 |
| |
| This site requires new users to accept that a small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondslr.uk after requesting a new account. Thank you. |
| Moderated by: chrisbet, | ||
| Author | Post | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adco
|
I like to use the single point focus on my camera. When I first turn the camera on, it is set for auto-focus area and I then set it to single point. Every now and again it jumps out of that mode back to auto-focus area. Why? Is there a "lock" setting that will keep the focus setting where I want it? I want to make single point focus the default and my camera isn't playing with. Perhaps it needs a factory reset? Is there such a function on the camera? |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Adco wrote:I like to use the single point focus on my camera. When I first turn the camera on, it is set for auto-focus area and I then set it to single point. Every now and again it jumps out of that mode back to auto-focus area. Why? Is there a "lock" setting that will keep the focus setting where I want it? I want to make single point focus the default and my camera isn't playing with. Are you changing your shooting modes? By that I mean changing from P, S,A,M to Auto? I was wondering if you go into Auto mode ...whether that resets the focus mode back to auto focus area? There used to be a Two button reset option on Nikon DSLRs .....press8ng two of the button with a similar coloured mark alongside them. Not knowing the D3100 I don't know if that model has this option. I wonder if you have updated your cameras firmware to the latest version? This might flush out any gremlins. Welcome to the forum.  |
|||||||||
Robert
|
I just took a look at my D3300, not a lot different from the D3100. You have both a 'Shooting' menu and a 'Settings' menu, on my 3300 you can reset both menus with the first item on the menu, "Reset Settings" Or "Reset Shooting". I tend not to move the D3300 off of fully auto because my younger son, Christopher uses it mainly and it's easier that way. You can select single point AF in Aperture mode and presumably Manual and Shutter modes. If you inadvertently select Auto mode it will probably revert to multi. I will dig out a D3100 manual later and check that it is similar to the D3300 in this respect. There does not appear to be a 'Two Button Reset' on the D3300. On most Nikon cameras there are usually two buttons marked with green identifiers which when held down together for a second or two will put the camera back almost to factory settings. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
If you still have problems, make sure the firmware installed is the latest for your camera..... http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/21/D3300.html |
|||||||||
jk
|
I only shoot in Manual mode, or Aperture Priority mode for 99% of my images. I dont think that the exposure mode shanges the AF mode excpt possibly on P mode. I dont have a D3100 so I cannot comment how this behaves. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Nikon D3100/3200 reset to factory. Press 'Menu' button on the back near the LCD display. Select the Shooting Menu or Setup Menu. Scroll through the options until 'Reset Shooting Options' is highlighted. Press OK and then highlight 'Yes' Press Ok again. |
|||||||||
Adco
|
jk wrote:Nikon D3100/3200 reset to factory.Thanks for that. I will give it a bash. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Adco wrote:Thanks for that. I will give it a bash.  That's what Christopher did with my D3300 yesterday, The AF doesn't work at all anymore. Sigh.  |
|||||||||
Adco
|
Robert wrote:Adco wrote:Oops! |
|||||||||
Adco
|
Anyway, I spoke to the local Nikon agents who suggested I try the "P" mode. Apparently, in Auto mode, the camera will select what it thinks is the best settings and that includes the focus points! Not good for me. I'll give it another bash and see what happens. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Adco wrote:Anyway, I spoke to the local Nikon agents who suggested I try the "P" mode. Apparently, in Auto mode, the camera will select what it thinks is the best settings and that includes the focus points! Not good for me. I'll give it another bash and see what happens. That's exactly what I was eluding to in my post. Auto is just TOO auto including focus behaviour. I never want my camera to decide on what IT thinks should be in focus! Switching to Program lets YOU decide WHERE to focus ....the camera chooses the exposure settings (which it's quite good at). The only thing to be wary of in this P mode is that the camera doesn't know if the subject is moving ....or how fast. So if you have a moving subject the camera may not select a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the movement. That's when Shutter mode comes in. YOU select a fast shutter speed that will freeze the action....the camera makes changes to the aperture and ISO to get the right exposure again. |
|||||||||
Adco
|
Eric wrote:Adco wrote:Thanks for that. Imagine if all the worlds problems could be solved so easily. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Adco wrote:Eric wrote: They could! If they let us photographers make all the decisions.  |
|||||||||
Adco
|
So, this morning I took a few shots in the garden with the camera on "P" mode. On viewing on my PC I noticed that the focus was improved but the pictures looked pixelated as if I was using a low res camera. I could be an exposure issue but I'm not sure. Oh, the moving focus point issue didn't arise so maybe that has been resolved. Seems like auto mode does it's own thing and "P" mode stays where you set it. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
