Nikon D3100 / D5100 Users

Saturday, April 21, 2012 | 10:00 am-1:15 pm

Many photographers, frustrated with the limitations of their point and shoot cameras, are now making the switch to versatile entry-level DSLR’s, such as Nikon’s D3100 and the D5100 cameras. This photo Safari, taught by our always popular instructor Melanie Otto, will make it much easier for you to make the transition to the world of DSLR cameras.

With 10.2 effective megapixels , the D3100 has EXPEED processing and a Scene Recognition System, Active D-Lighting, continuous shooting up to 3 frames-per-second, advanced 3D Color Matrix Metering II, and 11-point selectable autofocus. It also has a bright 3.0-in., 230k-dot TFT LCD monitor. The large monitor also improves readability of menus thanks to a font size that is 20% larger than that of the D60. Extensive in-camera image control is available using Nikon’s Picture Control System, which allows users to customize key digital image characteristics to suit personal preferences. For additional creative control, the D3100 includes comprehensive in-camera editing functions via its Retouch Menu that enhance photos with a variety of effects — without the need for a computer and a dust-retouching system

Going one step further up the line of sophistication, the D5100 has a 12.3 effective megapixel CMOS sensor, Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED image processing system, and compatibility with a comprehensive selection of NIKKOR lenses, and imaging features such as Nikon’s original Scene Recognition System with Face Detection and Active D-Lighting. It shoots as fast as 4 frames per second, has advanced 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 19 automatic scene modes, 11-point selectable autofocus, and four Live View AF modes, along with automatic exposure and white balance bracketing functions. There is also a new Quiet Shooting mode that reduces mirror cycling noise, and its in-camera retouch system includes one VERY cool feature for architectural photogrphers: the ability to straighten out the converging verticals that appear when the camera leans back to get a tall building in the picture!

This Safari will help D3100 and D5100 users put their cameras through the paces of ISO settings, flash settings, white balance settings, file compression, aperture and shutter priorities, focus settings, custom settings, menu navigation tricks, exposure tricks, use of the histogram etc. menu shortcuts inside and outside of the new National Museum of the American Indian,. Special exhibits at the museum pose unique challenges for the digital photographer, especially the mix of daylight and tungsten light. The eight-story high atrium is a great place to practice wide-angle photography, and the carvings and statues provide challenges for your telephoto lens.

See this nice comment, below:

I have taken several of your classes but the class that I took last Saturday with Melanie Otto is the first time I have taken a class with her. She was outstanding.  It was particularly wonderful to have a class devoted to photographers with the camera that I own so each and every question and answer was relevant to me, my camera and to the whole class.  Again, I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the class and most especially Melanie’s teaching.  She was terrific, patient and very instructive.  I now know how to use many of the features of my camera that I didn’t know or didn’t know well before and am comfortable using those features thanks to her expert teaching skills.  Kudos to Melanie.
—Linda Singer