got a d3000

[S.Zimmerman]

Just got a d3000, a little overwhelmed already. I'm afraid ill break it.
Any tips to getting uses to manual settings?

[redge]

congrats! so how was the over all performance of your new toy? I'm still thinking what I will buy if the D3000 or the D5000.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by S.Zimmerman

Just got a d3000, a little overwhelmed already. I'm afraid ill break it.
Any tips to getting uses to manual settings?

Dont jump into manual yet. Start with learning about exposure: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. How they interact, what each does. Try using the Aperture Priority (A) and Shutter speed Priority (S) modes first: in these you adjust one item and the camera adjusts the other.

THEN you can jump into manual.

[Shokinen]

Read, read, read and read. There is no easy way out.
Shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot. Practice make champions.

Try shooting the same subject and change some settings. See how a large aperture (so small f/x number) will affect the background. How a fast shutter speer (so high 1/x number) will get a moving subject sharper but will also need more light.

The "P" mode is probably one of your best bet for now (other than scenes modes). It will choose your aperture and shutter speed for you in order to get a good exposure. You just have to focus on simple thing like how do I want my background, is my subject moving, how much light is avaiable at the moment, etc.

Like Osmosis said, once you get comfortable with these term, you'll be in a better position to focus on the composition side rather than technical side using manual settings.

[S.Zimmerman]

Thanks! keep it coming, I love reading others advise.

I have been reading a bunch. About aperture and shutter speed, now that I have my camera I can actually practice.

I had no idea that you can select "A" or "S" and it allows you to adjust that while it automatically does the rest.

I got to play with it for a day, now I cant have it for christmas! ha

Keep the advice coming. I love these forums!

[OsmosisStudios]

When you do get your hands on it, sit down with it for an afternoon with the instruction manual. Go through the manual, cover to cover, and when it shows something, do it on the camera and see how it affects things.

[ZannieGirl49]

First of all, congrats on the new toy! You'll definitely have fun with it.

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

When you do get your hands on it, sit down with it for an afternoon with the instruction manual. Go through the manual, cover to cover, and when it shows something, do it on the camera and see how it affects things.

This is great advice. I just got a D90 a few days ago because a tragic (tragic in that the camera died, luckily I wasn't seriously hurt) accident killed my D40 in October. Even though I'm used to Nikon and was very used to changing settings with my old camera I am still reading the new manual cover to cover with the D90 sitting right next to me. It's the best way to learn your new camera and what all those fancy buttons do. This may sound a little over the top but I also keep a highlighter with me for any terms that I come across that I'd like to research a bit more. Have fun!

[Rocko]

Ken Rockwell has some very detailed "user guides" for Nikon cameras (including the D3000). You may find them useful and if nothing else, a place to start with all the settings.

Here is a link: Nikon Reviews

then scroll down to Plain-English User Guides.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Rocko

Ken Rockwell

*rolls eyes*

/nothing personal.

[Rocko]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

*rolls eyes*

/nothing personal.

I don't disagee with you Osmosis and I am not saying he is the only source of info - all I was saying is "may be a place to start with all the settings"

This isn't meant to flame either - just making conversation, my friend.