Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

I''ve recently purchased the Nikon D7500. Have done a bit of practice but it is more complicated than I thought...my previous camera was the D3300. So I'm armed with the following:
1) Nikon full manual (downloaded and printed)
2) Steve Perry's "Secrets of Nikon AutoFocus" (also printed)
3) David Busch's book

That's a lot of pages to go through. I thought I'll start with David's book, followed by Steve and leave the Nikon manual for the time being. Or should I start with Steve's first. I know lots of you will advise YouTube and other videos, but I prefer printed material to learn/practice.

Any advice much appreciated...thank you. Grace

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I think go through the manual first then David Busch's book.

RRS Loc: Not sure

I think your order is the best way to go, David's books are always better then the owners manual. After you grasp that info you will be ready for Steve's book with a much better understanding of what he is saying!!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Grace, when I purchased my D700 and later my D800e, I put the cameras aside and just read the supplied manual. Actually, I read it while the battery was charging. Then, I read the manual again, but with the camera in my hands, looking at and making the adjustments listed in the book. I didn't do all of this in an hour. It was over several days. Thus, read a few chapters, look at the features described, etc. Next day, review a bit and move to the next. There is no real reason to rush the leaning process, as it will only get a bit confusing trying to learn too much at one time.
--Bob

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

To be honest, I learn best by seeing. I'd go to Youtube and seach D7500. Find a good overview of the camera and take some time to watch that WITH the camera in your hand. Then, with a bit of knowledge, I would find the printed words more easily digested. I envy your journey. There will eventually be a 7XXX in my hands....

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Manual first, learn what the camera offers and how to use it. I liked the Steve Perry book but cannot compare as I have no knowledge of the Busch book.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

I always read the manual and identify the buttons ...with a charged battery .., I put the camera on my tripod with a ball head so I can work hands free ...with a simple lens 50mm ..read the books you have .., and follow initial set ups ... I like “D7500 Best Settings” I always google it ...I have my IPAD ready for the Utube as a media overage and hands on demo on the screen to explain and demonstrate each function of my new camera ..

You had a D3300 so that’s a good start and gives you a Nikon starting point ....as rmalarz states .., it is not an overnite wham bam slami .., most of us are still learning after years ... I started with a NikonP400.. then a P500.., then a 7100 ..., then a D800E.. then a D810 .., then Finally aD810 ...armed with the basics ..go out and shoot a few ..

Using the Hogg members as mentors ..Utube .. David’s Book .. Dteve Perry ..and practice ...wow .., can’t wait to see your pics ...The D7500 will do amazing things .. even after Purchasing my D810 .., I went and purchased a mint D7100 .. and now use that with my D850 as a crop sensor companion ..

Good luck ...we are here to help ..at any time ..

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Generally, the manual just tells you how to navigate the menu and what buttons do what. Camera guides tell you which buttons to press to use a collection of settings for a particular purpose.
The manual is in a logical order, for quick reference, The guide book is in subject and situation. using both together is probably the optimum way of learning.

I am a 'when and why' man rather than a 'how' man....when do I need a slow shutter makes a lot more sense to me than how do I change to every single shutter speed.

With the collection of books you have - it should be a breeze..

have fun

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

To each his own but when I upgrade I always go thru the supplied manual first to see what has changed and to get my preferences set - photo size and/or ratio, photo prefix, etc. Then I would use Busch's instructions to fine-tune or try different combinations because he explains the reasons, what to expect, etc. Then although don't have other book thinking it would probably be last but could be second if you want to shoot tomorrow.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

My personal preference is to start with the Busch manual or another similar book. This will get you up and running and give you a good feel for the features of the camera. Steve’s autofocus book is excellent but it only covers some aspects of the camera. It is a logical second choice to fine tune that particular aspect of your camera. I only use the Nikon manual as a backup reference. Sometimes it will contain information on something the other books don’t mention.

ledoux Loc: New Orleans

How do you learn best? In answering that question you will have insight into how to best take in the complexity of your new camera. For me it is always just a bit at a time. Read.. Experiment... Shoot.... Red-read. As a technical writer myself, I find David Busch's books outstanding. They are written with generosity, often repeating concepts on related pages because that is where you are in your search. The manual can be good for specific knowledge about a very specific feature. But as a tool for learning, I find the Nikon manuals very disjointed. Again, I find David Busch's books incredibly helpful.

ledoux Loc: New Orleans

How do you learn best? In answering that question you will have insight into how to best take in the complexity of your new camera. For me it is always just a bit at a time. Read.. Experiment... Shoot.... Re-read. As a technical writer myself, I find David Busch's books outstanding. They are written with generosity, often repeating concepts on related pages because that is where you are in your search. The manual can be good for specific knowledge about a very specific feature. But as a tool for learning, I find the Nikon manuals very disjointed. Again, I find David Busch's books incredibly helpful.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"I think go through the manual first then David Busch's book."

In total agreement.

Lloyd LeZotte Loc: Gainesville, Florida

David Busch's books for NIKON Cameras are excellent ... well organized, well-explained and very well illustrated. He adds his experiences with the camera and its features. NIKON Camera Manuals; most manual, are written by technicians and are printed in very small letters ... which for a 90 year old bugger ... I've been using NIKON for 50 years ... mostly because of the excellence of their optics. Hope this helps.

Lloyd A. LeZotte, M.D., Ph.D.
Photographer & Scholar

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I hope these links help.

Excellent video about using the D750
https://www.creativelive.com/courses/fast-start-nikon-d750-john-greengo

Settings
https://photographylife.com/recommended-nikon-d750-settings
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-i-have-my-camera-set-shoot-weddings-73441
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmYJuCZiJWE

Lenses for -
https://photographylife.com/recommended-nikon-d750-settings
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-i-have-my-camera-set-shoot-weddings-73441
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmYJuCZiJWE

And -
In one of these links, there might be a reference to the touchscreen. That was just a mistake. The D750 doesn't have a touchscreen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Qcc3YapUc
https://www.slrlounge.com/top-ten-nikon-customizations-you-must-know/