Need a crash course D3100

[kkmauch]

Hi Folks!
Took the plunge and bought my first DSLR. Got a D3100 and am very excited. Just came with the standard lens and I haven't purchased any additional lenses.

I need a crash course in how to use my camera without relying on the auto setting. I am using the camera at WDW next week!! Will be taking night, firework, and park pictures for my website.

Any suggestions on where to start?

Thank you!!

 

[HPS3]

Its really hard to learn a camera in a short time. I would start with the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It's recommended by everyone. I made the mistake of buying a new DSLR right before my last WDW trip. I wasn't new to a DSLR but I had shot with a mirrorless Nex 7 for a while and I had to transition back to a DSLR. I had to learn all of the placement of controls and even had to adjust a front focus on a Tamron 17-50 that I picked up yhe day before we left. The first day at WDW I almost gave up because I couldn't get the Tamron to focus spot on and ended up with a lot of out of focus shots.

I'm not trying to scare you but it's so much better to have time to learn your camera before you plan on using it on a big vacation. The auto settings are also pretty good at general photography.

 

[havoc315]

"Understanding Exposure" is heavily recommended. But I'd start with the photo tips in the sticky on the top of this board. It will teach you tons about composition, which is just as helpful in auto modes as manual modes.

 

[kkmauch]

Thanks all!

 

[boBQuincy]

My suggestion is to use auto (or maybe program if you are feeling adventurous) and not worry about it. Trying to learn how to use more advanced settings in only a week is likely to result in a high percentage of poor exposures. A question: what is it you are hoping to improve by getting off auto?

Fireworks is a different story, for those you would not use the meter at all nor auto focus. To start with try F/11 for 3 seconds at ISO 100 (or the lowest your camera will go). Of course this requires a tripod. Auto focus on a distant object then switch to manual focus without disturbing the lens.

Hi Folks!
Took the plunge and bought my first DSLR. Got a D3100 and am very excited. Just came with the standard lens and I haven't purchased any additional lenses.

I need a crash course in how to use my camera without relying on the auto setting. I am using the camera at WDW next week!! Will be taking night, firework, and park pictures for my website.

Any suggestions on where to start?

Thank you!!

 

[photo_chick]

Hi Folks!
Took the plunge and bought my first DSLR. Got a D3100 and am very excited. Just came with the standard lens and I haven't purchased any additional lenses.

I need a crash course in how to use my camera without relying on the auto setting. I am using the camera at WDW next week!! Will be taking night, firework, and park pictures for my website.

Any suggestions on where to start?

Thank you!!

You need to learn the basics of photography if you want to get off auto. Plain and simple. There are no real shortcuts. Some people catch onto them with a quick read through, some people take longer. And then you need to get some experience.

My advice since your trip is next week is to stick with auto when you really need the shot. Leave the experimentation for when you won't be heartbroken if you miss it. Because when you first get off auto you're going to miss the exposure on a lot of shots for a while.

 

[amie416]

Search youtube for some tutorial videos to get you started and help you navigate around your camera. (maybe these videos?) Then look up some specific photography tips for the situations you'll be shooting in, and play around and have fun! Don't worry too much about getting a perfect shot every time. Fill up that memory card with as many interesting images as you can, and then edit out the ones that didn't turn out well. Pick the 10 best pictures out of 400+ shots in a day and be really proud of them. Learn something new every day... did I mention that you should have FUN?



Congratulations on your new camera! A lifetime of learning how to shoot better photos awaits you.

 

[MedicBill]

Take a look at "Understanding Exposure" then set your camera to manual and just take pictures. Play with each setting and see how it effects your pictures.

I've had my camera for under 2 weeks now and I've learned more by using it than any book could teach me.

And if you have any questions post here! The members here have been wonderful to me and have helped me out immensely!

 

[SkaGoat]

Its really hard to learn a camera in a short time. I would start with the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It's recommended by everyone. I made the mistake of buying a new DSLR right before my last WDW trip. I wasn't new to a DSLR but I had shot with a mirrorless Nex 7 for a while and I had to transition back to a DSLR. I had to learn all of the placement of controls and even had to adjust a front focus on a Tamron 17-50 that I picked up yhe day before we left. The first day at WDW I almost gave up because I couldn't get the Tamron to focus spot on and ended up with a lot of out of focus shots.

I'm not trying to scare you but it's so much better to have time to learn your camera before you plan on using it on a big vacation. The auto settings are also pretty good at general photography.

Why did you switch from a Nex 7 to a dSLR, seems like a lateral move to me, maybe even a downgrade.

 

[wiigirl]

"Understanding Exposure" is heavily recommended. But I'd start with the photo tips in the sticky on the top of this board. It will teach you tons about composition, which is just as helpful in auto modes as manual modes.

 

[hakepb]

Why did you switch from a Nex 7 to a dSLR, seems like a lateral move to me, maybe even a downgrade.

True, but...
you would need the expensive LA-E2 adaptor (about the same cost as an A57 on sale) to use a 17-50 f/2.8 on a NEX because there is not an E mount...

 

[kkmauch]

Appreciate all the great suggestions, thank you!!!

 

[HPS3]

Why did you switch from a Nex 7 to a dSLR, seems like a lateral move to me, maybe even a downgrade.

I switched for a few reasons but the main one was AF especially in low light. The K-5IIs can focus when its so dark I can't see through the VF. Also continuous focus also works. ISO 2000 and higher look much better. I don't need 24 mp. I think the K-5IIs without the AA filter holds up just fine against the 24mp Nex 7 and D600 that I shot with back in December. The K-5IIs also has stabilization and weather sealing. The Nex is a great compliment to a DSLR but not a total replacement yet. The K-5IIs with the DA15 or 43 limited is not really too much bigger than the Nex with adapters and legacy glass which I used the most.

 

[SkaGoat]

I switched for a few reasons but the main one was AF especially in low light. The K-5IIs can focus when its so dark I can't see through the VF. Also continuous focus also works. ISO 2000 and higher look much better. I don't need 24 mp. I think the K-5IIs without the AA filter holds up just fine against the 24mp Nex 7 and D600 that I shot with back in December. The K-5IIs also has stabilization and weather sealing. The Nex is a great compliment to a DSLR but not a total replacement yet. The K-5IIs with the DA15 or 43 limited is not really too much bigger than the Nex with adapters and legacy glass which I used the most.

This is completely off topic, but why do so many people choose Pentax over the bigger names like Canon & Nikon?

 

[MAJPLO]

This is completely off topic, but why do so many people choose Pentax over the bigger names like Canon & Nikon?

For me it was in body stabilization and weather resistance.