I've finally taken the plunge and upgraded from crappy compact to Nikon D3000.
Unfortunately I've always been a point and shoot sort of a guy so now I have absolutely no idea how to get the best from a DSLR (or indeed what all the technical terms mean etc). I've ordered a book but was wondering if anyone on here had any tips or links to useful information that might get me or any other newbies started.
For general photography, you could start by using Aperture Priority, AF-S focus mode, Single Area focus with central sensor selected (and using focus and recompose), Matrix exposure metering, ISO 400 for normal lighting condition, White Balance according to available light.
When shooting people outside in bright light or indoor against a bright window (with the window behind them), use P-mode and fill flash with around -0.7EV flash exposure compensation, White Balance on Auto.
I try and keep the ISO as low as possible. Most days I can get away with 100, I certainly wouldn't start at 400. Talkphotography is an excellent site with help and tips.
The best way to learn is to take lots of pictures and change the settings. Then review them and find out what works for you. Whilst books and websites offer some good advice, you can't be getting out there and taking pictures
On an DSLR, ISO 400 is almost noise free, unlike on compact (point and shoot) cameras.
Depending on the focal length used, the aperture selected (for desired depth of field or for sharpness of the image) and the available light, ISO 100 might not be usable on a lot of situations.
I agree with that Seb, but I would always aim for the lowest ISO for the best results. I know there is a lot of talk about the difference between Canon and Nikon in terms of ISO performance and between cameras of the same make too, with some goign to silly levels now.
I am not saying I wouldn't use 400, I just wouldn't use that as a starting point.
seb, nice post but i bet jonno didn't understand a word of it until he reads his book don't worry jonno it gradually gets easier.
jonno, use aperture priority (A) and set ISO to 100.
look at page 120 of the manual to see how to set auto ISO. just set the maximum ISO (1600 is good) and the minimum shutter speed (i set mine to the focal length of the lens or 1/60th sec).
using this means you can effectively forget about ISO as the camera will automatically adjust the ISO rating to take a shot when the speed drops below the minimum speed you set. turns the camera into a more point and shoot whilst you keep control of aperture/speed.
NOTE: this auto ISO IS NOT THE SAME AUTO ISO AS THE CAMERA MAY USE IN AUTOMATIC MODE. IT IS FAR SUPERIOR. (oops! caps. sorry)
