Who uses a Nikon 5400 for pics? Got any hints for me on using?
Colorfulcoins
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I just got one and now I have tolearn all over again how this camera works - what does and doesn't work, suggested setting etc.....anyone already have it figured out? I'd love tohave some hints beyond using macroand pushing the button! Thanks,
Craig
If I had it my way, stupidity would be painful!
If I had it my way, stupidity would be painful!
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I took these with my 5400 yesterday.
If you want to play with the camera more, these are the settings I use. I sent this to another forum member with a 5400 yesterday.
1. For shooting coins I use Aperture priority mode "A" on the big dial. The aperture is set on the small dial. The camera sets the shutter speed. I tend to use higher aperture numbers (shows what the aperture is in the lower right of the screen as F7.6 for example) to get a good depth of focus. If you are taking pictures at an angle you want enough depth to the focus to get the closest and farthest parts of the coin in focus. If you are trying to get color out of Morgans and shooting at an angle, I would stick to an aperture of 7 or more.
2. I allow for manually setting the focus area (by the round "joystick button) on the lower right of the camera. Get this by hitting "menu" button, go down to and click "show all menus". Keep hitting down button on joystick until you get to page 2 and click on "focus options", then hit "AF area mode", Then click "manual". Now when you're taking pictures it will show 5 brackets on the screen, the red one is where it is focusing. You can move that red area around with the joystick button. (I often use the outside one to get the coin out from under the camera a bit more). If shooting at an angle I focus about 2/3 to 3/4 up the coin ( i think it tends to focus on the slab which is in front of the coin and cheating up will put the focus plane at about the center of the coin that way).
3. I meter the exposure off the place where it is focusing off of. Hit "menu" , click "metering", then click "spot autofocus area".
4. Macro focus. Hit "AF" button. White mountain will show up first, hit it again and you get a flower. Flower is macro mode. You want to keep that flower green. If it's white you have too much zoom on the lens. It only allows good macro focus with a tiny amount of zoom. Hit the "AF" button again And it will keep the macro mode but add the auto timer feature to the exposure (sounds like you found that already). But you gotta keep the flower green or macro won't work properly.
5. White Balance. Turn the big knob to WB. Hit right arrow on joystick on "White bal preset" The camera will do a little jig. click down to "measure" and hit the center button on the joystick. Do this with a piece of white paper below the camera with the lights on the you intend to take the pictures with. You should get and accurate white balance as long as you don't change things too much.
Cool! Thanks for posting that info