A new camera, now what?

[Sheryl]

I am officially the proud owner of a brand new bouncing Nikon D3100!! Now what? There is soooo much to learn. Where do I start? I know , first read the manual. Then what? Do I just shoot in auto for awhile or do I try playing around with the features? How do I learn to operate the camera? I wish I had someone that could teach me the settings and go shooting with me to help me learn.Do I just learn by trial and error? I guess what I'm asking is , is there an easy way to get started? What's the most important things to learn first?  Where do I begin? This may all seem totally adolescent of me to ask, but I don't know the first thing about operating a dSLR. 

                       Any advise would be greatly appreciated,
                               Sheryl

[Zoot]

Go out and shoot something!  Get used to your camera and where the controls are, and shoot in different modes to compare image quality/exposure etc - you may find it helpful to take short notes so that you can experiment further if your photographs are not to your liking.  Auto is OK while you get a feel for the camera, but you'll soon want to move on to other modes so that you have more control over what you shoot.  Above all, enjoy!

[windsurf]

I have to agree with Zoot here Take your camera and take pictures, try something Like Zoot says note what you did, Look at the results then move from there. Dont try to make these images spectacular at first Keep the simple, like a picture of your car or the house, a tree maybe just to get used to the camera its controls and most important What you want from it.

But the most important thing is ENJOY it

[Sheryl]

Thanks Guys. I guess I'm afraid I'll mess up something in the camera and won't be able to get it straightened back out. I can't wait to start shooting! Just thought I should be a little better informed before I get started. I've just got the first time jitters. 

[Anita]

Sheryl, this site has some helpful tips for dslr beginners...

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/beginner-tips.shtml

[Anita]

Here's another nice site as well...

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/

[scoundrel1728]

If you do mess something up and can't figure it out, there is most likely a menu item that lets you reset the camera to factory defaults.  Look for it in the manual.

I would also like to see a video of your "brand new bouncing Nikon D3100."  If left to their own devices, most cameras just lie there in one spot.

[RGBont]

Well done Sheryl!!      

As noted what has already been said, yes by all means start taking pictures - see what happens, that's the nice thing about digital - if the first one is not good, take another.  You're not limited to a 36-exposure roll of film....   

Getting back to the camera club bit, also did you check if they have field trips, or workshops?  With the one I attend, it is a large club with 135+ members, so we have workshops, field trips and a group that goes out on Wednesday Morning Walks (12 - 20, sometimes more, show up for a couple hours of walking and snapping away at different locations).  Not to mention that it meets 4 times a month on Thursdays.  That too is something to consider if they offer those things as then you can walk along with someone and ask questions as you take your pictures.  Bonus would be with someone with the same camera!!

Interesting sites as noted by Anita.  By all means browse through them - there is always that one tidbit of info that you probably didn't know about.  Definitely has some good tips!!  Take your time and of course read through the manual that came with the camera.  And of course if there is that occassional mess up, simply reset your camera back to its defaults - that should be in the manual somewhere....  but take your time with it - baby steps eh!!  Read a page and then go over with it with the camera. 

Spring is just around the corner...

Incidentally what lens did you get with your new acquisition??


PS - I take my time writing up this note and see Scoundrel has already mentioned what I just noted above about "messups".

[Zoot]

Something else that you will need to consider is memory cards.  Your camera does not appear to be supplied with the SD memory card, but a safe bet would be to buy an 8GB card straight away (about £15.00, possibly less on E-bay) and a 16GB (£25.00 or less) as a backup.  It is surprising how fast a memory card can fill up!  Also, you will need lens cleaners - I recommend lens pens, but there are other products available. !

[jane_t]

Sheryl,  I am glad you finally settled on one.  As the others have said,  play with the Camera, before you start take a note (or use your old camera to take pictures) of all the default positions for the knobs and the menu contents,  that way you can always reset everything back.

Take lots of images and use your PC to look at the settings in the EXIF data to help you to learn what settings work.

As Henri Cartier-Bresson said
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst. "

I now have 33,000 photos on my computer and I am still learning.

[BigAl]

I know it's worrying that you might do something wrong to ruin your new investment but you need to remember that the worst that could happen is that you make a minor feature change in the menu (like the length of time the image stays on the display) and then can't find how to change it back. Major features will always be easy to reset by the buttons and dials. Ultimately, you should be able to reset the camera by holding down two buttons (normally marked by green dots) at the same time.

