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Nikon D5100 For Dummies Paperback – 27 July 2011
Eager to take a shot at using the exciting new Nikon D5100? Then this is the introductory book for you! Aimed at first–time DSLR shooters who need a friendly guide on how to use their camera, this straightforward book is packed with full–color images that help demonstrate how to use features of the Nikon D5100. Coverage explores the on–board effects, low–light settings, and automatic HDR shooting. Clear explanations detail the ways in which you can use the new features of the Nikon D5100 to add unique shots to your portfolio while an explanation of photography terms gets you confident and savvy with this fun DSLR camera.
- Covers basic camera controls and functions, shooting in auto mode, setting photo quality, and navigating menus and the view screen
- Introduces the basics of photography, including the settings that control lighting, exposure, focus, and color
- Addresses the new low–light and HDR settings
- Encourages you to use the new onboard effects features and shares tips for improving images with editing software
Get a grasp on the fun Nikon D5100 with this fun and friendly guide!
- ISBN-101118118197
- ISBN-13978-1118118191
- PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
- Publication date27 July 2011
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions18.8 x 1.98 x 23.42 cm
- Print length368 pages
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Product description
From the Back Cover
Your D5100 is made for creative expression. The more you understand about your camera, the more fun you can have. Learn about all the settings, find out what all those technical buzzwords mean, and then start getting creative — begin mastering exposure, manipulating focus, shooting video, and sharing it all online, by e-mail, or in prints.
A perfect setup — learn how to set up your camera for basic shootingand how to get the best results in the fully automatic modes
Movie time — choose the right quality, focus, and audio options, then record and edit HD movies
Go pro — move out of Auto mode and take full control over exposure, flash, focus, and color
Explore exposure — get the scoop on f-stops, shutter speed, ISO, and other exposure controls
Learn to share — download and process your images for prints or online sharing
Open the book and find:
When to use JPEG and when to shoot Raw
Advice on basic photo settings
Tips for shooting still photos in Live View
What you can learn from a histogram and other picture data
How to tweak exposure with Active D-Lighting and HDR
Comparisons of editing programs
Which autofocus settings work best
Ten fun and useful photo effects
Learn to:
Take professional-looking photos even if this is your first dSLR
Use the autoexposure Scene modes or move up to manual control
Get creative with exposure, color, focus, and special effects
IN FULL COLOR!
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : John Wiley & Sons (27 July 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1118118197
- ISBN-13 : 978-1118118191
- Dimensions : 18.8 x 1.98 x 23.42 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 373,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 203 in Digital Photo & Video Editing
- 411 in Photography Equipment (Books)
- 512 in Digital Photography (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Julie Adair King has brought the joy of digital photography to millions of people through her best-selling book Digital Photography For Dummies, now in its ninth edition. She also writes For Dummies guides to Canon and Nikon digital cameras, helping new users get the most from every camera feature. In addition, she has penned books about Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and photo retouching. When not writing, she offers photography and photo-editing workshops as well as private instruction. A native of Ohio and a graduate of Purdue University, King resides in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Author photo by MaryAnn Beraha
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book helpful as a reference guide. They find the information clear and presented in a straightforward manner. The book is easy to follow, with concise explanations and illustrations. Readers consider it an excellent resource and a good value for money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to follow and informative. They find it written in clear, concise terms with pictures and diagrams. The information is presented in a very clear manner, and it adds something to the instructions that come with the camera. Readers appreciate the setup of the book, which allows them to dip in and out for different parts of setting up the camera.
"...very talented author for this masterpiece - yes, it explains the basics simply and clearly but it also deals with the clever stuff in a way that..." Read more
"...It is well written and presented and has a clear, easy to read text...." Read more
"...In fact I still have a lot to learn and practice. The book is very clear to follow and very,very informative. Full marks to Julie Adair King" Read more
"This books been a godsend for getting the hang of my camera! Its been well read & getting a bit tatty now but that’s surely the sign of a good book!..." Read more
Customers find the book helpful as a reference. They say it's full of useful information about their camera and offers advice on using advanced features to improve photography. The information is clearly presented and guides you through using the camera step-by-step. It is better than the included user manual, with sections organized in a way that allows you to make notes and add references.
