How to take better portraits with the Nikon D5100

Lens selection (featuring the 50mm, an overview on aperture and f-number)
Colour selection (picture control)
Portrait Mode (and other scene modes to help make taking photos easier)
For more on this camera, please visit www.d5100.ca
Featuring Mark Cruz, technical representative, Nikon Canada

[@NikonCanada]

Hi there, The 18-55mm & 55-300mm lenses can both be used for portraits. Ultimately, the more you zoom, the better portrait you'll get. For example, zooming the 18-55mm to 55mm, or zooming the 55-300mm lens to 100mm, 200mm, or 300mm, will result in an even blurrier background so your subject stands out. For portraits, we suggest using a larger aperture (f/2.8, 1.8, 1.4), getting closer to your subject, & zooming more. Hope this helps! - The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@NikonCanada]

Hi brianminkc, thanks for your comments. The 50mm lens works well for full or half body shots and you are correct that the 85mm lens is a versatile portrait lens if you are looking to create head shots. If you have any questions about lenses or pricing, please don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-877-534-9910. Cheers, The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@spearo_karibo]

camera bawah air apakah mungkin saya dapat memilikinya sedangkan saya hanya pegawai biasa!!!

[@cessealbeach]

Great Lesson there, also own a D5100 beside a D7100. Having used other brands of cameras, the Nikon takes some amazing portrait shots

[@hrdevv8278]

HI there i am a nikon user i have a nikkon d5100 with 18-135mm lens and pls send me vedios or suggest me how to create more shalow depth of field

[@WingMan1]

Anyone know about changing the magnification of the viewfinder lens? Do I have to take the back off and also what's the current viewfinder magnification please?

[@NikonCanada]

Thanks for your question. You're right, the best portrait focal length would be somewhere between 80mm and 120mm (in FX), so a 50mm (equivalent to a 75mm in FX) is a great choice for portraits. For even better results, try using a wide aperture i.e. f 2.0. Hope this helps. Thanks again for reaching out! Cheers, -The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@nivedkrishna228]

I have seen so many crap videos about shallow depth of field(bokeh)....but none gives a nicer info about it except for urs....gr8 video

[@MrPaTh17]

hi I chose to buy the 18-105mm lens over the 18-55mm lens was this a good choice ?

[@aidaamira_mr]

Hi . I have a question. My d5100 have black spot on top of the picture. Did you know why? Please help me. Thank you.

[@praveenranasinghe5686]

nikon nikorr 50mm f/1.8 has an aperture ring ? what should i choose to control DOF .. aperture ring or the wheel in rear side of the camera ?

[@Circa829]

Hi, I got the Nikon D5100 and a 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-300mm telephoto zoom a few months ago. I was wondering what lens would be better for portraits, to have it really professional and to isolate the person from the background. Also, what one is better for video recording. Thanks.

[@arindami28]

for portrait which type of focus technique i hv to choose? single focus point or multi focus point.. at infinity focus, i am getting bit out of focus pic.. so pls help..

[@rogeliotapia]

do you have this video in more quality? what lens you recomended for take portraits childrens?

[@NikonCanada]

Hello, Thank you for your question. Unfortunately not. 50mm prime lenses (f/1.8 or f/1.4) have significantly wider apertures, and thus have different optical characteristics. For example, the prime 50mm lenses will have a shallower depth of field when shot at wider apertures. This is what helps to produce more desirable portrait results. Hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Cheers, The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@NikonCanada]

Hi Praveen, Yes, the NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D lens has an aperture ring. Aperture controls the depth of field, so when you want to change the physical aperture on the lens, it needs to be done on the camera itself (with new bodies). To do this, the little orange/red switch on the lens will need to be "locked." Once locked, it will give your camera control of the aperture. Hope this helps! Cheers, The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@marinobiebermudez1944]

Hi Mark I just purchased the Nikon d5100 and I wanted to know if you can direct me to the lens I would my for closeup portraits and a lens to capture photos of my children playing sports and group shots. Thank you

[@jasonh1339]

Hi, I am debating buying this lense but its a toss between the 50mm and the 35mm? I believe the 35mm would give a more true depth of field than the 50mm because the d5100 doesn't have a full size sensor. I.e Dx camera. I mainly want to take portraits with my nikon D5100.

