New User....question about Optimal settings....

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NewNikon

New member
Hi all,

I just recently purchased a D5100 with a 18-105mm lens kit. I actually bought this camera for a very specific reason:
I am going to be proposing to my girlfriend, and I would like very good quality photos taken of the event.
I have used my Dad's SLR camera before, but this is my first jump into a DSLR, so I was hoping for some advice on setting it up. The pictures of course won't be taken by me, but by someone else, who has a little experience as I do.
I've provided a few links (just Imgur picture links) showing the scene these pictures would be taken in. Its a very dynamic scene, with a dark night background, and the subjects (my girlfriend and myself) lit up only by two trees covered in lights (Its at Callaway Gardens). We will be directly underneath the twin trees in the photos below!
What kind of settings would ya'll recommend I setup beforehand so that anyone using the camera could get the best photos possible? Below are the links from Imgur showing the scene itself for you to look at. I greatly appreciate any input ya'll can give!!

Thanks!!

Links:
2PIUmrQ.jpg
d1ruI9Q.jpg
Q5RENZK.jpg
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
That is an exceptionally difficult question about a difficult situation, I think unanswerable at this point. If there is any opportunity, I would strongly urge you to go there for photo practice before the event (maybe more than once, as you have to find an angle of view too). The lighting will be dim (as compared to sunlight, hard to photograph). Higher ISO, and I'd plan on camera on a tripod. Probably Incandescent White Balance. But the less obvious stuff is the problem. :) Take a friend to be the test subject. But the big event ought not be the first time you've been there and tried the photography.
 
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NewNikon

New member
Thanks for the quick reply. I figured I would need a high ISO (maybe 1200 or more??) and a slow shutter speed to let in as much light as possible. I also figured I would need to adjust my white balance.

Unfortunately, this is a destination proposal, and I live over 2 hours away, so no chance to go see it before hand. :(
I was originally not going to do this until December, but recent events have forced me to move it forward.
I could get a tripod, and figured I might need one as well.

Do you think putting the camera into SP mode and setting the shutter speed myself, and the ISO setting, and letting the camera work on the aperture would be best? Or perhaps the other way around?
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Welcome to the forum

If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile

Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans.../nikon-product-manuals-available-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Thanks

Slow shutter speed would be very problematic since any movement of the camera would blur the photo. At full zoom (105mm) you would need to be shooting at least at 1/100 sec or faster. As for aperture you are going to be shooting wide open in that light. ISO is your only variable and it is going to be high.

Since you will be going on the Fantasy in Lights Tour you really need to check to see IF they will allow visitors out to the trees. There are thousands of people driving through during this time. These light are only there for a short time.
 
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NewNikon

New member
Don Kuykendall said:
Welcome to the forum

If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile

Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans.../nikon-product-manuals-available-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Thanks

Slow shutter speed would be very problematic since any movement of the camera would blur the photo. At full zoom (105mm) you would need to be shooting at least at 1/100 sec or faster. As for aperture you are going to be shooting wide open in that light. ISO is your only variable and it is going to be high.

Since you will be going on the Fantasy in Lights Tour you really need to check to see IF they will allow visitors out to the trees. There are thousands of people driving through during this time. These light are only there for a short time.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

It won't be too heavy on the zoom. I believe we are only going to be about 20 ft or so at most from the camera, maybe more.

So you're saying I should leave my aperture so that it lets in as much light as possible? And also set ISO high as well? Perhaps put the camera in A mode for the Aperture Priority?
And Ive been in touch with Callaway, and they are going to let me walk out under the trees. Well be riding the trolley, and they're going to let the trolley stop so that we can get off and I an propose, so itll happen in front of about 60-120 people...
 
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ryanp

Senior Member
Perhaps think about buying a flash? It doesn't have to be a Nikon, there are plenty of third party choices.

For the actual camera settings; if you're not sure (and as much as I hate to say it) perhaps think about leaving everything in auto mode (including ISO).

Failing that, yes, I would put it in Aperture priority and set it to largest aperture (smallest number) but still leave auto ISO on.

If you did buy a flash high ISO's won't be that much of an issue as you'd be able to keep them down.
 
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ryanp

Senior Member
great but problem with old flashes is that they won't meter with new lenses so you'll have to set the flash output manually meaning it can be hit or miss if you don't know what you're doing...
 
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ryanp

Senior Member
Try searching for Yongnuo, Nissin or Metz flashes; they seem generally quite good for 3rd party.
I'm sure there will be people on here who swear by Nikon only and I'm sure they'll have excellent cases; if I had the money I'd buy a Nikon one myself but instead have the Metz 44AF-1 which has served me fine.
 
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NewNikon

New member
Ahhh. Okay. So what flash would be a good one to get hat would work great with my D5100? Maybe less than $100?


EDIT:: Already answered my question. lol.

Would 3rd party flashes be just as simple in the plug-n-play department?
 
