DIGITAL CAMERA Reference Manual En
Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera. To get the most from your camera, please be sure to read all instructions thoroughly and keep them where they will be read by all who use the product. Symbols and Conventions To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used: D This icon marks cautions; information that should be read before use to prevent damage to the camera.
Where to Find It Find what you’re looking for from: i The Table of Contents ............ 0 iv i Error Messages........................ 0 224 i The Q&A Index........................ 0 ii i Troubleshooting ..................... 0 220 i The Index ................................
Q&A Index Find what you’re looking for using this “question and answer” index.
Retouching Photographs How do I create retouched copies of photos? How do I remove “red-eye”? How do I make JPEG copies of RAW (NEF) photos? Can I overlay two NEF (RAW) photos to make a single image? Can I create a copy of a photo that looks like a painting? Can I trim movie footage on the camera or save movie stills? Menus and Settings How do I adjust settings in the information display? How do I use the menus? How do I display menus in another language? How do I keep the displays from turning off? How do
Table of Contents Q&A Index .................................................................................................................................... ii For Your Safety ........................................................................................................................... x Notices......................................................................................................................................... xii Introduction 1 Getting to Know the Camera.............
w Pet Portrait.......................................................................................................................33 x Candlelight........................................................................................................................34 y Blossom.............................................................................................................................34 z Autumn Colors .......................................................................................
Multiple Exposure ...................................................................................................................78 White Balance ...........................................................................................................................81 Fine-Tuning White Balance................................................................................................. 83 Preset Manual ................................................................................................
Deleting Photographs......................................................................................................... 133 Full-Frame, Thumbnail, and Calendar Playback ....................................................... 133 The Playback Menu ............................................................................................................. 134 Slide Shows .............................................................................................................................
c3: Self-Timer .....................................................................................................................160 c4: Remote on Duration.................................................................................................161 d: Shooting/Display .............................................................................................................161 d1: Beep................................................................................................................
Color Outline..................................................................................................................... 186 Color Sketch ...................................................................................................................... 186 Perspective Control ........................................................................................................ 187 Miniature Effect................................................................................................
For Your Safety To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equipment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the product will read them. The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol: This icon marks warnings. To prevent possible injury, read all warnings before using A this Nikon product.
A Observe proper precautions when handling batteries Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries for use in this product: • Use only batteries approved for use in this equipment. • Do not short or disassemble the battery. • Be sure the product is off before replacing the battery. If you are using an AC adapter, be sure it is unplugged. • Do not attempt to insert the battery upside down or backwards.
Notices • No part of the manuals included with this product may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form, by any means, without Nikon’s prior written permission. • Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in these manuals at any time and without prior notice. • Nikon will not be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of this product.
Notices for Customers in the U.S.A. The Battery Charger IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS—SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS DANGER—TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS For connection to a supply not in the U.S.A., use an attachment plug adapter of the proper configuration for the power outlet if needed. This power unit is intended to be correctly oriented in a vertical or floor mount position.
Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction Note that simply being in possession of material that has been digitally copied or reproduced by means of a scanner, digital camera, or other device may be punishable by law. • Items prohibited by law from being copied or reproduced Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins, securities, government bonds, or local government bonds, even if such copies or reproductions are stamped “Sample.
Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories Nikon cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex electronic circuitry. Only Nikon brand electronic accessories (including chargers, batteries, AC adapters, and flash accessories) certified by Nikon specifically for use with this Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within the operational and safety requirements of this electronic circuitry.
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XIntroduction Getting to Know the Camera Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You may find it helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual. X The Camera Body 24 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 25 13 14 15 7 16 8 9 17 18 19 10 26 27 28 20 11 22 21 29 23 1 Mode dial...................................3 2 Live view switch............99, 107 3 R (information) button .........................................
The Camera Body (Continued) 1 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 13 14 15 16 17 5 X 18 19 21 6 20 22 1 Viewfinder eyepiece............. 38 2 Rubber eyecup ...................... 38 3 G (menu) button .... 11, 149 Two-button reset button .... 58 4 Infrared receiver (rear) ......... 37 5 Monitor.......................................4 Viewing settings ...................5 Live view .............................. 99 Full-frame playback......... 123 6 Tripod socket 7 Diopter adjustment control .....................
The Mode Dial The camera offers a choice of the following shooting modes: Auto Modes Select these modes for simple, pointand-shoot photography. • i Auto (0 26) • j Auto (flash off) (0 26) P, S, A, and M Modes Select these modes for full control over camera settings. • P—Programmed auto (0 62) • S—Shutter-priority auto (0 63) • A—Aperture-priority auto (0 64) • M—Manual (0 65) X Special Effects Modes Use special effects during shooting.
The Monitor The monitor can be angled and rotated as shown below. 180° X 90° 180° Normal use Fold the monitor against the camera face out. This position is recommended for normal photography. Low-angle shots Frame live view shots with the camera close to the ground. High-angle shots Frame live view shots while holding the camera over your head. Self-portraits Use for self-portraits in live view. The monitor shows a mirror image of what will appear in the final picture.
The Information Display Camera settings can be viewed and adjusted in the information display. Press the P button once to view settings, and again to make changes to settings. Highlight items using the multi selector and press J to view options for the highlighted item. P button 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 15 2 3 4 5 6 16 17 18 1 Shooting mode i auto/ j auto (flash off) ...............26 Scene modes .......................30 P, S, A, and M modes............
A Hiding Shooting Information To turn the monitor off, press the R button. Note that the monitor turns off automatically while the shutter-release button is pressed or if no operations are performed for about 8 s (for information on choosing how long the monitor stays on, see Custom Setting c2 (Auto off timers, 0 160)). The information display can be restored by pressing the R button again.
The Command Dial The command dial can be used with other controls to adjust a variety of settings when shooting information is displayed in the monitor. M button E button X Fn button Mode dial Command dial Choose a scene (h mode; 0 32). h mode Command dial Information display q mode Command dial Information display Mode P Command dial Information display Mode S or M Command dial Information display Choose a special effect (q mode; 0 115).
Choose an aperture (mode A; 0 64). Mode A X Choose an aperture (mode M; 0 65). Command dial Information display Command dial Information display Command dial Information display Command dial Information display + E button Mode M Set exposure compensation (mode P, S, or A; 0 70). + E button Mode P, S, or A Choose a flash mode (0 51). + M button Adjust flash compensation (mode P, S, A, or M; 0 72).
The role of the Fn button can be selected using Custom Setting f1 (Assign E/Fn button; 0 165), allowing the following settings to be adjusted by pressing the Fn (E) button and rotating the command dial: + Fn (E) button Release mode (0 35) Command dial Image quality/size (0 47) X ISO sensitivity (0 54) White balance (0 81) Active D-Lighting (0 74) Auto bracketing (0 88) 9
The Viewfinder 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 X 10 11 12 14 15 16 13 Focus points ..............................................................43 Focus indicator .................................................. 27, 46 Autoexposure (AE) lock indicator ........................69 Shutter speed .................................................... 63, 65 Aperture (f-number) ........................................ 64, 65 Battery indicator ......................................................
Camera Menus Most shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed from the camera menus. To view the menus, press the G button. G button Tabs Choose from the following menus: • D: Playback (0 149) • C: Shooting (0 151) • A: Custom Settings (0 156) • B: Setup (0 167) • • N: Retouch (0 176) m/O: Recent settings or My Menu (defaults to X Recent settings; 0 192) Slider shows position in current menu. Current settings are shown by icons. Menu options Options in current menu.
Using Camera Menus The multi selector and J button are used to navigate the camera menus. Move cursor up J button: select highlighted item Cancel and return to previous menu Select highlighted item or display sub-menu Move cursor down X Follow the steps below to navigate the menus. 1 Display the menus. Press the G button to display the menus. G button 2 Highlight the icon for the current menu. Press 4 to highlight the icon for the current menu. 3 Select a menu.
4 Position the cursor in the selected menu. Press 2 to position the cursor in the selected menu. 5 Highlight a menu item. Press 1 or 3 to highlight a menu item. X 6 Display options. Press 2 to display options for the selected menu item. 7 Highlight an option. Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option. 8 Select the highlighted item. Press J to select the highlighted item. To exit without making a selection, press the G button.
First Steps Charge the Battery The camera is powered by an EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion battery (supplied). To maximize shooting time, charge the battery in the supplied MH-24 battery charger before use. About 1 hour and 30 minutes are required to fully recharge the battery when no charge remains. X A The Plug Adapter Depending on the country or region of purchase, a plug adapter may be supplied with the charger. The shape of the adapter varies with the country or region of purchase.
Insert the Battery 1 Turn the camera off. A Inserting and Removing Batteries Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing batteries. 2 Open the battery-chamber cover. Unlatch (q) and open (w) the battery-chamber cover. w X q 3 Insert the battery. Insert the battery in the orientation shown (e), using the battery to keep the orange battery latch pressed to one side. The latch locks the battery in place when the battery is fully inserted (r).
D The Battery and Charger Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages x–xi and 214–215 of this manual. Do not use the battery at ambient temperatures below 0°C/32°F or above 40°C/104°F; failure to observe this precaution could damage the battery or impair its performance. Capacity may be reduced and charging times may increase at battery temperatures from 0°C/32°F to 15°C/59°F and from 45°C/113°F to 60°C/140°F.
Attach a Lens Care should be taken to prevent dust from entering the camera when the lens is removed. The lens generally used in this manual for illustrative purposes is an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR. Focal length mark Focal length scale Mounting mark Lens cap CPU contacts (0 198) X Rear lens cap Focus ring (0 45, 106) Zoom ring (0 29) 1 Turn the camera off. 2 Remove the rear lens cap and the camera body cap. 3 Attach the lens.
❚❚ Vibration Reduction (VR) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR lenses support vibration reduction (VR), which reduces blur caused by camera shake even when the camera is panned, allowing shutter speeds to be slowed by approximately 3 EV at a focal length of 55 mm (Nikon measurements; effects vary with the user and shooting conditions). X To use vibration reduction, slide the VR switch to ON.
Basic Setup A language-selection dialog will be displayed the first time the camera is turned on. Choose a language and set the time and date. Photographs can not be taken until you have set the time and date. 1 Turn the camera on. A language-selection dialog will be displayed. 2 Select a language. Press 1 or 3 to highlight the desired language and press J. 3 X Choose a time zone. A time-zone selection dialog will be displayed.
A The Setup Menu Language and date/time settings can be changed at any time using the Language (0 171) and Time zone and date (0 170) options in the setup menu. A X The Clock Battery The camera clock is powered by an independent, rechargeable power source, which is charged as necessary when the main battery is installed or the camera is powered by an optional EP-5A power connector and EH-5b AC adapter (0 208). Three days of charging will power the clock for about a month.
