Just bought A Nikon D60....Any tips!

[dixiegirl]

Well hubby and I just bought a Nikon D60 after not being happy with our current camera which was a canon..We just never got good results, at first we did but after a year or so...just not good....Anyway was wondering if anyone else (I'm sure) has a D60 or any other Nikon and if so any tips when going to the world with this camera.....Just taking pics around here with the kids and dogs it seems like its pretty much "dummy Proof"...But any help and advice would be great!!!! Would love to go to some of the free camera courses that were offered (yes free) but none till after we go to Disney....

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Read the instruction book thoroughly and use the camera in as many different lighting situations (that replicate Disney conditions) as possible - low light, bright light, no flash, fireworks etc before you go.

I've got the D80 and found it to be an excellent camera

 

[PhotoDave219]

Work on/learn basic techniques of composition and getting proper exposure.

If you have $20 or so bucks, a great beginner's guide is "The National Geographic Field Guide to Photography"

 

[SnowWhiteMomma]

sorry...

 

[SnowWhiteMomma]

What kind of Canon were you shooting with?

 

[dixiegirl]

Oh no need to be sorry... It is a Powershot SD750.....I love my nikon...seems dummy proof ......I need that!! Now my only problem is fighting with my hubby over it!!

 

[WDWFigment]

Learn to use manual settings. At the very least "A" or "S" mode. Trusting Automatic for everything can turn any camera into "junk". If you're into night pictures, get a tripod and the ML-L3 (or whatever the name is) remote. The remote is like $13 on amazon.

 

[celticdog]

I have the predecessor the the D60... the D40. They are basically the same camera, however the D60 has improved ISO, processing and megapixels.

As stated before, practice at home and a lot, especially in "manual" mode and in low light situations. Get comfortable with the menus and with the controls. Pick up a couple of extra memory cards, I prefer 2gb, because they are easier to download. Number the cards starting with "1" and use them in order. You won't waste time wonder which ones are empty.

If you're just using the pictures for an album or scrapbooking, set the image size to "meduim" and the quality to "fine". Use the "jpg" option. It does limit the ability to work in photoshop, but it keeps the file sizes small. I do most of my shooting in WDW on "Auto" during the day and outside. It does very well, however on rides or inside, I switch to "manual" or "a" or "s" depending on the effect I want. I always shoot "manual" at night. I too, laugh at the flashes going off during Wishes, Illuminations, Spectro, etc.

Pick up a 52mm UV filter to protect the lens and leave it on. Check you local camera shop or book store, they should have the "Digital Field Guide" for the
D60. It's much more expansive than the owner manual.

 

[dixiegirl]

Thanks for all the advice..We have been playing around with it around here..I'm hoping to find a camera bag (it came with one but way to big and bulky for Disney ) A backpack stle that Has all the interchangable compartments ...Any camera bags that are Disney related such as this?? If not I seen quite a few online at our local camera store that I had purchased our camera at...

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Try Lowepro

 

[mouselvrmom]

Wow, thanks for the website, captain! I may be picking one of those up for our next trip.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I bought a Tamrac slingbag for this trip specifically. Oddly enough, i dont have a "small" camera bag. I'm carrying camera, 24-85, 70-300, 85/1.8, and a flash. Its working perfectly.

 

[minnie2000]

Hi

First posting here (permission from my wife)! :sohappy:

We just bought the D60 and agree it is a fantastic camera.

We are off to the Polynesian on the 08/14/08 for 14 nights and cannot wait so trying to learn some of the settings for nights shots etc.

Here is a link to cameralab which have really useful examples on how to adjust the manual settings. They use different cameras but the idea is the same on any dslr.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=scTkyKARqEA

If you see another D60 user fiddling with the settings it could be me.

 

[dixiegirl]

Hi

First posting here (permission from my wife)! :sohappy:

We just bought the D60 and agree it is a fantastic camera.

We are off to the Polynesian on the 08/14/08 for 14 nights and cannot wait so trying to learn some of the settings for nights shots etc.

Here is a link to cameralab which have really useful examples on how to adjust the manual settings. They use different cameras but the idea is the same on any dslr.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=scTkyKARqEA

If you see another D60 user fiddling with the settings it could be me.

Oh thanks for the link..Can't waitt to see your pics when you come back!!!