Shutterbug57

If font size in the manual is an issue, download the pdf so you can see it larger. I believe 5he OP has done this, then printed it.

OP, I always read the manual while the battery is initial charging. This lets you know where they put things and makes you aware of any new features that you may not have seen before. I also download the pdf to my iPad so I have it in a searchable handy reference. I would then read the other manuals you have mentioned after reading the camera manual.

donald4u Loc: California

Manual, Busch and Perry. Wow!!! There are lots of utube Vblogs on setting up the 7500. From Jared Polin to Tony Northop to Steve Perry. On the back of the camera is a question mark. It does a good job. My suggest is pick one of the guys Vblog and used it. I think you will enjoy this camera. I am planning on getting one soon.

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

Her camera is the D7500 not D750.

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

The OP stated in her post that she prefers printed material to video.

was_a_guru

I recommend John Greengo’s “Fast Start D7500” course from Creative Live. (https://www.creativelive.com/class/nikon-d7500-fast-start-john-greengo).

It’s $49 and covers all the features you will need to master the camera. It’s 26 lessons (streaming and/or downloadable).

It also includes all of the slides he presents (pdf format) for future reference if needed.

I was so pleased with this course I have subsequently purchased additional photography courses from him.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Don't get overwhelmed by all the information in the books!! I once made the mistake of wanting to know everything at once and it just doesn't work!
For at least the last five years or so, my method of learning has been this:
When it's quiet in the house, I'll get my camera bag and my books beside me on the couch, take out one of the books and just flip through it, till something catches my attention. I'll read through that paragraph, chapter, section, then get my camera in hand and try to do what I just read. Several times.
And sometimes put a sticky on the page so that a narrow edge is just visible outside the book.
Time permitting, I'll try to repeat the action the following day, without the book.
Or, if I hear some talk or read about some specific action, I'll look it up in the books, and then work the that action on the camera. Again, repeat next day.
Some things I learned, I'll never use again. Others become favourites (like back button focus).
With all that, our fireplace, tv, and view from the window are the most photographed items with my cameras, as I don't have to get up to try out my new knowledge :-)

This method of learning was started by my Dad: I was 12 yrs old, and had asked him to borrow his camera for a school field trip. Before leaving in the morning, he showed me how to set the f-stop and exposure time, looked outside for the weather and also gave me the numbers to use. Then made me do it. Several weeks later, for another event, with completely different weather, he allowed me to take that camera again. Then first asked me how to set f-stop and exposure, and went on to explain that today the numbers had to be different because the weather was different (bright sun first time, heavy overcast second time). Gradually he taught me different things, but always in little steps. This method is still working for me today (some 60+ years later).

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I do too. If you read something in the manual that you don't understand, then just look up that same topic in the Busch book and see how he explains it. You might get a better explanation from the Busch book.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The only problem is... the OP got a D7500 (not a D750).

Videos can be helpful for a quick overview of general functionality OR for more detailed explanation of fairly specific techniques. But a video would have to be hours and hours... maybe even DAYS... long to encompass all the info in a guide book or owners manual.

I am not familiar with the specific books the OP asks about, but I always start with quick read of the owners manual, then spend more time with a guide book (incl. some from David Busch, tho for other camera models), then look at more in-depth things like Steve's discussion of the AF system.

It's impossible to "learn it all" in one sitting or even in a series of them. Best to just try to get familiar with the books and then keep them handy as reference while starting to work with the new gear, consulting them as needed. There's probably a lot of info in all those sources that's unnecessary for what you'll actually do with your camera... along with stuff that's vitally important. For example, I don't shoot video with my DSLRs, so I pretty much skip those sections of the manuals and guide books.

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

Hi all you lovely people - thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post - much appreciated. My head is spinning!! I have started to go through the manual but am finding it hard going so left it and started going through David Busch's book. Immediately I realised it is easier to understand as it explains things. I also did watch Jared Polin's video on this camera (before I started David's book) and found it helpful as well. I think the best is to go through bits every day and try to remember them and be patient...Rome wasn't built in one day as they say. I'm so impatient - I want to get up in the morning as an expert on my camera...I'm trying it out thoroughly next Sunday, weather permitting. Fingers crossed...thanks again...Grace

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I went through the same thing when I got my D7500. I found that Steve Perry's opus is the fastest way to get into using the camera properly. To me, focus and composition is far more important that the various settings and exposure. I now shoot RAW so lots of things can be fixed in PP, but you can't fix focus and composition.

So, I read Mr. Perry's book, slapped a 128gb SD card in the camera, set it to RAW with fine JPEG and set it up for BBF according to Mr. Perry's book and kept it on auto for most of my shots. As I got more familiar with the camera and focus concepts and settings, I started playing with Aperture and Shutter speed and reading other books.

As you so eloquently said, Rome wasn't built in a day, but the D7500 will allow you to take great pictures in full auto and afford you as much control as you want; it will not limit you. I realize it's blasphemy to say "use auto" but it's a great way to get familiar with the camera, get great pictures and not get discouraged.

I like reading books, in fact I love reading books and manuals (and I write them also,) but DOING is even more fun.

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

Thanks for all these links - but I've got the D7500 - I think I've got enough material to get me going...Grace

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

Grace, I think it depends somewhat upon how you learn. Certainly the experienced photographer will probably go through the provided manual carefully. I have been a Nikon photographer (non-professional) for over 50 years, have a degree from an excellent college and worked in a technical field for my working career. However, the truth is, I don't have the patience to try and figure out the provided Nikon manuals. I recently purchased the Nikon D-850 and bought David Busch's book. I found that to be much better. It provides pictures and examples that are much better than the Nikon manual. In the end, of course, I retain the manual and look at it for reference but, for learning and getting used to the settings, I find Busch's book so much more convenient. He takes the time to try and explain things while, I find, the manual just states something and presumes you understand. Steve Perry's book is great but should be used after you are comfortable with your new camera. At least this is my two cents worth of advice.
Scotty

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

At the moment I'm using P mode. I haven't got around to setting the BBF. You're right about focus and composition. We're having lots of rainy weather here so am waiting for a decent day to go out to practice..I'll get there eventually..[N quote=Pegasus]I went through the same thing when I got my D7500. I found that Steve Perry's opus is the fastest way to get into using the camera properly. To me, focus and composition is far more important that the various settings and exposure. I now shoot RAW so lots of things can be fixed in PP, but you can't fix focus and composition.

So, I read Mr. Perry's book, slapped a 128gb SD card in the camera, set it to RAW with fine JPEG and set it up for BBF according to Mr. Perry's book and kept it on auto for most of my shots. As I got more familiar with the camera and focus concepts and settings, I started playing with Aperture and Shutter speed and reading other books.

As you so eloquently said, Rome wasn't built in a day, but the D7500 will allow you to take great pictures in full auto and afford you as much control as you want; it will not limit you. I realize it's blasphemy to say "use auto" but it's a great way to get familiar with the camera, get great pictures and not get discouraged.

I like reading books, in fact I love reading books and manuals (and I write them also,) but DOING is even more fun.[/quote]

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

I'm not a very quick learner but once it gets into my brain it tends to stay there. You're right about the provided manual. The more I read David's book the more things make sense. Thanks Scotty

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Jerry ... no, you're right, the D750 doesn't have a Touch Screen, but the D7500 which Grace bought - DOES!