With the D3100-D3400 the Auto mode does just what it says. It's fully automatic. For most of the time, for me, that's fine - wonderful even. Nikon's fully auto mode usually produces excellent images. On the rare occasions I need something more, I find these cameras extremely frustrating. Almost all settings have to be made through the menu system, with which I am far from familiar. With my D200's, D300S and D3 I can access all the vital exposure controls without resorting to the menu hierarchy. BUT that comes at a cost. The D3xxx range is an interchangeable lens body aimed at people who prefer to be insulated from the technical aspects of photography. I bought mine so I could photograph at reasonable quality in my workshop/garage to document car building without exposing my more expensive cameras to the rigours of grinding and welding with no worries. It has also doubled as a 'family' camera so my son can get into photography without having to understand the technical side, which sends him to sleep! LOL He still managed to get soil or something into the pentaprism, which together with some bashing, seems to have killed the AF. You may consider getting something like a D200 or D300 both of which produce excellent images and are perfect for photographing bugs, these days they can be had for really cheap prices and represent a cost effective entry to photography where you have control. Close up photography benefits from manual settings, you need to manually control the aperture and focus particularly, that's key to maximising depth of focus and controlling sharpness. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Adco wrote:So, this morning I took a few shots in the garden with the camera on "P" mode. On viewing on my PC I noticed that the focus was improved but the pictures looked pixelated as if I was using a low res camera. I could be an exposure issue but I'm not sure. Factory Reset will change the JPG size to BASIC (tiny), you need to change to Fine (large size jpgs). |
|||||||||
highlander
|
jk wrote:Adco wrote: Definitely check your image size. I have never worked out why the default it always the last one most people would ever use. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
As my friends above have said...you need to check the setting for photo quality and ensure it on Fine JPEG. You also need to make sure the Image size is Large. These two settings will ensure maximum quality photographs. It's also worthwhile going through ALL the camera setting to make sure there aren't some other residual AUTO peculiarities. White Balance and ISO can stay on auto....for now. |
|||||||||
Adco
|
Eric wrote:As my friends above have said...you need to check the setting for photo quality and ensure it on Fine JPEG.Good advice. I have gone through all the settings and it seems that they are all fine. Max resolution and picture size. I'll put up some pics in the gallery section when I get a chance. |
|||||||||
Adco
|
I need a bit of help creating an album for the gallery. I get the message that I'm not allowed to create a new album. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
JK's your man, I never had a problem but JK understands it. I think you have to log out then back in or something... |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Well done Adco, some nice bugs there. Nicely captured and presented, thanks for adding captions, I feel it adds a lot, A picture tells a thousand words perhaps but it still needs an intro! |
|||||||||
jk
|
Looks like Adco managed to create his album by himself. Well done! This first step is the most difficult but the rest should be easier. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Well done Adco....you are cooking with gas now!!!! |
|||||||||
Adco
|
Thanks guys. The reason I couldn't create the album was because I wasn't logged in..... |
|||||||||
Robert
|
My understanding is that the forum and the gallery are separate software, somehow you have to log into both first time but once you have created your gallery, from there on they synchronise. It's just a matter of getting over that first hurdle. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Robert wrote: My understanding is that the forum and the gallery are separate software, somehow you have to log into both first time but once you have created your gallery, from there on they synchronise. Sometimes this is the case and others not. Best to assume that you are not logged in correctly to the Gallery if you have difficulties. Likewise trying to return to the forums from the Gallery you need to click on the Forums link not the main logo which should also work. |
|||||||||
Adco
|
Just some more feedback on the everlasting saga of my macro photography journey. Through reading, talking, asking and a bit of common sense etc, I have progressed to M mode. A scary jump up from P mode I must say. I realised that a lot of my focusing issues arose from camera shake. I had many blurry pics to contend with. So, I went to A mode and set the it to 18, then set the S mode to 1/125 or 1/160 and finally turned to M mode. That seemed to keep those settings even if I turned the camera off. I had to pop the flash up for most shots except when in direct sunlight. It has made a huge improvement to my shots. I get great close-ups and find I don't have to take as many shots as I did before. Saves a lot of time afterwards on the PC. Only drawback is that the battery runs out a bit sooner than before. Not too serious though. Well worth the trade-off. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Well done, sometimes you have to learn the hard way, I know of wonderful photographers who tried their own ways but eventually accepted that so often with photography, the 'harder' way can be best. Then it become the easy way. because it's the route which brings the best images. It's only harder because it seems that way until you realise the advantages. Really it's just a different way. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Well done Adco. In case you have not discovered as yet.... P does not stand for Professional but "Perhaps it will be right" M does not stand for Moron but "Megastar able to manage!" Next remember that Manual rather than AF focus mode is best for macro photography! |
|||||||||
Adco
|
jk wrote:Well done Adco. That would be great if I could see the viewfinder clearly! Mine eyes doth get weaketh as mine age doth moveth on.... |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Adco wrote:That would be great if I could see the viewfinder clearly! Mine eyes doth get weaketh as mine age doth moveth on.... Nikon have thought of that... They provide a diopter adjustment for most of their viewfinders, my D3300 has it and I am sure the other D3X00 bodies have it. There is a little wheel with + <-> - marks near the viewfinder which adjusts the diopter setting, so you can see the camera settings clearly in the viewfinder. |
|||||||||
Current theme is Blue
| A small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondsl.uk Thank you. |