Nikon D5100 Reference Manual

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Page 1 Nikon DIGITAL CAMERA !C)C : } Reference Manual...
Page 2 Metering Choose how the camera sets exposure in P,S,A, and M modes (in other modes, the camera selects the metering method automatically). _-_:i'_M°eth_od °°_'u'_" Description ..Produces natural results in most situations. Camera uses 420-pixel RGB sensor to meter a wide area of the frame and set exposure according to tone Matrix distribution,...
Page 3: Auto Exposure
Autoexposure Lock Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after using _ (Center-weighted metering) and G3(Spot metering) to meter exposure; note that autoexposure lock is not available in _o or _ mode. Meter exposure. Position the subject in the center of the frame (center-weighted metering) or the selected...
Page 4: Exposure Compensation
Exposure Compensation Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. It is most effective when used with F_ (Center-weighted metering) or _ (Spot metering) (_ 68). Choose from values between -5 EV (underexposure) and +5 EV (overexposure) in increments...
Page 5 The [] Button Exposure compensation can also be set by pressing the [] button rotating the command dial. The selected value is shown in the viewfinder and information display. [] button Command dial -0.3 EV +2 EV Mode M In mode M, exposure compensation affects only the exposure indicator;...
Page 6: Flash Compensation
Flash Compensation Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from the level suggested by the camera, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Choose from values between -3 EV (darker) and 4-1 EV (brighter) in increments 1/3 EV_in general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values make it darker.
Page 7 Flash Units Flash compensation is also available with optional flash units that support the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS; see page 203). The SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, and SB-600 also allow flash compensation to be set using the controls on the flash unit. The flash...
Page 8 Active D-Lighting Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Use for high contrast scenes, for example when photographing brightly lit outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking pictures of shaded subjects on a sunny day. It is most effective when used with 1_ (Matrix metering;...
Page 9: Choose An Option
Choose an option. Highlight -_6AAuto, -_6H* Extra high, -_6H High, N Normal, ¢6 L Low, or Off and press _). -_6A Auto is selected, the camera will automatically adjust Active D-Lighting according to shooting conditions. To return shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.
Page 10: High Dynamic Range (Hdr)
High Dynamic Range (HDR) High Dynamic Range (HDR) combines two exposures to form a single image that captures a wide range of tones from shadows to highlights, even with high-contrast subjects. HDR is most effective when used with _ (Matrix metering) (_ 68;...
Page 11 Choose the exposure differential. To choose the difference in exposure between the two shots, highlight Exposure differential and press I_. The options shown at right will be displayed. Highlight an option and press _). Choose higher values for high-contrast subjects, but note that choosing a value higher than required...
Page 12 Follow the steps below to record a series of two or three exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor to produce colors noticeably superior to those in software-generated photographic overlays.
Page 13 Choose the number of shots. Highlight Number of shots and press I_. The dialog shown at right will be displayed. Press • or • to choose the number of exposures that will be combined to form a single photograph and press _). Choose the amount of gain.
Page 14 I I Interrupting Multiple Exposures To interrupt a multiple exposure before the specified number of exposures have been taken, select Off for Multiple exposure > Multiple exposure mode in the shooting menu. A multiple exposure will be created from the exposures that have been recorded to that point.
Page 15 White balance ensures that colors are unaffected by the color of the light source. Auto white balance is recommended for most light sources; in P,S,A, and M modes, other values can be selected if necessary according to the type of source: Option Descriptio nO,_-3_,-o7 ....
Page 16 The Shooting Menu White balance can be selected using the White balance option the shooting menu (_ 151), which also can be used to fine-tune white balance (_ 83) or measure a value for preset white balance (_ 84). The _ Fluorescent option in the White balance menu can be used to select the light source from the bulb types shown at right.
Page 17: Fine-Tuning White Balance
Fine-Tuning White Balance White balance can be "fine tuned" to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image. White balance is fine tuned using the White balance option in the shooting menu.