Insert a Memory Card The camera stores pictures on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (available separately; 0 207). 1 Turn the camera off. A Inserting and Removing Memory Cards Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing memory cards. 2 X Open the card slot cover. Slide the card slot cover out (q) and open the card slot (w). 3 Insert the memory card. 4GB Holding the memory card as shown at right, slide it in until it clicks into place.
Format the Memory Card Memory cards must be formatted before first use or after being formatted in other devices. Format the card as described below. D Formatting Memory Cards Formatting memory cards permanently deletes any data they may contain. Be sure to copy any photographs and other data you wish to keep to a computer before proceeding (0 137). X 1 Turn the camera on. 2 Display format options. Press the G button to display the menus. Highlight Format memory card in the setup menu and press 2.
Adjust Viewfinder Focus The camera is equipped with diopter adjustment to accommodate individual differences in vision. Check that the display in the viewfinder is in focus before framing pictures in the viewfinder. 1 Remove the lens cap. 2 Turn the camera on. 3 Focus the viewfinder. X Rotate the diopter adjustment control until the viewfinder display and focus point are in sharp focus.
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sBasic Photography Battery Level and Card Capacity Before shooting, turn the camera on and check the battery level and number of exposures remaining in the information display or viewfinder (if the monitor is off, press the P button to view the information display; if the monitor does not turn on, the battery is exhausted and must be recharged). ❚❚ Battery Level Information display L K H H (blinks) s Viewfinder Description — Battery fully charged. Battery partially — discharged. Low battery.
“Point-and-Shoot” Photography (i and j Modes) This section describes how to take photographs in i and j modes, automatic “point-and-shoot” modes in which the majority of settings are controlled by the camera in response to shooting conditions. 1 Turn the camera on. Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on. The information display will appear in the monitor. s 2 Select i or j mode.
5 Press the shutter-release button halfway. Press the shutter-release button halfway to focus. The camera will select the focus points automatically. If the subject is poorly lit, the flash may pop up and the AF-assist illuminator may light. 6 Check the indicators in the viewfinder. When the focus operation is complete, the selected focus points will be briefly highlighted, a beep will sound (a beep may not sound if the subject is moving), and the in-focus indicator (I) will appear in the viewfinder.
A The Shutter-Release Button The camera has a two-stage shutter-release button. The camera focuses when the shutterrelease button is pressed halfway. To take the photograph, press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down. Focus: press halfway Shoot: press all the way down A s Auto Meter-Off The viewfinder and information display will turn off if no operations are performed for about 8 seconds (auto meter-off ), reducing the drain on the battery.
A Using a Zoom Lens Use the zoom ring to zoom in on the subject so that it fills a larger area of the frame, or zoom out to increase the area visible in the final photograph (select longer focal lengths on the lens focal length scale to zoom in, shorter focal lengths to zoom out). Note that in the case of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR, changes to zoom can alter maximum aperture by up to 11/3 EV.
Creative Photography (Scene Modes) The camera offers a choice of “scene” modes. Choosing a scene mode automatically optimizes settings to suit the selected scene, making creative photography as simple as selecting a mode, framing a picture, and shooting as described on pages 26–29. The Mode Dial The following scenes can be selected with the mode dial: Mode dial s k Portrait Use for portraits with soft, natural-looking skin tones.
p Child Use for snapshots of children. Clothing and background details are vividly rendered, while skin tones remain soft and natural. m Sports Fast shutter speeds freeze motion for dynamic sports shots in which the main subject stands out clearly. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off. s n Close up Use for close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other small objects (a macro lens can be used to focus at very close ranges). Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur.
Other Scenes The following scenes can be selected by rotating the mode dial to h and rotating the command dial until the desired scene appears in the monitor. Mode dial s Command dial Monitor o Night Portrait Use for a natural balance between the main subject and the background in portraits taken under low light. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur. r Night Landscape Reduce noise and unnatural colors when photographing night landscapes, including street lighting and neon signs.
t Beach/Snow Capture the brightness of sunlit expanses of water, snow, or sand. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off. u Sunset Preserves the deep hues seen in sunsets and sunrises. The built-in flash and AFassist illuminator turn off; use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur when lighting is poor. s v Dusk/Dawn Preserves the colors seen in the weak natural light before dawn or after sunset.
x Candlelight For photographs taken by candlelight. The built-in flash turns off; use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur when lighting is poor. s y Blossom Use for fields of flowers, orchards in bloom, and other landscapes featuring expanses of blossoms. The built-in flash turns off; use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur when lighting is poor. z Autumn Colors Captures the brilliant reds and yellows in autumn leaves.
zMore on Photography (All Modes) Release Mode Choose from the following release modes: Mode Description 8 I Single frame: Camera takes one photograph each time shutter-release button is pressed. E " # J 1 Continuous: While shutter-release button is held down, camera records up to 4 frames per second. Self-timer: Use self-timer for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake (0 37).
3 Choose a release mode. Highlight a release mode and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway. A The Memory Buffer The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage, allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being saved to the memory card. Up to 100 photographs can be taken in succession; note, however, that frame rate will drop when the buffer is full.
Self-Timer and Remote Control Modes The self-timer and optional ML-L3 remote control (0 207) can be used to reduce camera shake or for self-portraits. 1 Mount the camera on a tripod. Mount the camera on a tripod or place the camera on a stable, level surface. 2 Select a release mode.
D Before Using the Remote Control Before using the remote control for the first time, remove the clear plastic battery-insulator sheet. A Cover the Viewfinder When taking photos without your eye to the viewfinder, remove the DK-20 rubber eyecup (q) and insert the supplied DK-5 eyepiece cap as shown (w). This prevents light entering via the viewfinder interfering with exposure. Hold the camera firmly when removing the rubber eyecup.
Focus This section describes the focus options available when photographs are framed in the viewfinder. Focus can be adjusted automatically or manually (see “Focus Mode,” below). The user can also select the focus point for automatic or manual focus (0 45) or use focus lock to focus to recompose photographs after focusing (0 44). Focus Mode Choose from the following focus modes. Note that AF-S and AF-C are available only in modes P, S, A, and M.
3 Choose a focus mode. Highlight a focus mode and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway. A Predictive Focus Tracking In AF-C mode or when continuous-servo autofocus is selected in AF-A mode, the camera will initiate predictive focus tracking if the subject moves toward or away from the camera while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. This allows the camera to track focus while attempting to predict where the subject will be when the shutter is released.
D The AF-Assist Illuminator If the subject is poorly lit, the AF-assist illuminator will light AF-assist illuminator automatically to assist the autofocus operation when the shutterrelease button is pressed halfway.
AF-Area Mode Choose how the focus point for autofocus is selected. Note that d (Dynamic-area AF) and f (3D-tracking (11 points)) are not available when AF-S is selected for focus mode. Option z Description User selects focus point using multi selector (0 43); camera focuses c Single-point AF on subject in selected focus point only. Use with stationary subjects.
A AF-Area Mode AF-area mode selections made in shooting modes other than P, S, A, or M are reset when another shooting mode is selected. A 3D-tracking (11 Points) When the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the colors in the area surrounding the focus point are stored in the camera. Consequently 3D-tracking may not produce the desired results with subjects that are the same color as the background. A See Also For information on the AF-area modes available in live view, see page 101.
Focus Lock Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing in AF-A, AF-S, and AF-C focus modes (0 39), making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus point in the final composition. If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus (0 40), you can also focus on another subject at the same distance and then use focus lock to recompose the photograph. Focus lock is most effective when an option other than e (Auto-area AF) is selected for AF-area mode (0 42). 1 Focus.
Manual Focus Manual focus can be used when you are not using an AF-S or AF-I lens or when autofocus does not produce the desired results (0 40). 1 Set the lens focus-mode switch. If the lens is equipped with an M/A-M or A-M mode switch, slide the switch to M. 2 A-M mode switch M/A-M switch Focus. To focus manually, adjust the lens focus ring until the image displayed on the clear matte field in the viewfinder is in focus. Photographs can be taken at any time, even when the image is not in focus.
❚❚ The Electronic Rangefinder If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the subject in the selected focus point is in focus (the focus point can be selected from any of the 11 focus points). After positioning the subject in the selected focus point, press the shutter-release button halfway and rotate the lens focus ring until the in-focus indicator (I) is displayed.
Image Quality and Size Together, image quality and size determine how much space each photograph occupies on the memory card. Larger, higher quality images can be printed at larger sizes but also require more memory, meaning that fewer such images can be stored on the memory card (0 218). Image Quality Choose a file format and compression ratio (image quality). Option Description Raw 14-bit data from the image sensor are saved directly to the memory NEF (RAW) NEF card.
3 Choose a file type. Highlight an option and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway. A NEF (RAW) Images Note that the option selected for image size does not affect the size of NEF (RAW) images. White balance bracketing (0 88), high dynamic range (HDR, 0 76), and print date (0 163) are not available at image quality settings of NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW)+JPEG.
Image Size Image size is measured in pixels. Choose from the following options: Size (pixels) Print size (cm/in.) * # Large 4,928 × 3,264 41.7 × 27.6/16.4 × 11.4 $ Medium 3,696 × 2,448 31.3 × 20.7/12.3 × 8.2 % Small 2,464 × 1,632 20.9 × 13.8/8.2 × 5.4 * Approximate size when printed at 300 dpi. Print size in inches equals image size in pixels divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi; 1 inch=approximately 2.54 cm). Image size 1 Place the cursor in the information display.
Using the Built-in Flash The camera supports a variety of flash modes for photographing poorly lit or backlit subjects. ❚❚ Using the Built-in Flash: i, k, p, n, o, s, w, and g Modes 1 Choose a flash mode (0 51). 2 Take pictures. The flash will pop up as required when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and fire when a photograph is taken. If the flash does not pop up automatically, DO NOT attempt to raise it by hand. Failure to observe this precaution could damage the flash.
Flash Mode The flash modes available vary with shooting mode: i, k, p, n, s, w, g No Auto Njo Auto+red-eye reduction j Off o Auto+slow sync+ Njr red-eye reduction Nr j N 0 Fill flash Auto+slow sync Off P, A S, M N Fill flash N Fill flash Nj Red-eye reduction Nj Red-eye reduction Njp Slow sync+red-eye reduction Nq Rear-curtain sync Np Slow sync Nq * Rear curtain+slow sync * p appears in information display when setting is complete. 1 z Place the cursor in the information display.
