NIKON D2X TIPS & TRICKS - Using the Shooting and Custom Banks

The Nikon D2x is a chameleon! It’s at least four cameras in one, and can change on the fly. Using the Shooting & Custom Banks, your D2x can change from the most professional of pro cameras to a snapshooter camera, all with just a few button presses.

It can shoot RAW files of 20-megabytes in size, using 100 ISO, in ADOBE RGB Color Space, and with the FUNC button assigned to Spot Metering for serious professional shooting, and very quickly change to Good Quality 2-megabyte JPEGS, at 400 ISO, in sRGB Color Space, and with High Image Sharpening for that party where you don't want to think about anything but having a good time. And, these are only two variations of the many available combinations of "bank" settings one can use.

Some of Nikon’s other fine cameras, such as the D100, have a couple of banks, but the D2x has a full four Shooting Banks and four Custom Banks. Set the functionality of these banks, name them, and use them to quickly change the way your D2x behaves.

Why not get your D2x now, and let’s look at how to set the banks. When you’re done with this article, you’ll be able to configure your D2x to be your own personal, multi-function chameleon camera. And, it’ll even change colors … er, well … color modes anyway.

First, lets look at the Shooting Menu Bank, where you’ll set up such functions as file naming, image quality modes (RAW, JPEG, etc.), ISO, sharpening, and color space. Then we’ll look at the Custom Banks, where you’ll set up such things as autofocus, how the camera buttons function, and metering & exposure modes.

You have four each of the “Shooting” and “Custom” banks available, so you can set the D2x up to act like, at least, four different cameras by setting each bank with different settings, and then switching banks. Read the last sentence over until you understand what it is saying!

There are four default bank names -- Banks A, B, C, and D. You can rename any of these. In this article, we’ll assume that your camera’s banks have not yet been adjusted, and that you are not entirely familiar with the process. Let’s learn how to rename Bank A to a more useful name, and set its individual features. When you’ve done this once, you’ll be ready to set your camera up for special uses, and switch between them quickly.
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