Page 18: Preset Manual
Preset Manual Preset manual is used to record and recall custom white balance settings for shooting under mixed lighting or to compensate for light sources with a strong color cast. Two methods are available for setting preset white balance: II Measuringa Valuefor PresetWhiteBalance Light a reference object.
Page 19 When the camera is ready to measure white balance, a flashing PRE(_-,-,=)will appear in the viewfinder and information display. Measure white balance. Before the indicators stop flashing, frame the reference object so that it fills the viewfinder and press the shutter-release button all the way down.
Page 20 11_ Measuring Preset White Balance If no operations are performed while the displays are flashing, direct measurement mode will end when the exposure meters turn off. The auto meter-off delay can be changed using Custom Setting c2 (Auto off timers; _ 160).
Page 21 II Copying WhiteBalan(e from a Photograph Follow the steps below to copy a value for white balance from a photograph on the memory card. Select Preset manual. To display the menus, press the MENU button. Highlight White balance in the shooting menu and press I_ to display white balance options.
Page 22 Bracketing automatically varies exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting (ADL) slightly with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. Choose in situations in which it is difficult to set exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting and there is not time to check results and adjust settings with each shot, or to experiment with different settings for the same subject.
Page 23 Display bracketing options. Highlight the current bracketing setting and press _). Select a bracketing increment. Highlight a bracketing increment and press _). Choose from values between 0.3 and 2 EV (AE bracketing) or I to 3 (WB bracketing), or select ADL (ADL bracketing).
Page 24 The Bracketing Progress Indicator During AE bracketing, progress is shown by the bracketing indicator in the information display: •O:Camera ready to take first shot. • O:Camera ready to take second shot. • , : Camera ready to take third shot. During ADL bracketing, the amount of Active D-Lighting that will be used with the next shot is underlined in the information display.
Page 25: Selecting A Picture
Nikon's unique Picture Control system makes it possible to share image processing settings, including sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue, among compatible devices and software. Selecting a Picture Control The camera offers six Picture Controls. In P,S,A, and M modes, you can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene (in other modes, the camera selects a Picture Control automatically).
Page 26: Modifying Picture Controls
Modifying Picture Controls Existing preset or custom Picture Controls (_ 95) can be modified to suit the scene or the user's creative intent. Choose a balanced combination of settings using Quick adjust, or make manual adjustments to individual settings. Display the Picture Control menu.
Page 27 In addition, custom Picture Controls can be saved to a memory card for sharing among other cameras of the same model and compatible software (_ 97). Optional Picture Controls Additional optional Picture Controls may be available for download from Nikon websites (_ xv).
Page 28 The Picture Control Grid Pressing the _ button in Step 3 displays a Picture Control grid showing the contrast and saturation for the selected Picture Control in relation to the other Picture Controls (only contrast is displayed when Monochrome is selected). Release the _ button to return to the Picture Control...
Page 29: Creating Custom Picture Controls
Creating Custom Picture Controls The Picture Controls supplied with the camera can be modified and saved as custom Picture Controls. Select Manage Picture Control. To display the menus, press the MENU button. Highlight Manage Picture Control in the shooting menu and press I_. MENU b utton Select Save/ed it.
Page 30 Name the Picture Control. The text-entry dialog shown at right will be displayed. By default, new Picture Controls area are named by adding a two-digit number Name area (assigned automatically) to the name of the existing Picture Control; to use the default name, proceed to Step 7.
Page 31: Sharing Custom Picture Controls
Sharing Custom Picture Controls Custom Picture Controls created using the Picture Control Utility available with ViewNX 2 or optional software such as Capture NX 2 can be copied to a memory card and loaded into the camera, or custom Picture Controls created with the camera can be copied to the memory card to be used in compatible cameras and software and then deleted when no longer needed.
Page 33: Live View
Live View Follow the steps below to take photographs in live view. Rotate the live view switch. The mirror will be raised and the view through the lens will be displayed in the camera monitor. The subject will no longer be visible in the viewfinder.
