D40 pics are much sharper than D5100???

artydawg

New member
I've had a D40 for the past 5 years and have been very happy with the sharpness and quality of the pics, especially low noise.

I finally decided to pop for a new camera and after much research chose the D5100. Had it for just a few days and have been snapping away using the *same* exact lens that was on my D40 (Nikon 18-135). So it's obviously not a lens issue, but for some reason there is SO much noise in the 5100 pics and they are not nearly as sharp as the D40. I'm just using Auto setting for now, but that's mainly what I used on my D40 as well.

I'm not super knowledgeable on all of the ins and outs of the settings, but that's the main reason why I got the D40, because it takes excellent pics without having to know a whole lot about the settings. Doesn't seem to be the case with the D5100.

I don't have a lot of $$ to throw around at cameras, so I'm planning to return the D5100 and just keep using my D40, unless there's something that I'm just not getting about shooting with the D5100. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 

artydawg

New member
mnstar, I'm glad to know it's not just me. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong, but I actually did a test where I stood in the same exact spot, shot the same exact thing with both cameras using the same lens within just a few minutes of each other and clearly the D40 shots were superior as far as lighting, sharpness, noise, etc.

I don't get it, what is all of the hoopla with the 5100 and 3100 when the shots seem surprisingly superior with the D40. Granted you don't have near the megapixels, which puts some limits on cropping and you don't have live view or video capabilities, but as far as image quality IMO there's no comparison.
 

Will V|Photography

Senior Member
Wow, it's a wonder Nikon even evolved off of the D40 seeing all these people who take "sharper" pic with it than the new models they've only owned for a short time. :rolleyes: Take your time and learn your camera. Or just return it and go back to the D40 if that isn't your thing.
 

Will V|Photography

Senior Member
Was I really? Wasn't my intention.

I'm not trying to start an argument here but this definitely seems like user error. Compare how long you've owned the D40 compared to how long you've owned the D3100(5100?). It's like racing a Mazda Miata for a couple of years and then jumping in a Honda S2000 and expecting it to handle the same. I haven't had a single issue with dull pictures from my D3100 and I'm still learning it. If you don't want to do PP and want uber-sharp pics straight from the camera, get a P&S. Or, like I said, revert back to the D40.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I have been taking photographs since the 1960's and I know bad photos when I see them. I exchanged the camera today and the replacement is much better. You shouldn't have to do PP to get a sharp picture. If you are, you're doing something wrong.

What I was looking for here was to see if others had similar experiences. I know it's always tempting to jump in and defend a product you own, but this really wasn't about you.

OK, you got your problem solved. Let's play nice in here, kids. :) We all have good days and bad days, so let's all try to get along as best we can, OK? :)
 

Will V|Photography

Senior Member
What I was looking for here was to see if others had similar experiences. I know it's always tempting to jump in and defend a product you own, but this really wasn't about you.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not really defending the product because I own it. I was actually going to get a D40 before I got this camera. I just see it as a step-up in the evolutionary chain, so to speak. I don't see why Nikon would release an "improved" camera that is actually inferior, just doesn't make sense to me. No need to be snide.
 

dgreenb1

New member
I don't know if anyone is still watching this thread, but I would like to chime in. I too purchased a D5100 to replace a D40 and have found that the 200 or so pics I have taken do not seem to be terribly sharp. I am using the kit 18-55 VR lens. I just looked at some 130 pictures I took last year in Italy and they seem remarkably sharp. I have made the assumption that the D5100 shots are not sharp as a result of user error and I am working hard to figure out if indeed the problem is me. I must say that if I had to do it again, I would have kept the D40. The D5100 is clearly capable of many more things than the D40 but many of these capabilities such as video and live view are not at all important to me. I was hoping for razor sharp pictures and have been very disappointed. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
DG
 

Mestre

Senior Member
Will, just a thought to share about new models vs older ones. Last week i was talking to a pro guy and when i said i changed from a D80 to a D90, he told me i'd miss the "colours" of the D90. One thing i did notice since the beginning, the d80 has "warmer" colours, despite the age. we tend to value some stuff in new models that shouldn't count so much.
 