[@NikonCanada]

Hi Claire, Thank you for your comment. What lens are you using? In the video, Mark is using the AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D lens, which can go to f1.8. If you are using the 18-55mm or 18-105mm lens, it's best to zoom out to either 55 or 105 and keep the lens wide open at f5.6 for better portrait shots. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Cheers, The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@NikonCanada]

Hi Arindam - For portrait shots, we suggest using your camera's Single Point (AF) mode. With good light control and a static subject, Single Point AF ensures that the most important element in the composition, such as the eyes in a portrait, will be sharply focused. Also, remember to lightly press the shutter button halfway down to allow the camera to focus on the subject. When you're satisfied with the image, press the shutter button the rest of the way down to capture the shot.

[@ddescvvb]

Hi to all, I am trying to find an answer to a question that is frustrating the hell out of me. Hopefully someone who knows will read this and reply, Is there a way to turn the lcd screen off ( while facing you ) when using the viewfinder to shoot?? I am used to a camera that does that and displays the picture for a set time after shot taken, then returning to off again. Hope that is explained ok and I would really appreciate any comments on this.

[@kostis007]

240P?

[@NikonCanada]

Hi Ntinaras, the Nikon D5100 records Full HD D-Movies at 1080p. Please let us know if this answers your question. Cheers!

[@kostis007]

NikonCanada i know about the d5100,i was wondering why this video is only in 240p? :(

[@orirune3079]

+Ntinaras Probably because it was uploaded in 2011.

[@kostis007]

+Kanga Banga in 2011 there was more than kust 240p available.

[@lw8seven317]

yea wtf

[@claudiaftprivacy6478]

But the standard lenses dont go lower then 4.5, and making a portrait with 100mm i would agree with. But 200mm?

[@mecute37]

is the AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D lens compatible/AF on D5100? nice video

[@melvidal]

What if there is a bright setting sun in the background. My pictures came out looking like there was fog in the background. Sadness

[@waelwael1912]

thanks a lot for these informaton

[@MarianaLOGEN]

you should zoom into the cam's screen. it was hard to see what you were talking about...

[@666firehead]

hi i wanna buy this kit , are you satisfied with the product? :) thanks

[@NikonCanada]

Hi Maria, The AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G is the more traditional portrait lens, as it allows for a tighter shot. However, that also means it has less overall uses. On the other hand, the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX lens has a wider angle, which means you can use it for things like indoor group shots and for street photos. In the end, the choice comes down to personal preference, so if you can try them out first, you can see what results you like best. Good luck! -Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@braintrain5000]

I have a 18-55MM and 55-200MM can i set it to 55MM and enjoy the same results that i could get from a single 55MM lense for potraits ?

[@Smooth1productions]

1 I HAVE THE 18-55 MM/ 50MM/55-200MM TO USE WITH MY D5100

[@clairelou9638]

you say that the F number will go to F1.8, but i can only get mine to 3.5. Am I missing something?

[@11glenna]

well ..explained ...thanks!

[@NikonCanada]

Which country are you located in?