Page 34: Focusing In Live View
Focusing in Live View Follow the steps below to choose focus and AF-area modes and position the focus point. II Choosinga Focus Mode The following focus modes are available in live view: Place the cursor in the information display. Pressthe _B,button to place the cursor in the information display.
Page 35: Choosingan Af-Areamode
II Choosingan AF-AreaMode In modes other than _o and _, the following AF-area modes can be selected in live view: Option _-°_ Description The camera automatically detects and focuses on portrait subjects r_j Face-priority facing the camera. Use for portraits. Use for hand-held shots of landscapes and other non-portrait _,0EE...
Page 36 II Choosingthe Focus Point The method for selecting the focus point for autofocus varies with the option selected for AF-area mode (_ 101). c8](face-priority AF):A double yellow border will be displayed when the camera detects a portrait subject Focus facing the camera (if multiple faces, up to a maximum point of 35, are detected, the camera will focus on the closest...
Page 37 The Live View Display ®® ® _-_Z'_'i'_'i'TJtem -'_:='I'_'I'_'7 Description _1_Shootingmode The mode currently selected with the mode dial. Select _° or for automatic scene selection (autofocus only; _ 104). _2)"No movie"icon Indicates that movies can not be recorded. _3_Audiorecording indicator Indicates whether sound is being recorded with movies.
Page 38 Automatic Scene Selection (Scene Auto Selector) If live view is selected in _0 or _ mode, the camera will automatically analyze the subject and select the appropriate shooting mode when autofocus is enabled. The selected mode is shown in the monitor. ____"...
Page 39 [I_ Shooting in Live View Mode To prevent light entering via the viewfinder from interfering with exposure, remove the rubber eyecup and cover the viewfinder with the supplied DK-5eyepiece cap before shooting (_ 38). Although they will not appear in the final picture, flicker, banding, or distortion may be visible in the monitor under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps or if the camera is 3anned horizontally or an object moves at high speed through frame.
Page 40 _I_ Using Autofocus in Live View Autofocus is slower in live view and the monitor may brighten or darken while the camera focuses. The camera may be unable to focus in the following situations: • The subject contains lines parallel to the long edge of the frame •...
Page 41: Recording And Viewing Movies
Recording andViewingMovies Movies can be recorded in live view. Rotate the live view switch. The mirror is raised and the view through the lens is displayed in the monitor instead of the viewfinder. EI_ The I_ Icon A _! icon (_ 103) indicates that movies can not be recorded.
Page 42 End recording. Press the movie-record button again to end recording. Recording will end automatically when the maximum length is reached, the memory card is full, another mode is selected, the lens is removed, or the monitor is closed (closing the monitor does not end recording on televisions or other external displays).
Page 43: Movie Settings
II MovieSettings Choose movie quality and sound options. • Movie quality: Choose from the following options. The frame rate depends the o )tion currently selected for Video mode in the setup menu 170): _"_!_=:_:_-t_ovi_e°qu_a°iitY =!_=_ -7_:_"°_ .._=°= ...... Btrate =_-_" Maximum"...
Page 44 Movies are indicated by a _ icon in full-frame playback (_ 123). Press _) to start playback. Current position/total length icon Length Volume Guide The following operations can be performed: -=W:,2,,i:,,i:,,_o<772,,i:,,i:,,i -ooo_U_eo_ , Description _':"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC"IC Pause playback. Pause _/'> Resume playback when movie is paused or during rewind/ Play advance.
Page 45: Trimming Movies
Trim footage to create edited copies of movies or save selected frames as JPEG stills. _==T ..o_p-iion ... _T'_-i)_e_r]°_iion=_? __: _'=_ Choose start point Create a copy from which the opening footage has been removed. Choose end point Create a copy from which the ending footage has been removed.
Page 46 Choose an option. To create a copy that includes the current frame and all following frames, highlight Choose start point in the edit movie menu and press _). Select Choose end point create a copy that includes the current frame and all preceding frames.
