Bought a Nikon D850 to replace my D40X: So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do...

rpm Loc: Houston, TX

So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do something with it but think I'm gonna need a lesson or two... any suggestions to get me up to speed?

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

rpm wrote:

So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do something with it but think I'm gonna need a lesson or two... any suggestions to get me up to speed?

Review everything Steve Perry has to offer. And YouTube is your friend. I love mine but it took a while to learn it.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

A lot depends on how you prefer to learn. YouTube has lots of good videos. Personally I do best with a manual. For my D850 I have David Busch’s book. I just start at the beginning Ning and work my way though everything that is of interest to me. As you use the camera more, the book is a great reference to go back to.

My only problem with the D850 is the weight.

BebuLamar

I do best with the manual that came with the camera. You may have to download it though as they may not give you the printed copy. Use the big manual not the quick start one.

Bill_de Loc: US

There is a lot to learn, but no need to rush it all at once. The basics are still the same. I always use the owner's manual as a first reference.

As Ken said, "Review everything Steve Perry has to offer. And YouTube is your friend."

I have owned a D850 since shortly after they were released.
No Regrets!

---

therwol Loc: USA

rpm wrote:

So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do something with it but think I'm gonna need a lesson or two... any suggestions to get me up to speed?

What FX lenses do you have? You need good ones to appreciate this camera's potential. Yes, it's heavy. You'll either get used to it or you won't.

The big manual that comes with the camera is complete, but I prefer a book that's written in narrative form. I use Darrell Young's.

User ID

rpm wrote:

So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do something with it but think I'm gonna need a lesson or two... any suggestions to get me up to speed?

David Busch or Darrell Young book.

You already know how to use an SLR, so the main operational difference is more features and the books cover that.

As youve most likely been warned a high rez camera can reveal bad lenses for what they are. But theres are verrrrrry few bad modern lenses. Use good ones, but ignore geeks that insist that only maximum primo lenses are worthy of your D850. Nikons own corporate marketeers propagated that idea. They even published a list, and the geeks swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.

Get a good book and use decent lenses, for which I strongly recommend VR lenses. High rez cameras can accentuate unsteadyness to an unfortunate degree. Some lenses on the "Official D850 approved" list lack VR, which shows you that the list is a marketing ploy that ignores actual user reality. Insist on VR.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

rpm wrote:

So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do something with it but think I'm gonna need a lesson or two... any suggestions to get me up to speed?

Quite a jump here...

The main thing you need to learn is that this camera is finicky in some ways, as are all high density camera. These cameras will register every motion that takes place, both in the scene and when you hold it.

Your solutions are simple: Higher ISO, Higher speed, greater stability when holding the camera or a tripod.

I have this camera and trust me it is an incredible tool. Check a sample here. Another
sample, using severe cropping that really makes the image worthless.

As several mentioned Steve Perry is a dependable source of information.

therwol Loc: USA

User ID wrote:

Get a good book and use decent lenses, for which I strongly recommend VR lenses. High rez cameras can accentuate unsteadyness to an unfortunate degree. Some lenses on the "Official D850 approved" list lack VR, which shows you that the list is a marketing ploy that ignores actual user reality. Insist on VR.

I have a lot of experience with my D850. VR in a mediocre lens (such as a 24-120 or 28-300) trumps absolute sharpness in a non-VR lens for handheld shots at relatively slow shutter speeds. It becomes irrelevant at shutter speeds of 1/1000 or faster or when using a tripod, neither of which is always an option. Increasing ISO to boost the shutter speed is not a perfect solution unless done in moderation. At some point, noise and reduced dynamic range become apparent. The bottom line as far as I'm concerned is to have at least one VR general purpose lens, the best you can afford, and just take pictures. Mine is the 24-120 f/4 VR. Be aware that non-VR lenses have some limitations with a camera like this, but they can bring out the best in this camera if you use them properly.

doclrb

BebuLamar wrote:

I do best with the manual that came with the camera. You may have to download it though as they may not give you the printed copy. Use the big manual not the quick start one.

Thom Hogan’s publications are easy to read and informative, providing a how-to approach. The manual is best for how does this feature work? UHH seems to be dominated by a paper is best mentality. Go digital.

BebuLamar

doclrb wrote:

Thom Hogan’s publications are easy to read and informative, providing a how-to approach. The manual is best for how does this feature work? UHH seems to be dominated by a paper is best mentality. Go digital.

I don't care if the OP use the PDF or the printed one and I think the OP didn't buy a new camera so the printed manual may not be there anyway. However, I would recommend to read Nikon reference manual rather than any third party manuals.

agillot

I am at a point that i refuse to buy anything newer that i have [ D300 and 7100 ] The 300 is a better camera , so i use it daily [ birds and other] .Cameras have been silly for a long time now , way too complex .I ll bet you dont use 10 % of whats is in there .So with me, old stuff rule , including older manual lenses .[ also VERY affordable ].

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

rpm wrote:

So, I broke down & purchased a D850 after shooting 18 years with my D40X. The new one has so many buttons & it's heavy! Can't wait to do something with it but think I'm gonna need a lesson or two... any suggestions to get me up to speed?

There are many, many, many, Utube video's on how to get the most out of your new toy. You should try one, SOON.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnyieWnIxBQ

Rongnongno Loc: FL

agillot wrote:

I am at a point that i refuse to buy anything newer that i have [ D300 and 7100 ] The 300 is a better camera , so i use it daily [ birds and other] .Cameras have been silly for a long time now , way too complex .I ll bet you dont use 10 % of whats is in there .So with me, old stuff rule , including older manual lenses .[ also VERY affordable ].

err...

Do you ride a chariot with a pair of oxen?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

agillot wrote:

I am at a point that i refuse to buy anything newer that i have [ D300 and 7100 ] The 300 is a better camera , so i use it daily [ birds and other] .Cameras have been silly for a long time now , way too complex .I ll bet you dont use 10 % of whats is in there .So with me, old stuff rule , including older manual lenses .[ also VERY affordable ].

I have always said if your getting everything you want from your equipment, you need nothing more.
But for me, I need the higher frame speed and focusing of the latest camera's for my wildlife business.
To each his own, congratulations.