Maggie678 Loc: Maine

I bought a DSLR Nikon D3100 on Friday the 20th of Apr. I've been working all weekend to figure out how to use it. I'm a new pic taker. I don't consider myself a photographer. I try so hard to learn everything & remember everything about Fstop/aperture/& ISO. Then when I go out to take pics I forget....It's tough to get old. The memory just isn't what it use to be...
I can't seem to accomplish or even understand how to focus the viewfinder.. I called Nikon & they were so helpful but, I still don't get it....I have an appt this afternoon with my photo teacher & hoping she will be able to help me. I am not the most patient learner. Sorry to vent....

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I guess you are talking about varying the diopter correction?
Easiest way is to put your camera on AF, let it focus on a still subject, and then turn the diopter wheel until the image looks sharp to your eye through the viewfinder.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

stick with it. You'll make it through the learning curve.

Maggie678 Loc: Maine

Thanks for your response.... How do I send a general post on here...? Can't figure out how to send a pic either.... Ugh!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Looks like you already created a post, this one.

Now look at the bottom of your post, there is a button to "Add New Attachment", just click that and it will give you an upload browse button.

When you start a new thread you get the opportunity to upload up to 3 photos at once, just scroll down to find the buttons.

drjuice

Hi, Maggie -

The strategy that always works for me (but took me a long time to remember to do it ALWAYS for cameras) is to sit down with the manual, stickies, and a fine point pen. I almost always use a paper copy of a .pdf file of the manual because it leaves lots of space around the printing which appears, literally, in the center of the page. And, if I need to write more than will fit on a sticky, I have green graph paper pages to insert!

Even though I've been taking pictures for 63 years (I got a literal Kodak Brownie camera for my sixth birthday), the way various controls specifically work on each camera is different from other models' and vendors' systems. And, often, the exact way they interact is often slightly different. So, I work my way through each topic in the manual talking about how the individual capabilities are activated and work. Then, as I learn about each topic, I go back and see how that topic works when combined with each of the ones I've previously studied. Ultimately, I could often go back to the cheepie film way of doing things, one exposure per image, because I'm comfortable enough with what my results will be. Often the only issue is whether I've framed the image properly, but I'm working on that! ;~)

HTH.

v

crazy4thread Loc: Minnesota

Hang in there. there are lots of patient knowledgable people on here to help.

Maggie678 Loc: Maine

Thank you...got that piece done after my personal photo lesson with my instructor. Now I'm figuring out the triangle...ISO, aperture, & shutter speed...so much to learn...she said I'm doing very well though. So that's encouraging... As I said before I'm not a patient learner....

Maggie678 Loc: Maine

I don't know how to post my pics

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi Maggie678: I understand where you are coming from. Here is a great website that does a great job of explaining all three and how they work together, along with graphics. http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/ Hope this helps.

Maggie678 Loc: Maine

Thank you I read it & it helped a lot... I'm starting to understand....

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That green Auto setting is your friend. Use it. After a while, you can put it P and turn the wheel to get different settings. Then try A and S. It's hard to make a mistake with modern cameras when they are in Auto.

If you want to experiment, take a shot in Auto and then take the same shot using different settings. First you have to become comfortable with the camera. Then you can start getting creative with the settings.

moonshot24 Loc: Kenton, Ohio

Hi Maggie;
MTShooter is right on. I use a D3100 myself and the learning curve is still happening. Takes great images though. Keep at it, you'll catch on. I found there is one other parameter that enters the equation. If you wear glasses or contacts, the diopter adjustment might not be enough. I struggled with it for several weeks (not getting sharp images) only to find out it was me not the camera. There are items that can help the problem but I have found that it if I use a black hood (so I can block out the bright light around me) and the "live view" screen things are much sharper. A piece of black cotton cloth is cheap compared to the attachments you can buy. Practice, practice, practice is the best answer.
Moonshot

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

In setting the diopter I find looking at the AF bracket with the lens off and adjusting until that looks sharp is an easy way to do it. The f-stop, shutter speed, etc. will come you to you. Take your time. Like I say to a friend of mine when I have to straighten out his computer and show him some tricks "It ain't rocket science" :lol: On attaching photos don't use the preview button or the attachments link will go away. It's in the small print, last line under where your attachment boxes are. No big deal if you do. Just have to do it over. Welome aboard and have fun. :thumbup:

bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas

I too am learning and one of the most enlightening pieces of information is from Peterson's book [u]Understanding Exposure [u]. You have six correct exposures and you can choose the most creative. So we get six chances! I have just about all of Peterson's books & the one I would highly recommend is [u] Understanding Photography Field Guide[u]. Most of his books have a great deal of repeatition in them but this one is the most comprehensive. Now if I could just learn to hold my camera still without a tripod, which by the way is a great investment! This journey is tremendous fun and exciting not to mention good exercise for old brains like mine!