Page 47: Saving Selected Frames
Saving Selected Frames To save a copy of a selected frame as a JPEG still: View the movie and choose a frame. Play the movie back as described on page 110. Pause the movie at the frame you intend to copy. Display the retouch menu.
Page 49 pecialEffects Special effects can be used when recording images. The following effects can be selected by rotating the mode dial to EFFECTS and rotating the command dial until the desired option appears in the monitor. _!_set _ _FEClS [827] Mode dial Command dial Monitor...
Page 50 Night Vision ..................Use under conditions of darkness to record monochrome images at high ISO sensitivities (with some noise in the form of randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines). Autofocus is available in live view only; manual focus can be used if the camera is unable to focus.
Page 51 All colors other than the selected colors are recorded in blackand white. The effect can be chosen during live view (_ 120). The built-in flash turns off; use of a tripod is recommended when lighting is poor. Silhouette subjects against bright backgrounds.
Page 52: Options Available
Options Available in Live View II _ ColorSketch Select live view..Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor. Liveview switch Adjust options. Press _) to display the options shown at right (note that the options temporarily clear from the...
Page 53 II 4! Miniature Effect ® ..:11 Select live view. Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor. Live view switch Position the focus point. Use the multi selector to position the focus point in the area that will be in focus and then press the shutter-release...
Page 54 HI / SelectiveColor Select live view. Rotate the live view switch to raise the mirror and display the view through the lens in the monitor. Liveview switch Display options. Press_) to display selective color options. Select a color. Selected color Frame an object in the white square in the center of the display and press •...
Page 55 Return to the live view display. Press _) to return to live view. During shooting, only objects of the selected hues will be recorded in color; all others will be recorded in black-and-white. exit live view, rotate the live view switch. The selected settings will continue effect and will apply to photographs taken using the viewfinder.
Page 57: More On Playback
More onPlayback To play photographs back, press the F_I button. The most recent photograph will be displayed the monitor. F_qbutton _=7_i'_"i_=iTo- C '_'°::_C °_Use=_'_'_ Description View additional Press • to view photographs in order recorded, • to view photographs photographs in reverse order.
Page 58: Photo Information
Photo Information Photo information is superimposed on images displayed in full-frame playback. Press • or • to cycle through photo information as shown below. Note that "image only", shooting data, RGB histograms, highlights, and overview data are only displayed if corresponding option is selected for Playback display options (_ 150).
Page 59 Protect status ............132 Retouch indicator ..........177 Image highlights Camera name Frame number/total number of images Blinking areas indicate highlights, ll RGB Histogram Protect status ............132 Retouch indicator ..........177 White balance ............81 White balance fine-tuning .......83 Preset manual ............84 Camera name Histogram (ROB channel).
Page 72 Help menu). Start Transfer Turn the camera off and disconnect the USB cable when transfer ends. Nikon Transfer 2 will close automatically when transfer is complete. Camera Control Pro 2 Camera Control Pro 2 (available separately; _ 206) can be used to control the camera from a computer.
Page 73: Connecting The Printer
Toprintselected JPEG p ictures o naPictBridge printer v iaadirect U SB connection follow thesteps below. Take photographs Select photographs for printing using DPOF print order (_ 144) Connect camera to_prin ter (see below) Pnnt pht hs one at a Print multiple photographs Create i x prints 140)
Page 74 Turn the camera A welcome screen will be displayed in the monitor, followed by a PictBridge playback display. Printing Pictures One at a Time Select a picture. Press • or I_ to view additional pictures, or press • or • to view photo information (_ 124).
Page 75 Option Description This option is available only if supported by current )rinten Menu shown at right will be displayed. Press • or • to choose print style from Printer default (print Border using current printer settings), Print with border (print )hoto with white border), or No border, then press to select and return to previous...
Page 76: Printing Multiple Pictures
Printing Multiple Pictures Display the PictBridge menu. Press the MENU button in the PictBridge playback display (see Step 3 on page 140). MENU b utton Choose an option. Highlight one of the following options and • Print select: Select pictures for printing. press I_.
