Nikon D5100 User manual

Nikon
DIGITAL CAMERA
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Reference Manual

Metering
Choose how the camera sets exposure in P,S,A,and Mmodes (in other modes, the
camera selects the metering method automatically).
_-_:i'_M°eth_od°°_'u'_" Description .........
[] Matrix
metering
Center-
[] weighted
metering
[] Spot
metering
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
distribution, color, composition, and, with type G or D lenses (_ 198), distance
information (3D color matrix metering II; with other CPU lenses, the camera uses
color matrix metering II,which does not include 3D distance information).
Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area. Classic
meter for portraits; recommended when using filters with an exposure factor
filter factor) over lx.
Camera meters current focus point; use to meter off-center subjects (if[i] Auto-
area AF is selected for AF-area mode during viewfinder photography as
described on page 42, camera will meter center focus point). Ensures that subject
will be correctly exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker.
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the ,B, button.
Press the ,B, button again to place the cursor in the information display.
2
3
Information display ,B, button
Display metering options.
Highlight the current metering method in the
information display and press _).
Choose a metering method.
Highlight an option and press _). To return to
shooting mode, press the shutter-release button
halfway.
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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
focus point (spot metering) and press the
shutter-release button halfway to set focus and
meter exposure. Check that the in-focus
indicator (0) appears in the viewfinder.
2Lock exposure.
With the shutter-release button pressed halfway and the
subject positioned in the focus point, press the AE-L/AF-L
button to lock exposure.
[] Autoexposure Lock
If On is selected for Custom Setting cl (Shutter-release
button AE-L; _ 159), exposure will lock when the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway. For information on
changing the role of the AE-L/AF-Lbutton, see Custom Setting f2
(Assign AE-L/AF-L button; _ 166).
While exposure lock is in effect, an AE-Lindicator will
appear in the viewfinder.
Shutter-release
button
AE-L/AF-Lbutton
3Recompose the photograph.
Keeping the AE-L/AF-Lbutton pressed, recompose
the photograph and shoot.
[] Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture
While exposure lock is in effect, the following settings can be adjusted without altering the
metered value for exposure:
Mode Setting
Programmed auto Shutter speed and aperture (flexible program; _ 62)
Shutter-priority auto Shutter speed
Aperture-priority auto Aperture
The metering method itself can not be changed while exposure lock isin effect.
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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 of 1/3EV. In
general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values make it
darker.
-1 EV No exposure compensation +1EV
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the ,B, button.
Press the ,B, button again to place the cursor in the information display.
_;_t [8271 ,B,button
Information display
2Display exposure compensation options.
Highlight exposure compensation in the
information display and press _).
3Choose a value.
Highlight a value and press _). To return to
shooting mode, press the shutter-release button
halfway.
Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure compensation to _+0.Exposure
compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off, but is reset if you select
another mode after choosing [_.
7O

[] The [] Button
Exposure compensation can also be
set by pressing the [] button and
rotating the command dial. The
selected value isshown 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; shutter speed and
aperture do not change.
[] Using a Flash
When a flash is used, exposure compensation affects both background exposure and flash
level.
[] See Also
For information on choosing the size of the increments available for exposure
compensation, see Custom Setting bl (EM steps for exposure cntrl., _ 159). For
information on automatically varying exposure over a series of shots, see page 88.
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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 4-1EV (brighter) in increments of
1/3EV_in general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values
make it darker.
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the ,B, button.
Press the ,B, button again to place the cursor in the information display.
_!,_ [8271 ,B,button
Information display
2Display flash compensation options.
Highlight flash compensation in the information
display and press _).
3Choose a value.
Highlight a value and press _). To return to
shooting mode, press the shutter-release button
halfway.
Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to _+0.Flash
compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.
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[] The I_ (_) and [] Buttons
Flash compensation can also be set by
rotating the command dial while
pressing the I_ (_) and [] buttons.
The selected value is shown in the
viewfinder and information display.
I_ (_ ) button [] button Command dial
-0.3 EV +1EV
[] Optional 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
compensation selected with the optional flash unit is added to the flash compensation
selected with the camera.
[] See Also
For information on choosing the size of the increments available for flash compensation, see
Custom Setting bl (EV steps for exposure cntrl., _ 159).
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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; _ 68).
2
Active D-Lighting: OFFOff Active D-Lighting: -_6AAuto
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the ,I], button.
Press the ,1!, button again to place the cursor in the information display.
_ i AF-L
_Se [8271 ,B,button
Information display
Display Active D-Lighting options.
Highlight Active D-Lighting in the information
display and press _).
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3Choose an option.
Highlight -_6AAuto, -_6H* Extra high, -_6H High,
NNormal, ¢6 L Low, or OFFOff and press _). If
-_6AAuto is selected, the camera will
automatically adjust Active D-Lighting
according to shooting conditions. To return to
shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.
_I_ Active D-Lighting
Noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) may appear in photographs taken with
Active D-Lighting. Uneven shading may be visible with some subjects. Active D-Lighting
can not be used at ISO sensitivities of Hi 0.3 or above. A setting of -_6AAuto is equivalent to
¢6NNormal in mode Mor when center-weighted or spot metering is used.
[] "Active D-Lighting" Versus "D-Lighting"
The Active D-Lighting option in the shooting menu adjusts exposure before shooting to
optimize the dynamic range, while the D-Lighting option in the retouch menu (_ 178)
optimizes dynamic range in images after shooting.
[] The Shooting Menu
Active D-Lighting can also be adjusted using the Active D-Lighting
option in the shooting menu (_ 151).
[] See Also
For information on automatically varying Active D-Lighting over a series of shots, see page
88. For information on using the Fn button and command dial to turn Active D-Lighting on
and off, see page 165.
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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; with
other metering methods, an exposure differential of Auto is equivalent to about
2 EV). It can not be used to record NEF (RAW) images. The flash can not be used
while HDR is in effect.
First exposure (darker)
÷
2
Second exposure (brighter)
Select HDR (High Dynamic Range).
Press the MENUbutton to display the menus.
Highlight HDR (High Dynamic Range) in
the shooting menu and press I_.
Combined HDR image
MENUbutton
Enable HDR.
Highlight HDRmode and press I_.
Theoptions shown at right will be displayed.
Highlight On and press _).
Hdr will be displayed in the viewfinder. ®
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