quality button on back panel next to ISO button was (and is) one of blunders Nikon did with D600 camera design. It is way too easy to press it when you want to change ISO or WB. Qual button on the top of camera (like D800, D300 or d700) is a much better solution. On D600 it is easy to inadvertently go from RAW to JPEG Small with disastrous consequences.</p>

<p>I might recommend a small piece of black gaffers tape over the QUAL button as a tactile reminder.</p>

<p>If you don't mind a kludge fix that doesn't look pretty I'll suggest something I've used for my own cameras to make little modifications to suit myself.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/Products/Catalog/~/Command-Products/Picture-and-Frame-Hangers/?N=3294529207+5584766+5924736&rt=r3">3M Command hook-and-loop fasteners</a> ("velcro") are backed with an adhesive that's very secure but peels off cleanly. I've cut pieces of it to surround the microphones on my V1, leaving the mic openings unobstructed. Then I'll attach thin black Velcro brand cloth loop material, or other suitable material (lots of materials stick to the "velcro-type" hooks), over the opening to act as a windscreen without muffling the audio.</p>

<p>I've also used 3M Command strips on my Fuji X-A1 to improve the grip - the plasticky body and slight finger nub weren't sufficiently grippy to suit me. Looks awful but works great - it provides a very secure tactile feel on otherwise slippery camera surfaces. I was worried it might pick up too much debris, lint, etc., but so far it hasn't and it's easy to comb out with an ordinary fine tooth hair brush or comb.</p>

<p>For the pesky D600 QUAL button, I'd use a paper hole punch to provide clearance for the button. Trim the material to adhere to the body without interfering with the adjacent WB or ISO buttons. It would minimize risk of unintentionally changing the quality setting while still leaving it accessible if you wish to use it.</p>

<p>A proper third party fix would fit across the entire left rear panel, via a 3M adhesive, leaving the Menu, zoom, etc., buttons easily accessible while blocking only the QUAL button. It could easily match the original Nikon finish. I'm surprised some clever third party maker hasn't already done this.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Placing quality button on back panel next to ISO button was (and is) one of blunders Nikon did with D600 camera design.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Nikon made the same blunder at least on the D7000, D7100, the D610, and Df, possibly other models as well.</p>

<p>The problem with gaffer's tape, velcro, etc. is that the button has multiple functions. If only a hack existed to remove the Qual function from the back panel, and allow a user who rarely changes quality to do so in the menus.</p>

<p>I have never had a problem with my D600 moving off the Raw setting. Maybe it is because I never use these buttons when the camera is up at my eye. I predominantly shoot is Aperture priority mode. Where I use the front dial to adjust the aperture and the rear dial to adjust the ISO eliminating the need to use these rear button's.<br /><br />This might help you Sam<br /><br />John</p>

Yes I understand! But is is set on raw! It has nothing to do

with number of shots (wouter)... Basically if I press the

qual button and turn the dial in offers a variety of

numbers? I understand all about jpeg quality but my

camera says it's in Raw so why are these number options

there? And what should the correct number be? It's in

Raw all the time on my camera sorry guys but does

anyone have a D600 who can tell me specifically what's

up!?

I agree it's a button that really should not be there.

Thanks for responses but I simply need the exact number

looking through the view finder that the dial should be on

even if set in Raw.

Thanks

Thanks for all the tech info. So what number should it be

on if shot in Raw please? I am offered a variety to choose

from and I thank everyone for thier answers and

understand but I simply need the number the qual button

should be on. It's always set in Raw so I don't think jpeg

has anything to do with it.

Thanks

<p>Sam, which dial are you turning? I guess the back Main Command Dial??? Which normally changes the RAW (only), RAW + JPEG FINE, RAW + JPEG BASIC option etc</p>

<p>If your twiddling the front one, the Sub Command Dial, you're changing the Image Size...ie Large, Medium or Small.</p>

<p>If you're in <strong>RAW ONLY</strong>, I guess the QUAL + Sub dial should have no effect??</p>

<p>Potentially both/either will change that number bottom right of the VF (Frames Remaining) as they change the file size and so the effective card-capacity. </p>

<p>It's on and around p.93 on the D600 English PDF.</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>Thanks for all the tech info. So what number should it be on if shot in Raw please</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As it's the frames remaining on the card 'NUMBER', it depends entirely on your card size. If you take 10 frames, if you're in RAW (only) that number will reduce by 10.</p>

<p>If you half press the shutter button, you see the number of frames the camera can take until the buffer is full...and is prefixed by a small, lower case <strong>r</strong>, such as <strong>r10</strong>.....and that depends on all sorts of other variables such a Noise Reduction, ADL, etc etc</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

Gaaaaaa I must have accidentally swathed from raw

to.jpeg! That's annoying about this camera I seem to do

that a lot gggrrr thanks guys - problem sorted.

<p>How do you manage that? You have to push and hold the Qual button while spinning the thumbwheel unless you have f6 set in the Custom Settings menu set to "yes". The number on the right changes because a the number of "frames" you can shoot changes with the image quality (JPEG vs RAW, etc.).</p>