If you now select, for example, "photography", you can choose whether you want to get some information for beginners or advanced view. I looked at first "beginner" to be declared in order to determine that here so simple things like "take pictures automatically", "Without Flash" or various scene programs. For me the experience of my other cameras forth uninteresting. I find this feature but nevertheless not superfluous: if someone has really been snapped with a very simple camera and want to get married directly approached DSLR, find very good explanations here.
And just as well, the explanations for advanced amateur photographers who have but so far not made manual settings. With these tips I've learned a lot, roll or having to scour DSLR forums without nonfiction. An Example?
I want to photograph a flower, the background should be blurred. I choose the Guide "Advanced" -> "Blurred Background" and get the info With this info I can return now and "mode aperture priority mode select the aperture using the control dial Small Aperture values cause blurred backgrounds (best effect in focal lengths from 80mm).." follow the instructions or I press OK and can make directly with this setting the picture. Because for me personally incurred things are better in the mind than mere reading, I always chose the first option.
More information is obtained as said also to delete, save and to the system. Of course, the Guide is not covered every possibility that one has with the Nikon, it does not replace the manual properly. But to get started, it is extremely helpful if you can look directly at the camera and not constantly have to circulate the manual.
The Nikon D3100 is made entirely of plastic, is very stable and fits comfortably in your hand. I was surprised how easy this camera, I always thought a DSLR is quite heavy. Of course, it is heavier than my compact, it always depends on the lens used to. But my fear, I would use a DSLR too little, because it was me as too heavy to carry on hikes have not materialized. The camera is very comfortable to hold and has rubber coatings that make the maintenance wonderfully grippy. The handle on the right is not too big, but big enough to give very good support.
The display for Live View with 3-inch a good size and offers a very good image quality. Although I was since used to take pictures using Live View, now I use now and then like the viewfinder. Although this provides a bit on the small picture, for it is but nice and bright and clear and you can work more precisely especially used for manual focusing. Here also operates the autofocus, one uses it rather quickly.
The controls are all within easy reach. Left rear you will find from top to bottom arranged the playback button, menu, zoom buttons, the "i" button for setting overview and a button with a question mark: more info?
Exactly: I press this button, the display will tell me what program I have just set and for what this is good. It can also happen when you are shooting using the viewfinder's bottom left of the display a flashing question mark. If you hold the "?" - Button, you get told what is wrong, for example, that the light is too poor and flash is recommended. Because it ought to go with the devil, if you could not shoot good pictures with this camera ?!
Live View switch, dial for the aperture button for movie recording (yes, a movie function with Full HD 1920 x 1080 for clips in MOV format up to 10 minutes in length, there is also) ... I do not want all of the buttons individually List and describe in detail, important here is my opinion, that can all easily and quickly operate.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of a camera report to me is the image quality. While one can easily tell when a compact camera, whether that is good or not, that's a little more complicated to judge when a DSLR, since it is not only the camera itself but also on the individual lens used to. My assessment is thus based on the Nikon D3100 in conjunction with the above-mentioned objective, and that is very positive. The CMSO chip of the camera dissolves 14 megapixels, image noise, I notice none, the selectable noise reduction is additionally beneficial.
Another option you can use a dynamic optimization that can act more alive both in color and in contrast the images. This feature I like very much and I use it almost always. The color display has also convinced me, the automatic white balance works well. That, unfortunately, is no way to auto bracketing, contrast, I find a bit unfortunate, but bearable.
I compare photos that I shot with the Nikon notice clearly with those that arose with the Lumix I have that Nikon are the true colors a lot better reflects and lifelike. When Lumix photos I often edit and make a Levels to have the brilliance of the reality on the screen. When Nikon is almost never necessary. However, this is at the price difference no surprise and it would be more like annoying when a SLR could no longer afford as a half as expensive compact camera.
Who does not want to edit photos later on the PC, but one or the other photo cropping, spice or improve would like, this can directly with the amazingly diverse integrated image editor to make directly to the camera. For me not an issue, but for you I've played around with it a little bit and have to say, because you get from red-eye removal on cropping up to special effects like monochrome or various filter effects offer quite what.
As for the Autofocus: here you have to watch, the AF motor is not namely integrated into the camera. So you buy add other lenses, one must not forget necessary to ensure that they have an AF motor, otherwise it's only manually.
As with such cameras probably always could write half a novel to even everything listed. I will refrain from doing to respond to every little detail and explain the entire menu. But worth knowing is likely to be for you yet, what programs the Nikon D3100 has to offer. For all auto fans the offer may not be as great as with a good compact camera as my Lumix, but the important thing is present: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up and Night Portrait - all easily accessible by dial to select the top, as well as the automatic program, automatically the correct settings for the subject and the Live View mode selects the most appropriate scene mode and another automatic program that turns off the flash (for taking pictures in places where flash is not permitted). If you want to make some changes manually, one gives way to the remaining programs: P (rogrammautomatik, shutter speed and aperture automatically), S (Shutter priority, shutter speed manually), A (aperture priority mode, aperture manually), M (everything manually, long exposures possible). Even with these programs are obtained via the "?" - Key information about what they are best suited.
The Nikon D3100 works with a rectangular Li-Io battery, which is supplied together with this charger. I have the time not stopped now, but according to the manufacturer extends a full load of 600 to 1200 photos (depending on how you photographed). However, one only uses Live View, this number reduced to 200 to 400 photos. Emotionally, I would say that comes down so it seems to me at least not as if I'm constantly on recharge. Of course, I have found me a replacement battery for any eventuality, here it is advisable to the Nikon-original EN-EL14 to fall back.
The Nikon D3100 is intuitive and with many assistance to operate, so you can get started without having to learn previously intensively in DSLR photography. It enables amateur photography on a high level with perfect results. I can recommend with the best value for money every beginner as well as advanced amateur photographers warmly thus with a clear conscience this DSLR camera.
