When viewing images on the LCD screen, some of them include the rectangular command dial/multi selector symbol shown on page 231 of the manual (it's bottom left in the two graphics of the girl's face).

I can't figure out why this symbol appears on some images and not on others. Any ideas folks?

I just realised the symbol doesn't represent command dial & multi selector - it's command dial & face detection.

There are no faces in any of the shots I'm viewing so I can't understand why the face detection symbol appears on some of them.

is it the face detection setting that you can set while in Live view, but stays on after live view? (its set with the auto focus mode button on the left)

is it the face detection setting that you can set while in Live view, but stays on after live view? (its set with the auto focus mode button on the left)

Why would it appear in playback though?

While the D800 User Manual's description of this feature is very vague (as most user manuals are), I stumbled across this feature shortly after purchasing my D800. It's really quite a cool feature!

Here's how it works:

Let's say you've taken a picture of one or multiple people and want to get a closer look at their face(s) to make sure they didn't blink (or whatever). Doing it the old-fashioned way, you could zoom in and scroll to each face which, if you have several people in your shot, could take some time.

With Face Detection in Review mode, you magnify the image until you get one person's face filling up as much of the monitor as you like. You should now see the front command dial and face icons in the lower left of the monitor window.

Now comes the cool part: turn the front command dial one click at a time and notice how the monitor jumps from one face to the next, always centered. This lets you quickly review the faces of everyone in your shot! Cool, huh!?

Hope this helped!

Chris

_________________________________
The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.
Ernst Haas, 1985

Runfola Photography Gallery

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Ah, that explains it - thanks Chris.

It does seem to get confused though - I'm getting it on some shots with no people at all in the frame!

You're welcome!

Yes, it is odd that you're seeing it on shots without people. I tried it on my camera but did not experience that phenomenon. Maybe somebody here on Nikonians will be able to answer that one?

Chris

_________________________________
The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.
Ernst Haas, 1985

Runfola Photography Gallery

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Perhaps it proves the existence of ghosts - LOL!

Thanks for posting, Chris. I haven't been using facial recognition, so you pointed out a feature I didn't know I had. The review feature works just as you described it - mine only shows with recognized faces in the image. I notice Digital Darrell says according to Nikon the D800 will recognize up to 35 faces, so I want to try it with 35 faces now. I need volunteers.

David

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

You're very welcome, David!

Are you referring to Digital Darrell's book on the D800? I have not yet read his book, but I hear it's full of great information. I just might have to stop by the bookstore this weekend to check it out.

Chris

_________________________________
The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.
Ernst Haas, 1985

Runfola Photography Gallery

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Yes, 'Mastering the Nikon D800'. I like his detailed explanations of the operation of the camera and menu choices. He also includes impressions from his experience and recommendations on settings.

David

Visit my Nikonians gallery.