The Best Settings for Shooting Videos with the Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera

Introduction

Nikon D3400 is for the beginners in photography .One of the prime aspects of this camera is that it can shoot full high-definition –1080 at 60fps (Frames per second). Another advantage of this camera is that it has a lot of effects and modes that helps the photographer to explore around various creative options. One of the drop back of this camera is that it does not have an external microphone unlike the other cameras of this category which is the reason while shooting videos sounds cannot be recorded with this camera.

Recommended Camera Settings

To get the perfect photos/videos with this camera for professional video editing it is highly advised by the professionals to set up the camera according to the following settings .

The Playback menu settings are to be followed even though initially the settings are in the default mode

None (image only)–Checked (entitled to overexposed regions in the picture blink black and white)
RGB histogram -Checked
Shooting Data- Unchecked
Overviewed – Checked
Image Review-ON (this is to make sure whether the picture will show up immediately after it has been taken)
Auto image rotation ON (commands the rotation of vertical photos when they are being displayed on a PC).
Rotate Tall -OFF (this remains so to prevent the vertical photos from being too narrow on the camera and the head must be turned to see the vertical photos while the camera is on a tripod

Photo Shooting Mode is the next thing is to be set up in the Nikon D3400 to get the best of the photos from this device.

Some complex settings that have to be set up are:

Image Quality; NEF .Use JPEG format over the RAW format for better clarity
Image Size – keep it in the gray area while shooting under the RAW quality .Choose “L” for the best quality while shooting in the JPEG mode or “M / S” for lower resolution and lower file size.
Keep the ISO sensitivity at 100 and “ON” that matches with whichever ISO you would be using.
Keep the shutter speed at the minimum.It is better to set this to Auto or manual that will stop action if the shooting is done at a greater motion.
White balance is set at AUTO
Maximum Sensitivity-3200
Set Picture Control-SD or Standard that is the normal value unless there is a specific reason to change it as per your knowledge of the issue.
Color space – Adobe RGB if the shooting is done in RAW as it causes no changes in the photo itself and provides a slightly more accurate in-camera histogram. sRGB if the shooting is done in the JPEG mode
Active D Lighting – OFF,especially important if the shooting is done in RAW as it affects how the camera measures up the scene
Noise Reduction, Vignette Control and Auto Distortion is being turned off as it does not affect the photos shot in RAW mode
Focus Mode should match the chosen settings from the information button

3. Setup Menu or the Wrench icon menu is something is rarely changed for example, the copyright info any device .This menu is still equally important and the settings will be discussed

Memory card format: Click Yes only when you want to remove all the photos and videos from the device once and for all.This action is irreversible hence it is too important to make sure you do really want to delete these photos from the device. Hence it is important to do the format once it is being uploaded into a different device such as a PC
Date Stamp -Off
Info display format: can set up on how you want the background color and the font of the display to be.
Auto info display format is kept OFF as it protrudes when the shutter button is half pressed .It can be turned on the next time by just pressing on the INFO button
Lock up the mirror for cleaning – Used for manual sensor cleaning only and grays out when the battery life is low.
Flicker Reduction: Auto
Rangefinder -OFF (This puts a dot in the viewfinder to help the user use the manual focus)
HDMI
Output Resolution – AUTO
Device Control -ON
Airplane Mode – Only useful to disable image transfer connection to a smartphone .
Slot empty release lock- Release the lock so that you do not accidentally take photos without the memory card.

Final Words

The settings mentioned above are to give the users a better idea on how to use the camera .Nikon entry level DSLR have been succeeded by the newer ones but this camera is still the best in terms of the image quality and intuitive interface and could be a good bargain despite its drawbacks..