A Flash Modes The flash modes listed on the previous page may combine one or more of the following settings, as shown by the flash mode icon: • AUTO (auto flash): When lighting is poor or subject is back lit, flash pops up automatically when shutter-release button is pressed halfway and fires as required. • j (red-eye reduction): Use for portraits. Red-eye reduction lamp lights before flash fires, reducing “red-eye.” • j (off): Flash does not fire even when lighting is poor or subject is back-lit.
A Shutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash Shutter speed is restricted to the following ranges when the built-in flash is used: Mode i, k, p, s, w, g, P, A n, 0 o Shutter speed 1/200–1/60 s 1/200–1/125 s 1/200–1 s Mode S M Shutter speed 1/200–30 s 1/200–30 s, Bulb A Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range Flash range varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture. 100 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 200 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 Aperture at ISO equivalent of 400 800 1600 3200 2.8 4 5.6 8 4 5.
ISO Sensitivity “ISO sensitivity” is the digital equivalent of film speed. The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing higher shutter speeds or smaller apertures, but the more likely the image is to be affected by noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines; noise is particularly likely at settings of Hi 0.3–Hi 2). Choosing Auto allows the camera to set ISO sensitivity automatically in response to lighting conditions.
A AUTO If the mode dial is rotated to P, S, A, or M after AUTO is selected for ISO sensitivity in another mode, the ISO sensitivity last selected in P, S, A, or M mode will be restored. A The Shooting Menu ISO sensitivity can also be adjusted using the ISO sensitivity settings option in the shooting menu (0 155). A See Also For information on enabling auto ISO sensitivity control in P, S, A, or M modes, see page 155.
Interval Timer Photography The camera is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. D Before Shooting Before beginning interval timer photography, take a test shot at current settings and view the results in the monitor. To ensure that shooting starts at the desired time, check that the camera clock is set correctly (0 170). Use of a tripod is recommended. Mount the camera on a tripod before shooting begins.
4 Choose the number of intervals. Press 4 or 2 to highlight number of intervals (i.e., the number of times the camera shoots); press 1 or 3 to change. Press 2 to continue. 5 Start shooting. Highlight On and press J (to return to the shooting menu without starting the interval timer, highlight Off and press J). The first series of shots will be taken at the specified starting time, or after about 3 s if Now was selected for Choose start time in Step 2.
Restoring Default Settings The camera settings listed below and on page 59 can be restored to default values by holding the G and P buttons down together for more than two seconds (these buttons are marked by a green dot). The information display turns off briefly while settings are reset.
❚❚ Other Settings Option Focus point 1 AE/AF lock hold Shooting modes other than i and j Flexible program P HDR (High Dynamic Range) HDR mode P, S, A, M Multiple exposure Multiple exposure mode P, S, A, M Default Center Off Off Off Off 0 43 Option Special effects mode g Vividness 166 Outlines ( 62 Orientation Width 3 76 Color Color range 78 1 Focus point not displayed if e (Auto-area AF) is selected for AF-area mode.
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tP, S, A, and M Modes Shutter Speed and Aperture P, S, A, and M modes offer different degrees of control over shutter speed and aperture: Mode Description Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Programmed auto Recommended for snapshots and in other situations in which (0 62) there is little time to adjust camera settings. Shutter-priority auto User chooses shutter speed; camera selects aperture for best (0 63) results. Use to freeze or blur motion.
Mode P (Programmed Auto) In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure in most situations. This mode is recommended for snapshots and other situations in which you want to leave the camera in charge of shutter speed and aperture. To take photographs in programmed auto: 1 Rotate the mode dial to P. 2 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.
Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto) In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the optimal exposure. Use slow shutter speeds to suggest motion by blurring moving subjects, fast shutter speeds to “freeze” motion. Fast shutter speed (1/1,600 s) Slow shutter speed (1 s) To take photographs in shutter-priority auto: 1 Rotate the mode dial to S. Mode dial t 2 Choose a shutter speed.
Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto) In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the camera automatically selects the shutter speed that will produce the optimal exposure. Large apertures (low f-numbers) reduce depth of field, blurring objects behind and in front of the main subject. Small apertures (high f-numbers) increase depth of field, bringing out details in the background and foreground.
Mode M (Manual) In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture. To take photographs in manual exposure mode: 1 Rotate the mode dial to M. 2 Choose aperture and shutter speed. Mode dial Checking the exposure indicator (see below), adjust shutter speed and aperture. Shutter speed is selected by rotating the command dial: choose from values between 30 s and 1/4,000 s or select “Bulb” or “Time” to hold the shutter open indefinitely for a long time-exposure (0 66).
❚❚ Long Time-Exposures (M Mode Only) Select the following shutter speeds for long time-exposures of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks. • Bulb (A): The shutter remains open while the shutterrelease button is held down. To prevent blur, use a tripod or an optional MC-DC2 remote cord (0 207). Length of exposure: 35 s • Time (&): Requires an optional ML-L3 remote control Aperture: f/25 (0 207). Start the exposure by pressing the ML-L3 shutterrelease button.
4 Open the shutter. Bulb: After focusing, press the shutter-release button on the camera or optional remote cord all the way down. Keep the shutter-release button pressed until the exposure is complete. Time: Press the ML-L3 shutter-release button all the way down. 5 Close the shutter. Bulb: Take your finger off the shutter-release button. Time: Press the ML-L3 shutter-release button all the way down. Shooting ends automatically after thirty minutes.
Exposure Metering Choose how the camera sets exposure in P, S, A, and M modes (in other modes, the camera selects the metering method automatically). Method L Matrix metering CenterM weighted metering t N 1 Spot metering Description Produces natural results in most situations.
Autoexposure Lock Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after using M (Center-weighted metering) and N (Spot metering) to meter exposure; note that autoexposure lock is not available in i or j mode. 1 Meter exposure. Position the subject in the center of the frame (center-weighted metering) or the selected focus point (spot metering) and press the shutter-release button halfway to set focus and meter exposure. Check that the in-focus indicator (I) appears in the viewfinder. 2 Lock exposure.
Exposure Compensation Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. It is most effective when used with M (Center-weighted metering) or N (Spot metering) (0 68). Choose from values between –5 EV (underexposure) and +5 EV (overexposure) in increments of 1/3 EV. In general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values make it darker.
A The E Button Exposure compensation can also be set by pressing the E button and rotating the command dial. The selected value is shown in the viewfinder and information display. E button Command dial –0.3 EV +2 EV A Mode M In mode M, exposure compensation affects only the exposure indicator; shutter speed and aperture do not change. A Using a Flash When a flash is used, exposure compensation affects both background exposure and flash level.
Flash Compensation Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from the level suggested by the camera, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Choose from values between –3 EV (darker) and +1 EV (brighter) in increments of 1/3 EV; in general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values make it darker. 1 Place the cursor in the information display. If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button.
A The Y (M) and E Buttons Flash compensation can also be set by rotating the command dial while pressing the Y (M) and E buttons. The selected value is shown in the viewfinder and information display. Y (M) button –0.3 EV E button Command dial +1 EV A Optional Flash Units Flash compensation is also available with optional flash units that support the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS; see page 203).
Preserving Detail in Highlights and Shadows Active D-Lighting Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Use for high contrast scenes, for example when photographing brightly lit outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking pictures of shaded subjects on a sunny day. It is most effective when used with L (Matrix metering; 0 68). t Active D-Lighting: ! Off 1 Active D-Lighting: Y Auto Place the cursor in the information display.
3 Choose an option. Highlight Y Auto, Z Extra high, P High, Q Normal, R Low, or ! Off and press J. If Y Auto is selected, the camera will automatically adjust Active D-Lighting according to shooting conditions. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway. D Active D-Lighting Noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) may appear in photographs taken with Active D-Lighting. Uneven shading may be visible with some subjects.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) High Dynamic Range (HDR) combines two exposures to form a single image that captures a wide range of tones from shadows to highlights, even with high-contrast subjects. HDR is most effective when used with L (Matrix metering) (0 68; with other metering methods, an exposure differential of Auto is equivalent to about 2 EV). It can not be used to record NEF (RAW) images. The flash can not be used while HDR is in effect.
3 Choose the exposure differential. To choose the difference in exposure between the two shots, highlight Exposure differential and press 2. The options shown at right will be displayed. Highlight an option and press J. Choose higher values for high-contrast subjects, but note that choosing a value higher than required may not produce the desired results; if Auto is selected, the camera will automatically adjust exposure to suit the scene. 4 Choose the amount of smoothing.
Multiple Exposure Follow the steps below to record a series of two or three exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor to produce colors noticeably superior to those in software-generated photographic overlays. ❚❚ Creating a Multiple Exposure Multiple exposures can not be recorded in live view. Exit live view before proceeding.
3 Choose the number of shots. Highlight Number of shots and press 2. The dialog shown at right will be displayed. Press 1 or 3 to choose the number of exposures that will be combined to form a single photograph and press J. 4 Choose the amount of gain. Highlight Auto gain and press 2. t The following options will be displayed. Highlight an option and press J.
❚❚ Interrupting Multiple Exposures To interrupt a multiple exposure before the specified number of exposures have been taken, select Off for Multiple exposure > Multiple exposure mode in the shooting menu. A multiple exposure will be created from the exposures that have been recorded to that point. If Auto gain is on, gain will be adjusted to reflect the number of exposures actually recorded.
White Balance White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source. Auto white balance is recommended for most light sources; in P, S, A, and M modes, other values can be selected if necessary according to the type of source: Option v Auto J Incandescent I Fluorescent H Direct sunlight N Flash G Cloudy M Shade L Preset manual 1 Description Automatic white balance adjustment. Recommended in most situations. Use under incandescent lighting.
A The Shooting Menu White balance can be selected using the White balance option in the shooting menu (0 151), which also can be used to fine-tune white balance (0 83) or measure a value for preset white balance (0 84). The I Fluorescent option in the White balance menu can be used to select the light source from the bulb types shown at right. A t Color Temperature The perceived color of a light source varies with the viewer and other conditions.
Fine-Tuning White Balance White balance can be “fine tuned” to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image. White balance is fine tuned using the White balance option in the shooting menu. 1 Display white balance options. To display the menus, press the G button. Highlight White balance in the shooting menu and press 2 to display white balance options. G button 2 Select a white balance option.
Preset Manual Preset manual is used to record and recall custom white balance settings for shooting under mixed lighting or to compensate for light sources with a strong color cast. Two methods are available for setting preset white balance: Method Description Neutral gray or white object is placed under lighting that will be used in final photo Measure and white balance measured by camera (see below). Use photo White balance is copied from photo on memory card (0 87).
When the camera is ready to measure white balance, a flashing L (D) will appear in the viewfinder and information display. 5 Measure white balance. Before the indicators stop flashing, frame the reference object so that it fills the viewfinder and press the shutter-release button all the way down. No photograph will be recorded; white balance can be measured accurately even when the camera is not in focus. 6 Check the results.
