Nikon D5100 User Manual

Page 59

The AF-Assist Illuminator

If the subject is poorly lit, the AF-assist illuminator will light
automatically to assist the autofocus operation when the shutter-
release button is pressed halfway. The AF-assist illuminator will not
light:
• In live view or during movie recording
• During manual focus or if live view is off and continuous-servo

autofocus is selected (AF-C selected for focus mode, or
continuous-servo AF selected in AF-A focus mode)

• If the center focus point is not selected in

c (Single-point AF), d (Dynamic-area AF),

f (3D-tracking (11 points)) AF-area mode (0 42, 43)

• In shooting modes in which the AF-assist illuminator can not be used (

0 216)

• If Off has been selected for Custom Setting a2 (Built-in AF-assist illuminator;

0 158)

The illuminator has a range of about 0.5–3.0 m (1 ft. 8 in.–9 ft. 10 in.); when using the
illuminator, use a lens with a focal length of 18–200 mm and remove the lens hood. The AF-
assist illuminator will turn off automatically to protect the lamp after a period of continuous
use. Normal function will resume after a brief pause. Note that the illuminator may become
hot when used multiple times in quick succession.

See Also

For information on focusing in live view, see page 100. For information on using release
priority in continuous-servo AF, see Custom Setting a1 (AF-C priority selection,

0 158).

Custom Setting d1 (Beep;

0 161) can be used to turn the beep speaker on or off.

AF-assist illuminator