Will V|Photography

Senior Member
Will, just a thought to share about new models vs older ones. Last week i was talking to a pro guy and when i said i changed from a D80 to a D90, he told me i'd miss the "colours" of the D90. One thing i did notice since the beginning, the d80 has "warmer" colours, despite the age. we tend to value some stuff in new models that shouldn't count so much.

I can get on board with this. I guess I can akin it to my 92 GTI and my 09 Passat. The newer car has all the bells and whistles, its more comfortable and easier to drive. That being said, the GTI is more fun and rewarding to drive and I'd rather pull it out of the garage on most days. ;)
 

Blurrymess

New member
This is my first post, so thanks for the informative discussions. I know this is an old topic, but thought I'd add my 2 cents since sharpness, and the D5100, was a concern for me.

I originally purchased the Canon T2i for copy work, but then exchanged it at the store for the D5100 as I read about the better sensor and IO. I don't care about video much, so the superior video on the Canon was not a loss for me. I'm no expert, but I've dabbled in photo on and off for a while, and I needed a camera that could provide a sharp image, as the copy work requires much detail to be visible.

After getting the D5100, and playing around with it, I am very happy with the camera, and the images... but after reading some comments about image sharpness, or "soft edges", on different forums, I started to worry a bit, and did some digging. Canon's T3i has a generally sharper, but noisier, image on standard settings compared to the D5100, but I've read that Canon is known for slightly boosting their contrasts (possibly more so in the consumer grade gear) in the standard setting to achieve a slightly sharper image. After playing with the sharpness levels in the menu, I have found the D5100 to be extremely sharp, much more so than in the default settings, and are sharper than the T3i with lower noise.

I've never used the D40, so I can comment on it in relation to the D5100, but it could be possible that the D40's default setting has the sharpness level slightly boost to give edges a bit more contrast (again, this is just a guess).

So, for people concerned about the D5100 sharpness... play around with the levels, and I think you'll find the camera is plenty sharp. Hope that helps.

Got a Prime macro lens, and the images I'm getting are sharper than I could hope for. I'm really finding it perfect for what I need.
 

Blurrymess

New member
Dang, just typed a lengthly post and lost it... hate that! Anyway...

You hit the Menu button on the D5100, then select "Shooting Menu", hit "Set Picture Control", choose the picture setting you want (i.e. SD Standard...) and right click on the 4 direction arrow selector, and you will see the level adjustments for Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue. Change levels as needed and click the OK button to save.

I've found it useful to shoot a subject on the default setting and then various shots with different levels to get to know what levels are for me. I shoot a subject with a sharp edge, and then a softer edge... to get various angles to judge the right level of sharpness. All in all, I've found the D5100 to be very sharp. I think a bit to tinkering is needed with any camera to get it to the settings that are right for the individual user.

I also set the function button, directly under the flash button, to be my ISO selector. This was one of the best adjustments I made as the camera lacks an ISO button, which I find very useful, but it lacks it no more! LOL
 

Blurrymess

New member
I shoot in JPEG from time to time, but only for messing around. I mostly have my camera set to RAW, especially if I'm doing copy work, or stuff I care about.
 

Blurrymess

New member
OK, I've just looked at 2 RAW files on the computer taken with the exact same settings and lens with the D5100, only differing in the default and custom sharpness settings, and they are very different. The file with the sharpness boosted is MUCH sharper than the file with the default setting, so yes, it carries over into the actual RAW file, thankfully!
 

Philnz

Senior Member
Dang, just typed a lengthly post and lost it... hate that! Anyway...

You hit the Menu button on the D5100, then select "Shooting Menu", hit "Set Picture Control", choose the picture setting you want (i.e. SD Standard...) and right click on the 4 direction arrow selector, and you will see the level adjustments for Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue. Change levels as needed and click the OK button to save.

I've found it useful to shoot a subject on the default setting and then various shots with different levels to get to know what levels are for me. I shoot a subject with a sharp edge, and then a softer edge... to get various angles to judge the right level of sharpness. All in all, I've found the D5100 to be very sharp. I think a bit to tinkering is needed with any camera to get it to the settings that are right for the individual user.

I also set the function button, directly under the flash button, to be my ISO selector. This was one of the best adjustments I made as the camera lacks an ISO button, which I find very useful, but it lacks it no more! LOL
Great thanks for that I am still working my way thougth the reference manual but have not yet got as far as that setting. I will have a play with it Thanks again for posting that Regards Phil
 
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