[@aidaamira_mr]

Malaysia😑

[@uttiyapurkait9842]

India

[@marinobiebermudez1944]

My sorry the number that I was given cant be reach for my area. Thank you for trying to help

[@fournier1592]

1.8 isn't ideal for portraits unless you are about 20 feet away. If you are too close ( head shots ) and you shoot at 1.8, you will not be sharp. The nose might be, but the eyes wont be. 2.8 is my recommended aperture! :)

[@trishatherese9673]

no matter how many times I look for a way to make my aperture less but it always end up at 3.5 😞 please help

[@ELHipnacio]

@@trishatherese9673 not all lenses go that low. The zoom lense it usually comes with only goes down to 3.5 lowest

[@trishatherese9673]

@@ELHipnacio thanks hahaha

[@ashlayjangtoo2044]

which lens it betterfor portraits?? nikkor 50mm 1.8G or nokkor 50mm1.4G?? thanks :)

[@ashlayjangtoo2044]

means the 1.4g is better?

[@ashlayjangtoo2044]

thanks team

[@albertbenny7430]

Watching in 2021 lol

[@dormamo6917]

Mark cruz is so cute. Does he have youtube channel?

[@ehdzram4990]

If you want to take portrait, better use your 55-300 between 55 to 100 focal length. Take into consideration that D5100 is a crop sensor DSLR so your 55mm will be around 82mm. Set your Aperture to f/4.5 (largest aperture in 55-300). Frame your shot using your feet without using the zoom function of the lens. Good luck on your portrait with a nice bokehlicous effect.

[@marinobiebermudez1944]

The United States I'm a beginner in photography so I want to make the right decision when i go to purchasing my lens.

[@meddyclassic2734]

Nice

[@claudiaftprivacy6478]

I just bought a d5100 and i am digging thrue the menu's. One thing i allready noticed is the high level of noise on audio. Even i use good quality microphones that normaly dont show any noise at all, in all the sencitivity options there is noise on the audio. LPCM should be at cd and dvd quality level, but with this kind of noise it doesnt comes close to that. It is really a pitty, Nikon spended so much time on the picture quality, but audio seems a lost child.

[@fuadibrahim1017]

hey there, thanks for this video, how can i take a pic of movable target?

[@Ruperth316]

judging from your accent,you sound like a Filipino to me,coz I am :) btw I just got a D5100 and looking for tutorials like this vid.

[@NikonCanada]

Another good resource you might want to check out for more information and tips on our cameras, settings and effects is our Digitutor website at nikondigitutor[dot]com. We hope this information helps! Cheers!

[@NikonCanada]

Not to worry! Our toll-free line in the U.S. is: 1-800-645-6687. Cheers!

[@claudiaftprivacy6478]

That stay's weard in the US, that you cant reach every number.

[@Erinaceus_europaeus]

Or to be precise 33 and 1/3mm

[@cozmiicwizard95]

Bro I can't see shit

[@Erinaceus_europaeus]

Umm no the 50mm isn't the most "natural" lens to use because the sensor in the d5100 is smaller than a fully sized sensor. This gives you a crop factor of 1.5 so the most "natural" lens would be the 35mm because it equals a 50mm lens on a camera with a fully sized sensor.

[@timberray9572]

I only had one glass of wine and everything is fuzzy, damn good wine.

[@freshswarm8932]

you work for nikon and the quality for this vid is 240p wtf

[@NikonCanada]

Hi there, We hope you're enjoying your new camera! Would love to give you some lens suggestions. Please give us a call at 1-877-534-9910 and one of our representatives would be happy to go over your options. Cheers, The Nikon Canada Social Media Team

[@jimrichardson729]

Funny that this video is slightly out of focus

[@marinobiebermudez1944]

*Sorry* a close up lens for portraits☺

[@NikonCanada]

Hi WangKeu, Please give our technical support line a call at 1-877-534-9910 for more information. Cheers!

[@joseramos7218]

I only can see your face bro... I know you so handsome, but in this case better focus to your camera...

[@brianminkc]

The 50mm is hardly ideal for portraits. Its not long enough.

[@brianminkc]

Maybe thats why Nikon charges 4X the price for the 85mm

[@eazizisaid]

We are Nikon, yess let's shoot these videos with potato...

[@Amanet13]

I can barely see what you doing there.You should’ve zoom inn.We can still hear you talking but this is not the best video