HELP with settingson Nikon D3100

[monicastanner]

I bought a new camera a few months back, it was an "upgrade" from my D40. Really I can't tell a single difference other than the video option. My husband bought a new truck so I insisted on buying a new camera .. ha... I'm now missing my D40 though, which was always so amazing.

I'm not pleased with my images from my D3100. I use the automatic setting, same as with the D40. The flash goes off no matter what, even if it's not needed. I don't remember than on my D40. I have to turn the option to turn it off. Sometimes with or without it, the subject seems to be over bright if that makes sense. The pictures on overcast days are awful. I don't know how to solve between no flash & some flash with days like that. I don't remember having this problem before. If they were a little off in color or brightness I adjusted in editing. Right now though they are way off in color and brightness.

I use to take pics for people now and then with the D40, I'm not a professional by any means. But I can take a decent shot with a decent camera. I'd be scared to even try right now, makes me sad. I can't get good pics of my own kids.

Ideas, suggestions?? Headed to WDW again (yearly trip) tomorrow evening for 10 days and want to get a handle on this asap!

Thanks!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Can you post a few images with the EXIF data?

 

[Pooh2]

Rather than setting it on automatic, set it on P (for Program).

The camera will still choose the aperture and shutter speed for you but the flash will not pop up unless you pop it up manually.

 

[ukcatfan]

rather than setting it on automatic, set it on p (for program).

The camera will still choose the aperture and shutter speed for you but the flash will not pop up unless you pop it up manually.

+1

 

[Sam241]

Right below the full auto is a full auto without the flash(Indicated by a circle with a line through a lighting bolt). This is the same as full auto except it will not use the flash, it will instead adjust the A, S, and ISO in order to try and get you a balanced photo.

Just turn the dial here when you don't want to use a flash and back one click to full auto when you do. At least in tell you are ready to learn manual mode


Just a heads up the flash goes off when it's light outside in an attempt to remove shadows. If you subjects face is shadowed the full auto will attempt to remove it by using the flash. Since built in flashes are very hard light it sometimes makes them looked over exposed. You can tone this down some by stepping back from the subject (Or buying an external flash).


Hope this help

 

[thehowells]

that is the exact same dail as my 3000, and i love it, i hardly ever use the onboard flash, i am buying a metz one tommorow actually

 

[Jey12]

I have a d3100 and love it. I did suck it up and go buy the external flash and it's made a world of difference.

 

[monicastanner]

Thanks 'yall ~ I do use the auto without flash mode. I just couldn't find a happy medium last weekend at the pumpkin patch on an overcast afternoon. I was super disappointed. Maybe it's all about the external flash then from what you're saying. I've also been using the 18-155 lens and am only taking the 18-55 this week. I know I'll miss it terribly, but I can't lug it around along with the stuff required for a 2 year old and 3 month old. Ha... So I'll just have to suck it up and edit as necessary.

Advice on a good, but affordable external flash appreciated. I haven't had one since my old Minolta 35mm days.

 

[monicastanner]

I'm also thinking too close is probably an issue these days. I didn't think about that. I stay in grabbing distance of the two wild children so that's probably part of the problem with taking pictures with the built in flash and zoon lens too. In the past I was taking pictures of OTHER peoples kids, so I could be away from "grab em if they run" distance Never thought about it. Thanks yall!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Rather than setting it on automatic, set it on P (for Program).

The camera will still choose the aperture and shutter speed for you but the flash will not pop up unless you pop it up manually.

I still have my trusty little D40 and the first thing I learnt on it was that I hated the results of auto. Setting on P worked much better for me. I am a complete novice but having just returned from WDW this week, the best thing I added to my kit this year was a flash gun As someone who had NEVER managed to get it 'right' with a flash I almost never removed it from the camera, no matter what time of day.

To the OP, having changed your settings on the D3100, how do you compare this to your D40 now? I have been thinking for some time of upgrading (if you can call such a small change an upgrade) from my D40 to the D3100, but seem to always get caught in the dilemma that the money could be spent on another lens ..... I would love to hear your thoughts once you have had some time to find your way around your new piece of equipment

 

[VVFF]

Post some images you are disappointed with.

 

[photo_chick]

I bought a new camera a few months back, it was an "upgrade" from my D40. Really I can't tell a single difference other than the video option. My husband bought a new truck so I insisted on buying a new camera .. ha... I'm now missing my D40 though, which was always so amazing.

Getting the shot is mostly on the photographer, not the camera. As it looks like you have discovered. You did gain some ISO range with the new body, and that's always helpful. Just keep at it and soon you will be just as comfortable with it as you were with the D40.

 

[krb2g]

OP, I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with the D3100. I still have the D40, so I can't help with the mechanics of the camera specifically. Have you tried changing the white balance? If you shot in RAW and have photoshop, you might be able to adjust the colors to something more satisfactory in post processing. You might also look at adjusting the amount of flash compensation while you're shooting.

I have the SB-700 flash. It has made the biggest difference for me so far on my outdoor photos--the people now look so crisp and bright against properly exposed backgrounds! That said, I think this flash was a little bit of overkill for me; I know the flash is smarter than I am and it's a fairly big unit. You can get the smaller version (that only bounces up and down; I got the SB-700 because I thought someday I might want to bounce the flash off of the wall in addition to the ceiling) for cheaper.