Just got my first DSLR....
May 20, 2013 19:33:21 #
bowmar wrote:
A Nikon D40X w/ 18-55 & a 55-200mm lense. Have... (show quote)
Bowmar, welcome to the Hog.
You just took 5 gigs of perfect fotos, and your in a real hurry to screw them up? Hmmmm. What's the hurry, you know your way around photography, so it will come quickly. No need for a hurry. Read your manual and try stuff out. By the time you know EVERY function and what/how it works/does, you will be cruising along on auto-pilot. Better to go slow and learn it well than to never quiet know why that happened.
Anyway Bowman, that's my strategy.
Again, welcome and good luck.
May 20, 2013 21:42:08 #
Bowmar,
I have a similar, but lesser physical problem, results of a minor stroke. At first, I couldn't even hold a camera with my right hand. Now I use a lighter camera to avoid the shakes. I'm NOT recommending you change cameras! Just a physical operational point or two. Make sure to keep your right arm tucked in tight. Use your eye, nose, whatever you can, to provide a point of stability. And cradle your lens with the left hand; don't reach over the top to make adjustments. Lastly, if using your right fore-finger on the shutter is difficult, get a bracket with a built in cable release so you can use your left hand.
I do hope your rival jobseeker got his comeuppance. You will do fine. Just keep shooting pictures. I have seen several of the videos at the previously recommended site:
http://www.photographycourses.biz/all_photography_videos.html
and can highly recommend them. Simple, direct and practical. Best of luck.
I have a similar, but lesser physical problem, results of a minor stroke. At first, I couldn't even hold a camera with my right hand. Now I use a lighter camera to avoid the shakes. I'm NOT recommending you change cameras! Just a physical operational point or two. Make sure to keep your right arm tucked in tight. Use your eye, nose, whatever you can, to provide a point of stability. And cradle your lens with the left hand; don't reach over the top to make adjustments. Lastly, if using your right fore-finger on the shutter is difficult, get a bracket with a built in cable release so you can use your left hand.
I do hope your rival jobseeker got his comeuppance. You will do fine. Just keep shooting pictures. I have seen several of the videos at the previously recommended site:
http://www.photographycourses.biz/all_photography_videos.html
and can highly recommend them. Simple, direct and practical. Best of luck.
May 20, 2013 21:53:54 #
Thank you ...but I'm not tryin' to ruin 5BG of good photos...Just wanna' begin to understand how I could have done it better...
May 20, 2013 22:00:06 #
olcoach
Loc: Oregon
Welcome bowman to the UHH. Take your time and get on here as often as possible. You will find many people asking the same questions you have, and will have. You will be amazed on how much you'll learn just following along, and if you have questions of your own ask away as you will find so many knowledgeable people ready to help. Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike
May 20, 2013 23:38:20 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
bowmar wrote:
A Nikon D40X w/ 18-55 & a 55-200mm lense. Have... (show quote)
Wow, so sorry to hear about your misfortune, but to be honest, if your description of events is correct, it sounds more like attempted murder than an accident.
May 21, 2013 00:41:18 #
bowmar wrote:
Thank you ...but I'm not tryin' to ruin 5BG of good photos...Just wanna' begin to understand how I could have done it better...
You aren't going to ruin anything. The first video suggests using Program, then easing into Aperture Priority. You're not new at this. You've probably shot hundreds of film shots with AP; once you start, it will come back. I've found out that it's like riding a bicycle; you never forget (at least not in the first fifty years). Although, I must admit the shifter on the bike was about intimidating as my re-introduction to manual shooting - kind of a "what the heck do I do now?" moment. It does come back!
Do NOT use your Sigma flash until you are sure the trigger voltage is low enough to be safe. What is the flash model? We can check the trigger voltage.
May 21, 2013 06:08:19 #
Annie_Girl wrote:
I recommend picking up a copy of Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson http://www.amazon.com/dp/0817463003/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=2261012531&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7776660421374885566&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5yx6gqcw2r_b
It will get you on your way.
Sadly there are no magic settings to give, it all depends on the light you have available and the final product you are looking for.
It will get you on your way.
Sadly there are no magic settings to give, it all depends on the light you have available and the final product you are looking for.
Brian is excellent.
May 21, 2013 07:05:42 #
Bowmar
Three suggestions -
First, read the manual to learn what the several settings do - DO NOT worry about "WHEN" to use them, just "WHAT" they sre and "HOW" to manipulate them.
Second, as someone else suggested get Understand Exposure by Peterson to learn about the "HOW" and the "WHY"
Third - Practice what Petetrson presents in each chapter.
Three suggestions -
First, read the manual to learn what the several settings do - DO NOT worry about "WHEN" to use them, just "WHAT" they sre and "HOW" to manipulate them.
Second, as someone else suggested get Understand Exposure by Peterson to learn about the "HOW" and the "WHY"
Third - Practice what Petetrson presents in each chapter.
May 21, 2013 07:10:40 #
I read the Manual twice and two books from Bryan Peterson twice and took about four thousand pictures.
May 21, 2013 08:02:27 #
Radioman
Loc: Ontario Canada
Linda From Maine wrote:
Annie, I think you missed the part where OP said is no novice to SLR's and has been shooting since 1964.
Hi Linda,
After I retired and started back into photography, I had a similar problem. I needed a light camera - so I bought one of the first Sony NEX-5's It took some very nice photographs - but the menu system was very confusing. Took ages to work through the screens to change the setting to what I wanted. At times, I gave up and took some on Auto. I went to the Henrys camera show in Toronto (Canada) and went to the Sony area to ask one of their 'specialists' for help. I was told that they did not know much about the NEX 5 as it was a consumer product. They were there to help with the pro cameras.
I thought that was a rather sad response. So I took the NEX-5 back to the camera store and and bought a Nikon D5100. It is light enough for me - the D300 was far too big and heavy. There are menu's but they are very easy to use.
May 21, 2013 08:05:15 #
oldmalky
Loc: West Midlands,England.
hello and welcome Bowmar sorry to hear about your disability but with your determination i am sure you will find it a breeze and when you do come back and teach me!!!
May 21, 2013 08:34:14 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
Not to be disrepectful, but you sound just like me when I went from film to digital! Took my brand new D40 out, put it manual mode, and thought "where in the &#@@ is the f/stop dial on the lens?" Looked in the manual and it made no sense to me. Shot it Auto Mode for over a year and then discovered Youtube. How I shoot almost exclusively in Manual. I use the other modes when I want a particular effect.
May 21, 2013 08:37:10 #
Hi Bowmar, I used a D40 for about 3 years and loved it. It is very simple if you just keep shooting and learn to use the different settings. It was my 1st real digital and even for an old guy who is not that much into technology I learned how to use it. On thing that helped me was Ken Rockwells user guide. Find it at kenrockwell.com
Go to camera and lens review,Nikon,scroll down to D40, then MyNikon user Guide. Helped me a lot. Good Luck.
Go to camera and lens review,Nikon,scroll down to D40, then MyNikon user Guide. Helped me a lot. Good Luck.
May 21, 2013 11:21:57 #
May 21, 2013 11:56:01 #
I bought a d40 (with the same lenses as you) right after they came out and used it 'till March, when I upgraded to a d 7100. I used it with all my flash equipment (including studio flash). The D40 is a work horse works well with anything. I switched lenses for a single a Sigma 18-250 macro for convenience but also to add the macro. I also recommend Ken Rockwell's manual, available for a contribution.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.html
I'm told the difference between the D40 and D40x was 6mp vs. 10mp
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.html
I'm told the difference between the D40 and D40x was 6mp vs. 10mp
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