Nikon D5100 White Balance Question

[Mikey-Mike]

Sometimes my Nikon D5100 will let me set the custom white balance but a lot of the time I get an error message that says: “This option is not available at current settings, or in the camera’s current state.”

A few times I noticed that the camera would let me set the white balance and then a few seconds latter if I tried to set it again the camera would not allow it!

Does anyone know what is going on and how to always make the camera set the white balance when I want it to?

Thank you.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Did you follow these steps?

http://m.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-create-white-balance-presets-on-a-nikon-d51.html

 

[Mikey-Mike]

If the exposure meter reports that your image will be under- or overexposed at the current exposure settings, make the necessary adjustments now. Otherwise, the camera can’t create your custom white balance preset.

I hadn't seen that web page but those are the procedures I follow...

I just wondered if there was some know issue and a work around maybe

 

[simonsi]

Are you using a mode that forces the WB setting to Auto? Typically any mode other than P,S,A or M may not let you use Pre as a WB setting.

 

[Mikey-Mike]

Thanks for the reply: I always keep it in "M"

I'm just surprised that other Nikon users haven't come across this

Maybe newer cameras don't have this

 

[Apple fanboy]

Thanks for the reply: I always keep it in "M"

I'm just surprised that other Nikon users haven't come across this

Maybe newer cameras don't have this

I've never had a problem on my D7100 or D750. Are you shooting RAW? Might also be worth checking to see if you have the current firmware, just in case that helps.

 

[Mikey-Mike]

shooting RAW?

Yes I use RAW

I’ll have to take the camera off that and see what happens

I don’t want to go the firmware route because I’m afraid of damaging my camera

Thank you for the help

 

[Mikey-Mike]

Apple fanboy Says D7100 and D750

That’s some heavy and expensive equipment

And you’re saying no problems there

I like the D5100 and have gotten some pretty good video and pictures out of it but somehow I get the feeling that Nikon is saying I didn’t spend enough money to get something that’s not crippled etc...

Like I say, sometimes the operation will work and then a few seconds latter I can try again just to test and it doesn’t work So that’s surprising

Either way, I’m just a hobbyist and I’m going to keep working with the equipment I have

Thank you

 

[Apple fanboy]

That’s some heavy and expensive equipment

And you’re saying no problems there

I like the D5100 and have gotten some pretty good video and pictures out of it but somehow I get the feeling that Nikon is saying I didn’t spend enough money to get something that’s not crippled etc...

Like I say, sometimes the operation will work and then a few seconds latter I can try again just to test and it doesn’t work So that’s surprising

Either way, I’m just a hobbyist and I’m going to keep working with the equipment I have

Thank you

Pretty light weight compared to my glass! I'm just a hobbyist as well.
Hope it sorts it self out, but a Nikon firmware update shouldn't damage your camera.

 

[orph]

might be worth factory resting the camera settings in the options.
you may have done it by accident.
also sometimes you can switch the mode dial and not notice.

it's a good camera so i dont think it's a nikon pay wall

ps if your shooting raw stills it wont matter in the long run, it only matters with jpegs and video.

 

[Mikey-Mike]

I know this is an old thread but I did end up installing the new firmware and that seems to have worked.

If I am unable to set the WB just turning the camera off and then on again will let me set it... so

 

[bhtwo]

I use a nikon... always have the wb to auto then use ps raw to adjust if needed.