"...yes, it explains the basics simply and clearly but it also deals with the clever stuff in a way that makes the scales fall from my eyes...." Read more
"..."For Dummies" book... I was, and still am, surprised how very useful it is. At first I figured it would be way too basic...." Read more
"...the manual to a much more in depth level and offers some advice on using the advanced features to improve your photography skills...." Read more
"...The book is very clear to follow and very,very informative. Full marks to Julie Adair King" Read more
Customers find the book helpful and well-written. They say it's a good value and worth buying.
"...RAW was, let alone how to customise a DSLR - but after owning this fabulous book for three days I'm confident that the combination of my D5100 and..." Read more
"...regret paying out for this excellent "Dummies" book... well worth the money and is useful... surprising very useful." Read more
"Wonderful book, although I am quite an experienced photographer, there are sections in this book that the manual supplied with the camera does not..." Read more
"...well read & getting a bit tatty now but that’s surely the sign of a good book! It has lots of screen shots of how the menus on the camera look...." Read more
Customers appreciate the clear pictures in the book. They find the screen shots useful and add to the instructions. The book has a good section on image manipulation, but it's not in-depth.
"...There is also a good section on some image manipulation, but it isn't in depth...." Read more
"...It has lots of screen shots of how the menus on the camera look...." Read more
"...A very well written book with loads of information. Lots of pictures which u can use it as reference...." Read more
"...The pictures are useful and it definitely adds something to the instructions that come with the camera itself." Read more
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2015Comments from Pip C; My only problem with this book? I can't put it down. I've been a keen photographer for about 40 years and during that time I've used a variety of semi-auto and manual film SLRs and TLRs. 5 years ago I put my toe into digital water with a very nice bridge camera - very successful results but I never really took it off the AUTO setting and consequently didn't learn much about the "digi aspects" of modern photography.
A month ago I treated myself to my first DSLR, a shiny new Nikon D5100, which has left me delighted beyond belief. However, I felt that I needed to learn more about the mysteries of digi in order to get the best from my new Nikon so, after some research and many reviews, I settled (with reservations) on "Nikon D5100 for Dummies." Before reading this book I'd been a little unsure about the "for Dummies" part of the title as I am completely familiar and at ease with photographic terms such as aperture, shutter speed, focal length etc as I've been playing this game for a long time - so I didn't want a book that explains how to use a camera for absolute beginners only.
I needn't have worried. I've read numerous photographic books in my time but this one really does the trick. I'd like to personally thank the very talented author for this masterpiece - yes, it explains the basics simply and clearly but it also deals with the clever stuff in a way that makes the scales fall from my eyes. A week ago I didn't know what white balance or RAW was, let alone how to customise a DSLR - but after owning this fabulous book for three days I'm confident that the combination of my D5100 and this addictive piece of writing will make me the photographer I've always wanted to be.
If anyone from Nikon is reading this; why can't you write camera manuals as well as you build superb cameras?
In short, if you have a lot of experience in manual and semi auto photography and if, like me, you find the technical aspects of digital photography somewhat daunting - OR, if you're a complete beginner who is lucky enough to own a Nikon D5100 as your first camera - THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. The perfect companion to a superb modern DSLR.
Pip C.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 May 2014This is my very first "For Dummies" book... I was, and still am, surprised how very useful it is. At first I figured it would be way too basic. I have used many camera's over quite a few decades and thought that the book would be mainly for the "first time photographer" Well it is for the first timer, but it is also structured so that even the more experienced camera addict will find it both relevant and interesting too. I got "Nikon D5100 for Dummies" 'cos I had never had a camera like the D5100 before and I wanted to get the most out of it. I would say that if you have recently purchased the Camera you will not regret paying out for this excellent "Dummies" book... well worth the money and is useful... surprising very useful.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2013The D5100 has been around for a while now and the price has dropped substantially and so it is a bargain to be had. If you are thinking of getting one then this book takes the manual to a much more in depth level and offers some advice on using the advanced features to improve your photography skills. It is well written and presented and has a clear, easy to read text. As with all reference books it isn't something you necessarily read from cover to cover, but you can do if so desire.
