Nikon D5100 beginner basic guide part 2 Menu settings tutorial

An in depth look at all the settings available in the Nikon D5100's menu screens and what they mean and do. This video is also suitable for most of the modern Nikon DSLR's like the D3100, D3200, D5200 and more as the menu systems are similar.
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Nikon and DSLR camera tutorials, guides and reviews. If you need help using your Nikon Dslr camera, then I will guide you through learning the controls and functions. I will also explain the fundamentals of photography such as ISO, aperture and Shutter speed.
Want to learn how to use manual mode on your camera, I will explain how to set a correct exposure using your camera's exposure meter and mode dial.

[@ilaydak9671]

After 3 years of having my nikon d5100 I’ve finally figured out how to use it properly, thanks for that!

[@davidpatterson5039]

Thank you for this video. I bought my d5100 two years ago, coinciding with the birth of my first grandchild, and have left the controls on manual. However, with two more grandchildren coming this summer I wanted to learn more about my camera and try to learn to take better pictures. I have watched at least a dozen video's for beginners and yours is by far the best. I will be coming to you first from now on. Thank you

[@boahnowman]

7 years later.. my D5100 was awesome.

[@tennisbugg]

Thanks for the video. I have been using my 5100 for a while but, it seems there is always something new to learn about it.

[@ivorputnam5958]

Your tutorials are brilliant. You have a great speaking voice and easy to understand. Thanks for taking time to make these.

[@73freebyrd]

Tom, Thank you for such a great tutorial. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options. brilliant explanations. subscribed!

[@turbophoser]

Great introduction of the use of all the menu D5100 settings. I learned more with from your video than a paper manual or other videos combined; can't wait to watch your other available videos on youtube.

[@rickygumedo]

absolute amazing video for a rookie! I was stumped about having shot a lot of great photos in RAW but unable to download due to the large mb but thanks to this video I was able to edit them to FINE. Thanks man and keep them videos coming!

[@MCK33623]

Thoroughly appreciate this video and how it was very specific. Thank you for the great walk-through!

[@snage1]

Thanks for posting this vid - Like many others here, I've just bought the D5100 and found this really useful and very well explained. Cheers

[@andrew_84]

Thanks so much for making this video, the most in depth ive come across, great stuff, really helpful for a newbie like myself!

[@chrisjohn1023]

Thank you very much Tom for this tutorial its very helpful for the beginners like me.

[@MrVonmega]

Good stuff my man... I have this camera being shipped to me on amazon in a few days and your videos are helping me out a lot.

[@paulbridge6063]

Just bought a used D5100, this was very useful, thx

[@sandralm7643]

Thank you for your informative basic guide for the Nikon 5100...

[@paulhorsley8922]

Hi Tom would just like to say great video, it has helped me get to grips with my new camera. Well done mate.

[@5150roc]

Thank you so much really appreciate the time you took to make this video.

[@misissuzy]

Thanks you so much Sir..Its very helpful..i have camera D5100 but i dont know how to use it at the first..now,you explanation very helpful!!

[@siriusgd4753]

Never knew how to change the time for remote use. Thanks! Finally!

[@IMF1943]

Awesome Tutorial. Thank you.

[@philipjadams]

great tutorial Tom learnt a lot

[@kentgallaway4529]

very clear and patient

[@sharadshirali1546]

very informative and to the point.

[@norbertksiazek7412]

very good job man thx for this video! Maby next week i buy my first camera Nikon d5100 !

[@susanernst3263]

Thank you for this informative video on the Nikon d5100. I have a better understanding of my camera.

[@davidericfeltham]

B.B.

[@nicklloyd9165]

Just got a 5100 today. Didn't want to print up 92 pages of manual. Thanks for making this video!

[@BrandonChong7]

Thank you it really help me

[@TheFrancoBlacutt]

Thank U Tom....good tutorial...

[@ACHNACONE]

thanks for this great video

[@jameswhite6396]

Very helpful.

[@Matt-dr5et]

thanks very helpful

[@jesschappell647]

Yay! I just bought one : )

[@cdunnok]

Your video series have been extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@shyrleyramos3631]

thank you so much.