D Measuring Preset White Balance If no operations are performed while the displays are flashing, direct measurement mode will end when the exposure meters turn off. The auto meter-off delay can be changed using Custom Setting c2 (Auto off timers; 0 160). The default setting is eight seconds. D Preset White Balance The camera can store only one value for preset white balance at a time; the existing value will be replaced when a new value is measured.
❚❚ Copying White Balance from a Photograph Follow the steps below to copy a value for white balance from a photograph on the memory card. 1 Select Preset manual. To display the menus, press the G button. Highlight White balance in the shooting menu and press 2 to display white balance options. Highlight Preset manual and press 2. G button 2 Select Use photo. Highlight Use photo and press 2. t 3 Choose Select image.
Bracketing Bracketing automatically varies exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting (ADL) slightly with each shot, “bracketing” the current value. Choose in situations in which it is difficult to set exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting and there is not time to check results and adjust settings with each shot, or to experiment with different settings for the same subject. Option k t Description Vary exposure over a series of three photographs.
3 Display bracketing options. Highlight the current bracketing setting and press J. 4 Select a bracketing increment. Highlight a bracketing increment and press J. Choose from values between 0.3 and 2 EV (AE bracketing) or 1 to 3 (WB bracketing), or select ADL (ADL bracketing). 5 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot. AE bracketing: The camera will vary exposure with each shot. The first shot will be taken at the value currently selected for exposure compensation.
A The Bracketing Progress Indicator During AE bracketing, progress is shown by the bracketing indicator in the information display: • v: Camera ready to take first shot. • w: Camera ready to take second shot. • x: Camera ready to take third shot. During ADL bracketing, the amount of Active D-Lighting that will be used with the next shot is underlined in the information display. A Disabling Bracketing To disable bracketing and resume normal shooting, select OFF in Step 4 on the previous page.
Picture Controls Nikon’s unique Picture Control system makes it possible to share image processing settings, including sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue, among compatible devices and software. Selecting a Picture Control The camera offers six Picture Controls. In P, S, A, and M modes, you can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene (in other modes, the camera selects a Picture Control automatically).
Modifying Picture Controls Existing preset or custom Picture Controls (0 95) can be modified to suit the scene or the user’s creative intent. Choose a balanced combination of settings using Quick adjust, or make manual adjustments to individual settings. 1 Display the Picture Control menu. To display the menus, press the G button. Highlight Set Picture Control in the shooting menu and press 2. G button t 2 Select a Picture Control. Highlight the desired Picture Control and press 2. 3 Adjust settings.
❚❚ Picture Control Settings Option Manual adjustments (all Picture Controls) Description Choose from options between –2 and +2 to reduce or exaggerate the effect of the selected Picture Control (note that this resets all manual adjustments). Quick adjust For example, choosing positive values for Vivid makes pictures more vivid. Not available with Neutral, Monochrome, or custom Picture Controls. Control the sharpness of outlines.
A The Picture Control Grid Pressing the X button in Step 3 displays a Picture Control grid showing the contrast and saturation for the selected Picture Control in relation to the other Picture Controls (only contrast is displayed when Monochrome is selected). Release the X button to return to the Picture Control menu. The icons for Picture Controls that use auto contrast and saturation are displayed in green in the Picture Control grid, and lines appear parallel to the axes of the grid.
Creating Custom Picture Controls The Picture Controls supplied with the camera can be modified and saved as custom Picture Controls. 1 Select Manage Picture Control. To display the menus, press the G button. Highlight Manage Picture Control in the shooting menu and press 2. G button 2 Select Save/edit. Highlight Save/edit and press 2. t 3 Select a Picture Control.
6 Name the Picture Control. The text-entry dialog shown at right will be Keyboard displayed. By default, new Picture Controls area are named by adding a two-digit number Name area (assigned automatically) to the name of the existing Picture Control; to use the default name, proceed to Step 7. To move the cursor in the name area, rotate the command dial. To enter a new letter at the current cursor position, use the multi selector to highlight the desired character in the keyboard area and press J.
Sharing Custom Picture Controls Custom Picture Controls created using the Picture Control Utility available with ViewNX 2 or optional software such as Capture NX 2 can be copied to a memory card and loaded into the camera, or custom Picture Controls created with the camera can be copied to the memory card to be used in compatible cameras and software and then deleted when no longer needed.
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xLive View Framing Photographs in the Monitor Follow the steps below to take photographs in live view. 1 Rotate the live view switch. The mirror will be raised and the view through the lens will be displayed in the camera monitor. The subject will no longer be visible in the viewfinder. Live view switch 2 Position the focus point. Position the focus point over your subject as described on page 102. x Focus point 3 Focus. Press the shutter-release button halfway.
Focusing in Live View Follow the steps below to choose focus and AF-area modes and position the focus point. ❚❚ Choosing a Focus Mode The following focus modes are available in live view: Option Single-servo AF-S AF Full-timeAF-F servo AF MF Manual focus 1 Description For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button is pressed halfway. For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously during live view and movie recording. Focus manually (0 106).
❚❚ Choosing an AF-Area Mode In modes other than i and j, the following AF-area modes can be selected in live view: Option Description The camera automatically detects and focuses on portrait subjects 6 Face-priority AF facing the camera. Use for portraits. Use for hand-held shots of landscapes and other non-portrait 7 Wide-area AF subjects. Use the multi selector to select the focus point. Use for pin-point focus on a selected spot in the frame. A tripod is 8 Normal-area AF recommended.
❚❚ Choosing the Focus Point The method for selecting the focus point for autofocus varies with the option selected for AF-area mode (0 101). 6 (face-priority AF): A double yellow border will be displayed when the camera detects a portrait subject facing the camera (if multiple faces, up to a maximum of 35, are detected, the camera will focus on the closest subject; to choose a different subject, use the multi selector).
A The Live View Display t y q w e r Item q Shooting mode w “No movie” icon Audio recording e indicator r Time remaining u i o 0 26, 30, The mode currently selected with the mode dial. Select i or j 61, for automatic scene selection (autofocus only; 0 104). 115 Indicates that movies can not be recorded. 107 Description Indicates whether sound is being recorded with movies. The amount of time remaining before live view ends automatically. Displayed if shooting will end in 30 s or less.
A Automatic Scene Selection (Scene Auto Selector) If live view is selected in i or j mode, the camera will automatically analyze the subject and select the appropriate shooting mode when autofocus is enabled. The selected mode is shown in the monitor.
D Shooting in Live View Mode To prevent light entering via the viewfinder from interfering with exposure, remove the rubber eyecup and cover the viewfinder with the supplied DK-5 eyepiece cap before shooting (0 38). Although they will not appear in the final picture, flicker, banding, or distortion may be visible in the monitor under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps or if the camera is panned horizontally or an object moves at high speed through frame.
D Using Autofocus in Live View Autofocus is slower in live view and the monitor may brighten or darken while the camera focuses.
yRecording and Viewing Movies Recording Movies Movies can be recorded in live view. 1 Rotate the live view switch. The mirror is raised and the view through the lens is displayed in the monitor instead of the viewfinder. D The 0 Icon A 0 icon (0 103) indicates that movies can not be recorded. A Live view switch Before Recording Set aperture before recording in mode A or M (if you are using a PC-E lens, you can also modify aperture while recording in live view). 2 y Focus.
4 End recording. Press the movie-record button again to end recording. Recording will end automatically when the maximum length is reached, the memory card is full, another mode is selected, the lens is removed, or the monitor is closed (closing the monitor does not end recording on televisions or other external displays).
❚❚ Movie Settings Choose movie quality and sound options. • Movie quality: Choose from the following options. The frame rate depends on the option currently selected for Video mode in the setup menu (0 170): r s k l o m n p 1 2 3 4 Movie quality Frame rate Frame size (pixels) 30 fps 1, 2 1920 × 1080 25 fps 2, 3 24 fps 30 fps 1 1280 × 720 25 fps 3 24 fps 30 fps 1 640 × 424 25 fps 3 Quality Bit rate (high/normal quality) Maximum length 18 Mbps/10 Mbps ★ high/normal 10 Mbps/6 Mbps 20 min.
Viewing Movies Movies are indicated by a 1 icon in full-frame playback (0 123). Press J to start playback. 1 icon Length Current position/total length Volume Guide The following operations can be performed: To Use Description Pause Play y Pause playback. J Advance/ rewind Adjust volume Edit movie Return to fullframe playback X/W A /K Press 1 or K to exit to full-frame playback. Press shutter-release button halfway. Monitor will turn off; photographs can be taken immediately.
Editing Movies Trim footage to create edited copies of movies or save selected frames as JPEG stills. Option Description Choose start point Create a copy from which the opening footage has been removed. Choose end point Create a copy from which the ending footage has been removed. Save selected frame Save a selected frame as a JPEG still. Trimming Movies To create trimmed copies of movies: 1 Display a movie full frame.
4 Choose an option. To create a copy that includes the current frame and all following frames, highlight Choose start point in the edit movie menu and press J. Select Choose end point create a copy that includes the current frame and all preceding frames. 5 Delete frames. Press 1 to delete all frames before (Choose start point) or after (Choose end point) the current frame. 6 Save the copy. Highlight Yes and press J to save the edited copy.
Saving Selected Frames To save a copy of a selected frame as a JPEG still: 1 View the movie and choose a frame. Play the movie back as described on page 110. Pause the movie at the frame you intend to copy. 2 Display the retouch menu. Press the AE-L/AF-L button to display the retouch menu. AE-L/AF-L button 3 Choose Save selected frame. Highlight Save selected frame and press J. y 4 Create a still copy. Press 1 to create a still copy of the current frame. 5 Save the copy.
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%Special Effects Special effects can be used when recording images. Shooting with Special Effects The following effects can be selected by rotating the mode dial to q and rotating the command dial until the desired option appears in the monitor. Mode dial Command dial Monitor A NEF (RAW) If NEF (RAW)+JPEG is selected for image quality in %, g, (, or 3 mode, only the JPEG images will be recorded (0 47).
% Night Vision Use under conditions of darkness to record monochrome images at high ISO sensitivities (with some noise in the form of randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines). Autofocus is available in live view only; manual focus can be used if the camera is unable to focus. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off; use of a tripod is recommended to reduce blur. g Color Sketch The camera detects and colors outlines for a color sketch effect.
3 Selective Color All colors other than the selected colors are recorded in black and white. The effect can be chosen during live view (0 120). The built-in flash turns off; use of a tripod is recommended when lighting is poor. 1 Silhouette Silhouette subjects against bright backgrounds. The built-in flash turns off; use of a tripod is recommended when lighting is poor. 2 High Key Use with bright scenes to create bright images that seem filled with light. The built-in flash turns off.