Short of leaving the lens pointing directly into the sun with the shutter in long exposure, there is nothing non-physical that you can do to harm the camera. That will only happen if you abuse it in an obvious manner. Cameras are built to be used outdoors. They are quite robust.

Each photo that you take costs you a small fraction of a cent (in battery charge cost,) so you can click away without a qualm. You can start 'playing' with the new 'toy' straight away. Start experimenting with the controls - what does each one do, how did it affect the image compared to the previous one. When the changes are not obvious then turn to the manual to find out what the control is called, what it does and how to use it properly. In a few months time it will stop being a 'toy' and become a tool and then, instead of playing with it, you will be working with it to get the pictures that you want.

[RockArea]

Congratulations, Sheryl, I'm glad you've settled on something and I'm sure you won't regret it. I think you'll find that your camera has a 'help' button marked by a '?' so that when you move anywhere in the menu pressing the ? button will tell you what it is that you're doing.

Don't be surprised if your first photos with your new camera are actually worse than the ones you've been taking with your compact. There are lots of changes to adjust to but I'd say as well as messing about at home, get out there and take the same sort of photos you usually take with your camera set on 'Auto'. Next step is to move to 'P' which is like 'Auto' but you can make minor changes. Once you've got used to these settings you'll probably want to move on to taking more control.

Have fun!

David

[Pipeman]

Congratulations Sheryl - enjoy your new camera.

[Sheryl]

Wow! Thanks everyone for all your kind words of support . Thanks Anita for the links. You know I always read what you send me! Its always a help.
Scoundrel , I love your sense of humor! I'm goiing to need it I suspect.
RgBont, our local camera club meets only once a month. Unfortunately they do not take field trips or have workshops. That would be wonderful if they did. They just give you a subject to shoot each month and then compare them and vote for their favorites. Its a very small town group and I imagine the group is quite small. I got the kit lens of course and then I also got a 55-200 lens as well. I just couldn't afford anything larger at this point. I hope I'll be satisfied with my choices for now.
Thanks Jane for your words of encouragement. I know that in photography the learning never ends. That's part of what makes it so interesting and fun.
Big Al, You always have a way about you that helps calm my nerves. You have made me feel less nervous about trying out the new camera and I thank you for that. I'm sure the manual won't be far away for quite some time!
David, Thanks.I believe I've made the right choice for me and I think I'm going to love this camera once I get the hang of it!
 
 One question for now, do you all have your cameras serviced from time to time? I've been told its essential and I've just read in the manual that I should have it done on occasion.

[BigAl]

I've never had any service engineer touch a camera of mine.

The only service I did was cleaning the sensor. But that is a job I would say that you WOULD have to get done by a professional. It is done when you see any dark specks occurring in the same position on every picture. It is caused by dust or tiny hairs getting into the sensor well and on to the surface. You can reduce the likelihood of this happening by changing the lens whilst the camera is facing downwards.

Have you taken a photo yet?

[Sheryl]

I haven't taken a photo yet. I will be trying this afternoon if it would just stop raining. Its been absolutely pouring all night and morning. It shows no signs of stopping. I may have to wait until tomorrow. They're calling for sunshine. 

[pekster]

Excellent news Sheryl. I am glad you settled on a DSLR, as it will be a lot more versatile in the end. I think all bases have been covered here so far with the advice. Just go out and get shooting  

Richard

[Harry7mc]

Hi Sheryl, All the advice you have been given could take some time to be digested.
It is all sound & pertinent to owning a New Camera & Not just a DSLR.
What comes across to me is that you could damage your investment! Short of dropping it onto a hard surface you should be safe as has been said.
Confidence will come thro' use, Handle the camera, twiddle the knobs, look at the menus---Play with it until You are happy handling it .
Cameras don't bite (at least I have not been bittten by one over all these years) The Photography 'BUG' has bitten you & that could be the problem-- So Keen to get going-- remember slowly, slowy catchee monkey!
 David has given you the advice I would have given, Go to it & Let us see your attempts
Mostly Just Enjoy you new Nikon & the two lenses both are good.   
Harryh

[Sheryl]

Harry, what do you mean by "it could be a problem" that I've been bitten by the photography bug?
 


I have another question. Does anyone know what a Ferrite core is? I've got two with my camera kit and there's no explanation what they're for. It just shows a picture and says they're Ferrite cores. They're two different sizes.

[pekster]

Usually used for electrical cables to avoid interference. No idea why you would have got them with your camera Sheryl ??