Aperture question

I picked up a D5100 with a Sigma 70-300 DG lens for in the kayak along. I have down loaded the owners manual on line but cannot figure out how to change the aperture without going into aperture mode, I'm in manual mode. What am I missing? I know I can't expect much for $50.00.

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Its been a while since I have played with a D5XXX but I think there was a way to use a combo of the exposure compensation/command wheel but I think it changes depending on if you use aperture priority, shutter priority or full manual. I remember it being a PITA, which is one of the main reasons why I traded up to a D7XXX. I think your best bet is to use aperture priority if you want to be able to adjust that on the fly. Otherwise, if you have a fast shutter speed and you are in shutter priority, it will max out the aperture for you most likely leaving you to adjust the shutter speed without paying much attention to the aperture. Dont forget to go into your menus and set up min/max shutter speed, auto iso values, etc. That will help reduce the amount of time you need to go menu diving to adjust simple settings. Hope this helps.

Arshuter,

Needa has the info from the manual above. The reference manual is here: https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.c.../23/D5100.html and it's on page 65.

Rob

Originally Posted by arshuter

Now if I can figure out how to do Back Button Focus.

This explains how to set it, but it doesn't appear to work quite the same as it does on my bodies. Near the end, he shows how the shutter button won't take an image unless the back button is held down. With my bodies, I can focus with the back button, remove my thumb from the back button, recompose, then press the shutter button without holding down the back button.

There are a couple of other settings you might want to make. Usually AF-C is set for back button so you might have to switch that setting. You'd need to choose whether you want a single point focus, dynamic, group, 3D, or whatever focus points you want to use. And not sure if you can cap your ISO, but you might want to limit how high it goes (if that body allows a cap on ISO).

Originally Posted by blackstar

D3500 requires holding down the BB for recomposing.

I've never used a D3500 or D5100, but back button focus is designed to be used in AF-C. What that means is the camera will continually focus on a moving subject as long as the back button is held down. If a subject is stationary, then it's suggested to focus with the back button, remove the thumb, recompose, and fire the shutter. So when used this way, it simulates AF-S (which is for stationary subjects), and the focus point doesn't change.

But if you are shooting in AF-C with back button according to this video for the D5100, there isn't any way to focus and recompose without the focus point changing (because it's set for AF-C which is continuous AF). It might be one of the downsides to the D3x00 and D5x00 bodies though.