I consider this sound advice worth following. Unfortunately, most people have a consumer mindset. They want the newest thing right now so refuse to delay gratification. Your sons are off to a great start. I’ll bet you’ve read “The Millionaire Next Door.” I think it should be required reading as early as middle school.

When I registered my new Nikon D5600 earlier this month, the telephone agent told me that it would be only for one year!

Dear Pendennis,

Thanks, for your response. Your point about the camera focusing on the glass of the clock, rather than on the numerals, makes sense. And is an explanation for my failure to get crisp images there. But, what of the stationary radiator grid? I wasn’t using a tripod or timer.

Is there a DOF preview in the camera? I’d appreciate knowing how to find it. A big reason that I was motivated to buy a better DSLR was that I couldn’t adjust the DOF or get Bokeh with my Fujifilm EXR 660. Today, I took lots of images using my tripod and the onboard timer. My iphone still gave sharper, crisper images of the same subjects!

Hi, again, Shutterbob!
I’d been shooting in Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority primarily. Manual mode was a last resort but didn’t cure the blur. I adjusted the Exposure Compensation values and tried White Balance in various settings.

I’ve discovered the focus ring and the black square. For practice, I experimented with indoor shots in Manual mode today. Using available light in a room with big windows, I decreased the shutter speed to 1/10, increased the Aperture to f 10 and kept the ISO at 100. My 18-55mm lens has vibration reduction and I used a tripod and the onboard timer. Still, the iPhone XR gave me crisper images. Next time, I think I’ll try to adjust the diopter and then adjust the focus ring, too. I’m trying whatever suggestions you UHH members make. I’ll keep working at it to get sharper images and to eliminate the blur factor. Thanks, again!

Dear uhaas2009,

I’ve discovered the focus ring and the black square. For practice, I experimented with indoor shots in Manual mode today. Using available light in a room with big windows, I decreased the shutter speed to 1/10, increased the Aperture to f 10 and kept the ISO at 100. My 18-55mm lens has vibration reduction and I used a tripod and the onboard timer. Still, the iPhone XR gave me crisper images. I’m trying whatever suggestions you UHH members make. I’ll keep working at it to get sharper images and to eliminate the blur factor. Thanks, again!

Dear via the lens,
Thanks, for the suggestion. I don’t think that I was too close to the subjects.
I was using the 18-55mm kit lens fully zoomed toward them. I’m anxious to know whatever suggestions you may have. Thanks, again.

Dear CHG_Canon,

Thanks, for your interest and offer to critique my photo(s). I don’t have a PC or a MAC so may not be able to share my photo. I called Apple for help as I have an ipad and and iphone. I allowed screen sharing so that the tech could see your message. The tech insisted that I’ll need a computer to share my image with you. Do you agree with that assessment? Is there another way that I might upload so that you can see the images I mentioned?
Thanks.

Quixdraw,
I was using the 18-55mm kit lens. I have the 70-300mm lens and a macro lens that isn’t a Nikon product. I’ve had good results with the macro. Once I’m comfortable with these lenses, I’m looking forward to using a dedicated 50 mm lens aka the “nifty fifty.” I spent a day with my 85 year old friend who’s only ever used a 50 mm lens! He was a street photographer and photographs anything that interests him. A real inspiration.

Bob,
Practice , I shall. My ISO was 100 as I can hear my Beginning photography instructor advise...”the lowest you could afford.” I’m sure that mirrorless is in our futures but I didn’t go that route as I want to better understand the basics.

I don’t have a PC or a MAC so may not be able to share my photo. I called Apple for help as I have an ipad and and iphone. I allowed screen sharing so that the tech could see Paul’s message. The tech insisted
that I’ll need a computer to share my image with you. He didn’t seem invested in what I was trying to do so I may have to try again with someone else. Meanwhile, do you agree with that assessment? Thanks.
,

Thanks, JReipe, for your suggestion.
I didn’t use a flash. Due to the camera’s reputation and others’ satisfaction with the D5600, I’m inclined to believe that I need a lot more practice just manipulating the unit. Today, after discovering the focus ring and the black square, for practice, I experimented with indoor shots. I had been sticking with Aperture priority and Shutter Priority modes but tried using the Manual mode. Shutter speeds at various levels but found it better to decrease the shutter speed. I used 1/10, increased the Aperture to f 10 and kept the ISO at 100. Still, the iPhone XR gave me crisper images. This is so even though my 18-55mm lens has vibration reduction and I used a tripod and the onboard timer. I’m trying whatever suggestions you UHH members make. I’ll keep working at it to get sharper images and to eliminate the blur factor. Thanks, again!

Hi, Ichiban365,
Thanks, for your suggestions and encouragement.
My D5600 came with the kit lens, AF-P NIKKOR with VR. I’ve discovered the external focus ring and the focus square. Not always easy to see when outdoors. I’ve been practicing focusing indoors today and even with a tripod and timer, I’m still getting sharper images with my iPhone XR! The best I did with the D5600 in Manual mode was with shutter speed at 1/10, Aperture f10, ISO 100. For a dark light fixture against a cream colored ceiling, I adjusted the Exposure Compensation value to -2.0 and White Balance to Auto.
As another UHH member suggested, I’ll keep working at this.

Hope you can help me with this. I’m sure it’s basic for you but this new photographer is struggling! Yesterday, I spent several hours taking images of various objects indoors with poor results. Captured images of text, a clock, radiator grating but the details (text, clock numerals and grid on radiator) weren’t crisp and sharp.

I was using the 18-55mm lens. I’ve gotten sharp images using a macro lens with this camera so I think my technique was the problem. I tried Aperture priority and Shutter Priority modes. Program mode produced the same fuzzy edges. I got better (sharp) photos with my iPhone XR😲.

You Tube and the manual haven’t helped me figure out what I’m doing wrong. I’d appreciate your input and suggestions. Thanks.
1ArtPhoto

Thanks, jdub82,
I won’t be buying any electronics from Amazon. Too bad that COSTCO isn’t an authorized dealer. Two issues there: repair and service and Nikon’s policy of fixed price!

Bob,
We will be doing some post-processing by the end of the semester. I don’t have a PC or a MAC so will I use my ipad and/or iPhone XR with Lightroom, and/or Snapseed and/or Camera +2. I’m taking a computer tech course where we’re learning to use both PCs and MACs. Whichever I choose to buy in about six months, you can bet I’ll make sure the vendor is authorized and legit. Either directly from Apple or... Any experience with COSTCO?

Dear Jeep Daddy,

Thanks, for your response. By “next level” I meant that I’ve appealed to my credit card company for help. Also, I’m broadening my search by checking with multiple authorized dealers to find the camera. I won’t buy two cameras; I’ll use my iphone and resurrect my Fujifilm F660EXR before doing anything that drastic!