A Sea Of Red

I purchased my first DSLR today I bought the Nikon D5000. How many of you have DSLR's and what was the best way you learned how to use different ISO's and other settings? Anything else I should know?

I heard those things come with a booklet, or something like that. Pretty neat.

Edit: I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. Maybe I'm just slightly jealous.

do DSLRs have auto settings as well like the point and click cameras, or are they all manual?

Yes but from my experience in DSLR's learning a few minor changes can make a world of difference.

it depends on what you're trying to do. Use auto for almost all of your pictures unless you're trying to have a very specific effect. And if you are, then you have to learn about basic photography principals and practice. I find that the easiest way to get good pictures, is to use auto and DONT use the flash. I'm assuming you just have the built in flash bulb. Most of the time the flash is necessary but if you can get a clear picture without it, do that.

it comes with the 55mm lens however I would like to also buy a 200mm or 300mm. Any recommendations? Sigma seems to be pretty cheap but anything else I should consider? It seems to be pretty tough to get reviews on lenses.

Also what websites do you use to learn from?

Here are a few websites:

http://www.cameralabs.com/

http://www.digitalreview.ca/
(This one has a comparison between Sigma and Nikon 200mm zoom lenses)

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/

Check amazon regularly for deals on lenses. I had pretty much given up on the idea of getting a 300mm zoom for my Olympus because they were so high, and out of the blue it came up for just about half price and I grabbed it.

Hold My Own wrote:it comes with the 55mm lens however I would like to also buy a 200mm or 300mm. Any recommendations? Sigma seems to be pretty cheap but anything else I should consider? It seems to be pretty tough to get reviews on lenses.

Also what websites do you use to learn from?

I have a sigma 300mm and it is awesome outside during the day. It actually doubles as a macro lens so that's pretty cool. The reason they're cheap is because they're slow. For example, I've never been able to take a picture in the Vines with it, without it blurring.

The lighting in the Vines is awful for photography. I have the same problem with my Zuiko 300mm (Olympus house brand). You need the "big glass" to get good shots in there.

When I got my DSLR, I tried to do a bunch of reading to best utilize it. After a lot of trying, I found this book, Understanding Exposure. It is by far the simplest, yet fairly comprehensive description of how best to understand ISO, aperture, and shutter speed and their relationship with each other.

You should read this book and you will never shoot in auto mode ever again, and your pictures will improve dramatically.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exp ... 792&sr=8-1

I have a DSLR. I took 2 photography classes at LU and learned a lot. I very rarely shoot in auto mode because you have no control in that mode. I shoot in "P" a lot because it sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically but you can control the ISO if you want or set it on auto, and all the other features too.

HMO, I can show you some stuff some time if you want. Just shoot me a PM or something

You bought a Nikon, I can not help you! You're on your own!

Rooster Cogburn wrote:You bought a Nikon, I can not help you! You're on your own!

+1

He's wanting to know how to take good pictures. The same photography principals apply to Canon's too.

Oh I get it....cannon must be for n00b's who dont know photography basics and Nikon's are for advanced users

Anyways, no I'm not trying to start a BMW Vs Benz thread

Like Lukon said, basic photography tips and tricks that you've learned along the way are universal and I thought it would be good to hear.

Hold My Own wrote:it comes with the 55mm lens however I would like to also buy a 200mm or 300mm. Any recommendations? Sigma seems to be pretty cheap but anything else I should consider? It seems to be pretty tough to get reviews on lenses.

Also what websites do you use to learn from?

Do not, I repeat, do not skimp on glass. It is what makes a shot. Sigma is junk. Go for a real name brand. Go down to Lynchburg Camera and ask for some guidance on lenses. You do not have to buy there, but they are great for advice.

You can rent lenses here: http://www.rentglass.com/welcome.aspx I refuse to click on the Nicon button.

Learning: http://photofocus.com/ or here http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp and some great books here http://www.betterphoto.com/store.asp I have one that is helpful from Jim Miotke (digital nature photography).

Another tip from me: It's all been done before. Look at some work from photographers that you like their work, and try to copy their framing techniques, use of light, or style till you find one you like.

OH YEA, LENS REVIEWS: Go here: http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/ dpreview does great camera reviews and I've used them for years. The lens reviews look great too.

Hope that helps.

That may the most useful post that Rooster has ever bestowed upon us. Why have you been hiding these secrets?

i dislike you for having a digital slr... i have a film slr that i love... hope to move up to digital by the end of summer

ALUmnus wrote:That may the most useful post that Rooster has ever bestowed upon us. Why have you been hiding these secrets?

He must have closed his eyes and pretended everyone on FF has a Cannon

I have a Canon, but it's not an SLR. Can you use lenses with a non-SLR digital camera?

I'm open to ridicule.

no, there'd be nothing to attach it to.

Hold My Own wrote:How many of you have DSLR's and what was the best way you learned how to use different ISO's and other settings?

I have one.

I learned by reading the manual.

Seriously. I'm not saying that to be a jerk. The manual that Canon gave out with my camera was really good. Since it was a consumer-grade SLR the manual they made for it was a really nice introduction to shooting with SLR cameras.

I also spent a lot of time on Flickr studying EXIF data to learn how to produce the types of shots I liked, technically speaking. Learning what a good shot looks like was an entirely different story.

I've loved my DSLR, but I've definitely learned it's limitations at this point. I bought it in 2006 when it was top of the line and now I'd really like to upgrade. That's not happening any time soon, though.

My best advice is to learn what kind of shots you like and what type of subject matter you'll primarily be shooting. Then study up on what makes the best shots for that type of material. The equipment, the settings, everything. I wouldn't buy a new lens until you know what you primarily want to shoot.

I get by almost completely with my cheapo 50mm lens because of what I shoot. I've rented lenses for other things, but the 50 pretty much lives on my camera. I almost always shoot in Av (aperture priority) or fully manual because I'm usually going for shallow depth of field in my shots and I like having that kind of control.

With the D5000 you have a pretty decent ISO range to work with. If you get yourself a fast telephoto lens, you should be able to get shots even in dark places like the Vines. (I'm assuming you want to take sports shots.) Fast glass is expensive, though.

Um. That's all I have to say right now. Everything Rooster said was right on.

That's interesting about studying the EXIF data...never thought of that. I guess that would tell a pretty good story, I didnt know Flickr or other places like that upload that data as well.

ALUmnus wrote:That may the most useful post that Rooster has ever bestowed upon us. Why have you been hiding these secrets?

This is my hobby. I even make some money with it at times. You touched on a topic I love.

Rooster Cogburn wrote:

ALUmnus wrote:That may the most useful post that Rooster has ever bestowed upon us. Why have you been hiding these secrets?

This is my hobby. I even make some money with it at times. You touched on a topic I love.

Nikon cameras? Interesting.