[@SrinivasReddy-bg9ic]

Dear Tom, It's a very nice and informative stuff. I have one question. In my camera the ISO sensitivity settings option is disabled and it is set to AUTO. How can I change it. Also do we need to update the software, if so how can we do it. Thank you. Cheers, Srini

[@denhamk]

Excellent video! 12:53 wish the camera stays in timer mode until I switch it back to continuous!! So frustrating that it reverts after every shot 😭 .. didn’t know about the Range Finder … thanks so much for that.. since my autofocus motor has broken(?) I have to shoot in manual mode all the time now.. so this will really help!

[@denhamk]

aww.. I don't have that feature in my D5100!! I have the rangefinder 'on' and my lense set to M .. but I don't see those bars in my viewfinder.. 😩

[@terencesheldon2757]

The Nikon D5100 beginner basic guide part 2 Menu settings tutorial,first class Helped me to set up my camera

[@richlovin2173]

Great tutorial. Is the a way to disable the built in flash unit. I never want to use it.

[@gbro8822]

Thank you Tom. If you have time could you please do a video on how to shoot a 360 x 180 pano. with this D5100. I fly RC Heli's and Planes and I have a few simulaors on my PC that I can fly on. Alot of guys take a pano of their feild then they can fly on their CP at home. lol If you do make one, could you make it for dummies like me. Your video's help me alot. Please keep them coming. Thank you Greg

[@anamarija631]

I was on M. I will reset now custom settings:)

[@143streek]

hi just watched you vid ref setting on d5100 trying to do a time lapse video . i have too k the 500 pics , done , but cannot make into a video . took image in raw , went to retouch and then edit movie , but this is shaded Dark grey , Not highlighted . am i taking time-lapse in wrong format or do have to turn on the edit movie button somewhere else , many thanks for your help

[@SubwayDJ]

Cheers!

[@gemmaharvey100]

Hi Tom, thank you for the video. I find this much more helpful than reading books! Great tutorial. Please could you tell me how I can see the image I am taking on the screen before I take it? I now I can playback the image but would like to see it on the screen as I am taking it? Probably very simple but I cant work it out. Thank you Gemma

[@TomPhotoix]

I have a video all about it :) Nikon D5100 How to enter live view kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWiwd4B8i7-IsLs

[@TomPhotoix]

Is the camera set to autofocus, and the lens if it has the M/A switch? Press the i button and scroll down to the focus settings, make sure its in AF-S, AF-C or AF-F

[@beaugonzales1543]

Hi Tom, appreciate your tutorial video, it's very informative. I bought an Energizer brand flash ( TTL) for this camera and I have been trying to make it work. Is the flash compatible with the D5100 or is there something that I need to make adjustments on?

[@TomPhotoix]

+Beau Gonzales Nikon uses iTTL for automatic flash, though TTL should still work in a lesser form. Ive never used one though so can't comment further.

[@1995themike]

Great video tom One question, Can you recommend a lower cost lens for my D5100 that would give me clear shots, on very close objects? Thanks.

[@TomPhotoix]

+Allan Surdi Something like the tamron 90mm macro or a second hand sigma 105mm macro. You won't get a super cheap macro lens very often, but both those lenses have been superseded by new models and come up on eBay quite often at reasonable prices. Macro lenses also make fantastic portrait lenses, so you are getting a double whammy been looking at getting one myself as I haven't owned a macro lens for quite a while and feel like doing some more macro shots.

[@roytibbits1916]

hank you Sir for the fine videos ,I have just purchased a Nikon D5100 ,I have hardly had it out of the box yet .My question is ,can I use the Af Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm lens that came with my F65 Nikon and I also have a Tamron 100-300 mm on my new Nikon D5100.Happy to read that this camera is not obsolete .Loved the old F65…

[@TomPhotoix]

Roy Tibbits You can certainly mount the 28-80, but it definitely won't autofocus and might not meter depending on what electrical connections it has. You could use it fully manually though if that is the case.

[@roytibbits1916]

Thank you Sir for your super fast response will the Tamron work in manual as well . Cheers Roy

[@vickyartist3241]

nice

[@yeejinyee7042]

I just ordered this cam yeaterday, its my first dslr and this vid really helps a lot, i just want to know if sigma lense is a good brand to invest on or should i go for the nikkor lenses? I also found a tamron lens brand and have no idea if its good?

