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D3200 : Crippled Manual mode & Live view

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As much as I enjoy the new D3200 amazing IQ very much, some things bother me a lot :
  • Manual mode : basis Iso starts only at 200 in manual mode (need stronger ND filters for 2.8 video in regular light), all other modes start at 100 Iso.
  • Manual mode : NO manual shutter speed control bellow 1/30th in live view : how weird ?
  • Manual mode : NO aperture control in live view (need to shut LV off, change aperture and put it back on)
  • Finally, the same issue as other "amateur" bodies : when you select the timer delay (2 sec timer) you need to go back every time to set it on after 1 shot...
The lack of true manual control in live view is pretty awkward : WHY ???
 
I don't have a D3200 but if it's like the D7000, when you're in manual movie mode the camera limits the shutter speed at 1/30 or faster, since it thinks you intend to record a movie rather than a photograph. Switch out of manual movie mode and you'll have full shutter speed control (page 91 of the D3200 manual)
 
Horshack said:
I don't have a D3200 but if it's like the D7000, when you're in manual movie mode the camera limits the shutter speed at 1/30 or faster, since it thinks you intend to record a movie rather than a photograph. Switch out of manual movie mode and you'll have full shutter speed control (page 91 of the D3200 manual)
Click to expand...
Great thanks for the input, I will try this now, the lack of direct aperture in video and 200 iso limit is still something weird.
 
Nikon have not really nailed live view, and I can tell you having used every other maker's bodies a variation of them, Nikon by far have the weakest live view of them all.

It's not the end of the world as I don't use it that much, better there than nothing. But it's really just thrown in there, no histogram, no real exposure preview, can't use DOF preview button either, live view only shows aperture used before you enter LV.

Bit of a shame really, but this is Nikon it takes quite a while for the message to get through.
 
The lack of Aperture control in LiveView is a common issue shared with other Nikon DSLR cameras. I believe it has to do with hardware limitation.

You can get around this by:

1. Go into LiveView, change the aperture, take a photo in LiveView. If you record movie now, it will be the new aperture setting.
2. Change the aperture, then go into LiveView.

3. Use a non-G lens that has aperture ring. You can change the aperture manually on the lens.
 
FTH said:
As much as I enjoy the new D3200 amazing IQ very much, some things bother me a lot :
  • Manual mode : basis Iso starts only at 200 in manual mode (need stronger ND filters for 2.8 video in regular light), all other modes start at 100 Iso.
Click to expand...
I was able to use ISO 100 in 'M' mode. Both in normal release and live view.
Didn't try video -- so maybe that was what you were referring to.
 
yeap as Horshak pointed, you need to switch OFF full manual video control to get back to manual aperture + shutter speed and 100 iso control in still mode (manual mode). If full manual movie mode is switched on , shutter only goes down to 1/3o and doesnt allow you to go under 200 Iso (true native iso ? )
 
FTH said:
As much as I enjoy the new D3200 amazing IQ very much, some things bother me a lot :
  • Manual mode : basis Iso starts only at 200 in manual mode (need stronger ND filters for 2.8 video in regular light), all other modes start at 100 Iso.
  • Manual mode : NO manual shutter speed control bellow 1/30th in live view : how weird ?
  • Manual mode : NO aperture control in live view (need to shut LV off, change aperture and put it back on)
  • Finally, the same issue as other "amateur" bodies : when you select the timer delay (2 sec timer) you need to go back every time to set it on after 1 shot...
The lack of true manual control in live view is pretty awkward : WHY ???
Click to expand...
The real question is why you bought a camera without knowing about all these issues, you seem to find so important in the first place. The D3200 is not "crippled" it's an entry level dslr, and a remarkable one at that. Stop all your bellyaching, and go shoot some images.
 
fotolopithecus said:
The real question is why you bought a camera without knowing about all these issues, you seem to find so important in the first place. The D3200 is not "crippled" it's an entry level dslr, and a remarkable one at that. Stop all your bellyaching, and go shoot some images.
Click to expand...
So, no one can ask any question, or make any negative comment here?
That's certainly what it seems like.

As to the D3200 being crippled...

Manufacturers often segment their markets. If you want to have a product
at two price points, you don't put all the features in the lower priced model,
or no one will buy the higher priced model.

Certainly the lack of a focus motor is an example of this.
Life is full of trade-offs.

