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D3100

Easy Operation

Guide Mode - The sure way to obtain desired results

An enchanting portrait against a softly defocused background, or a radiant couple surrounded by sparkling lights. Taking photos like these is easy with D3100's Guide Mode - in-camera guidance that shows you step-by-step how to change camera settings. Just select a Guide Mode setting that matches the scene then let Guide Mode assist. Not only will you obtain the desired results, you'll understand how you achieved them. Guide Mode even displays sample photos so you'll know what to expect from each setting.

·Using Guide Mode

To use Guide Mode, first set the mode dial on top of the camera to GUIDE. Then select "Shoot" from the menu and choose a setting. This simple procedure helps you adjust the camera according to shooting situation and subject. Guide Mode even displays detailed explanations and samples of the kinds of photos to expect at each setting when "Advanced operation" mode is selected. When "View/delete" is selected, image playback and deletion are possible. When "Set up" is selected, you can easily adjust items such as image quality, image size and info background color.

Step1

Rotate mode dial to GUIDE.

Step2

Select an operation.

Step3

Select a shooting method.

Step4

Select and confirm the effect.

Step5

Detailed descriptions broaden your understanding of shooting techniques - the ideal way to take your photography to new heights of excellence.

Step6

Sample (assist) image changes as shutter speed or aperture are adjusted, allowing you to confirm settings before you shoot.


Step7

When finished making settings, choose "Start shooting" then choose how you want to shoot.

Step8

·Three ways to shoot

Guide Mode gives you the choice of shooting through "Use the viewfinder", "Use live view" or "Shoot movies".

Use the viewfinder
Use live view
Shoot movies

·18 Guide Mode shooting options

Under Guide Mode's "Shoot" category are 18 options that cover commonly encountered shooting situations

Easy Operation
·Auto
·Close-ups
·Landscapes
·No flash
·Sleeping faces
·Portraits
·Distant subjects
·Moving subjects
·Night portrait
Advanced operation
·Soften backgrounds
·Freeze motion
(people)
·Show water flowing
·Bring more into focus
·Freeze motion
(vehicles)
Use a timer/quiet shutter
·Single frame
·Continuous
·10-second self-timer
·Quiet shutter release

Soften backgrounds

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [A] mode, 1/1600 second, f/2.2 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 400 ・ Picture Control: Portlait

Show water flowing

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [S] mode, 1/4 second, f/22 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 100 ・ Picture Control: Standard

Night portrait

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [Night Portlait] mode, 1/40 second, f/4.2 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 800 ・ Picture Control: Portlait

Sleeping faces

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [Kids] mode, 1/30 second, f/2.8 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 200 ・ Picture Control: Standard

Landscapes

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [Landscape] mode, 1/500 second, f/11 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 250 ・ Picture Control: Standard

Bring more into focus

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [A] mode, 1/60 second, f/14 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 400 ・ Picture Control: Standard/dd>

Close-ups

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [Close Up] mode, 1/60 second, f/8 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 100 ・ Picture Control: Standard

Moving subjects

・ Lens: AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR ・ Image quality : NEF(RAW) ・ Exposure: [Sports] mode, 1/1250 second, f/5 ・ White balance: Auto ・ Sensitivity: ISO 100 ・ Picture Control: Standard

Scene Modes - Your short cut to expected results

Once you have determined your subject, just set the mode dial to match the scene in order to obtain beautiful photos. The mode dial has six scene modes.

Six Scene Modes:
Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, and Night portrait

Portrait

Use for portraits with soft, natural-looking skin tones. If the subject is far from the background or a telephoto lens is used, background details will be softened to lend the composition a sense of depth.

Landscape

Use for vivid landscape shots in daylight. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off; use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur when lighting is poor.

Child

Use for snapshots of active children. Clothing and background details are vividly rendered, while skin tones remain soft and natural.

Sports

Fast shutter speeds freeze motion for dynamic sports shots in which the main subject stands out clearly. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off.

Close up

Use for close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other small objects (a macro lens can be used to focus at very close ranges). Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur.

Night portrait

Use for a natural balance between the main subject and the background in portraits taken under low light. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur.

Scene Auto Selector - Letting D3100 decide the best mode to match the scene

D3100 automatically selects the Scene Mode that matches the shooting situation and subject. During Live View shooting with the Mode dial on Auto or Auto (flash off), Scene Auto Selector* automatically activates Portrait, Landscape, Close up or Night portrait modes depending on the scene. For added convenience, an icon appears in the top-left corner of the LCD monitor that shows the selected mode.

* Except when using manual focus.
** Selected when the camera identifies situations with no corresponding Scene Mode, or for situations that can be shot in Auto or Auto (flash off).
Auto mode selected using Mode dial.
When Mode dial is set to Auto, scene auto selector detects type of scene and automatically sets camera to Landscape mode.

Help function - One-touch access to in-camera assistance

When viewing menu items and you don't understand a function, just press the help button. A description of the currently selected item will be displayed while the button is pressed. Release the button and the previous screen appears. A truly handy function that makes it easy for even first-time D-SLR users to operate D3100.

Info display format - Choose the view that's right for you

D3100 gives you a choice of two formats - classic and graphic - for the info display. Graphic format includes both a numerical and descriptive illustration of shutter speed and aperture settings, making these concepts easier to grasp. Both formats display the current Scene Mode using easy-to-understand icons that change as the mode dial is rotated, letting you concentrate on the composition. Three background color variations are available for each format. In addition, the orientation of the info display automatically changes horizontally or vertically to match that of the camera.

Classic
Graphic