I played around with my new D5100 at a performance last night since I loaned my D700 to a friend considering upgrading. The thing is, I only have one lens with a built in motor to provide Auto Focus to the 5100. That's the 24-70 f2.8. It weighs 900g while the 5100 weighs 560g….tail wagging the dog. or a Sony NEX with zoom ; ) I hold the camera by the lens rather than the grip when moving around. With the crop factor I was at 35-100mm-ish. I was seated on the floor at about 8-10ft from them. They are
Chirgilchin, from Mongolia. [
samples]
The event was a music and storytelling performance last night in a small art space in a home. I figure the lighting would be bad so I used Auto ISO which I have been using on my D700 too. I like it. holding the minimum shutter speed is more important to me than grain/noise.
Funny thing was I watching the singers, I said these photos just can't capture this magic of this sound. Um, Ed… maybe use the video mode? I captured a few short clips (essentially my first). The 5100 has an articulating screen which is very useful for this. Later I ended up shooting stills via the LCD as well--I normally use the viewfinder.
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Above: 1/100s @ f5.0, ISO 1400, 1/100s @ f2.8, ISO 640, 1/100s @ f3.5, ISO 800 respectively More Tuvan throat singers photos [
here]
The D5100 is a great little cam. I wish it had a few more direct buttons to the settings like it's predecessor the D5000. but typically it's I just two straight forward clicks can change the setting (like focus points, and metering)
White Balance (WB) is not perfect with thet 5100. I haven't found the best setting yet. Tweaking is possible in camera. I am slowly learning Lightroom, so I tweek in post. I guess I should try a NEF to JPG conversion of a D5100 image too….so many things to do!
I also went to Dia De Los Muertos last week and shot outside in the dark. This was the first outing with the 5100. I discovered the focusing engine is nowhere as robust as the D700. but the 24-70 has manual override, and I was shooting smaller apertures. so it worked out fine.
White Balance (WB) is not perfect. I haven't found the best setting yet. Tweaking is possible.
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above: 1/15s @ f8.0, ISO 3200, 1/60s @ f5.0, ISO 3600, 1/30s @ f8.0, ISO 6400, 1/50s @ f5.0, ISO 6400 respectively
Dia De Los Muertos photo set [
here]
My main reason for picking up the 5100 was to have a compact DSLR for street and events when traveling very light for snapshots.
The official 35mm DX lens that will autofocus on the 5100 is on its way next week. I am holding off on the used walk around 18-55 lens (kit) until I give the 35 a spin-- maybe I won't need it.
