Hi from new member in West Midlands.

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Mike Whyton

Senior Member
Hi

Just a quick hello from me, my name is Mike and I live in Wolverhampton, I hope you won't hold this against me:D

I have recently bought a Nikon D3100 and have finally decided to join a forum to attempt to improve the results I am getting with it. I have been using an SLR for years, an old Pentax SP500 full manual and Canon EOS both film, and got some pretty good results (especially with the Pentax). I had always aspired to own a Nikon, so when some funds became free I decided on the D3100, even though it is classed as a starter DSLR.

To be honest I am not completely happy with the results and think that the kit lens 18-55 VR is pretty limited imho. My own fault perhaps for not looking further at the specs.
So, enough moaning, time to post some pics and get some advice.

Cheers

​Mike
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum,what aspects are you not happy with,there will be many settings that can be used to possibly get what you want.

mike
 
M

Mike Whyton

Senior Member
Hi Mike,

Some of it may be me I suppose, it's just that I'm not really getting a massive improvement on some of the old digi snappers I use. My first issue was on shooting some pics on Auto I got appalling results on a bright Cornwall beach, it had set an ISO of 3200?? I don't use auto much so that isn't a problem.
None of the photos pop out at me (if you know what I mean?) they could just have easily been taken on an Iphone.
I'm scratching my head over this camera, it seems like a lot to carry for indifferent results, but just in case it is me I will take advice and try and learn, do I need to junk the kit lens and get say a 55 fixed? something with more light F1.8?
 
K

Kodiak

Senior Member
•
Hello Mike,

Wolverhampton? …had to search… read info… learned a bit… saw some pictures…
but none of yours! NONE!

You are very welcomed…

Have a good day…
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
First off you dont need iso 3200,go into the menu and set it at 200 or 400, and have another go in P mode its a good starting point with out adding complications,you can refine it later after you get some encouraging results.

mike

Just thought P mode may control the iso so try A or S mode
 
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D

Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
mikew said:
First off you dont need iso 3200,go into the menu and set it at 200 or 400, and have another go in P mode its a good starting point with out adding complications,you can refine it later after you get some encouraging results.

mike

Just thought P mode may control the iso so try A or S mode
Click to expand...

Program mode does NOT control ISO. And it is a good place to start with.
 
D

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

Go into the menu>>Shooting Menu>>Set Picture Control

Once there Click on the right side of the control around the OK Button
You will have several options for Picture Control, Standard, Neutral, Vivid etc.
I'll use "Standard" for purposes of this post.
Click the right again and it will bring up another menu you'll see several settings
Go sown to "Sharpening" and using the right button again move it up to at least +7

Once you do this then Click OK

This will help you get more of the pop you are looking for.

You will need to do some post processing to adjust for Brightness and Contrast to get it right.


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