I took the plunge!

[newtodis]

We went to Best Buy last night and bought a Nikon D60 kit with an 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lens. I've been "practicing" this morning and *love* the speed!! I'm not going to miss any more shots because my p&s is dragging inbetween pictures or starting up. I'm ready to go to Disney now!!!

The *only* thing I've noticed so far (and it's probably in the manual that I need to finish reading!!!) is that sometimes it won't autofocus or allow me to take the picture. If I find another object, focus on that and come back to what I was originally going to shoot it seems fine. Is this something I should be concerned about and exchange for another camera/lens?????

Thanks so much for everyone's imput. I'm really happy overall with the purchase and am certainly hooked for good now!

 

[ukcatfan]

The AF system requires contrast to focus. For example, try pointing at a blank wall and it might have problems. Then point it at a corner and it should lock. That might have been your problem. Unless shooting fast is a requirement, it is a good idea to lock focus and then re-frame anyway. That usually makes for a better composition. The subject in the middle of every shot gets boring.

 

[bostran1]

Congratulations on the new camera! Have fun with it and good luck.

 

[dr_zero]

We went to Best Buy last night and bought a Nikon D60 kit with an 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lens. I've been "practicing" this morning and *love* the speed!! I'm not going to miss any more shots because my p&s is dragging inbetween pictures or starting up. I'm ready to go to Disney now!!!

The *only* thing I've noticed so far (and it's probably in the manual that I need to finish reading!!!) is that sometimes it won't autofocus or allow me to take the picture. If I find another object, focus on that and come back to what I was originally going to shoot it seems fine. Is this something I should be concerned about and exchange for another camera/lens?????

Thanks so much for everyone's imput. I'm really happy overall with the purchase and am certainly hooked for good now!

Welcome to the Nikon family!

Yes the speed it so great compared to most p&s out there not only in the cycle time but the speed of the shutter making stopping time so much easier.

You might want to check amazon for the magic lantern guide or the likes for your D60 also, they are easier to read and make sense of when compared to most manuals LOL

http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-...5778/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b/104-0242891-5814328

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D60-Dig...383127/ref=pd_sim_b_njs_3/104-0242891-5814328

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Lantern-Guides-Nikon-D60/dp/1600594131

 

[DVC Eric]

Congratulations on your new toy.

 

[newtodis]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and suggestions!! I haven't had too much time to play with it any more but I'm hoping to get some time soon. DH and DS3's birthday parties are 7/11 and 7/12 so I've got to get the basics down by then to be able to take some good pictures.

 

[Geoff_M]

The *only* thing I've noticed so far (and it's probably in the manual that I need to finish reading!!!) is that sometimes it won't autofocus or allow me to take the picture. If I find another object, focus on that and come back to what I was originally going to shoot it seems fine. Is this something I should be concerned about and exchange for another camera/lens?????

If you've moved up from a point-n-shoot camera, you might also not be used to the different way that dSLR's autofocus. With P-n-S cameras, there are several AF points in the frame and the camera "picks" the "best" one to use. Depending on the AF mode you've selected on the D60, it is probably letting you select the area to try and auto-focus on. As the other poster mentioned, if your subject doesn't have enough contrast (or is too dark), it won't focus. With the P-n-S, if it doesn't like one region of the frame, it'll try another. Most often, the way P-n-S cameras work is that it will attempt to find a focus distance with each point and then select the point with the nearest distance. This means that P-n-S cameras will "lock on" with the AF more often than dSLRs, but that might also mean that it is more likely to lock on the fence in the background instead of your kid playing soccer (because your kid isn't on one of the AF spots, or isn't nearly as contrasty as the fence that's on another AF spot).

 

[Gdad]

Very nice- welcome to the dslr club.

 

[YesDear]

I use Nikons but do not have a D60. I would bet you have the focus selection on the setting that the frame must be in focus before it will allow you to push the shutter and take the picture. I looked at a review of the D60 and it appears that is the case. My nikons have a number options regarding how and where the camera focuses.

Welcome to the world of DSLR's and Nikon. My first Nikon was an F2 that I got in 1972. I have still have that camera. I have owned two film and four digital cameras and have never regretted any purchase. I only wish I had more lenses. You can never own enough lenses.

I was always told the main thing a camera needed was film for food. That is what is great about digital is that you never run out of food!