rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Someone on this forum asked a rather remedial question regarding the D850. I downloaded the manual to find the answer. One of the first things that caught my attention was on the very front page of the manual.

I quote, "Read this manual thoroughly before using the camera".

I wonder how many follow this "prime directive". I know when I got my D700, the only thing I did prior to reading the manual, was put a battery in the charger. Then, I could do two things at the same time, charge battery and read. I didn't even pick up the camera until I'd read through the entire manual. Yup, feet up on the desk, a cup of coffee nearby, the battery in the charger, and the manual nestled in my lap. I read every page.

Then, I placed the fully charged battery in the camera and read through the manual again. This time working on each section with the camera in hand.

Oh, I did the same thing when I got my D800e. Though very similar to the D700, I still read through the entire manual before picking up the camera.

I wish girlfriends came with the same sort of documentation.

--Bob

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

I receive a Canon T6 last year, read the manual. Provided lots of technical information, but no why. When I started following UHH, I found new information like Back button Focus, yes the manual had this info, but UHH provided the why and why not use it.
There is nothing in the T6 manual on how to take HDR pictures, UHH provide information on what I need to do, the manual provides data on how to bracket to three images to use for HDR. The manual is only one of several tools, UHH is another.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I got a new camera for Christmas. I registered it with the manufacturer last night. This morning I got an email about where to the the full manual and how to put it non my tablet, phone or computer. No, it didn't come with a printed manual. Seemed nice of them to tell me how to get it.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

None of the cameras I own, including the Nikon F I received as a Christmas present in 1971, came with instructions on how to develop the film I shot. That is a separate subject altogether. So, techniques that use features on the camera, but are not camera manufacturer related won't be covered in their manual. Those are things one needs to research on their own. UHH is a great place to read a wide variety of good and not so good advice on camera use and techniques.
--Bob

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Read the manual before using the camera (or new car ,TV, hand grenade, etc)? Seriously? Everybody knows that manuals only exist so that you can use them to find out what you did wrong after you screw-up!

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A third resource, often overlooked, are the excellent 3rd-party manuals available from Amazon and, in some cases, from your local library. /Ralph

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

This calls to mind how Geek Squad got started. It was formed by a few youngsters that didn't mind reading the manual. I have to admit that I am probably in the group "real men don't ask for directions". Bob, your patience and understanding of photography are a gift to us all. Happy New Year!

Hank Radt

I am an inveterate manual reader. Which I did when I got my a6300. But after reading it, I had no idea how to really work the camera (I re-took up photography after a multi-decade hiatus, having learned with B&W film, in the darkroom, where basically you controlled the aperture and shutter speed, after selecting whichever seemed right for what you were trying to shoot).

Yes, it told me what all the function buttons were, but nothing about what they would do. So I struggled along with some basic settings, trying different things without any understanding of what I was doing until I found UHH and learned that I was not a complete idiot - in one of the posts, someone mentioned Friedman's and Busch's Guides and I downloaded the former, ready to download the latter as well if needed. I read the guide, camera in hand, and finally - FINALLY - figured out what these settings were meant to do. I got the camera set up the way I wanted, started shooting again and - voila - now had the camera I thought I had bought! Since then, I'm a happy camper - love the camera.

I don't know whether useless manuals are just a Sony problem (and I sent them a rather pointed note...), but if other camera manuals are similar, the whole industry needs a good kick in the _____. In any case, they have created a nice little business for Friedman and Busch and, frankly, I had no issue spending the $15 for the Kindle version.

d3200prime

I totally agree Bob. Folks who don't read the manuals might not have good reading comprehension or maybe of the ilk that ignorantly states: Manual (instructions)! I don't need em! OR, maybe there just lazy and want others to do due diligence for them. Reminds me of assembling toys on Christmas Eve without reading the instructions then having to take the toy apart because I discovered a piece I overlooked and THEN referring to the instructions to find out where it went. I was young then and since have learned I am NOT smarter than the manufacturer. Lesson well learned! Great post and if folks are wise they will listen to you. Have a Happy New Year and good shooting to you!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

You, my photographical friend, are a unique individual. RTFM? Never!

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Unfortunately most camera manuals are written for experienced photographers who already know the vocabulary. Many 'noobies' need a non-technical explanation of what it all means in plain English rather than the special language of digital technology. I recall the frustration of trying to learn dBase 4 from the enclosed 'manual' - total gobbledigook! Even an experienced photographer will find it frustrating to have to jump all over in the manual to get the full story on any one feature. I usually recommend a noobie look through the manual to learn how to turn the camera on, then go take some pictures and watch some Youtube videos. How is someone new to digital photography, or even photography itself, supposed to make anything out of this?

"5. Select [Set] and press the Q button.
• Selecting [Set] saves current settings, overwriting the registered settings.
• To cancel the registration, select [Reset].
• Settings that can be saved to the Custom Modes g “Menu directory” (P. 165)
• Settings are preset in each Custom Mode. Selecting [Reset] > [Full] when resetting
camera settings restores the preset settings for each Custom Mode. See “Default Custom
Mode options” for default settings (P. 175)."

BebuLamar

Years ago I read the manual in Bob fashion. Nowaday, I read the manual too but I read the PDF version keeping my manual in pristine condition. Oh yes I do read the manuals thru. I also read manuals on cameras that I don't own. In fact I read the manual on my cameras before I bought them now because I can get them without buying the cameras. I read the manual then went to the store to check the camera out. That way I know how to use it when I am at the store.
If I compare several cameras as potential purchases I would read all the manuals before making decision.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Same process i follow but I think we are “relics”. Perhaps part of this was the early experiences of being allowed to fend for myself?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

BebuLemar and LoneRangeFinder, a good part of my reason for reading manuals is that a very good friend of mine is a tech writer. It's a way to pay a small tribute to the amount of work that is put into writing a good manual. However, I've been doing that sort of thing longer than that friendship has existed. It just seems more meaningful now.
--Bob

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I have been using Nikon cameras for so long I doubt if I ever read any of the manuals from cover to cover. I do refer to it occasionally when checking out a new (to me) feature or if I have forgotten something. Reading manuals is like waiting for paint to dry.