Page 77 Ifyou choseSelect date in Step2, press • or • to highlight a date and press I_ to toggle the highlighted date on or off. To view the pictures taken on the selected date, press ql_. Use the multi selector to scroll through the pictures, or press and hold _ to view the ql_ button: V iew current picture full screen.
Page 78: Creating A Dpof Print Order: Print Set
Creating a DPOF Print Order: Print Set The DPOF print order option in the playback menu is used to create digital "print orders" for PictBridge-compatible printers and devices that support DPOF. Choose Select/set for the DPOF print order item in the playback menu.
Page 79 Select imprint options. Highlight the following options and press I_ to toggle the highlighted option on or off (to complete the print order without including this information, proceed to Step 5). • Print shooting data: Print shutter speed aperture on all pictures in print order.
Page 80: Standard Definition Devices
The supplied EG-CP14 audio video (A/V) cable can be used to connect the camera to a television or video recorder for playback or recording. A type C mini-pin High- Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable (available separately from third-party suppliers) can be used to connect the camera to high-definition video devices.
Page 81: High-Definition
High-Definition Devices The camera can be connected to HDMI devices using a type C mini-pin HDMI cable (available separately from third-party suppliers). 1 Turn the camera off. Always turn the camera off before connecting or disconnecting an HDMI cable. Connect the HDMI cable as shown. Connect to high-definition device (choose cable with connector for...
Page 82: Output Resolution
II ltDMI Options The HDMI option in the setup menu controls output resolution and can be used to enable the camera for remote control from devices that support HDMI-CEC (High- Definition Multimedia Interface-Consumer Electronics Control, a standard that allows HDMI devices to be used to control peripherals to which they are connected).
Page 83: Menu Guide
Menu Guide To display the playback menu, press MENU and select the 1_I (playback menu) tab. MENU button The playback menu contains the following options: Option Option ay options Image review DPOF printorder Choose a folder for playback: Option Description Only photos in the folder currently selected for Storage folder...
Page 84 Choose the information available in the playback photo information display (_ 124). Press • or • to highlight option, then press I_ to select the option for the photo information display. A [] appears next to selected items; to deselect, highlight and press I_.
Page 85 To display the shooting menu, press MENUand select the O (shooting menu) tab. MENU button The shooting menu contains the following options: _o::_-:=O_aiii_=_,:_ o- ==::,_-6_ii_ioii-_=-_o::::::::=,= ..O_faoiiii=::,:,,::_o:: Resetshootingmenu Storagefolder HighISONR Normal 1154 JPEG normal Image quality ISOsensitivitysettings Image size Large Auto White balance Auto...
Page 86 For example, if the folder NIKON is selected for Storage folder, photographs in all folders named NIKON (100NIKON, 101 NIKON, 102NIKON, etc.) will be visible when Current is selected for Playback folder (_ 149). Renaming changes all folders with the same name but leaves the folder numbers intact.
Page 87 DCF, select the appropriate color space manually. For more information, see the documentation provided with the application or device. Nikon Software ViewNX 2 (supplied) and Capture NX 2 (available separately) automatically select the correct color space when opening photographs created with this camera.
Page 88 If On is selected, photographs taken at shutter speeds slower __ I I /. than 1 s will be processed to reduce noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog), increasing the time required to record images by roughly 1.5 to 2 times. During processing, "Job mr"...
Page 89 Adjust ISO sensitivity (_ 54). I I Auto I$0 sensitivity control If Off is chosen for Auto ISO sensitivity control in P,S,A,and M modes, ISO sensitivity will remain fixed at the value selected by the user (_ 54). When On is chosen, ISO sensitivity will automatically be adjusted if optimal...
Page 90 Nikon No reproduction in any form of this manual, in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written authorization from NIKON CORPORATION. NIKON CORPORATION SB1C01(11) 6MB11311-01 © 2011 Nikon Corporation...

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