Options Available in Live View ❚❚ g Color Sketch 1 Select live view. Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor. Live view switch 2 % 118 Adjust options. Press J to display the options shown at right (note that the options temporarily clear from the display during autofocus). Press 1 or 3 to highlight Vividness or Outlines and press 4 or 2 to change.
❚❚ ( Miniature Effect 1 Select live view. Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor. Live view switch 2 Position the focus point. Use the multi selector to position the focus point in the area that will be in focus and then press the shutter-release button halfway to focus (note that the options temporarily clear from the display during autofocus).
❚❚ 3 Selective Color 1 Select live view. Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor. Live view switch 2 Display options. Press J to display selective color options. 3 Select a color. Frame an object in the white square in the center of the display and press 1 to choose the color of the object as one that will remain in the final image (the camera may have difficulty detecting unsaturated colors; choose a saturated color).
6 Return to the live view display. Press J to return to live view. During shooting, only objects of the selected hues will be recorded in color; all others will be recorded in black-and-white. To exit live view, rotate the live view switch. The selected settings will continue in effect and will apply to photographs taken using the viewfinder.
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IMore on Playback Full-Frame Playback To play photographs back, press the K button. The most recent photograph will be displayed in the monitor. K button To Use Description Press 2 to view photographs in order recorded, 4 to view photographs in reverse order. View additional photographs Press 1 or 3 to view information about current photograph (0 124). View photo information View thumbnails W See page 129 for more information on the thumbnail display.
Photo Information Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full-frame playback. Press 1 or 3 to cycle through photo information as shown below. Note that “image only”, shooting data, RGB histograms, highlights, and overview data are only displayed if corresponding option is selected for Playback display options (0 150). GPS data are only displayed if a GP-1 was used when the photo was taken. 1/ 12 1/ 12 NIKON D5100 LATITUDE LONGITUDE 1/ 250 F11 +1. 0 –1.
❚❚ Highlights * 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 3 Protect status..........................................................132 Retouch indicator .................................................177 Image highlights Camera name Frame number/total number of images * Blinking areas indicate highlights. H i g h l i g ht s N I KON D5100 4 1/12 5 ❚❚ RGB Histogram 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 Protect status..........................................................132 2 Retouch indicator ................................................
A Histograms Camera histograms are intended as a guide only and may differ from those displayed in imaging applications. Some sample histograms are shown below: If the image contains objects with a wide range of brightnesses, the distribution of tones will be relatively even. If the image is dark, tone distribution will be shifted to the left. If the image is bright, tone distribution will be shifted to the right.
14 White balance.............................................................81 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 WHI TE BALANCE COLOR SPACE PI CTURE CTRL QUI CK ADJUST SHARPEN ING CONTRAST BR I GHTNESS SATURAT ION HUE : AUTO, A6, M1 : s RGB : STANDARD :0 :3 :0 :0 :0 :0 N I KON D5100 15 16 17 1/12 18 19 20 21 22 White balance fine-tuning .................................83 Preset manual .........................................................84 Color space...................................................
❚❚ Overview 1 2 3 NIKON D5100 1/ 12 4 12 13 5 1/ 250 F11 +1. 0 –1. 3 100 26 25 35mm 24 100D5100 DSC_0001. JPG 15/04/2011 10 : 02 : 27 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 I 10 9 8 NOR ORMAL AL 4928x3264 14 15 1/ 250 F11 +1. 0 –1. 3 23 22 16 17 100 35mm 18 19 21 20 6 7 Frame number/total number of images Protect status ...........................................................132 Camera name Retouch indicator ...................................................
Thumbnail Playback To display images in “contact sheets” of four, nine, or 72 images, press the W button. W W X X Full-frame playback To Display more images Display fewer images X X Calendar playback Use Description W Press W button to increase the number of images displayed. X Press X button to reduce the number of images displayed. When four images are displayed, press to view highlighted image full frame.
Calendar Playback To view images taken on a selected date, press the W button when 72 images are displayed. W W Full-frame playback W W Calendar playback Thumbnail playback Press the W button to toggle between the date list and the list of thumbnails for the selected date. Use the multi selector to highlight dates in the date list or to highlight pictures in the thumbnail list.
Taking a Closer Look: Playback Zoom Press the X button to zoom in on the image displayed in full-frame playback or on the image currently highlighted in thumbnail or calendar playback. The following operations can be performed while zoom is in effect: To Use Zoom in or out X/W View other areas of image Select/zoom in on or out from faces P Rotate command dial to view same location in other images at current zoom ratio.
Protecting Photographs from Deletion In full-frame, zoom, thumbnail, and calendar playback, the L button can be used to protect photographs from accidental deletion. Protected files can not be deleted using the O button or the Delete option in the playback menu. Note that protected images will be deleted when the memory card is formatted (0 22). To protect a photograph: 1 Select an image.
Deleting Photographs To delete the photograph displayed in full-frame playback or the photograph highlighted in the thumbnail list, press the O button. To delete multiple selected photographs, all photographs taken on a selected date, or all photographs in the current playback folder, use the Delete option in the playback menu. Once deleted, photographs can not be recovered. Full-Frame, Thumbnail, and Calendar Playback Press the O button to delete the current photograph. 1 Select an image.
The Playback Menu The Delete option in the playback menu contains the following options. Note that depending on the number of images, some time may be required for deletion. Option Description Q Selected Delete selected pictures. n Select date Delete all pictures taken on a selected date. R All Delete all pictures in the folder currently selected for playback (0 149). ❚❚ Selected: Deleting Selected Photographs 1 Select Delete. To display the menus, press the G button.
❚❚ Select Date: Deleting Photographs Taken on a Selected Date 1 Choose Select Date. In the delete menu, highlight Select date and press 2. 2 Highlight a date. Press 1 or 3 to highlight a date. To view the pictures taken on the highlighted date, press W. Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures, or press and hold X to view the current picture full screen. Press W to return to the date list. W button 3 Select the highlighted date.
Slide Shows The Slide show option in the playback menu is used to display a slide show of the pictures in the current playback folder (0 149). 1 Select Slide show. To display the slide show menu, press the G button and select Slide show in the playback menu. G button 2 Select Start. To start the slide show, highlight Start in the slide show menu and press J.
QConnections Connecting to a Computer This section describes how to use the supplied UC-E6 USB cable to connect the camera to a computer. Before Connecting the Camera Before connecting the camera, install the software on the supplied ViewNX 2 CD. To ensure that data transfer is not interrupted, be sure the camera EN-EL14 battery is fully charged. If in doubt, charge the battery before use or use an EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5A power connector (available separately).
Connecting the Camera Connect the camera using the supplied UC-E6 USB cable. 1 Turn the camera off. 2 Turn the computer on. Turn the computer on and wait for it to start up. 3 Connect the USB cable. Connect the USB cable as shown. Do not use force or attempt to insert the connectors at an angle. D USB Hubs Connect the camera directly to the computer; do not connect the cable via a USB hub or keyboard. Q 4 Turn the camera on. 5 Transfer photographs.
Printing Photographs To print selected JPEG pictures on a PictBridge printer via a direct USB connection, follow the steps below.
3 Turn the camera on. A welcome screen will be displayed in the monitor, followed by a PictBridge playback display. q w Printing Pictures One at a Time 1 Select a picture. Press 4 or 2 to view additional pictures, or press 1 or 3 to view photo information (0 124). Press the X button to zoom in on the current frame (0 131; press K to exit zoom). To view six pictures at a time, press the W button. Use the multi selector to highlight pictures, or press X to display the highlighted picture full frame.
Option Description This option is available only if supported by current printer. Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press 1 or 3 to choose print style from Printer default (print Border using current printer settings), Print with border (print photo with white border), or No border, then press J to select and return to previous menu. Only options supported by current printer will be displayed. Time stamp Menu shown at right will be displayed.
Printing Multiple Pictures 1 Display the PictBridge menu. Press the G button in the PictBridge playback display (see Step 3 on page 140). G button 2 Choose an option. Highlight one of the following options and press 2. • Print select: Select pictures for printing. • Select date: Print one copy of all the pictures taken on a selected date. • Print (DPOF): Print an existing print order created with the DPOF print order option in the playback menu (0 144).
If you chose Select date in Step 2, press 1 or 3 to highlight a date and press 2 to toggle the highlighted date on or off. To view the pictures taken on the selected date, press W. Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures, or press and hold X to view the W button: View current picture full screen. Press W again to photos for selected return to the date selection dialog. date X button: View highlighted photo full screen 4 Display printing options.
Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set The DPOF print order option in the playback menu is used to create digital “print orders” for PictBridge-compatible printers and devices that support DPOF. 1 Choose Select/set for the DPOF print order item in the playback menu. Press the G button and select DPOF print order in the playback menu. Highlight Select/set and press 2 (to remove all photographs from the print order, select G button Deselect all?). 2 Select pictures.
4 Select imprint options. Highlight the following options and press 2 to toggle the highlighted option on or off (to complete the print order without including this information, proceed to Step 5). • Print shooting data: Print shutter speed and aperture on all pictures in print order. • Print date: Print date of recording on all pictures in print order. 5 Complete the print order. Highlight Done and press J to complete the print order.
Viewing Photographs on TV The supplied EG-CP14 audio video (A/V) cable can be used to connect the camera to a television or video recorder for playback or recording. A type C mini-pin HighDefinition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable (available separately from third-party suppliers) can be used to connect the camera to high-definition video devices. Standard Definition Devices Before connecting the camera to a standard television, confirm that the camera video standard (0 170) matches that used in the TV.
High-Definition Devices The camera can be connected to HDMI devices using a type C mini-pin HDMI cable (available separately from third-party suppliers). 1 Turn the camera off. Always turn the camera off before connecting or disconnecting an HDMI cable. 2 Connect the HDMI cable as shown. Connect to high-definition device (choose cable with connector for HDMI device) 3 Tune the device to the HDMI channel. 4 Turn the camera on and press the K button.
❚❚ HDMI Options The HDMI option in the setup menu controls output resolution and can be used to enable the camera for remote control from devices that support HDMI-CEC (HighDefinition Multimedia Interface–Consumer Electronics Control, a standard that allows HDMI devices to be used to control peripherals to which they are connected). Output Resolution Choose the format for images output to the HDMI device. If Auto is selected, the camera will automatically select the appropriate format.
MMenu Guide D The Playback Menu: Managing Images To display the playback menu, press G and select the D (playback menu) tab.
Playback Display Options G button ➜ D playback menu Choose the information available in the playback photo information display (0 124). Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option, then press 2 to select the option for the photo information display. A M appears next to selected items; to deselect, highlight and press 2. To return to the playback menu, highlight Done and press J.
