Nikon single-lens reflex, or SLR, digital cameras have several mounts to help you take professional-quality photographs. The mounts are used to attach such accessories as lenses, flashes and tripods. These mounts are universal across the modern Nikon digital SLR camera family.
F-Mount
Nikon introduced the lens F-mount in 1959. It is still used on all Nikon digital SLR cameras. Called a bayonet-type mount, it serves as the communication tool between the camera and the lens. The F-mount works with more than 400 Nikkor lenses as well as hundreds of third-party lenses. The F-mount's longevity is due to its flexibility: it can work with old, fully manual lenses as well as high-tech modern lenses that incorporate auto-focus, metering and aperture controls.
Hot Shoe
Nikon offers a rugged hot shoe to use when mounting an external flash. The metal hot shoe allows for quick attachment and removal without damaging the camera. The center metal connector panel allows the camera to communicate with the flash. Photographers can mount a flash sync cord instead of the flash when needing off-camera lighting. This will allow the camera to communicate with the flash wherever the photographer places it.
Tripod Mount
All Nikon digital SLRs and many of Nikons point-and-shoot digital cameras include a tripod mount, located on the bottom of the camera. This is a small, metal, threaded hole into which you screw the top thumbscrew of the tripod. On some tripods, you simply screw the camera onto the top, while others require a special mounting head to attach the camera more securely. These mounts are universal and should work with nearly all camera tripods.
Flash Bracket
Professional photographers often use flash brackets to enable them to turn the camera vertically while keeping the external flash pointing up. These flash brackets attach to the camera using the tripod mount. Screw the connector bolt tightly into the camera's tripod mount, then attach the flash to the bracket and the flash's sync cord to the camera's hot shoe.
Tags: digital cameras, Nikon digital, tripod mount, attach camera, camera communicate, camera communicate with, communicate with