Nikon D5100 DSLR Camera

Diarmuid — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:30:03 +0000

The Nikon D5100 is not Nikons entry level offering, which is the D3100. However it is a camera that offers more to those who want that little bit extra and satisfies the needs of the enthusiast on a budget. It is the replacement to Nikons D5000.

Nikon D5100

The camera is smaller and neater then the D5000 but this doesn’t mean it has taken anything away. In fact some features have naturally been added and improved. One feature is the 1080p HD video and another is the 921k dot LCD screen, which can be used as a viewfinder for both stills and video. The screen is also hinged so it can be positioned in all sorts of different angles, enabling viewing from most positions.

The D5100 has a 16.2mp Nikon DX CMOS sensor, very similar to what is in the D7000, which is the next step up in Nikons range. Understandably the D5100 wouldn’t have other features the D7000 has but the final image quality would be very similar.

The D5100 has all you would expect from a DSLR. The standard exposure modes including Manual plus the usual scene modes. A maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec is adequate for practically all situations and an ISO range of 100 to 6400 will also suffice. However the ISO can be extended up to 25600 ISO.

A new set of features included with the D5100 is the Effects modes. On the exposure setting dial is “Effects” and these are a set of preset effects that can be added to an image when shooting it. One such effect is selective color where a color is keyed in and preserved in the image while all other colors are converted to black & white. Some may see this as an added gimmick but as this particular effect is commonly used in photography, it may be a nice attraction for some.

In the School of Photography we would recommend this camera as perfect for use in our courses.

Shooting in Manual Mode

Diarmuid — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:00:37 +0000

Cameras today do just about everything automatically except jump out of your bag and take the shot themselves, of course the technology is there to do that too! But with all this automation the full creativity and control of exposing an image can be lost. This is why at School of Photography, especially in our Basic Photography Course, we advise our students to use the Manual Exposure Mode when possible. Using it teaches a better understanding about exposure and used correctly, will yield much better results then any automated exposure system.

The Manual Mode setting.

Manual Mode is far from the easiest way to take a photo and it is slow to use. However Manual mode can be used quite quickly and efficiently once you create a routine for setting up and taking the photo. For example if you are taking all your photos under the same lighting conditions, you may only need to set your exposure once through the “session”. Only briefly checking the meter reading and maybe adjusting only the shutter or aperture slightly to fine tune the exposure. You will notice the lack of a need for changing the exposure most when shooting on an overcast or dull day.

Normally when you are about to take a few photos, you have a subject in mind. Therefore you can initially decide whether you need a fast shutter speed or maximum depth of field, etc. For example if it is a few sports photos, most likely there is action involved requiring a fast shutter speed. Simply adjust the Aperture to the smallest f-number, take a meter reading and then adjust the Shutter Speed until the meter reads correctly. If you feel the shutter speed is still not fast enough, then increase the ISO.

Likewise if depth of field is an issue, adjust the shutter speed to a minimum handheld shutter speed or slower if using a tripod. Then adjust the Aperture to higher f-numbers until the meter reads correctly. Again ISO can be adjusted if the Aperture value is insufficient.

Manual Mode is not one to be used all the time as it is slow to use. But it does have its advantages when there is time allowed to take good quality images. Also when used regularly, the photographer, especially beginners, gain a much better understanding of their camera and how a particular camera reacts in certain lighting situations.

So next time your out with the camera, get a bit of fun out of it in just trying to perfect that exposure using your own knowledge and initiative, you will find the reward in bagging a good image even better.

To learn all there is to know about exposure and the Manual Exposure Mode, enroll in our Basic Photography Course.

Photography News » Manual mode

Nikon D5100 DSLR Camera

Shooting in Manual Mode