Just got myself a Nikon D5100 - tips please
Just got myself a Nikon D5100 - tips please
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H_Kan

Original Poster:

4,942 posts

228 months

Saturday 4th May 2013
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As the title suggests, I have bought myself a Nikon D5100 which comes with the standard kit lens.

I love taking photos, both with my old point and shoot camera, as well as on the iphone. The dslr purchase was motivated by having some great scenes I've captured in the past, where I wish that I'd not been limited by the equipment I was using.

In any case, as far as using a dslr goes, I'm pretty much a total novice, though I've tried to read up on what the various terms mean.

On that note, does anybody have some tips for somebody starting out in this hobby and also any recommendations for a good book or guide for beginners?

PJ S

10,842 posts

256 months

The Jolly Todger

2,744 posts

209 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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Perhaps a controversial post but http://www.kenrockwell.com has a lot of useful information, including a guide specifically for the D5100

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5100/users-guide/ind...

A lot of his reviews should be taken tongue in cheek and I wouldn't read too much into his suggestions for only using basic quality jpegs (although he does have a point buried in their somewhere) but a lot of what he says is actually very useful when you're starting out.


Mr Will

13,719 posts

235 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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The Jolly Todger said:
Perhaps a controversial post but http://www.kenrockwell.com has a lot of useful information, including a guide specifically for the D5100

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5100/users-guide/ind...

A lot of his reviews should be taken tongue in cheek and I wouldn't read too much into his suggestions for only using basic quality jpegs (although he does have a point buried in their somewhere) but a lot of what he says is actually very useful when you're starting out.
Ken Rockwell talks 75% good, understandable advice and 25% utter bks. The difficulty is distinguishing one from the other.

That being said, he does cover a lot of important points that others miss and provides a useful antidote to the ever prevalent gear-head sites which are more interested in specs than photos.

K12beano

20,854 posts

304 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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Nothing too wrong with Ren Kockwell...... in very small doses!



Much prefer Scott Kelby - various books available by Amazon et cetera, et cetera...



Otherwise, just get out and about with the camera and use it LOTS - best way to learn!

Simpo Two

92,704 posts

294 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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Ken Rockwell could be in the next 'Die Hard' - he'd just set his Nikon on 'JPG Auto' and bash the villain over the head with it.

K12beano

20,854 posts

304 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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Pixels line up in neat rows just for Ren Kockwell - he is The Pixel Whisperer.....

CommanderJameson

22,096 posts

255 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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Ken's fundamental and correct point is that the image comes from you, not your camera. This is lost in the sea of specs and kit that characterise a lot of photo sites. I like Ken's written style, but a lot of people find him way too OTT.

OP: Get a copy of Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. You could also do worse than Tom Ang's Digital Photographer's Handbook.

Martyboy84

512 posts

182 months

Wednesday 8th May 2013
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Chuck it to manual and learn what works and what doesn't.

Every now and again have a play on youtube to see how the experts do it!

If you get the bug you won't shift it in a hurry!