Borrowed a DSLR for my holiday....

justa1972

justa1972

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,188
Name
Justin
Edit My Images
Yes
Any top tips ?

Total newbie to DSLR's - only used compacts and a bridge before.

A friend has kindly lent me his back up camera - a Nikon D50

Any simple advise I should bear in mind ?

thanks
 
Did he give you a lens with it?


Personally I'd use it the same as you use your bridge. So if you know about aperture/shutter speeds/ISO then have a play with those settings. If not then leave them on auto, you should still be able to get some good photos.

You might get bitten by the DSLR bug though. :naughty::lol:
 
The D50 has some auto settings on it and picture style choices just like a P&S. Do take in to account the length of the lens though, because the lens protudes out of the body quite a bit. Any up, down, left, right movement is more noticeable in your shots, especially on a slower shutter speed.
 
that is it now you will never go back to a compacts.i didn't understand what the fuss was about and now i am hooked and wouldn't touch a compact.as far as advice unless you have plenty of time to set up the picture and adjust manual settings i would use the auto settings.holidays tend to be snap shots so i just use the portrait or landscape setting or which ever suits and normally gives decent results.
 
you will never go back to a compacts.i didn't understand what the fuss was about and now i am hooked and wouldn't touch a compact.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying, as I simply love my DSLR...however, for day to day use I keep a compact camera in my handbag/pocket, as it simply isn't practical or convenient to take my DSLR out every day. A decent compact camera, coupled with an eye for a good photo opportunity can be just as good as a DSLR, if not better...mine gives me full manual control as well as producing beautifully sharp shots. In some cases, particularly in low light, it consistently produces better results than my DSLR. :shrug:

My advice to the OP would be to just get out there, take the shots and don't worry about which piece of equipment is used...I'm sure you'll love the Nikon and will become a DSLR convert...:)

Janet
 
Try setting the camera to aperture priority (A) and using the widest aperture (the smallest number) to take advantage of the limited depth of field to isolate your subject, thats really the biggest difference that you will find between a compact and a DSLR.
 
thanks folks :)

I am hoping it will help me decide whether an DSLR is for me - or whether to go for another bridge camera...

I will use it on auto but I have a book and I'm trying to learn about aperture etc

Oh the lens is an 18-55...
 
Take a few shots with it before you go because if you really, really can't get on with it, and are unable to produce photographs that you are happy with, you need to find that out before it's too late.

Either that, or take your compact/bridge with you as well, just in case.
 
To start with you could just leave it in Auto (can you hear the gasps!!?).

One of the major benefits of a DSLR is that it is much easier to compose the shots and also the camera reacts virtually instantly when you press the button.

So, what I would do is read up some basic composition (rule of thirds etc) and concentrate on framing the pictures properly as you look through the viewfinder.

Also, watch stuff through the viewfinder and try "catch the moment" of moving objects/people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top