Nikon D5100 basic beginner Manual Focus and rangefinder tutorial
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- A beginner guide to setting up manual focus on the Nikon D5100, although many of the steps will apply to other beginner bodies such as the D3100, D3200 and D5200.
Whilst very simple, many people have asked how to correctly set up manual focus, this video shows how, plus also shows how to set up the very useful rangefinder feature, to assist in getting your focus spot on.
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Web: www.photoix.co.uk Nikon and DSLR camera tutorials, guides and reviews. If you need help using your Nikon Dslr camera, then I will guide you through learning the controls and functions. I will also explain the fundamentals of photography such as ISO, aperture and Shutter speed.
Want to learn how to use manual mode on your camera, I will explain how to set a correct exposure using your camera's exposure meter and mode dial.
I knew about the range-finder, but couldn't find it. I didn't know that exposure meter turns into a Range-finder.
Thanks for explaining !
You worked hard to make this tutorial, especially when shooting optical viewfinder.
I have a D3200 and just recently discovered this really great mode. I find it to be very accurate indeed!. I took a photo of my wife using rangefinder focusing and zoomed in on her left eye. The pores and even the little veins in her eye were pin sharp!
Very informative for me because I have D5100 and have a manual focus lense 50mm f1.8. Thanks has increased my knowledge about manual focus.
Thanks. Nice and clear explaination of how rangefinder on DSLR works.
You are a lifesaver.. I just purchased the nikkor f1.8 d and it doesn't autofocus on my 3 series... But I was getting frustrated with the focus.. this helped tona
Thank you for the fast reply. The camera is now behaving exactly as you described. Thanks again.
Recently bought my Nikon D3200 and was having a problem manual focusing. Not any more... Thanks a bunch, great video.
Thank you.. a longtime manual focus user but did not know some of this!
Very well explained thank you it helped me understand those functions. 👍
thanks! always wondered how to use the rangefinder option
the arrow and bars do not really work but watching the small dot does and has really improved my manual focus thank you for the video
Thank you so much !!! I was going crazy trying to find those arrow and bars on my D5100. Just totally ignored the green dot!
You deserve more then one Like
Works great and is easy to use.
Meter bar will change only in A, S & P modes but it will not change in M mode, I assume because in A,S,P modes the camera will meter exposure automatically and set shutter speed or aperture opening or both of them except ISO, depending which mode user is set. But in full manual (M) mode, user has to meter exposure and set those parameters individually that's why meter bar do not change in M mode, at least that is my opinion.
Agreed.
Thank you it this, great for beginner dslr users!!
You can reverse the back/front focus arrows so that they display the correct way to turn the focusing ring. It's the last option in the menus under controls. It's called reverse indicators.
that will helps alot for beginners! thank you so much
Thanks very useful feature and well explained
doing a good job & like this
Thanks for the video its was really helpful but its was not showing up in my view finder. I put it on too plus the manual focus. But later on i found out that it doesn't work in manual mode. :D
I was kinda worried also, thinking whether their is a problem or something with my D5100.. hahaha... Cheers!!
thank you very much.. its clear and complete....
Great info. If you have access to a older Nikon lens like the Ai-s ones could you do "a how to" on seting up the manual mode to use those lenses?
I don't at the moment sadly, but good idea for the future.
Do you think it the camera will actually operate? Mostly curious because of the large variety of old lense for sale that would fit several specific roles. Thanks for the reply.
D5100, probably not, as the coupling on older lenses will damage the D5100's mount, howver other Nikon bodies like the D300/D700/D90 etc will work with them fine.
That sucks, thanks man and keep up the great videos.
SoCal Range Boot I have the D5100 and use older manual focus lenses on it all the time without any problems. You will have to switch camera to "M" mode on the top dial and play with shutter speed to get the right exposure.
I only use live view before and that's drain my battery very quick, i begin to search and find out that my camera have this feature. 😅
That's really help me to get focus with view finder. But the range finder only appear on P, A, and S mode. It can't used on Manual mode (sadly)
2/27/24. Is aperture shutter and and p mode considered manual and when I do the rangefinder set up , the marks don't move
Thanks for this. I tried if and it's pretty much hit or miss. Don't always work.
thank you so much. you really help me
This helped me soooo much! Thank you!!!
Very nice. Thank you.
Does it works only for prime or non afs lenses? Coz I followed everything you just shown but there's no bar or any indicator for rangefinder. I already turned on the rangefinder and I'm using my kit lens 18-55.