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ryanp

Senior Member
also try the Nikon SB400 but you will probably miss features like a moveable head later down the line.
Cheap as chips for what you need right now though.
 
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NewNikon

New member
ryanp said:
also try the Nikon SB400 but you will probably miss features like a movable head later down the line.
Cheap as chips for what you need right now though.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Ill go grab one today or tomorrow morning. There are some lit up trees at my apartment complex, so Ill try and take some test shots of that and adjust my settings accordingly. I believe the light availability should be about the same....
 
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ryanp

Senior Member
Please don't spend money on my word though! Hoping someone else more experienced may pitch in here and give alternatives.

Make sure the store has a good returns policy in case the flash isn't strong enough but I think, as long as the photographer isn't a million miles away, you should be ok.

Just make sure you post some pics on here of the event.
 
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NewNikon

New member
ryanp said:
Please don't spend money on my word though! Hoping someone else more experienced may pitch in here and give alternatives.

Make sure the store has a good returns policy in case the flash isn't strong enough but I think, as long as the photographer isn't a million miles away, you should be ok.

Just make sure you post some pics on here of the event.
Click to expand...

Ill be getting it from best buy, so a blanket 30 day return. Just bring everything back in the original box and im all set! Thanks for the advice, and Ill definitely be posting photos!
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
Then my best advice is that in my city, all the public displays are already putting up the Christmas decorations, and many cases are similarly lighted trees, at the various shopping centers. Practice there. Seriously. :) I'm just saying, the event should go a lot better if not the first time you've seen it. This is not a snapshot in the sunshine.

The SP mode threw me, I think that is a video camera thing that the D5100 does not have.

A slow shutter speed does capture more light, but it also causes blur due to subject movement and camera shake. A slow shutter works less well for human subjects who tend to move. It will have to be slow to a degree, but abysmally slow won't be the answer.

I think you will need enough ISO to allow a bearable shutter speed (1/30, 1/60?). The aperture will need to be wide too. I mean maybe f/4 or f/5, to avoid widest open and to have a bit of depth of field. If possible of course. Camera P or A mode maybe, these will not boost ISO themselves, and will not pop open the internal flash (whereas Auto or scene modes will).

A pro would also use fill flash to be sure the subject was illuminated well. It would need an orange CTO filter on the flash to match the Incandescent white balance. It is of course a serious complication for the first time.

In this case, as one of your tries, see D5100 Reference Manual
(available onlne at https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17325 )
page 32, about a Night Portrait scene Mode. It will boost ISO for you, as needed, and it will popup the internal flash (which will not match the Incandescent color). Probably it uses Flash WB to make incandescent appear Orange? But hopefully the flash lights the subject with white light. Automation is not always the same as careful human control, but a good starting place. You can at least see the settings it used (Exif result in rear LCD), and change what you feel is best.

Good luck
 
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ShootRaw

Senior Member
Honestly I believe you trying to get a flash with no experience and being on camera is going to be a problem for the camera man.
The pics will not be flattering being on camera.. Shooting in manual is the best option..But since you are inexperienced Full Auto might be best. Flash can be tricky if you are in experienced..This really is a tough situation.. If possible find someone else that can do this for you.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
ShootRaw said:
Honestly I believe you trying to get a flash with no experience and being on camera is going to be a problem for the camera man.
The pics will not be flattering being on camera.. Shooting in manual is the best option..But since you are inexperienced Full Auto might be best. Flash can be tricky if you are in experienced..This really is a tough situation.. If possible find someone else that can do this for you.
Click to expand...
I'm going to agree this is a tricky situation and a little experience would go a looong way here. I would try to avoid using flash, personally. It introduces a lot of variables that might be best left out of this particular equation. That's up to you though, I don't mean to sound anti-flash; I'm just thinking it might be best to keep this simple.

That being the case, I'm going to suggest Aperture Priority with a medium to large aperture, something in the f/4.0-f/5.6 range *probably*. If I had to suggest settings based on what you've told us, I'd shoot at f/5.6 and let my ISO go as high as it needed to keep my shutter speed at 1/60s or better assuming a wide-ish focal length; say, 35mm - 50mm range. I'd open my aperture wider if I had too but I strongly suggest you keep your shutter speed at 1/60th or better for crisp shots with 1/125 being even better. Again, this is going to be a juggling act so be prepared to use your Exposure Compensation button frequently to fine tune your exposure.

One more thing to consider would be a MonoPod. Far less expensive than a tripod with hardly any bulk and a tiny little footprint when in use. Light, fast and easy to deply in seconds it would give a TON of additional stability in your shots without all the fuss and hassle of a full blown tripod.

.....
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
If you are as close as 20 feet then you can use the built in flash. Set it on AUTO and let the camera take care of everything.

With the speed you are going to have to do this and the fact you can't set it up in advance and try out a few things. JUST USE AUTO and you should be ok. PRobably better than trying to guess what you need with so many unknowns.
 
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