fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Hi Bill - I bought a D5600 about 4 years ago and I've been really happy with it. I especially like it's light weight and compact size. A lot of people here will give you good advice on how to deal with the learning curve so I'll just give you a piece of advice about the lens. Mine came with two kit lenses; an 18 - 55mm and a 55 - 300mm. Fair lenses but I found I was constantly changing them in the field as I went from a wide angle landscape to a distant wildlife shot. UHH advice to me was, spend the money on "good glass." I purchased a Nikkor 18 - 200mm lens from B & H and it stays on my camera 95% of the time. If you're an "enthusiast" like me, you might want a good zoom lens like this so you have a lens that'll be good in almost all situations. However, adding a big lens largely offset the body's light weight so make sure you're okay with the heft of the camera and lens.

Aldla Loc: Central NJ

Welcome Bill
Check out Tony Northrop on U tube he breaks down the Nikon functions with dedicated sections on all phases one at a time

stillkickin Loc: Coastal Bend of Texas

I totally agree, and just because it says for dummies doesn't mean it's for dummies. A lot of good info there

Najataagihe

Welcome to The Nuthouse!


I have two of these puppies and love them.

If you need a hand, holler in the main forum or send me a private message and I will help all I can.


Select the green Auto on the top dial, turn VR on on the lens (if it has the switch) and blast away.

Don't worry about the flash - it will pop up, if you need it.

So much for the camera.


The best tip I can give, at this point is this:

Don't look THROUGH the viewfinder, look AT the focusing screen as if it were a picture, then move the lens around until you see a nice picture.

Otherwise, you will get the snapshots your parents made with a face dead center of the picture, lots of sky and no feet.

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

Bobcat87

I am a "senior" and fellow learner with the D5600. I also recommend "Nikon [D5600] for Dummies". I refer to it frequently. Look forward to seeing your posts! Steve Perry also has good info on Nikons in general.

ELNikkor

Welcome to the forum, Billy! Even though I had done photography before, I still needed to spend hours with my new D5100, just to know what it was capable of. One helpful thing I found out right away was NOT to put it on green "Auto", but right next to that on the dial is "P", which stands for "Program Auto". On green "AUTO", the flash will keep popping up and often messing with your photos whether you want it to or not. (On "P" auto, the camera accurately decides the correct settings, and allows YOU to choose if you want to use flash by pushing the flash button on the left side of the flash.) All the other advice here is great, and there are many here who are willing to answer your questions. Be sure and find out how to upload your photos to your posts so we can analyze any problems you might be having.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The initial photography learning curve is steep, but it gets easier pretty quickly. Meanwhile your camera has a lot of automation to help out... make use of it.

Of course you need the user manual. Not all cameras come with one... or the one they come with is seriously abridged, only contains the most basic info. There may be a more complete user manual online at the Nikon website. Check there for a PDF and download it to reference on your computer. You also might consider putting it on your smart phone to be able to reference in the field, while out shooting.

Besides the user manual I HIGHLY recommend getting one or more of the specific user guides for your camera. I see several listed for the D5600 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nikon+D5600&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 Among those, I'm familiar with and can recommend David Busch's books. I haven't got a D5600 or that particular book, but have several of his guides for other cameras and found the info very useful.

I also bought one of the "Dummies" series camera guide books in the past. I am NOT a fan. I've found that series helpful for other things like computers and networking, but don't think they do as well with camera guides. But, to each his own. Maybe you would like them.

Among the items at Amazon, I also noticed a pocket guide, which might be more practical to carry for reference while out shooting.

While over at Amazon, I also HIGHLY recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure": https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Fourth-Photographs-Camera/dp/1607748509/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=understanding+exposure&qid=1625242856&s=books&sr=1-3 This book is a thorough, easy to read overview of "how cameras work" that I think most new photographers would find very helpful. It also can be a good read for experienced shooters... perhaps reminding them of things they've forgotten. It's not specific to any particular brand of camera, but more of the broad strokes you really need to understand to be comfortable with any camera. It gets into what, how and why to use different camera settings, lenses and accessories to get the results you want with various subjects and situations.

Yes, Youtube videos can be helpful... But usually just cover a narrow and fairly specific subject. And anyone can post a video there... Who's to say the info you are being given is correct, complete, understandable and well organized? There is good stuff on Youtube... but there's also a lot of "opinion" and more than a little crap.

There may be photography classes in your area. Some people learn best in the classroom setting, with a real instructor who can be asked questions and help clarify things when needed.