Thank you for clarifying and sharing
Thank you so much for doing this series; it is so helpful. I cannot get the 5100 Info screen to allow me to access the Manual focus icon on the screen. The MF icon is dark and the camera just keeps skipping over it when i try to arrow down. I am using the same 35mm 1.8 that you cite, set to manual on the lens and to P on the command wheel. Im sure Im doing something stupid but am stumped. Any thoughts ? And thanks again.
thx! now i can feel comfortable using my dads old lenses :)
you helped alotttttttt thank you so much
The auto rangefinder is fine. Its not backwards as far as I am concerned. The bar as it moves right to left follows the focus ring. You do not use the arrows as a guide... use the bar as it moves as a guide and it is the proper orientation
the arrows and bars are telling you that your focus setting is too far in which direction and by how much.
great vid. can you just flick the m switch on lens?
Yes if it has one, that will do the same thing. Not all lenses have this though.
Who is the best sir nikon d5100 Or d3400
What scene/ mode are you in (regarding the spinning wheel on top) when you press the i-button? For me, the docus option remains inactive (unselectable)... What do I do wrong?
If ever some option isnt allowed in the menu turn the mode dial to one of the semi manual modes. M,A,S or P. It will likely work then.
@@TomPhotoix Tried that, but no success. In the meantime I figured out it's because I have a lens attached that only works manually, so presumably that's why there wasn't an option to change it.
@@TomPhotoix Thanks for your quick reply though!
Hello! When I adjust the shutter the exposure does not change in the live view. Still cant find the right settings. Can you help me with this? Nikon d5100
Unfortunately it’s not possible to see live exposure on the live view. The closest you can get is in S, P or A mode, the screen darkens or lightens slightly, but it’s not a proper representation of the actual end result.
My problem in manual focus is when I’m doing astrophotography. Would the rangefinder work on something like the moon?
Todd Jenest probably not reliably no. Manual focus on the moon is pretty easy as long as you have a reasonably long lens so you can actual see it. Use live view and zoom in as much as possible and adjust the exposure so you can see the details and focus, then re adjust exposure if needed.
Tom Photoix Thank you. I’ll keep trying.
Really helpful! Thank you! So my question is : How can i find the infinite focus? I do some night pictures to shot some stars. I forgot to focus before it' getting dark. Is there a way with this option to find the infinite focus as well? Thanks a lot
I have a question. Do I have to change the focus to manual on the settings and on the lens or can I leave that in auto and just switch the lens
If your lens has the M/A switch, then you can just switch it to M on the lens and the camera will automatically switch to MF, and back to AF once the switch is moved. If your lens doesn't have any switches for focus options, then you'll have to do it through the camera.
This was great
hello! i want a new lens to my nikon d5100. I need something who can focusing small details on for exampel clothing, makeup products (packaging) and something for portraits and full body images.
Any advice?
You need a macro lens. Loads to choose from, and there aren't really any bad ones, so choose whichever. Something in the 85-105mm range would be best for macro and portrait work.
i got d5100 with NIKKOR 18-105 lens.. i have having trouble getting sharp pictures of flowers with deep colors like red, pink. color overshodows the sharpness.. camers works fine with people and other objects.. any suggestions
Try underexposing slightly using the exposure compensation. You are blowing out the colour channels which makes the colours bloom and has the effect you describe.
And or try using an ND filter... plus if you are not using a lens hood try using one.
D5200. 18_55mm lens . I got no change in bars when rotate the focus ring. The bar jump left or right only if I change aperture value or iso or shutter speed. ..
Ist normal with d5200? I thought it's similar to 5100 with more megapixels....
Pl help me
ThePeterasd Have you turned on the rangefinder function as per the video? If not then the focus ring will have no effect whatsoever on the exposure meter, which is what you are seeing move.
***** i could nt get what explainned in the video. i tried with 50mm prime also. ... updated firmware to latest........ its ok. i am able to get good photos without this as well :)
Yeah for some reason the range finder option doesn't want to work in manual mode at all, works in all other modes for me
first select manual focus, then select the autofocus menu for rangefinder, got it lol.
very frustrating that I can't get this to work on the my D5100 😩 my exposure meter doesn't change to this rangefinder no matter what.
No because the camera needs to use the exposure meter in manual mode for you to select the correct exposure.
clear.......
Do you know whats the best way to get your subject in focus when taking long exposure at nights while using Nikon 35mm 8.1 lens?
kevail cole Depends on the subject. If its close, and not moving then use a torch to illuminate it and let the autofocus lock on. Then switch to manual focus to ensure the camera doesn't try and refocus. Or, just use manual focus if you can see enough through the viewfinder.
Thanks!
It just work on A mode, if it works on M mode it could be perfect.
works on M mode for me
Super.
thanks!
Sir 1855 ke sath photo saf ni aa rhi h
Thanks
Please tell me how to make background blur in Nikon D5100
Mahdi Azom Same as any other camera, use a wide aperture and make sure you have good separation between the subject and background.
Thank u very much
Rangefinder is not available in manual mode?
Yup it's not. You have to set it on A, S or P.
it doesn't work to me
no video after 2013 ???? why ???
+abhishek c2 huh? I've released loads of videos. I've released about 10 in the last month.
too fast for me to be able to keep up
2020