[@TomPhotoix]

Sigma and Tamron make some excellent lenses and some not so excellent lenses, depends on the lens really. I've used quite a few sigmas and one Tamron and they've all been excellent, but the cheaper ones aren't as good as the more expensive ones.

[@arieltarot]

Hi Tom, I enjoy your videos a lot, I find them very informative. I just got my Nikon D5100 but I see plenty of noise in my photos, I changed the NR settings but I still get too mucho noise. I have the AF-S 18-55 1:3.5-5.6 GII lens. What coud you suggest me?

[@TomPhotoix]

Joanna García What ISO are you using? Anything above 800 will show some nose, above 1600 and you'll see significant noise. Also if you underexpose and push up the exposure in post processing, this will also produce noise.

[@carlossimaj1642]

so you can't play your video on the camera that was previously saved on a SD card from a video camera?

[@MrWoodmansson]

Hi, I saw that you're shooting meny was different than mine? how come?

[@AtokVlog]

I am new to Nikon and D5100 is the first. This tutorial helps a lot in understanding the camer (a ew lover). I will be using it ti capture footages for my vlog. Read somewhere that the video mode capture duration is 20 minutes. Does it automatically stops after the 20 minutes and recapture the next shot?

[@TomPhotoix]

It stops and you have to manually restart it each time.

[@AtokVlog]

@@TomPhotoix Thank you

[@pascalkahindo1458]

Thank you very but shoo me the settings of grid in Nikon d 5100 please

[@brcsekar]

thank for good video. i have the same camera, when i bought the gave cd, i like to include my name as a author for the photo. please you can told me how i need to do....

[@freyalawton8354]

Hi Tom Thanks for the D5100 vids. Im having trouble with multi exposure mode being greyed out. I have set my camera the same settings as in your vids and cant work out why this is happening. Any ideas?

[@TomPhotoix]

The only thing that greys it out on my camera is the mode dial being on an auto mode. Try either M,A,S or P and see if it comes up. If not Ill have look further into it.

[@TomPhotoix]

Do you want the name in the EXIF file of the photo data file or as a watermark on the actual image?

[@greatlakesgal]

Love the tutorial. Question: When the menu displays "this option is not available at current settings or in the camera's current state"...What do I do about that? I even set it back to mfg settings hoping it would rectify it, but no go. Any advice?

[@TomPhotoix]

It means that the setting the camera is on (usually on the mode dial) is not allowing you to change certain setting. For example if you have the mode dial on auto, you will not be able to change certain menu settings. If you see that message, try putting the mode dial onto M and see if it lets you then. On occasion even doing that won't work, as there are other menu items which override other menu items and disallow them to be selected.

[@greatlakesgal]

***** Well okay then. I thought it was something cosmic and difficult. It is on auto, and I love point and shoot so it should be good to go regardless. Thanks so much for making this easier for me, and for all others. I'm thinking I'm gonna love this camera.

[@yumedrm]

Im new with photography and I'm starting to used manual now, I understand the concept but I don't know what I'm doing wrong! I go to M for moving object f14 1/1000 ISO800 my picture is black D: what am i doing wrong? i know is overexposed how to fix it?

[@BlueMoiraine]

Hi Tom! I wish I would have found your guides before! I've been playing with my D5100 for a while now, I've played with most of the menu settings. The camera won't autofocus anymore in any mode, except when I flick it on live view. I can then hear the lens' autofocus mechanism. I've tried with different lenses, I make sure that they are on M/A, I've tried on AFS and AFC, I've tried it on matrix and single point, I can't hear or see the autofocus kicking in. I've tried taking pictures on A, S, and P. I can focus on manual mode of course. Did I change a setting in the menu that stops the camera from automatically focusing or do you think that something "broke"? I'm the sole owner of this body, I take good care of it and I haven't hit it, dropped it, wet it, etc. thanks!

[@TomPhotoix]

There aren't many things that will stop autofocus and if it works in live view then it can't be a fault its the lens. Its possible you managed to change something. Can you confirm that when you press the "i" key and not in live view that the focus mode is in AF-A, AF-S or AF-C? This must be when not in live view, as it uses a different menu for that. If its not that you have have to do a soft reset to change anything you may have inadvertently set back to default.