My D5100 was my first step into the DSLR world and off-the-bat I was getting good results with the full auto mode. However, I was determined to get to know some of the settings of the camera. So I picked up this book and sat down with the camera and started to experiment. Whilst the camera features are mentioned in the PDF document manual some of them were not fully explained and some assumed knowledge was needed to grasp what was being said. This book has filled in those gaps for me and explained what the features are in simpler terms.
I would guess that anyone with a good knowledge of photography and DSLR cameras will not pick up a great deal from this book, but if there are lots of features that still confuse you, then this is a good starting place. There is also a good section on some image manipulation, but it isn't in depth.
Bottom line: A good starting point for venturing out into the DSLR world with a D5100 and you want someone to hold your hand
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 September 2013Wonderful book, although I am quite an experienced photographer, there are sections in this book that the manual supplied with the camera does not even mention and one would never know the full capabilities of the D5100 without having this book. In fact I still have a lot to learn and practice. The book is very clear to follow and very,very informative. Full marks to Julie Adair King
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 October 2017This books been a godsend for getting the hang of my camera! Its been well read & getting a bit tatty now but that’s surely the sign of a good book! It has lots of screen shots of how the menus on the camera look. Its well laid out & divided into chapters so you can go to the exact thing you need help with quickly.
I really like these Dummy’s guides, had a few for my computing degree a few years back!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 December 2012This is a very useful guide to the Nikon D5100. The information is specific to the controls and menus on the camera and has helped me understand and use the controls and menus better to get the best out of the the camera. This is the first Digital SLR I have owned so having a guide to how to use it is very useful. The information is very clearly presented and guides you through using the camera step by step. Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2013It is too early to give a satisfactory review for this book as I have not fully covered every aspect of the chapters. I am only a very elderely person and I find it difficult to check out all aspects of the book, But so far I am pleased with what I have read so far
Top reviews from other countries
Vipin DasReviewed in India on 14 August 20145.0 out of 5 stars must buy with Nikon d5100
Its a must buy book with your Nikon d5100 to take the most out of your camera. The book starts right from the basics. Worth the money spent.
HankReviewed in Canada on 23 September 20125.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the Nikon D5100
My first SLR camera was purchased to take pics of homes for the ral estate business as my wife and i are bothe agents. There is certainly a large learning curve from the old point and shoot and we found that the Nikon D5100 for Dummies helped us get going faster. There is a lot to learn and we find by reading the chapters as prplems arises aaaais very beneficial.
pm444Reviewed in the United States on 6 January 20125.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for the D5100 owner
First of all, ignore the "For Dummies" part of the title, as this book is aimed at users ranging from beginners to those with some experience, and it's certainly not written for dummies. It is one of several excellent books that focus specifically on the Nikon D5100. Each has its strengths, and in this case, the book offers many color photos showing the camera's controls and menu screens along with a wealth of helpful information. It is well organized, the author goes into a lot of detail, and she presents the material in a way that allows the reader to quickly find just what he or she is looking for. Then, if you want to go further, the information is there.
For me, this has become my go-to reference manual for the D5100. It has a very good index, so when I want more information on a certain topic, it's easy to find. I usually find additional information that adds to my understanding of the camera, and photography in general.
I have not worked through this book in a systematic way, as I have with Rob Sylvan's book Nikon D5100: From Snapshots to Great Shots, but instead I use it as a supplement. In fact, these two books make a great combination. Sylvan presents his material almost like a course, starting out with basic concepts and building up to more complex ones, while King covers each topic in detail from the beginning. I certainly refer to this one often enough that I would not want to be without it.
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JoséReviewed in Germany on 31 May 20135.0 out of 5 stars Sehr sehr gut!
Das Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Es fängt an mit den Grundlagen und auch sehr wichtig, ein Paar Sachen die man beachten soll um manche Probleme zu verhindern (wie duplizierte Dateiamen zu verhindern, oder der Fokusmechanismus zu beschädigen).
Ich war neulich in Urlaub mit meiner Kamera und ich bin sehr zufrienden mit dem Fotos die ich dort gemacht habe. Ohne das Buch wären sie vielleicht nicht so gut geworden.
Ich würde es auf jeden Fall empfehlen.
robertReviewed in Australia on 18 April 20164.0 out of 5 stars This Ebook is the bees knees of books.
I haven't read it all but I found this book really great already it was a great purchase. These books are made to teach dummies and that is what it does it gives you all the hit and misses and it is easy reading.
