New D5100 owner, SETUP Q's

UserName

Senior Member
Just bought a new D5100 tonight, got it for $595 brand new local after searching for weeks online for the best deal. I am a bit overwhelmed as this is my first DSLR and would like to know the best settings for everyday shooting. I have the 18-55 VR lens kit that came with the camera. Looking to get a more advanced lens after I master this one. Any input is greatly appreciated.

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§am

Senior Member
Welcome.
Use it in Auto for a week or so - see what settings are used.
In the meantime read up on aperture, ISO, shutter speed etc etc, then stick it in A-mode and take it from there :)
 
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Sandpatch

Senior Member
I was in your shoes just a year ago when I left the 35mm world. I too was stunned at the menus and selections and found that sitting in my chair while reading the manual was not helping much. I resolved to take a sunny day with me alone and drove to several good spots where I could quietly read the manual and experiment with shots without any hurry. It was time very well spent and I recommend it.

I recall sitting trackside waiting on a train that day and noting with alarm that I couldn't get my D5100 to exceed 1/250th shutter speed. I knew that wouldn't work, so I paged again to the ISO section and found the setting to increase its range. My photo came out sharp and beautiful, and my happiness and confidence began to increase.

Enjoy your D5100! I'm still madly in love with mine.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I am a couple months into owning my D5100. While sitting there playing with all the doodads on the camera is fun it can also be frustrating. Two days ago I bought a Blue Crane Introduction to the Nikon D5100 Basics and I love it. Costs $25 at Best Buy and Amazon sells it too.

The video goes over button layout, available settings, and how it all works together. True, everything is explained in the user manual, but the video allows it to all make sense.
 
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UserName

Senior Member
Thanks everyone, I can't wait to get home and play with it. I want to check the shutter count bc it seemed as though it had been out of the box before. The battery was already in it and eye cup was already on. Otherwise looked brand new as I would expect.

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UserName

Senior Member
I am a couple months into owning my D5100. While sitting there playing with all the doodads on the camera is fun it can also be frustrating. Two days ago I bought a Blue Crane Introduction to the Nikon D5100 Basics and I love it. Costs $25 at Best Buy and Amazon sells it too.

The video goes over button layout, available settings, and how it all works together. True, everything is explained in the user manual, but the video allows it to all make sense.

I'll definitely look into that video. I'm not much on reading due to a lack of reading comprehension.

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WhiteLight

Senior Member
Welcome.
Use it in manual for a week or so - see what settings are used.
In the meantime read up on aperture, ISO, shutter speed etc etc, then stick it in A-mode and take it from there :)

I am sure Sam means "Use it in AUTO for a week or so - see what settings are used"
Manual, you'll have all pics at the same settings :)

But yeah, the camera will give you the optimum settings for any given settings.
You can turn on the Information display so you can see what settings were used after each shot.
And then you can improve on them by altering the settings till you know it all :)
 

Sandpatch

Senior Member
My wife bought me Nikon D5100 for Dummies by Julie King and I'm glad to have it. It's a fun and practical read. YouTube offers some good videos too. Enter nikon d5100 lynda.com in the YouTube search and you'll find some very well done videos.

I also printed the Nikon D5100 Manual pdf file on 8-1/2 x 11 pages and put it all in a binder to make it easier on my aging eyes.
 
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UserName

Senior Member
I had time to play with it tonight and its definitely intimidating at first. I was trying to take pictures of my 9 month old son playing with Christmas lights tangled around him in low light and couldn't get the shutter speed to cooperate with me. He moves fast. I wanted the Christmas tree in the background to have blurred lights and only him be in focus. Probably too advanced for my first day lol. I ended up putting it on Night portrait with no flash and AF. Will post best result tonite if I get a chance
 

UserName

Senior Member
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UserName

Senior Member
Well I had to return my camera to the retailer. The lens had alot of slack in the focus and wouldn't hold steady. After the money is credited back unto my account (up to 10 days) I'll buy another. Walmart didn't have anymore in stock. I'm thinking about getting just a body only and buying a Nikkor 18-105 3.5-5.6 g ED VR AF lens I found on craigslist for $150. Why have a 18-55 when you can have an 18-105?
 
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