Nikon D3100, User Manual

Page: 180 / 318

88
t
A
The Shooting Menu
White balance can be selected using the White balance option in
the shooting menu (
0
131), which also can be used to fine-tune
white balance (
0
89) or measure a value for preset white balance
(
0
90).
The
I
Fluorescent option in the White balance menu can be used
to select the light source from the bulb types shown at right.
A
Color Temperature
The perceived color of a light source varies with the viewer and other conditions. Color
temperature is an objective measure of the color of a light source, defined with reference to
the temperature to which an object would have to be heated to radiate light in the same
wavelengths. While light sources with a color temperature in the neighborhood of 5,000–
5,500 K appear white, light sources with a lower color temperature, such as incandescent
light bulbs, appear slightly yellow or red. Light sources with a higher color temperature
appear tinged with blue. The camera white balance options are adapted to the following
color temperatures:
•
I
(sodium-vapor lamps):
2,700 K
•
J
(incandescent)/
I
(warm-white fl.):
3,000 K
•
I
(white fluorescent):
3,700 K
•
I
(cool-white fl.): 4,200 K
•
I
(day white fluorescent):
5,000 K
•
H
(direct sunlight):
5,200 K
•
N
(flash):
5,400 K
•
G
(cloudy):
6,000 K
•
I
(daylight fluorescent):
6,500 K
•
I
(mercury-vapor lamps): 7,200 K
•
M
(shade):
8,000 K
A
The Fn Button
For information on using the
Fn
button and the command dial for white balance, see page
146.