D7000/D600 U1 and U2 Settings

NSXTypeR

I was just curious about what you guys set the U1 and U2 settings to be. Because although useful, I haven't thought of any settings I use all the time. I sort of just change my settings as I go.

...actually, to be honest, I haven't even read the how to even set U1 and U2 settings yet.

So yeah, what do you guys set it on?

spraynpray

As the D7000 unfortunately only has three frame bracketing, you can set it up to give you more frames for HDR work.

chakoo

I set U2 for long exposure work - LENR turned ON, AF-S, Single-point AF, f/8, 30 sec
U1 for potraits - AF-C, AE Lock, f/4, 1/200

If I choose to give my camera to somebody to shoot my pic, I set to M mode which sets AE lock to default, AF-S, Auto-area AF. Much easier than training them to use AE-Lock.

NSXTypeR

Hmm, interesting solutions with the bracketing. I'll have to give that a go.

Ah, the long exposure work would make sense.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Dredden85

I set my U1 to shoot Monochrome. Seems to make it easier/faster to switch to. I am sure I'll find a use for U2. Spraynpray & Chakoo comments gave me something to think about. :-?

donaldejose

I set my User 1 on Vivid or Landscape (picture control) for everything other than portraits for which I set User 2 to Portrait or Standard (picture control). See, I like the stronger colors (old kodachrome 25 fan here) of Vivid (or Landscape if I don't want a red boost) but those two settings don't produce the best skin tones. So for shooting people portraits I switch to User 2 set on Portrait or Standard. Of course, I also set the other controls appropriately in User 1 and User 2. This allows me to swap back and forth quickly as I shoot a scene and then a person and then a landscape etc. The basic use for me is to quickly boost the colors when wanted (most of the time) and then snap them off when not wanted (a small amount of the time).

NSXTypeR

I finally found a use of the U1/U2 settings haha!

I've been meaning to read the thread on rear button AF settings, but Admin posted this earlier.

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/01/25/how-to-use-nikons-af-on-and-back-button-autofocus.aspx/

I think it'd be really useful for me when I take macro shots. I sometimes like having AF with MF capabilities. Well this would help me a lot because I used to jam the AF/MF button back and forth on the lens so I have more control of the shoot.

By the way, I'm surprised the U1/U2 settings aren't available on the highest end DSLRs. I think there are similar settings that you can access through the menu, but not through a dial, like the D7000/D7100 or D600/D610.

WestEndBoy

I have the setting on my Coolpix A but I shoot raw so don't see a use. I haven't thought of a single setting I use all the time that I need to switch back and forth with a lot that is not easy enough to access in My Menu (which is set to come up when I press AE-L/AF-L). So on my D800 I have not thought of anything to use menu banks for either.

spraynpray

With my D7100 now, I have 5 frame bracketing so I have set my U2 for star trails and U1 for straight night landscapes.

Photobug

I have the D7100 and have U1 set up for fast moving objects, like BIF.
I have U2 set up for photographing grand kids with AF-S, Auto-area AF. Also great if I give the camera to someone so I can be in the picture.

I would have loved to see this in the D300 and as NSXTypeR said it should be in the newer Pro cameras. Bet we will see it in the D810 and perhaps the D4S. I have been playing with different settings in each and have tweaked mine several times in 4 months.

Pistnbroke

U! for Bokeh ,,max aperture of lens auto iso 100-6400 AF Aetc etc
U2 for everyting else F5.6 auto iso 100-6400 min 1/60 flash 1/320 FP etc AF C
A as U2 but AF A
Manual set for 1/60 F8 auto iso 100-6400 in case (D7000) it gets knocked onto that and then you get a crude auto feature
Never change anything tape up the thumb wheels...
In comparison theD800 settings menus are total crap and useless

NSXTypeR

I have the setting on my Coolpix A but I shoot raw so don't see a use. I haven't thought of a single setting I use all the time that I need to switch back and forth with a lot that is not easy enough to access in My Menu (which is set to come up when I press AE-L/AF-L). So on my D800 I have not thought of anything to use menu banks for either.

I didn't realize the Coolpix A also had the U1 and U2. Very interesting.

I've set U1 to Aperture priority now with the AE button set to AF-On. I can see that it can be very useful even in non macro situations- sometimes I just need it to focus once- if I accidentally let off on the shutter button it may miss focus a second time.

The only problem now is to get rid of the muscle memory of relying on the shutter for AF and release.

Ade

Yeah, the Coolpix A also has the settings. I use U1/U2 on my Coolpix A to toggle Auto ISO on and off. It feels totally overkill to use it for just this one function, but unlike on other Nikon bodies I don't know any other way to quickly toggle Auto ISO on the Coolpix A.