Ok, Got My D200 Now What?

Boo

Boo

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Well its here! My first DSLR in the form of the Nikon D200 and I love it!:love:

However, now I don't know where to start! I know once I've become more familiar with it I will really enjoy all its buttons and settings lol but at the moment I've no idea how to set it up initially to get myself going. Not saying I'm overwhelmed or anything but :runaway::runaway::runaway:

I also need generic advice on digital photography full stop. Histograms, RAW, white balance settings the list is endless and I aint got a clue! :nuts:

Any advice from anyone that uses the D200 for a complete novice or at least point me in the right direction? :tumbleweed:

Much appreciated :help:
 
For a complete novice.... how about the manual!! ;)
 
Boo said:
Ok, Got My D200 Now What?
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Traditionally, you now want to sell it, and buy a D300 :bonk:



Seriously now... DON'T try to learn it all at once! Start with the different shooting modes (Aperture and Shutter Priority, and Manual). Learn what each one does, and what effect you can get with each. Read up on ISO settings (lower the better!). Decide if you are going to shoot RAW or JPEG. Plenty of info around on these subjects, Google search or forum search is your friend! I'd also recommend buying the Field Guide to the D200 sooner, rather than later!

To get you started, set the WB to auto, select JPEG Fine, set aperture priority, attach a lens, AND GO TAKE SOME PICS!!!
 
And most importantly...

Get out with the camera and have fun.....

Using is the best way of learning....
 
Did you get the battery grip with it ?
If not its def worth getting makes the camera much more usable
I also would reccomend ken Rockwell for a read
But more importantly digital pics are free so get out there and shoot hundreds until you start to get it right !
 
Janice said:
For a complete novice.... how about the manual!! ;)
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LOL! well you got me there :bonk: and I am religiously reading through it, however one thing I find about manuals is that they're very good technically at telling which things do what but not why or when you need them. At least not in a lesson by lesson with examples and projects for you to try, if that makes any sense.:shrug:

Traditionally, you now want to sell it, and buy a D300
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Don't even start me on that one, I've already been thinking ahead wondering when I can afford the D300 so I've got a spare body to work with and to stop hubby and I from fighting over the camera when we go out!

Think I need to find my way around the D200 first eh! :lol:

I'd also recommend buying the Field Guide to the D200 sooner, rather than later!
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I'll take a look thanks. I've got the Magic Lantern Guide for the D200, is the Field Guide any better?
 
Jamougha said:
Not for someone who already has a clue and is trying to move away from film.
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Does she say she is moving away from film and has already got a clue? I thought she had had digital compacts before.

I read " I ain't got a clue!"
 
Janice said:
Does she say she is moving away from film and has already got a clue? I thought she had had digital compacts before.

I read " I ain't got a clue!"
Click to expand...

I've got a Nikon F80 which is a few years old but I've not touched for a couple of years due to the digital bug, got frustrated at the slow learning curve with film. However I love the camera! I was just getting there with exposure, metering and a general feel for photography with an SLR. I then got myself the Canon A610 (money was tight at the time) which has Apeture and shutter priority and full manual which appeased me for a while but the lack of RAW and quality of a DSLR, and the fact I've handled an SLR makes me realise there is nothing like a 'pukka' camera
 
White balance - set to auto and forget about it, if it's off then you can fix it in post-production more easily than on the spot.

Histograms - if the graph runs off the right then you've blown some of the highlights, though you may be able to recover some detail if you shoot raw.

Shoot jpeg fine and download picasa to do post-processing. This will make your life as simple as possible while you start out and you don't loose much compared to shooting raw and converting.

Really this is all simpler than it looks!
 
More stability
I find the D200/300 too small so it makes it much easier to handle
transforms the camera
One thing to note is I have 2 of these grips
One is the nikon one (very expensive)
One is a chinese 3rd party one (very cheap)
The chinese one is way better !
In fact I am considering selling the nikon one and getting another chinese one !

Regarding upgrading to a 300
I use cameras as tools and buy all my bodies 2nd hand now
The D200 will do anything you ask of it for very cheap money
I could afford to buy a 300 or even a D3 which are both very nice cameras but when these 200's continue to deliver as they do why spend the money !
Maybe I'm getting mean in my old age !
 
You're right:) There is absolutly nothing wrong with D200's - they are still an excellent semi-pro spec camera:)

If you have the magic lantern guide, that's as good as any!

NOW GO OUTSIDE AND TAKE PICTURES, AND STOP ASKING QUESTIONS!!!!!

;)
 
starman said:
Did you get the battery grip with it ?
If not its def worth getting makes the camera much more usable
!
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I disagree - I don't think it a must. All it adds is portrait buttons and longer battery life... and more weight. If you are using it 24x7 as a pro then I can see good reason.

Anyway, its a fantastic camera, enjoy!
 
Got any pics yet.
 
Shoot RAW. You will end up doing this at some point in the future anyway and then regret you didn't do it from the start. I presume Nikon has some software that will mimic the on-board conversion algorithms?

Remember that it's only a tool. It doesn't have a "take better pictures" button, that's still up to you to do.

Have fun with it and enjoy it.
 
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