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New to Photgraphy - help with Nikon D40 please
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Sep 13, 2012 06:23:58   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
I am fairly new to photography and going to Italy on holiday next week, I want to make take some great photos but am so confused about setting my camera's apperture, iso, shutter speed etc. Although I could use Auto, I really want to try to master the techniques. I have a 50mm standard lens & a 200mm zoom lens. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

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Sep 13, 2012 06:29:37   #
lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode
 
Which 50mm & which 200mm zoom?

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Sep 13, 2012 06:29:37   #
lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode
 
Not all 50mm will autofocus on a D40

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Sep 13, 2012 06:46:19   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
AF-S Nikkor 18-55, 1:3.5.5.6G &
Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED DX.
Thank you

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Sep 13, 2012 08:52:04   #
lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode
 
Take the largest size RAW images your camera can take. You can take jpg as well if you like but RAW is much more forgiving in post processing.

ISO 200 when it can be used. IE the cameras native ISO.

Shutter priority to avoid motion blur is probably easier to understand as a beginner than is aperture priority.
Soft focus and shallow depth of field can be faked later in software if necessary.

Learn to read and use the histogram. Keep the RGB graph on the histogram, preferably skewed more toward the right side than the left side. There is less noise across there and the exposure can be fixed in software later. But - keep the graph on the histogram. Do not let it drift off the right side.

Take 1000 shots between now and when you go, practising in conditions that you expect to be photographing in. eg daytime, morning, dusk. Practise at all different angles to the sun, practise in shade.
On the verandah or in a cafe at night under tungsten lighting. You may need to go to ISO 800 or 1600 for this one. At some skill level down the track you may be able to fix the noise but blur is permanent.
Above all - don't be scared to put the camera on auto.
1-1/2 weeks is not long enough to learn a DSLR from scratch.
The memories may be more important to you than how you took them.

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Sep 13, 2012 09:04:06   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
Thanks Lighthouse, some really helpful advice. Hopefully I will manage to take some photos good enough to post when I return from Italy.
Best wishes x

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Sep 13, 2012 13:09:41   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
One week is hardly the time frame to be learning your cameras manual functions in. Especially with such an old camera I would think you would have had lots of time to practice, read, and learn before such a short travel time.

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Sep 14, 2012 04:16:18   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
Yes, maybe I am expecting too much but I am a quick learner and just want to try things out. Of course I will use the manual setting for a lot of shots but thought it would be good to also get some experience of manually adjusting the settings.
Thanks for any advice, it is much appreciated.

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Sep 14, 2012 08:39:30   #
Paul L Loc: Chicago Il
 
Hello Denise64,
Google.... Nikon D40 - KenRockwell.com very good information concerning your Nikon D40.
Don't forget to post some of your photos....
Good luck.

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Sep 14, 2012 08:50:13   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
Hi Paul
Thank you very much for the info, extremely helpful. By the way, your lion photo is great.
Best wishes
Denise

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Sep 14, 2012 09:22:25   #
Paul L Loc: Chicago Il
 
Hello Denise,
The Nikon d40 was my first DSLR I still enjoy it. I hope the article Ken Rockwell wrote helps you as much as it helped me.
Have a wonderful vacation and bring back some beautiful photos.

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Sep 14, 2012 10:11:53   #
witzend665 Loc: New Jersey
 
Hi Denise,
I have the same camera as you, I had it for 2 yrs now and I still learning how to use it. This site is great for information, I have learned so much just by reading the post. I found a book by David D. Busch, The title is:
Nikon: D40/D40X digital field guide. I found this book to be very helpful. You might want to check it out, it's a small book so you can it on vacation and read it on the way over to Italy. Have a good trip!

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Sep 14, 2012 10:54:44   #
wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska
 
Manual is not just setting the ISO-Apreture-Shutter
Speed triangle. Look under Optimice Image on your camera and check all the settings you will have to make and remember some of the settings have more settings. These are what make your pictures great. I would play with them and after each capture look and see if is what you want. If you do not have time to do this use your presets. Nikon has worked out the best settings for each type of picture and 90% of the time they are close to what good photographers would use, Even then check and see if you need to adjust your exposure useing your +/- button. Again if you are not very sure of yourself in M use the presets. As for shooting in RAW. If you are not doing it now do not. You need skills to do PP. This is something else that takes lots of work to master. Just my ideas - Dave

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Sep 14, 2012 11:24:23   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
I have looked the book up on Amazon and the reviews look good, I might just go ahead and order a copy.
Many thanks.

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Sep 14, 2012 11:27:24   #
denise64 Loc: Southampton UK
 
Thank you Dave, I am going to spend the next couple of days shooting lots of pictures and 'practising' with the settings. Whilst in Italy I will use a mixture of Manual and Auto so that I have some good photos :D

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