[@chabbelita42598]

How can I set the lens to adjust itself again?

[@ruzbachannel2562]

yes

[@bengaluruseva8778]

Hi Tom, These 2 videos really helped me a lot understanding my D5100. Can you please let me know if this has WiFi function so that I can transfer files directly to PC or mobile?. I doubt this model has it. But, if its present, that would be great!. Let me know if I can do any alternatives for wireless image transfers if this doesn't have Wifi. Thank you so much again!. Praveen

[@TomPhotoix]

Hi there, no the D5100 doesn't have built in wifi. The easiest way for wireless transfer would be to use an Eye-fi SD card. This is a SD card that goes in the usual slot but also has a wifi chip inside it. Go to the eye-fi website to see the cards that are compatible as they have serval versions and not all work with the D5100

[@bengaluruseva8778]

***** Thank you Tom for ur quick inputs!. I never thought this kind of wifi SD card existed(probably due to the absence of pro photographer friends!) . Just found couple of models which supports D5100. Will buy in couple of days.You are one of the rarest people in online from which I got help when I needed it. Thanks again!

[@anamarija631]

Hi, AF-C priority selectio Bulilt in AF assist Rangefinder all gray out. How I can change it? Thanks

[@mmxfive]

THANK YOU SOO MUCH Very Helpful!!! When shooting a family of 17, what is your recommended AF-area mode?

[@TomPhotoix]

sara henning I'd use single point focus. Depending how they are posed, you'll want a pretty narrow aperture like f/8, or maybe f/11. Focus on the person in the centre if you have two or more rows.

[@mmxfive]

one more thing.... do you have a vid explaining the aperture...?

[@TomPhotoix]

I do indeed. Beginner DSLR Photography basics: Aperture and depth of field guide

[@mmxfive]

thanks a mil. ;)

[@mmxfive]

This helped a lot.... If my lens goes from an f/3.5 to f/5.8, I need a better lens huh

[@rameshmoorthykera4330]

pl tell me how to turn off date staming on photos

[@ianmcintosh1443]

I'm very new to photography and j would like to know how to use long exposure. I'm not sure if you have a video or not…

[@TomPhotoix]

At the moment I only have this one, not exactly a tutorial but might give you a few tips. On Location: Long Exposure photography with a 10 stop ND filter

[@wendysimpson9514]

Hi does anyone have trouble taking photos with the view window open? my 5100 is so slow at taking them, and seems a heavy click which seems to blur the photo. So I find what I thought was useful,( eg. using my camera above my head and using the flip out view,) pretty much useless.

[@TamekaJHarris]

Hey there Tom, would you say that this camera is obsolete? I have it and am wondering how much time I have left in keeping it. Your thoughts?

[@TomPhotoix]

Absolutely not, its still a brilliant camera. It will last as long as you want it to. Use it until it stops working I say. No reason it should last for many years yet.

[@mohamedeldahrawy8946]

I do like you do put lock mirror up for cleaning close plz answer

[@TomPhotoix]

If it has no mirror lock up cleaning mode then sue you can use mirror lock up to clean, just ensure you have a full battery.

[@princesspari4638]

Why is my camera screen autometic rotating so much although my camera rotation is off.how is it okay?

[@TheUBNtv]

Hello Tom! Just stumbled upon your video. Thanks. We have one of these around and I started poking at it. I am tether-shooting to LightRoom and this setup is forcing me to look only through the eye piece. Is there a way to get this camera to live-view and tether shoot at the same time?

[@TomPhotoix]

+Stillwaters Media Lab I don't believe so no, certainly not with Lightroom. Nikon used to have their own tether software called camera control pro, but it seems to be obsolete now. There may be 3rd party software but I'm not aware of it.

[@TheUBNtv]

Thanks, Tom. Have been trying to find something literally all day. No luck, and really, I'm satisfied with your answer. I really am learning photography formally now (I'm the video guy on the team) and is teaching myself the way I teach my students concerning video composition. Instead of teaching a composition module using a TV screen, I teach composition hands-on using the LCD while actually shooting. So, I was just trying to practice composition while getting the shots in one step. I'm OK with that. Thanks for your reply. Now I can focus my OCD on something else, LOL!

