Custom Settings - Nikon D5100 Experience Manual

Nikon D5100 Experience

Custom Settings

Figure 8 – Custom Settings Menu
Autofocus
a1: AF-C priority selection – This setting determines if attaining focus is top priority when you
are in Continuous-servo AF mode (AF-C autofocus mode), or if you just want the shots to be
taken even if exact focus is not attained for each shot. For example, if you are tracking a moving
subject such as a runner or a bird, you may wish to just take a rapid series of shots at all costs in
order to capture specific moments, and exact focus of each shot may not be the priority. Or you
may wish to make sure the camera has properly focused each shot before the shutter is released.
This however may cause a slight (perhaps millisecond) delay for each shot and the exact
moments may be missed. If exact focus is your priority, set on Focus. If getting the shots at all
costs is the priority, set for Release.
a2: Built-in AF-assist illuminator – This is used to enable or disable the autofocus assist light.
Turn this On to assist you in autofocusing in low light, but be sure to turn it Off if you are
working in situations where it will be distracting, unwanted, or unnecessary.
a3: Rangefinder – This setting is used to help obtain focus when you have turned off autofocus
and are using Manual Focus mode (MF) and manually focusing. (Be sure to also set the
autofocus switch on your lens to M) The exposure indicator in the viewfinder is used to indicate
if the subject is correctly in focus. If the dots and arrow are to the left of 0, the camera is focused
in front of the subject; to the right means the camera is focused behind the subject. Note that this
indicator does not work for determining focus in Manual (M) shooting mode (when your Mode
Dial is set to M) because it is used instead to indicate exposure. Turn this setting On if you need
its assistance when manually focusing. It is generally advisable to use the camera's autofocus
system and not manually focus, though some users may wish to manually focus in certain
situations such as close-up and macro photography.
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