C The Shooting Menu: Shooting Options To display the shooting menu, press G and select the C (shooting menu) tab.
Reset shooting menu G button ➜ C shooting menu Select Yes to reset shooting menu settings. Storage Folder G button ➜ C shooting menu Create, rename, or delete folders, or choose the folder in which subsequent photographs will be stored. • Select folder: Choose the folder in which subsequent photographs will be stored. D5100 (default folder) Current folder Other folders (in alphabetical order) • New: Create a new folder and name it as described on page 96.
Auto Distortion Control G button ➜ C shooting menu Select On to reduce barrel distortion when shooting with wideangle lenses and to reduce pin-cushion distortion when shooting with long lenses (note that the edges of the area visible in the viewfinder may be cropped out of the final photograph, and that the time needed to process photographs before recording begins may increase).
Long Exposure NR G button ➜ C shooting menu If On is selected, photographs taken at shutter speeds slower than 1 s will be processed to reduce noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog), increasing the time required to record images by roughly 1.5 to 2 times. During processing, “l m” will blink in the viewfinder and pictures can not be taken (if the camera is turned off before processing is complete, the picture will be saved but noise reduction will not be performed).
ISO Sensitivity Settings G button ➜ C shooting menu Adjust ISO sensitivity (0 54). ❚❚ Auto ISO sensitivity control If Off is chosen for Auto ISO sensitivity control in P, S, A, and M modes, ISO sensitivity will remain fixed at the value selected by the user (0 54). When On is chosen, ISO sensitivity will automatically be adjusted if optimal exposure can not be achieved at the value selected by the user (ISO sensitivity is adjusted appropriately when the flash is used).
A Custom Settings: Fine-Tuning Camera Settings To display the Custom Settings menu, press G and select the A (Custom Settings menu) tab. G button Custom Settings are used to customize camera settings to suit individual preferences.
The following Custom Settings are available: Custom Setting Default 0 Reset custom settings 157 a Autofocus a1 AF-C priority selection Focus 158 a2 Built-in AF-assist illuminator On 158 a3 Rangefinder Off 159 b Exposure b1 EV steps for exposure cntrl.
a: Autofocus a1: AF-C Priority Selection G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu When AF-C is selected for viewfinder photography (0 39), this option controls whether photographs can be taken whenever the shutter-release button is pressed (release priority) or only when the camera is in focus (focus priority). Option G Release F Focus Description Photos can be taken whenever the shutter-release button is pressed. Photos can only be taken once the camera has focused.
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu a3: Rangefinder Choose On to use the exposure indicator to determine whether the camera is correctly focused in manual focus mode (0 65; note that this function is not available in shooting mode M, when the exposure indicator instead shows whether the subject is correctly exposed). Indicator Description Indicator Camera in focus. Focus point is slightly in front of subject. Description Focus point is slightly behind subject. Focus point is well behind subject.
c2: Auto off Timers G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu This option determines how long the monitor remains on if no operations are performed during menu display and playback (Playback/menus), while photographs are displayed in the monitor after shooting (Image review), and during live view (Live view), and how long the exposure meters, viewfinder, and information display remain on when no operations are performed (Auto meter-off ). Choose shorter auto-off delays to reduce the drain on the battery.
c4: Remote on Duration G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu Choose how long the camera will remain before cancelling the currently selected remote control release mode and restoring the previously selected release mode (0 37). Choose shorter times for longer battery life.
d3: File Number Sequence G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu When a photograph is taken, the camera names the file by adding one to the last file number used. This option controls whether file numbering continues from the last number used when a new folder is created, the memory card is formatted, or a new memory card is inserted in the camera.
G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu d5: Print Date Choose the date information imprinted on photographs as they are taken. Option Off Description The time and date do not appear on photographs. The date or date and time are imprinted on photographs taken while this option is in b Date and time effect. a Date c Date counter 15 . 04 . 2011 15 . 04 . 2011 10 : 02 New photos are imprinted with a time stamp showing the number of days between the date of shooting and a selected date (see below).
e: Bracketing/Flash e1: Flash Cntrl for Built-in Flash G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu Choose the flash mode for the built-in flash in P, S, A, and M modes. Option 1 TTL Description Flash output is adjusted automatically in response to shooting conditions. Choose a flash level between Full and 1/32 (1/32 of full power). At full power, 2 Manual the built-in flash has a Guide Number of 13/43 (m/ft., ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F).
e2: Auto Bracketing Set G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu Choose the setting (exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting) varied when bracketing is in effect (P, S, A, and M modes only; 0 88). f: Controls f1: Assign E/Fn Button G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu Choose the role played by the Fn (E) button. If an item marked with an asterisk (“*”) is selected, a white-on-black icon corresponding to the item will appear in the information display (Fn is displayed when Release mode is selected).
f2: Assign AE-L/AF-L Button G button ➜ A Custom Settings menu Choose the role played by the AE-L/AF-L button. Option AE/AF B lock AE lock C only AF lock F only AE lock E (Hold) A AF-ON Description Focus and exposure lock while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed. Exposure locks while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed. AE-L/AF-L button Focus locks while the AE-L/AF-L button is pressed.
B The Setup Menu: Camera Setup To display the setup menu, press G and select the B (setup menu) tab.
Monitor Brightness G button ➜ B setup menu Press 1 or 3 to choose monitor brightness. Choose higher values for increased brightness, lower values for reduced brightness. Info Display Format G button ➜ B setup menu Choose from the following two formats for the information display (0 5). Classic (0 169) 1 Select a format. Highlight an option and press 2. 2 Select a background color. Highlight a background color and press J.
The “Classic” display is shown below. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 19 20 21 22 18 17 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 2 3 4 5 1 Shooting mode i auto/ j auto (flash off) .............. 26 Scene modes ...................... 30 P, S, A, and M modes........... 61 Special effects mode....... 115 2 Help icon ........................ 11, 224 3 Flash mode ............................. 51 4 Flash compensation ............. 72 5 Exposure compensation...... 70 6 Picture Control ...................... 91 7 Image quality.
Auto Info Display G button ➜ B setup menu If On is selected, the information display will appear after the shutter-release button is pressed halfway; if image review (0 150) is off, it will also be displayed immediately after shooting. Choose On if you find yourself frequently referring to the information display during shooting. If Off is selected, the information display can be viewed by pressing the P button.
G button ➜ B setup menu Language Choose a language for camera menus and messages. The following options are available: Option Description Czech Danish German English Spanish French Indonesian Italian Image Comment Option Description Dutch Norwegian Polish Portuguese Russian Finnish Swedish Turkish Option Description Arabic Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Japanese Korean Thai G button ➜ B setup menu Add a comment to new photographs as they are taken.
G button ➜ B setup menu Auto Image Rotation Photographs taken while On is selected contain information on camera orientation, allowing them to be rotated automatically during playback or when viewed in ViewNX 2 or Capture NX 2 (available separately; 0 206). The following orientations are recorded: Landscape (wide) orientation Camera rotated 90° clockwise Camera rotated 90° counterclockwise Camera orientation is not recorded when Off is selected.
• Start: The message shown at right will be displayed and “rEF” will appear in the viewfinder. • Clean sensor and then start: Select this option to clean the image sensor before starting. The message shown at right will be displayed and “rEF” will appear in the viewfinder when cleaning is complete. D Image Sensor Cleaning Dust off reference data recorded before image sensor cleaning is performed can not be used with photographs taken after image sensor cleaning is performed.
GPS G button ➜ B setup menu This item is used to adjust settings for optional GP-1 GPS units. The GP-1 can be connected to the camera’s accessory terminal (0 207) using the cable supplied with the GP-1, allowing information on the camera’s current position to be recorded when photographs are taken (turn the camera off before connecting the GP-1; for more information, see the GP-1 manual). The GPS menu contains the options listed below.
Eye-Fi Upload G button ➜ B setup menu This option is displayed only when an Eye-Fi memory card (available separately from third-party suppliers) is inserted in the camera. Choose Enable to upload photographs to a preselected destination. Note that pictures will not be uploaded if signal strength is insufficient. Observe all local laws concerning wireless devices and choose Disable where wireless devices are prohibited.
N The Retouch Menu: Creating Retouched Copies To display the retouch menu, press G and select the N (retouch menu) tab. G button The options in the retouch menu are used to create trimmed or retouched copies of existing pictures, and are only available when a memory card containing photographs is inserted in the camera.
Creating Retouched Copies To create a retouched copy: 1 Display retouch options. Highlight the desired item in the retouch menu and press 2. 2 Select a picture. Highlight a picture and press J. A Retouch The camera may not be able to display or retouch images created with other devices. 3 Select retouch options. For more information, see the section for the selected item. To exit without creating a retouched copy, press G.
G button ➜ N retouch menu D-Lighting D-Lighting brightens shadows, making it ideal for dark or backlit photographs. Before After Press 1 or 3 to choose the amount of correction performed. The effect can be previewed in the edit display. Press J to copy the photograph. Red-Eye Correction G button ➜ N retouch menu This option is used to correct “red-eye” caused by the flash, and is available only with photographs taken using the flash.
G button ➜ N retouch menu Trim Create a cropped copy of the selected photograph. The selected photograph is displayed with the selected crop shown in yellow; create a cropped copy as described in the following table. To Increase size of crop Reduce size of crop Use X W Change crop aspect ratio Rotate the command dial to switch between aspect ratios of 3 : 2, 4 : 3, 5 : 4, 1 : 1, and 16 : 9. Use multi selector to move the crop to another area of the image.
Filter Effects G button ➜ N retouch menu Choose from the following filter effects. After adjusting filter effects as described below, press J to copy the photograph. Option Skylight Warm filter Description Creates the effect of a skylight filter, making the picture less blue. The effect can be previewed in the monitor as shown at right. Creates a copy with warm tone filter effects, giving the copy a “warm” red cast. The effect can be previewed in the monitor.
G button ➜ N retouch menu Color Balance Use the multi selector to create a copy with modified color balance as shown below. The effect is displayed in the monitor together with red, green, and blue histograms (0 125) giving the distribution of tones in the copy. Increase amount of green Create retouched copy Increase amount of blue Increase amount of amber Increase amount of magenta A Zoom To zoom in on the image displayed in the monitor, press the X button.
2 Select the first image. Use the multi selector to highlight the first photograph in the overlay. To view the highlighted photograph full frame, press and hold the X button. Press J to select the highlighted photograph and return to the preview display. 3 Select the second image. The selected image will appear as Image 1. Highlight Image 2 and press J, then select the second photo as described in Step 2. 4 Adjust gain.
