Nikon D3100 and 81A, 81B filters

[LeeofVa]

Hey guys and girls,
I'm just getting used to my D3100, my first "real" digital camera. Up to this point I have been using 35mm and digital cameras but this is my first DSLR. In the past I have used 81A and 81B warming filters for making skin tones look more "tanned" while taking portraits and some tasteful nudes and it has helped a lot. My question is since the white balance for the 3100 seems to be set for every shot by the light hitting the sensor how do I get the camera to not adjust for the warming filters, thus doing away with the desired results of using them?
Thanks for any info you might post!

[Tito87]

Originally Posted by LeeofVa

Hey guys and girls,
I'm just getting used to my D3100, my first "real" digital camera. Up to this point I have been using 35mm and digital cameras but this is my first DSLR. In the past I have used 81A and 81B warming filters for making skin tones look more "tanned" while taking portraits and some tasteful nudes and it has helped a lot. My question is since the white balance for the 3100 seems to be set for every shot by the light hitting the sensor how do I get the camera to not adjust for the warming filters, thus doing away with the desired results of using them?
Thanks for any info you might post!

Are you setting the white balance manually?

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Don't use auto. You can use a preset WB or define a custom preset (PRE in the WB options)

[nicled]

Shoot RAW & adjust in Photoshop. Unfortunately there is still no coverter for D3100. It has i think filters built in which you can use. Check your manual.

[OsmosisStudios]

Dont bother with filters: learn to shoot RAW and process your images properly.

Film and digital are similar in some ways, but totally different in others.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

I don't completely disagree with Os. When I'm shooting film, I've got a whole collection of B+W filters, a couple NDs, a polarizer, some special colored grads and a handful of other filters. With digital, the only ones I ever need are the polarizer and NDs.

[LeeofVa]

OK, remember I'm coming from the film world so lets see if I get this right. If I set the white balance in the camera to Day White Fluorescent (5500K which is about the mid point of color temp during the day), then adjust the White Balance from there to +4 toward amber and maybe + 2 toward green then this "may" simulate an 81 series filter, maybe 81B. Am I heading in the right direction?
There is nothing in the manual specific to as an 81A, 81B, or 81C (never used that one). Nikon could have helped us make the leap to digital by referencing specific film filters and made this a lot simpler. I've Googled around but haven't found any specific film to digital references to the Nikon white balance adjustments to simulate specific filter. It would make it a lot simpler for us color blind (yes, I'm blessed with that problem) people.
Generally I like warm tones in my picture although cool light has its place and I have used it in the film world many times. A simple chart would really be an asset for me to use since with film cameras there is no white balance so an 81B gives the desired results on film that I want (and have lerned to expect) in a particular situation. There are time, say late afternoon that I would use an 81A or no filter at all with film but with auto white balance or adjustable WB all that I know is thrown out the window. If any of you have done such comparisons let me know what you have found and maybe we can develope a chart for people like me, just moving to DSLRs and save us a lot of experimenting. It would be easier than screwing up an entire shoot to try and get some rock solid comparisons.
Thanks to all those who have made suggestions.