Urgent Help Needed

Lawrence · Sep 23, 2013

Hi Guys

I am brand new to this forum and only found it because I was doing some research after I had squeezed the trigger on the D3200.

Now it seems that the D5100 may be a better bet. I can still change my order as it hasn't shipped yet and the price is the same.
Based on that which is the better camera for a Digital SLR newbie (was a keen SLR photographer in film format) that wants to eventually take it to the next level?

The money is spent and the order can be changed but I need to move fast.

Cheers
Lawrence

carguy · Sep 23, 2013

Welcome. I would certainly buy as much camera as you feel you need/will need soon and can afford comfortably. Based on what you just said, I'd upgrade before shipment

Ijustwant1 · Sep 23, 2013

Hi there Lawrence ! And welcome

I have the D5100 and am very happy with it ! Get yourself the 50mm 1.8G to complement your kit lenses and your going to be off on a great journey !

nickt · Sep 23, 2013

This is always a tough call, weighing a newer sensor against an older body with more features. For many, auto bracketing is a must have and they will go with the d5100. You probably saw this sticky thread here already:
http://nikonites.com/d3200/5672-nikon-d3200-vs-d5100.html#axzz2fi6l6wbt

gqtuazon · Sep 23, 2013

Lawrence said:
Hi Guys

Now it seems that the D5100 may be a better bet. I can still change my order as it hasn't shipped yet and the price is the same.
Based on that which is the better camera for a Digital SLR newbie (was a keen SLR photographer in film format) that wants to eventually take it to the next level?

The money is spent and the order can be changed but I need to move fast.

Cheers
Lawrence

Skip both and get the D7100. Future proof it a little.

Sent from my iPhone.

Lawrence · Sep 23, 2013

gqtuazon said:
Skip both and get the D7100. Future proof it a little.

Sent from my iPhone.

Wouldn't that be nice if I had the funds!

Nickt I did see that thread thank you.

I think the D5100 it's going to be.

Thanks everyone - I'll be back and lurking as I learn once this baby arrives,

Lawrence

Lawrence · Sep 23, 2013

Okay I am now holding you lot responsible.

They agreed to change it to the D5100 and it will be here tomorrow or the next day.

One more sleep!

slowpoke · Sep 23, 2013

Good for you,Lawrence.The D5100 is a great camera.Have fun.

Lawrence · Sep 24, 2013

Its arrived and the battery is charging as I type. Can't wait.

Lawrence · Sep 24, 2013

Horoscope Fish said:
If you plan on shooting JPG, then I strongly suggest you adjust the "Sharpening" setting in the menus first thing; you'll get much better image quality out of your D5100 this way, I promise you.

To do this go to: Menu > Camera Icon > Picture Control.

Highlight "Standard".
Right-click over one time using the four-way switch surrounding the OK button.
From this new menu drop down to the "Sharpening" setting.
You'll see the setting is somewhere around -2.
Adjust it to +7.
Press "OK" to save the change and back out of the menus.

I don't know why the default setting is so low coming from the factory. This one change made a huuuuge difference in the quality of JPG shots when I had a D5100.

Thanks very much for that. I will start with Jpeg as it is what I know. You probably saved me a lot of frustration already Horoscope Fish.

I must say it looks like an awesome toy.

I have another question: Under the "Focus The Viewfinder" instructions it says to do so with your eye to the viewfinder. I wear glasses, progressive lenses and was wondering if this would have any effect. I guess if I took a photo I may find out but right now she is still a virgin and I really do want it to be special …..

Lawrence · Sep 24, 2013

Hey Horoscope Fish ….. get back here. Gulp!

I don't seem to have those options. Mine are all different.

In image quality I get Jpeg fine, normal and basic as well as NEF (Raw) + Jpeg fine, NEF (Raw) + Jpeg normal, NEF (Raw) + Jpeg basic the final option is NEF (RAW).

I have set it to "Jpeg Fine" pending further instructions.

Ungulp!

nickt · Sep 24, 2013

Lawrence said:
I have another question: Under the "Focus The Viewfinder" instructions it says to do so with your eye to the viewfinder. I wear glasses, progressive lenses and was wondering if this would have any effect. I guess if I took a photo I may find out but right now she is still a virgin and I really do want it to be special …..

It won't affect autofocus. You will want to be sure it is adjusted if you do manual focusing. You should be able to adjust it either with your glasses on or without your glasses. If your eyes are way off, the camera might not have enough range to accommodate your bare eye. It makes me crazy. At any particular time, I wear contacts, distance glasses or sometimes reading glasses over the contacts so my viewfinder is never where I want it. If I manual focus, I make sure I set it first. For regular shooting with autofocus, as long as I can read the info on the bottom, its good enough.

nickt · Sep 24, 2013

Lawrence said:
Hey Horoscope Fish ….. get back here. Gulp!

I don't seem to have those options. Mine are all different.

In image quality I get Jpeg fine, normal and basic as well as NEF (Raw) + Jpeg fine, NEF (Raw) + Jpeg normal, NEF (Raw) + Jpeg basic the final option is NEF (RAW).

I have set it to "Jpeg Fine" pending further instructions.

Ungulp!

Look for picture control in your manual. Its a different setting than the quality setting. You do want jpg fine though.

carguy · Sep 24, 2013

nickt said:
Look for picture control in your manual. Its a different setting than the quality setting. You do want jpg fine though.

Sounds right. Here is a link to a PDF of your users manual, save this to your computer

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D5100_EN.pdf

Horoscope Fish · Sep 24, 2013

Lawrence said:
Hey Horoscope Fish ….. get back here. Gulp!

I don't seem to have those options. Mine are all different.

In image quality I get Jpeg fine, normal and basic as well as NEF (Raw) + Jpeg fine, NEF (Raw) + Jpeg normal, NEF (Raw) + Jpeg basic the final option is NEF (RAW).

I have set it to "Jpeg Fine" pending further instructions.

Ungulp!

I said nothing about the "Image Quality" menu items. Ignore that menu for now...

Follow these instructions:

Press the MENU button.
Drop down to the camera icon (Shooting Menu).
Scroll down and highlight Set Picture Control.
Click-right one time.
Scroll down and highlight "Standard".
Click-right one time.
Scroll down and highlight "Sharpening".
Click-right until the slider is at +7.
Press "OK".

.......

Lawrence · Sep 24, 2013

Horoscope Fish said:
I said nothing about the "Image Quality" menu items. Ignore that menu for now...

Follow these instructions:

Press the MENU button.
Drop down to the camera icon (Shooting Menu).
Scroll down and highlight Set Picture Control.
Click-right one time.
Scroll down and highlight "Standard".
Click-right one time.
Scroll down and highlight "Sharpening".
Click-right until the slider is at +7.
Press "OK".

.......

Set Picture Control says:

"This option is not available at current settings or in the camera's current state"

Let me fiddle for now and if needs be I will come back to you guys. Thanks for the help and Nickt thanks for the PDF

Lawrence · Sep 26, 2013

Ha! Finally I think something might have "clicked" (excuse pun) and it is too embarrassing to reveal.
First couple of photos to be posted soon.
And its only Friday

nickt · Sep 26, 2013

Lawrence said:
Set Picture Control says:

"This option is not available at current settings or in the camera's current state"

Let me fiddle for now and if needs be I will come back to you guys. Thanks for the help and Nickt thanks for the PDF

The picture control options are not available in auto or scene modes.

Lawrence · Sep 26, 2013

I took the following photos with one goal in mind and that was to have at least part of the image in focus. Please give a full critique so I can learn in a hurry.