Nikon D3100 Video is really giving me a hard time…

[Slade Mitchell]

As for these “picture styles” is it a good idea to install those even though I haven’t done it before? Or is it better to just shoot in Neutral, and take out contrast and saturation manually?

[David Rehm]

You could do either but the custom picture styles are easy to install. You will not mess your camera up in any way shape or form. The camera is meant to load these styles into it. I did it for the first time and with no problems. Just follow the instructions.

Also think of it this way – If you still think you could mess things up (our minds have the tendency to let us think like this) Nikons have an option of resetting the camera back to their factory defaults with the press of 2 buttons on the camera simultaneously.

I use, for the most part, the AlvaroYus-Curve Picture Style, for most things.

I haven’t experimented with the picture styles on this link yet:
https://www.similaar.com/foto/flaat-picture-controls/index.html
The Flat_11 is supposed to be the workhorse. I’m actually going to experiment with them tomorrow (we’re taking the kids to a farm to go on hayrides)

I would recommend installing ALL the custom picture styles and then taking your camera out and test film 10 seconds or so of the same shot at the same settings – using each picture style. I would also test the Neutral that is already in the camera. Throw them in your computer and color correct them and see which is better for you.

The principle is – the flatter the picture – the better.

There is alot of free stuff out there to help you get more knowledgeable in DSLR shooting. But I would recommend the site lynda.com. You have access to ALL courses on the site for $25 a month. It’s a great deal. And they’re hassle free, with no problems, when you cancel.
Here a few courses you might find interesting:
https://www.lynda.com/Final-Cut-Pro-tutorials/DSLR-Video-Tips/103707-2.html
https://www.lynda.com/Premiere-Pro-tutorials/Up-Running-DSLR-Filmmaking/105371-2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1linktypeid%3a2q%3achad+perkinspage%3a1s%3arelevancesa%3atrueproducttypeid%3a2

David

[Kenneth Taylor]

The D3100 does not allow you to control shutter or ISO in video mode, only the f stop. Only the D7000 and up allow you to have manual control over everything. You can change the shutter and ISO but it will only effect the still images. Also, to have your aperture changes take effect you have to exit live view, make the change, then return to live view. Again, changing the aperture in live view will only effect stills. What the camera does in regards to ISO and shutter is unpublished. My guess is the shutter is 1/50 and the ISO is auto. I worked for Nikon USA for a few years and Japan would not provide us with that information.