lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.

just got a d-7100 i;ll need a year to get this down!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Every night before going to bed, read a chapter from the camera's manual. Whenever you find the time, try out what you've learned from your bedtime reading. Eventually it will sink in. Be persistent.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

That's the EASY part!!
SS

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

You didn't mention anything about your knowledge of photography. If I am correct in thinking you are new to photography, start with the auto setting. Then, as you see the need, expand to other settings. Just take it slow, read books especially ones specifically for the D7100 as well as basic photo books (Petersons "Understanding Exposure" comes to mind). Finally, enjoy the journey.

ggttc Loc: TN

There are TONS of tutorials on You Tube...Get a bowl of popcorn and a note pad...I have that camera and it is fun and fairly easy to learn.

Don't be intimidated by the size of the manual...Both Nikon and Canon manuals are written by deranged people who haven't taken their meds in 2 months. Dont be intimitadated by the number of menu selections you have...when starting out you might need 5 or 6 of those options

The first 6 pages of the manual are a lesson in how to turn the camera on...but when they get to important info you get a few sentences. Do read the manual tho...and research from there.

Most importantly, go out and shoot some pics. Check the exif data and compare that with how the image turned out.

tramsey Loc: Texas

ggttc is right about the manuals. When I got my 7100 I read the manual and scratched my head. The manual said one thing and the camera something different. I got David Busch's field guide on it and it became MUCH easier. I didn't think about y tube then but I checked it out and for me they are all pretty good. Good luck on getting familiar with your new toy. Post a couple. Reread what LarryFB (the pelican) wrote, more good advise.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You got it so now go full auto and see what happens.

BebuLamar

That's not a problem! I hope you don't want to buy a new camera before one year.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

My first digital camera was the D7000. Yep, right out of the box I put it on full auto and it started taking great photos. I don't know what your photographic background is, but I had done plenty of film photography and was fully aware of the exposure triangle, so the first thing that I learned was about shooting in various modes....shutter and aperture priority. That's where I suggest that you start. Also, the manual is a poor way to learn your camera. Get Mastering the Nikon D7100 by Darrell Young which goes into everything the manual does but more fully. Use it like the old software manuals. As you need to know something, use the index and look it up. Two areas that I would suggest reading in the book are the areas on focusing and metering.

Also...setting up your camera will be important. The book will help you on that as well. However, experiment with the setup and you'll learn a lot yourself.

BTW....Go out and shoot on full Auto and have fun. Then, choose something stationary and select aperture priority and select your ISO based upon the light. Play with the dials. You will see how they affect your aperture selection and then the corresponding shutter speed, and which dial affects which.

Also, shoot the same object using the three different meter selections and notice the difference.

Make sure e/v is at 0. Read about e/v. While in aperture or shutter priority you can adjust e/v when taking your photograph. Just make sure to return it to 0 when finished.

lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.

i've been into photography for 40 years,just not used to all these buttons.i will be taking everyone advice ,and i am ordering the books recomended.thats why i love this site,everybody helps,thank you again. luke

lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.

thanks gonna do that

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Have fun!!

One of my first shots with the D7000 right out of the box. This is my s-i-l.

(Download)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

LoL, what's wrong with wanting a new camera in a year!?
I started digital in 08 with a used Canon 20D, and wanted a new camera before I even GOT the 20D!!!
What if he wants to start shooting sports?
A 7100 is NOT exactly a rocket ship!!!
SS

BebuLamar

He would then didn't finish with the first one.

Jim Bob

Good for you.