[@TomPhotoix]

+Stillwaters Media Lab you could use hdmi to a monitor and that will show everything you are doing in the camera like changing menu settings and setting composition, but that's the best I can offer I'm afraid.

[@mikemorgan2934]

Very informative, have a problem though. My D5100, when I have on auto mod and after it complete focus it will not take the photo, the shutter button does nothing. It works in manual mode. Any idea? I played with some setting and afraid I changed something I shouldn't have.

[@TomPhotoix]

+Mike Morgan its possible you set it to focus release, which means it will not take a photo unless focused. Perhaps it has not focused correctly, even though you think it may have. Do you have the focus bleep set on? If you do, it will be clear if the camera has focus or not. If the shutter still doesn't work then there is another issue which would require more trouble shooting. It could be as simple as the focus mode you have selected. Make sure the focus mode is on AF-S and try again

[@mikemorgan2934]

THANKS for the quick answer. The more I work with it the more I find I don't know about it. Think I have changed the setting you advised with no result. I called a camera store in a city where I am working next week and will see what he can do for me. Appreciate all the info you have provided through KZbin.

[@Sledgeee]

Hey Tom: I am having problems in regards to self timer control itself. I understand and have set the timer to 10 seconds but for the life of me cannot find the actual control that I need to hit to take a picture. I am a new d5100 user. What button or mode do I have to use in order to have the camera take an actual photo? Do you have a tutorial on self timer use perhaps? I looked through all your videos and did not see any .... thanks

[@TomPhotoix]

Just press the shutter button as normal once you have the self timer function selected from the menu.

[@priyasashi3523]

Where can I find part 1?

[@kjkappes]

Hello, under Autofocus, a1, a2 and a3 are grayed out. My mode is set to M. How can I change it? Thanks!

[@GenocideJones]

Im a beginner in photography and have had this camera for about a year now, it seems so impossible once you get a real camera. My pictures almost ALWAYS come out grainy. i lowered my iso and set my Nr to off and now my camera starts to take a picture.....but after that it never comes back... its almost as if it dies. im not sure what im doing wrong...

[@TomPhotoix]

Sounds like you are trying to shoot in somewhere that’s too dark and the camera is picking a very slow shutter speed. When the camera is shooting, you can’t do anything until it’s finished, so if it picks a 30sec shutter speed, the camera is locked out for 30 seconds.

[@cheontv2744]

hello, your tutorial helps me verry well. But I have a problem can you help me? after I followed your tutorial, my problem was solved. But the thing is I cant edit my pictures in memory card because I cant see the pictures... its just a thumbnail. how could i edit it in the computer..

[@TomPhotoix]

Sounds like you’ve changed the file type to RAW and your computer doesn’t have the codec to view them. Press the i button and find the file type and change it back to jpg, or search google for a Nikon .NEF editor or codec to be able to view them.

[@guilleusworld6119]

Hi Tom, please my camera seems to be blur when am taking snap shots. I do not know what to do.

[@TomPhotoix]

+talla guilleu Shutter speed is too slow. Add more light. Widen the aperture,raise the ISO or use flash.

[@guilleusworld6119]

Ok thanks.

[@1995themike]

Tom, one more question, As i'm going over all of the menu setting with your video, I've noticed, some of my setting are not lit up, like all of yours are, so it doesn't allow me to click onto all of settings, like you can, why is that, and how can i fix this, I'd appreciate your reply. Thank you.

[@TomPhotoix]

+Allan Surdi it's just down to certain settings in the camera or more commonly the mode dial. If you have the mode dial in any of the auto modes, then many options will be greyed out.

[@1995themike]

Oh, i see, Thank you very much.

[@raniaawadh0]

The aperture on my camera doesnt decrease less than F4.5,how can i fix that?

[@TomPhotoix]

What lens is it? I would imagine that’s the widest it can go. If it’s the 18-55mm lens, it will go to f/3.5 at 18mm only and the aperture narrows as you zoom in to f5.6 at 55mm

[@shahirahrozi7046]

May I know how to add grid on nikin d5100 for rules of thirds??