Maybe it was just the work 'crippled' that set you off.
 
fotolopithecus said:
The real question is why you bought a camera without knowing about all these issues, you seem to find so important in the first place. The D3200 is not "crippled" it's an entry level dslr, and a remarkable one at that. Stop all your bellyaching, and go shoot some images.
Click to expand...
The OP's comments are intelligent and the questions are reasonable. No one spends hours studying the reference manuals of every camera they are considering to buy in order to capture every twist in the way the cameras operate. The Live View quirks that Nikons have really ARE quirky. I have the D5100 and was sadly disappointed in how the Nikon LlveView setup works (or doesn't work).
 
Silent Nan said:
fotolopithecus said:
The real question is why you bought a camera without knowing about all these issues, you seem to find so important in the first place. The D3200 is not "crippled" it's an entry level dslr, and a remarkable one at that. Stop all your bellyaching, and go shoot some images.
Click to expand...
So, no one can ask any question, or make any negative comment here?
That's certainly what it seems like.
Click to expand...
There is indeed a bit of less constructive critisism at times. You have to weed through it to get to the better info. Just the nature of this beast.... US politics seems to be the same now :)
Silent Nan said:
As to the D3200 being crippled...

Manufacturers often segment their markets. If you want to have a product
at two price points, you don't put all the features in the lower priced model,
or no one will buy the higher priced model.

Certainly the lack of a focus motor is an example of this.
Life is full of trade-offs.

Maybe it was just the work 'crippled' that set you off.
Click to expand...
I think the "crippled" topic has been run into the ground the last few days. It's taken the place of the filter vs no filter debate :)
 
leoda said:
fotolopithecus said:
The real question is why you bought a camera without knowing about all these issues, you seem to find so important in the first place. The D3200 is not "crippled" it's an entry level dslr, and a remarkable one at that. Stop all your bellyaching, and go shoot some images.
Click to expand...
The OP's comments are intelligent and the questions are reasonable. No one spends hours studying the reference manuals of every camera they are considering to buy in order to capture every twist in the way the cameras operate. The Live View quirks that Nikons have really ARE quirky. I have the D5100 and was sadly disappointed in how the Nikon LlveView setup works (or doesn't work).
Click to expand...
Can't speak for others, but I certainly inform myself fully through various sites, and reading before a purchase. What gets on my nerves is the extent to which some will whine over trivial matters, like you with your live view. "Oh no! my live view is quirky, this camera is crap." Its the image quality that's the first, second, and third, most important things. Good grief.
 
fotolopithecus said:
Can't speak for others, but I certainly inform myself fully through various sites, and reading before a purchase. What gets on my nerves is the extent to which some will whine over trivial matters, like you with your live view. "Oh no! my live view is quirky, this camera is crap." Its the image quality that's the first, second, and third, most important things. Good grief.
Click to expand...
What you said isn't correct. I think my D5100 is fabulous, and very worth the $$$ I paid for it, and I love the pictures it makes.

However, when exchanging information with other photographers (you folks) about it, I will say its LiveView operation (for still photos) "is crap" and should be improved with the next few design iterations.
 
leoda said:
However, when exchanging information with other photographers (you folks) about it, I will say its LiveView operation (for still photos) "is crap" and should be improved with the next few design iterations.
Click to expand...
It's better than nothing but yes Nikon's live view is half baked and not as useful as it "should/could" be.

I don't find it a show stopper myself, but more work to do here.
 
leoda said:
fotolopithecus said:
Can't speak for others, but I certainly inform myself fully through various sites, and reading before a purchase. What gets on my nerves is the extent to which some will whine over trivial matters, like you with your live view. "Oh no! my live view is quirky, this camera is crap." Its the image quality that's the first, second, and third, most important things. Good grief.
Click to expand...
What you said isn't correct. I think my D5100 is fabulous, and very worth the $$$ I paid for it, and I love the pictures it makes.

However, when exchanging information with other photographers (you folks) about it, I will say its LiveView operation (for still photos) "is crap" and should be improved with the next few design iterations.
Click to expand...
No camera will EVER be perfect, and all you constipated, feature obsessed, ocd prunes, need to get a grip on what matters. If you want to take exquisite photographs you need two things, talent, and a camera lens combination capable of high image quality. Period!
 
Barry Fitzgerald said:
It's better than nothing but yes Nikon's live view is half baked and not as useful as it "should/could" be.

I don't find it a show stopper myself, but more work to do here.
Click to expand...
I agree on both counts.

I traded my D60 for the D5100 partly to get the rotating screen and LiveView for ground level shots. For the last 25 years, I've been carrying a DR-3 right angle finder in my bag and thought those days were behind me. But, sadly, I still have to carry the DR-3 and adapter and swap out the eyecup to shoot what I want, not using the LiveView at all.

Hoping they fix that for my next camera.
 
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