10 votes

Why is Live View so noisy and unlike mirrorless shooting?

On a DSLR, when you use the viewfinder, the mirror is lowered, and a secondary mirror reflects some of the light to phase-based AF and exposure sensors at the bottom of the camera. These are accurate ...
  • 18.3k
9 votes
Accepted

Focusing issue with kit lens

Your lens is not parfocal. If you had a parfocal lens, you would know it. Mainly because the prices of true parfocal zoom lenses ($10K and up) mean only those who really need them and know why they ...
  • 172k
8 votes
Accepted

How to take a picture by looking to the display of the Nikon D5100 instead of looking through the viewfinder eyepiece?

In your D5100, "Live View" mode is activated by trigerring the 'Lv' switch next to the Mode selection dial (right under the 'Info' button). However, this information is covered in the manual of your ...
  • 436
7 votes
Accepted

Why is Live View so noisy and unlike mirrorless shooting?

It's because on a (Nikon) DSLR, live view is part of the video stream with rolling shutter. This stream is usually not in a raw format and is typically reduced resolution. Some Nikon's have a "silent ...
6 votes

How to get autofocus to work with D5100 and AF-P DX Nikkor

No, there is nothing you can do. Nikon's AF-P lenses do not work with the D5100. At the time of release of the first AF-P lenses (the 18–55mm, both with and without VR), the only cameras that ...
  • 31.6k
6 votes

Why is Live View so noisy and unlike mirrorless shooting?

Because in the Nikon D3x00 and D5x00 series, as well as many previous entry level Nikon DSLRS and pretty much all Nikon 35mm film SLRs, the same mechanical motion actuates the mirror assembly and the ...
  • 172k
5 votes

Pictures turned up black, as if I took the photos with the cap on

Note in your examples that images at row 4, columns 5, 6 & 7 and row 7, columns 7, 8, 9 &10 have a faint "white" bar at the top of the image. Increasing the brightness and or gamma on the ...
5 votes

What can I expect for battery life from my Nikon D5100?

From the D5100's manual (page 81), the 600+ images is by the CIPA standard, and does not include live view — just 4 seconds of review for each image. It's not surprising at all that real-life usage is ...
  • 142k
4 votes

Is Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm Lens compatible with Nikon D5100 DSLR?

This lens uses a screw driven AF, meaning the body drives the AF. The D5xxx series and D3xxx series of cameras need AF-S lenses in order to AF with them.
  • 171
4 votes

As an inexperienced user, how can I best take action photographs with a DSLR and consumer superzoom?

The biggest handicap you're going to have to deal with when using that lens for sports is the relative narrow maximum aperture. At the longest focal length, which you're going to be using most often, ...
  • 172k
4 votes

Using a manual lens on D5100

1) I don't think that AI versus AI-S matters, as far as lens compatibility goes. The S was an extra mechanical feature that was developed just before electronic communication between lens and body was ...
  • 4,016
4 votes

Why am I required to input the date and time on D5100 after charging the battery?

The Nikon D5100 uses a rechargeable internal clock battery. It should have enough charge to give you 3 months to charge the main battery. A main battery that is almost completely empty, should also ...
  • 1,512
4 votes

What is wrong with the picture i took ?

Sorry to sound harsh, but these are the immediate problems that jump out at me The Highlights are blown The shadows are too dark The building is leaning on the left The building is not lit from all ...
3 votes
Accepted

Proper method to measure the magnification of a reversed lens

Photograph a normal ruler, mm scale preferred. Then if your sensor is 24 mm wide (camera specs should say), and if the image shows say 20mm of that ruler, then the magnification is 24/20 or 1.2x (...
  • 12.8k
3 votes

Focus issues with my Nikon 5100 camera (35 mm 1.8 lens)

Many different things could be going on here but the most obvious is that you are shooting at a very wide aperture that will result in a small depth of field. Try increasing your aperture to allow for ...
  • 46.4k
3 votes

As an inexperienced user, how can I best take action photographs with a DSLR and consumer superzoom?

This is going to be generally hard. I'd suggest: Get as close as possible. 200mm on a "DX" camera isn't peanuts, but it won't bring you right to the action from a distance. Use the camera's "sports" ...
  • 142k
3 votes

Why am I protecting files when I use my back focus button?

I have a D3200, but I suspect they work the same with this. That button does double duty, both as back-button focus (in shooting mode) and as image protection (in reviewing mode). When the camera ...
  • 490
3 votes

Can I make custom bokeh shape using a 18-55mm Nikkor lens?

Yes. Though you may have to fiddle with your camera settings a bit to achieve it. I did this once with that lens on a D3100. You will need to shoot wide open of course. Also zooming into your subject ...
  • 141
3 votes

What causes this black line across the edge of my photos?

Likely your shutter curtain that doesn't make a full travel. Your camera needs to be serviced.
  • 18.3k
3 votes

Why am I required to input the date and time on D5100 after charging the battery?

Most cameras have a capacitor or internal battery that keeps the clock and settings active while the battery is being changed. If the camera is left with a dead battery for a very long time, the ...
  • 26.7k
3 votes

Why does my rear LCD display change its orientation upside down automatically and continuously?

This is most likely a faulty orientation sensor. This is the sensor that supplies orientation information for the camera to record and write inside each photo's metadata. It's expected that playback ...
  • 2,034
2 votes
Accepted

Is Nikon AF Nikkor 28-80mm Lens compatible with Nikon D5100 DSLR?

It seems autofocus is not supported for this combination. Nikon has the following resources with additional information: Which NIKKOR Lens Type is Right for Your DSLR? Lens Compatibility Chart (pdf)
  • 1,223
2 votes
Accepted

Nikon d5100 producing extremely underexposed images

it is with shame in my eyes and regret in my heart that I answer my own question: All my problems stemmed from a single setting change. I looked back at the metadata of pictures I had taken in the ...
2 votes
Accepted

Is Sigma AF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 DG APO Macro compatible with Nikon D5100?

Maybe. This lens is made for Canon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony/Minolta, and Nikon mounts. You would need the Nikon version — F-mount. However, do also note that it won't autofocus on your camera, as the ...
  • 142k
2 votes

What can I expect for battery life from my Nikon D5100?

You answered your own question. About 125-140 sounds right. The live view is your biggest drain, so the longer it's on between shots, the less shots you'll get. I don't use Live View, and have Image ...
2 votes

Nikon D5100 and Yongnuo RF603N II hot shoe issues

With some camera/transmitter combinations it can be way too easy to to attach the transmitter facing the wrong direction on the hot shoe. It can also be easy to not push the transmitter all the way ...
  • 172k
2 votes
Accepted

D5100 blocked in "Lock mirror up for cleaning" state

I once encountered a D50 that had managed to get the mirror stuck in the up position. The mirror had gotten just skewed enough to hang on the side of the light box. It was a very delicate task to get ...
  • 172k
2 votes

Pictures turned up black, as if I took the photos with the cap on

If you use flash, the flash has a speed number. Most are good up to 200th of a second. If you try to go faster with your exposure, you will get pictures that at least have part of the frame black. At ...
  • 29
2 votes

My Nikon D5100 DSLR wont autofocus by itself

No. You are asking for it to keep trying auto focus all the time it is turned on... All the time you're carrying it around your neck without even aiming it. That would be hard on the battery. :) It ...
  • 12.8k

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