G button ➜ N retouch menu NEF (RAW) Processing Create JPEG copies of NEF (RAW) photographs. 1 Select NEF (RAW) processing. Highlight NEF (RAW) processing in the retouch menu and press 2 to display a picture selection dialog listing only NEF (RAW) images created with this camera. 2 Select a photograph. Highlight a photograph (to view the highlighted photograph full frame, press and hold the X button). Press J to select the highlighted photograph and proceed to the next step.
Resize G button ➜ N retouch menu Create small copies of selected photographs. 1 Select Resize. To resize selected images, press G to display the menus and select Resize in the retouch menu. 2 Choose a size. Highlight Choose size and press 2. The options shown at right will be displayed; highlight an option and press J. 3 Choose pictures. Highlight Select image and press 2.
A Viewing Resized Copies Playback zoom may not be available when resized copies are displayed. A Image Quality Copies created from NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW) + JPEG photos have an image quality (0 47) of JPEG fine; copies created from JPEG photos have the same image quality as the original. Quick Retouch G button ➜ N retouch menu Create copies with enhanced saturation and contrast. D-Lighting is applied as required to brighten dark or backlit subjects. Press 1 or 3 to choose the amount of enhancement.
G button ➜ N retouch menu Fisheye Create copies that appear to have been taken with a fisheye lens. Press 2 to increase the effect (this also increases the amount that will be cropped out at the edges of the image), 4 to reduce it. The effect can be previewed in the edit display. Press J to copy the photograph, or press K to exit to playback without creating a copy. G button ➜ N retouch menu Color Outline Create an outline copy of a photograph to use as a base for painting.
G button ➜ N retouch menu Perspective Control Create copies that reduce the effects of perspective taken from the base of a tall object. Use the multi selector to adjust perspective (note that greater amounts of perspective control result in more of the edges being cropped out). The results can be previewed in the edit display. Press J to copy the photograph, or press K to exit to playback without creating a copy.
Miniature Effect G button ➜ N retouch menu Create a copy that appears to be a photo of a diorama. Works best with photos taken from a high vantage point. To Choose orientation Press W Description Press W to choose orientation of area that is in focus. If photo is displayed in wide orientation, press 1 or 3 to position frame showing area of copy that will be in focus.
Selective Color G button ➜ N retouch menu Create a copy in which only selected hues appear in color. 1 Select Selective color. Highlight Selective color in the retouch menu and press 2 to display a picture selection dialog. 2 Select a photograph. Highlight a photograph (to view the highlighted photograph full frame, press and hold the X button). Press J to select the highlighted photograph and proceed to the next step. 3 Select a color.
5 Choose the color range. Press 1 or 3 to increase or decrease the range of similar hues that will be included in the final photograph or movie. Choose from values between 1 and 7; note that higher values may include hues from other colors. The effect can be previewed in the edit display. 6 Select additional colors. To select additional colors, rotate the command dial to highlight another of the three color boxes at the top of the display and repeat Steps 3–5 to select another color.
Side-by-Side Comparison Compare retouched copies to the original photographs. This option is only available if the J button is pressed to display the retouch menu when a copy or original is played back full frame. 1 Select a picture. Select a retouched copy (shown by a N icon) or a photograph that has been retouched in fullframe playback and press J. 2 Select Side-by-side comparison. Highlight Side-by-side comparison in the retouch menu and press J. 3 Compare the copy with the original.
m Recent Settings/O My Menu To display the recent settings menu, press G and select the m (recent settings) tab. G button The recent settings menu lists the twenty most recently used settings, with the most recently-used items first. Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option and press 2 to select. A Removing Items from the Recent Settings Menu To remove an item from the recent settings menu, highlight it and press the O button.
❚❚ Adding Options to My Menu 1 Select Add items. In My Menu (O), highlight Add items and press 2. 2 Select a menu. Highlight the name of the menu containing the option you wish to add and press 2. 3 Select an item. Highlight the desired menu item and press J. 4 Position the new item. Press 1 or 3 to move the new item up or down in My Menu. Press J to add the new item. 5 Add more items. The items currently displayed in My Menu are indicated by a check mark.
❚❚ Deleting Options from My Menu 1 Select Remove items. In My Menu (O), highlight Remove items and press 2. 2 Select items. Highlight items and press 2 to select or deselect. Selected items are indicated by a check mark. 3 Select Done. Highlight Done and press J. A confirmation dialog will be displayed. 4 Delete the selected items. Press J to delete the selected items. A Deleting Items in My Menu To delete the item currently highlighted in My Menu, press the O button.
❚❚ Reordering Options in My Menu 1 Select Rank items. In My Menu (O), highlight Rank items and press 2. 2 Select an item. Highlight the item you wish to move and press J. 3 Position the item. Press 1 or 3 to move the item up or down in My Menu and press J. Repeat Steps 2–3 to reposition additional items. 4 Exit to My Menu. Press the G button to return to My Menu.
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nTechnical Notes Read this chapter for information on compatible accessories, cleaning and storing the camera, and what to do if an error message is displayed or you encounter problems using the camera. Compatible Lenses Compatible CPU Lenses This camera supports autofocus with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses only. AF-S lenses have names beginning with AF-S, AF-I lenses names beginning with AF-I. Autofocus is not supported with other autofocus (AF) lenses.
A Identifying CPU and Type G and D Lenses CPU lenses can be identified by the presence of CPU contacts, type G and D lenses by a letter on the lens barrel. Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring.
Compatible Non-CPU Lenses Non-CPU lenses may only be used when the camera is in mode M. Selecting another mode disables the shutter release. Aperture must be adjusted manually via the lens aperture ring and the camera metering system, i-TTL flash control, and other features requiring a CPU lens can not be used. Some non-CPU lenses can not be used; see “Incompatible Accessories and Non-CPU Lenses,” below.
D The Built-in Flash The built-in flash can be used with lenses with focal lengths of 18–300 mm, although in some cases the flash may be unable to entirely light the subject at some ranges or focal lengths due to shadows cast by the lens, while lenses that block the subject’s view of the redeye reduction lamp may interfere with red-eye reduction. Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. The flash has a minimum range of 0.6 m and can not be used in the macro range of macro zoom lenses.
Lens Zoom position Minimum distance without vignetting 250 mm 2.5 m/8 ft. 2in. 350 mm 2.0 m/6 ft. 7 in. 200 mm 5.0 m/16 ft. 5 in. 250 mm 3.0 m/9 ft. 10 in. 300 mm 2.5 m/8 ft. 2 in. 350–400 mm No vignetting 24 mm 3.0 m/9 ft. 10 in. AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200–400mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S NIKKOR 200–400mm f/4G ED VR II PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED * * When not shifted or tilted. When used with the AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED, the flash will be unable to light the entire subject at all ranges.
Optional Flash Units (Speedlights) The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and can be used with CLS-compatible flash units. Optional flash units can be attached directly to the camera accessory shoe as described below. The accessory shoe is equipped with a safety lock for flash units with a locking pin, such as the SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, and SB-400. 1 Remove the accessory shoe cover. 2 Mount the flash unit on the accessory shoe.
The Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) Nikon’s advanced Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers improved communication between the camera and compatible flash units for improved flash photography. ❚❚ CLS-Compatible Flash Units The camera can be used with the following CLS-compatible flash units: • The SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, SB-400, and SB-R200: Flash unit Feature SB-900 1 SB-800 SB-700 SB-600 SB-400 SB-R200 2 34/111 38/125 28/92 30/98 21/69 10/33 Guide ISO 100 No.
The following features are available with CLS-compatible flash units: Flash unit Advanced Wireless Lighting Master/commander Remote SB-900 SB-900 SB-900 SB-700 SB-800 SB-700 SB-600 SB-400 SB-800 SB-700 SU-800 1 SB-800 SB-600 SB-R200 Flash mode/feature ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ i-TTL i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR 2 ✔ 3 ✔ 4 ✔ 3 ✔ 4 ✔5 — — — ✔6 — ✔6 ✔6 — — AA Auto aperture 2 A Non-TTL auto ✔5 — — — ✔6 — — ✔6 — — GN Distance-priority manual ✔ — — — — — — — — ✔ — ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ M Manual ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔7 RPT Repeating flash ✔ ✔
D Notes on Optional Flash Units Refer to the Speedlight manual for detailed instructions. If the flash unit supports CLS, refer to the section on CLS-compatible digital SLR cameras. The D5100 is not included in the “digital SLR” category in the SB-80DX, SB-28DX, and SB-50DX manuals. If an optional flash unit is attached in shooting modes other than j, %, and 3, the flash will fire with every shot, even in modes in which the built-in flash can not be used.
Other Accessories At the time of writing, the following accessories were available for the D5100. • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14 (0 14–15): Additional EN-EL14 batteries are available from local retailers and Nikon-authorized service representatives. • Battery Charger MH-24 (0 14): Recharge EN-EL14 batteries. Power • Power Connector EP-5A, AC Adapter EH-5b: These accessories can be used to power the sources camera for extended periods (EH-5a and EH-5 AC adapters can also be used).
ML-L3 wireless remote control (0 37): The ML-L3 uses a 3 V CR2025 battery. Remote controls Pressing the battery-chamber latch to the right (q), insert a fingernail into the gap and open the battery chamber (w). Ensure that the battery is inserted in the correct orientation (r).
Attaching a Power Connector and AC Adapter Turn the camera off before attaching an optional power connector and AC adapter. 1 Ready the camera. Open the battery-chamber (q) and power connector (w) covers. 2 Insert the EP-5A power connector. Be sure to insert the connector in the orientation shown, using the connector to keep the orange battery latch pressed to one side. The latch locks the connector in place when the connector is fully inserted. 3 Close the battery-chamber cover.
Caring for the Camera Storage When the camera will not be used for an extended period, remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry area with the terminal cover in place. To prevent mold or mildew, store the camera in a dry, well-ventilated area.
The Low-Pass Filter The image sensor that acts as the camera’s picture element is fitted with a low-pass filter to prevent moiré. If you suspect that dirt or dust on the filter is appearing in photographs, you can clean the filter using the Clean image sensor option in the setup menu. The filter can be cleaned at any time using the Clean now option, or cleaning can be performed automatically when the camera is turned on or off. ❚❚ “Clean Now” 1 Place the camera base down.
❚❚ “Clean at startup/shutdown” Choose from the following options: Option Description The image sensor is automatically cleaned each time the camera is 5 Clean at startup turned on. Clean at The image sensor is automatically cleaned during shutdown each 6 shutdown time the camera is turned off. Clean at startup The image sensor is cleaned automatically at startup and at 7 & shutdown shutdown. Cleaning off Automatic image sensor cleaning off. 1 Select Clean at startup/shutdown.