Also look into any photography groups in your area that might interest you. A good way to learn is to just get out and shoot with other photographers. It can be fun to bounce ideas off each other and perhaps a little comforting to know that other people are just as lost as you! Meetup.com is a good place to look for info about what groups might be active in your area, sometimes even dedicated to specific types of photography such as wildlife.

Finally, look for books and search online for info about the specific type of photography you want to do. One of the great things about cameras like the D5600 is that they can be adapted for different purposes, simply by changing the lens or using another type of accessory. You mention "pictures of animals" and "nature", which suggests wildlife, but I suppose that might also include domestic animals. Often this type of photography is done with telephoto lenses because your subjects are at some distance. Or, if you mean tiny subjects it may mean using a macro lens capable of focusing closer than most. Broader scenic shots of nature might be done with wide angle lenses. You told us what camera you bought, but didn't tell us what lens(es) or any other accessories you have for use with it. Some experienced photographers feel that lenses are more important then the camera they're used upon. Choosing lenses depends upon your subjects... and of course, your budget.

The D5600 is offered as a body alone, leaving it to you to choose your lenses. Or it can be bought configured "in kit" with choice of several different lenses. There are one-lens kits, as well as a two-lens kit. So what did you get with the camera and, more specifically, what are you wanting to photograph?

EDIT:



Huh? Are you kidding? Using a camera's viewfinder in no way means that every shot will be centered, with lots of sky and no feet.

Are you saying hold the camera at arms length and use the rear monitor to compose?

In fact, in many situations holding a DSLR and it's lens at arms length to use the rear monitor is awkward, uncomfortable and probably the least stable way to hold a camera and get a steady shot!

That may be your preferred method of working, but many of us feel the exact opposite! (And we know how to rotate our cameras to portrait orientation to keep from cutting off peoples' feet... and get closer or zoom in to reduce the amount of sky.)

I shoot sports (a lot) and wildlife (some), often fast action where the viewfinder is absolutely essential. In some cases, holding my camera at arms length would be dangerous to me or the subject. Or, in more crowded situations, would lead to getting bumped, accidents, dropped and broken gear.

To a lesser degree, I also shoot portraits and macro where it might be a toss up whether to use a monitor screen or the viewfinder, though I would usually use the latter. Candid portraits (incl. "street" photography?) usually are best done using the viewfinder. More formally posed portraits may be done using the monitor, though they certainly also can be done using the viewfinder.It depends upon how fast or slow the shoot might be.... For pet portraits, kids, weddings, fashion and similar active portraiture, best use the viewfinder. For a carefully posed formal sitting, it might be possible to use a monitor. And one can be helpful for small objects and macro work.

Product photography, landscapes and architecture are all things I would seriously consider using the monitor.... The one built into the camera or, even better, a larger one with the camera tethered to a tablet, laptop or even a desktop computer.

rangel28

A good site for learning about photography is Photography Life. All of the resources are free and this site breaks down the basics in easy to read chunks. https://photographylife.com/learn-photography

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

I am also 77 and bought my red D5300 5 years ago! Read a ton of paperback books and e-mailed books (By Steve Perry). As I was watching the videos, I would stop them and go back if I had a question. Had my camera with me and went through the explanation of the dials, menus, etc. as the video was playing. Also took lots and lots of photos. We went to Italy and also around the USA on trips. Started by Auto and used the different scenes available in auto. At one point I started using the lens opening as the primary set and letting the camera adjust the speed and ISO. I now use manual most of the time.

It has been a fun experience for me, especially since I joined the Ugly Hedge Hogs!!

Really, just shoot photos a lot and have fun looking at the results. Your D5600 is really a wonderful camera as my D5300 has been for me.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

I started taking pictures when I bought a very good camera when I was in Vietnam in 67. This served me pretty well in the film days. But as I look back , they were just pictures.

I got into digital photography when my wife bought me an early Kodak digital in the early 2000's. I started to learn photography when I joined a local photography club. They meet every week and it's really like going to a class every week, as they cover almost every aspect of the subject. I had a Nikon D5000 when I join the club, and now I have a D7100. I really like this camera. and it will probably be the last one I ever own. Take my advice and JOIN A PHOTOGRAPYH CLUB! Your learning rate will increase much faster.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Billy, I bought the "D5600 for dummies" book and it helped me a lot with my D5600

Billyfrog

Thank you

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

PS, I'm 77 too but got a 55 year head start in photography

Billyfrog

Thank You