[@TomPhotoix]

You can only add it in live view and not in the viewfinder. Press the info button once in live view to turn them on.

[@shahirahrozi7046]

@@TomPhotoix thank you a lot. Now I have the grid lines on my camera 😊 thank you

[@MrJeffire]

some of the menu settings on my camera was disabled, I cant change some of the settings

[@TomPhotoix]

If you are in certain camera modes, especially the auto ones, lots of things will be disabled. Also certain other menu options will disable certain settings.

[@kentgallaway4529]

battery good nikkor lens 50 mm locked in highest apperture but not auto focusing

[@greatlakesgal]

I have to shoot cinema quality videos and bought this camera because it was touted as able to do it. Other than the sound quality, do you believe it will shoot my tv ads as good as those high end big honkers you see resting on their shoulders?

[@TomPhotoix]

In a word, no. You'll need at the very least a steady cam and some way of focusing. The autofocus is pretty much useless on these, so you'll have to do it manually and to do that smoothly you'll need a focus follower system, and probably a larger screen to see what you are focusing on.

[@greatlakesgal]

***** Well, rats. Thanks for the input. I thought I was going to save some money, but instead, I spent it. Rats. Wish I'd asked that of you before I bought it. At any rate, it will be a great camera for general use...and for still shots for my webpage. You're a peach. Thanks so much.

[@TomPhotoix]

Don't get me wrong, it is possible to get good video from it, but it won't be a case of turning it on and shooting. It needs time, skill and more equipment

[@akiontube1]

I think an additional lens especially fit for the purpose, an additional mic for better sound quality and a tripod stand will do the needful.

[@aidaamira_mr]

I has this camera , but I have a question. When I take a picture, the photo turn out have a straight black at the top of the photo. How to fix that? Does anyone know??

[@TomPhotoix]

Are you using flash for these photos, or is it all the time?

[@aidaamira_mr]

@@TomPhotoix it happen all time . But when I use effects mode it does not affect the photo at all. But it happen in others mode

[@backrack01]

Can you recommend a lens upgrade for this camera?

[@TomPhotoix]

What lenses have you got and what do you like shooting?

[@backrack01]

***** I have the stock lens. It's the af-s nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G. I was thinking of upgrading to the nikon 35mm f/1.8g af-s dx lens. I hear good things about the 50mm but it's FX & from what I read...the d5100 works best with af-s/dx.

[@TomPhotoix]

The 35mm is a great lens. I'd certainly recommend it Great for portraits and low light, plus great to play around with depth of field.

[@backrack01]

***** forgot to mention. I like shooting everything at the moment...lol. I do a lot of urban shooting, people on the street & macro. I haven't done much motion(sports) but, I like to capture people in motion. Wide angle is also useful for shooting downtown. I guess I'm still in my "finding myself" phase and just looking for a nice piece of glass to accompany me.

[@datooo23]

backrack01 Get some Sigma 18-200 mm lens with the optical stabilizer. It shoots great, has very good zoom and is made in Japan. I'm very satisfied with it.

[@jeffa6621]

I cant see rthe image I want to take on the back screen....do I need a repair job ?

[@TomPhotoix]

Are you entering live view?

[@LiaLiana1101]

What is shutter speed?

[@marek1330]

does someone knows anyone who is 400lbs or more heavy?

[@mystupidfacebook]

Coolio

[@singspuccini2109]

Why do you show 7 movie settings while I only have 3 on my D5100?

[@TomPhotoix]

No idea, maybe its down to the PAL/NTSC settings?

[@haniyukumi289]

how to bluetooth to my phone. 😭😭

[@shalabazertheboltstruck8645]

I thaught I knew my camera man 😂

[@TomPhotoix]

M isn't for moving object, its manual. Your aperture is too high, your shutter speed too slow for the aperture, so you are under exposing, not overexposing which is why its black. Get out of manual mode and use shutter priority for moving objects and use a high shutter speed, let the camera sort the aperture.

[@srizil]

Bhojpuri song

[@RAYCPAS]

How do I see what I'm trying to the shoot through the display screen as opposed to through the view finder?

[@TomPhotoix]

Enter live view.