❚❚ Manual Cleaning If foreign matter can not be removed from the low-pass filter using the Clean image sensor option in the setup menu (0 210), the filter can be cleaned manually as described below. Note, however, that the filter is extremely delicate and easily damaged. Nikon recommends that the filter be cleaned only by Nikon-authorized service personnel. 1 Charge the battery or connect an AC adapter. A reliable power source is required when inspecting or cleaning the low-pass filter.
7 Clean the filter. Remove any dust and lint from the filter with a blower. Do not use a blower-brush, as the bristles could damage the filter. Dirt that can not be removed with a blower can only be removed by Nikon-authorized service personnel. Under no circumstances should you touch or wipe the filter. 8 Turn the camera off. The mirror will return to the down position and the shutter curtain will close. Replace the lens or body cap.
Caring for the Camera and Battery: Cautions Do not drop: The product may malfunction if subjected to strong shocks or vibration. Keep dry: This product is not waterproof, and may malfunction if immersed in water or exposed to high levels of humidity. Rusting of the internal mechanism can cause irreparable damage. Avoid sudden changes in temperature: Sudden changes in temperature, such as those that occur when entering or leaving a heated building on a cold day, can cause condensation inside the device.
To prevent mold or mildew, take the camera out of storage at least once a month. Turn the camera on and release the shutter a few times before putting it away. Store the battery in a cool, dry place. Replace the terminal cover before putting the battery away. Notes on the monitor: The monitor may contain a few pixels that are always lit or that do not light. This is common to all TFT LCD monitors and does not indicate a malfunction. Images recorded with the product are unaffected.
Available Settings The following table lists the settings that can be adjusted in each mode.
Custom Settings 4 1 2 3 4 x, y, k, p, l, m, z, 0, n, o, r, t, 3, 1, s u, v w % g ( 2, 3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ S, A, i j P M d1: Beep ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ d2: ISO display ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ d3: File number sequence ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ d4: Exposure delay mode ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ d5: Print date ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ e1: Flash cntrl for built-in flash — — ✔ ✔ e2: Auto bracketing set — — ✔ ✔ f1: Assign E/Fn button ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ f2: A
Memory Card Capacity The following table shows the approximate number of pictures that can be stored on an 8 GB Toshiba R95 W80MB/s UHS-I SDHC card at different image quality and size settings. Image size File size 1 No. of images 1 Buffer capacity 2 Large 23.9 MB 244 10 Medium 20.8 MB 279 NEF (RAW)+ JPEG fine 3 Small 18.4 MB 311 11 Large 20.4 MB 285 10 Medium 18.6 MB 307 NEF (RAW)+ JPEG normal 3 Small 17.4 MB 325 12 Large 18.3 MB 311 10 Medium 17.5 MB 324 NEF (RAW)+ JPEG basic 3 Small 16.
Exposure Program (Mode P) The exposure program for mode P is shown in the following graph: F (lens focal length) ≤ 55 mm 55mm < F ≤ 135 mm 135 mm < F f1 f1.4 f2 f4 f5.6 f8 f1.4 − f22 Aperture f2.8 f11 f16 f22 f32 /2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500 1/1000 1/2000 1/4000 1/8000 Shutter speed (seconds) 1 The maximum and minimum values for EV vary with ISO sensitivity; the above graph assumes an ISO sensitivity of ISO 100 equivalent.
Troubleshooting If the camera fails to function as expected, check the list of common problems below before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. Display Viewfinder is out of focus: Adjust viewfinder focus or use optional eyepiece correction lenses (0 23, 206). Displays turn off without warning: Choose longer delays for Custom Setting c2 (Auto off timers; 0 160). Information display does not appear in monitor: Shutter-release button is pressed halfway.
Photos are out of focus: • AF-S or AF-I lens is not attached: use AF-S or AF-I lens or focus manually. • Camera unable to focus using autofocus (0 40): use manual focus or focus lock (0 44, 45). • Camera is in manual focus mode: focus manually (0 45). Focus does not lock when shutter-release button is pressed halfway: Use AE-L/AF-L button to lock focus when live view is off and AF-C is selected for focus mode or when photographing moving subjects in AF-A mode (0 44).
Shooting (P, S, A, M) Shutter-release disabled: • Non-CPU lens is attached: rotate camera mode dial to M (0 65, 199). • Mode dial rotated to S after shutter speed of “Bulb” or “Time” selected in mode M: choose new shutter speed (0 63). Full range of shutter speeds not available: Flash in use (0 53). Colors are unnatural: • Adjust white balance to match light source (0 81). • Adjust Set Picture Control settings (0 91). Can not measure white balance: Subject is too dark or too bright (0 85).
Playback NEF (RAW) image is not played back: Photo was taken at image quality of NEF (RAW)+JPEG (0 48). Some pictures are not displayed during playback: Select All for Playback folder. Note that Current is automatically selected after photograph is taken (0 149). “Tall” (portrait) orientation photos are displayed in “wide” (landscape) orientation: • Select On for Rotate tall (0 150). • Photo was taken with Off selected for Auto image rotation (0 172).
Error Messages This section lists the indicators and error messages that appear in the viewfinder and monitor. A Warning Icons A flashing d in the monitor or s in the viewfinder indicates that a warning or error message can be displayed in the monitor by pressing the Q (W) button. Indicator Monitor Lock lens aperture ring at minimum aperture (largest f/-number) Lens not attached Viewfinder Solution 0 B Set lens aperture ring to minimum aperture (blinks) (largest f-number).
Indicator Monitor Viewfinder Solution Not available if Eye-Fi card is (/k Eye-Fi card is locked (write protected). Slide card locked. (blinks) write-protect switch to “write” position. This card is not formatted. T Format card or turn camera off and insert new Format the card. (blinks) memory card. • Reduce quality or size. j/A/s Card is full • Delete photographs. (blinks) • Insert new memory card. ● Camera can not focus using autofocus. Change — (blinks) composition or focus manually.
Indicator Monitor Flash error Error. Press shutter release button again. Start-up error. Contact a Nikon-authorized service representative. Autoexposure error Unable to start live view. Please wait for camera to cool. Viewfinder Solution Error occurred updating firmware for optional s flash unit. Contact Nikon-authorized service (blinks) representative. Release shutter. If error persists or appears frequently, consult Nikon-authorized service representative.
Specifications ❚❚ Nikon D5100 Digital Camera Type Type Lens mount Effective angle of view Effective pixels Effective pixels Image sensor Image sensor Total pixels Dust-reduction System Storage Image size (pixels) Single-lens reflex digital camera Nikon F mount (with AF contacts) Approx. 1.5 × lens focal length (Nikon DX format) 16.2 million 23.6 × 15.6 mm CMOS sensor 16.
Lens Compatible lenses Autofocus is available with AF-S and AF-I lenses. Autofocus is not available with other type G and D lenses, AF lenses (IX NIKKOR and lenses for the F3AF are not supported), and AI-P lenses. Non-CPU lenses can be used in mode M, but the camera exposure meter will not function. The electronic rangefinder can be used with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.
Exposure ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) Active D-Lighting Focus Autofocus Detection range Lens servo Focus point AF-area mode Focus lock ISO 100 – 6400 in steps of 1/3 EV. Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.
White balance White balance Live view Lens servo AF-area mode Autofocus Automatic scene selection Movie Metering Metering method Frame size (pixels) and frame rate Auto, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning.
Interface USB Video output HDMI output Accessory terminal Audio input Supported languages Supported languages Power source Battery AC adapter Tripod socket Tripod socket Dimensions/weight Dimensions (W × H × D) Weight Hi-Speed USB NTSC, PAL Type C mini-pin HDMI connector Remote cord: MC-DC2 (available separately) GPS unit: GP-1 (available separately) Stereo mini-pin jack (3.
MH-24 battery charger Rated input AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.2 A maximum Rated output DC 8.4 V/0.9 A Supported batteries Nikon rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL14 Charging time Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes when no charge remains Operating temperature 0–40 °C (+32–104 °F) Dimensions (W × H × D) Approx. 70 × 26 × 97 mm (2.8 × 1.0 × 3.8 in.), excluding plug adapter Weight Approx. 89 g (3.1 oz.), excluding plug adapter EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion battery Type Rechargeable lithium-ion battery Rated capacity 7.
❚❚ The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR is for use exclusively with Nikon DX format digital cameras. If the camera is equipped with an AF-ON button, vibration reduction will not be activated when the AF-ON button is pressed. A Using the Built-in Flash When using the built-in flash, be sure the subject is at a range of at least 0.6 m (2 ft.) and remove lens hoods to prevent vignetting (shadows created where the end of the lens obscures the built-in flash).
A Supplied Accessories • 52 mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-52 A • • • • Optional Accessories 52 mm screw-on filters LF-1 and LF-4 rear lens caps Flexible Lens Pouch CL-0815 Lens Hood HB-45 (attaches as shown at right) q w q A A Note on Wide-Angle Lenses Autofocus may not provide the desired results with wide– and super-wide–angle lenses in the following situations: 1 The subject does not fill the focus point.
❚❚ Supported Standards • DCF Version 2.0: The Design Rule for Camera File Systems (DCF) is a standard widely used in the digital camera industry to ensure compatibility among different makes of camera. • DPOF: Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) is an industry-wide standard that allows pictures to be printed from print orders stored on the memory card. • Exif version 2.3: The D5100 supports Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) version 2.
Battery Life The number of shots that can be taken with fully-charged batteries varies with the condition of the battery, temperature, and how the camera is used. Sample figures for EN-EL14 (1030 mAh) batteries are given below. • Single-frame release mode (CIPA standard 1): Approximately 660 shots • Continuous release mode (Nikon standard 2): Approximately 2200 shots 1 Measured at 23 °C/73.4 °F (±2 °C/3.6 °F) with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.
Index Symbols i (Auto mode) ................................26 j (Auto (flash off ) mode) ............26 k (Portrait) ........................................30 l (Landscape)..................................30 p (Child).............................................31 m (Sports) ..........................................31 n (Close up) ......................................31 h (Scene)....................................32 o (Night portrait)............................32 r (Night landscape) .................
Date and time.........................19, 170 Date counter ..................................163 Date format .............................19, 170 Daylight saving time............19, 170 DCF version 2.0 ................... 153, 235 Delete ...............................................133 Delete all images..........................134 Delete current image..................133 Delete selected images..............134 Device control (HDMI)................148 Digital Print Order Format .......
MOV .................................................. 218 Movie quality................................. 109 Movie settings............................... 109 Movie-record button .................. 107 Movies.............................................. 107 Multiple exposure...........................78 N NEF .......................................................47 NEF (RAW)................................ 47, 183 NEF (RAW) processing................ 183 Neutral (Set Picture Control).......
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