Page 6 • Nikon D60 • Non-Gaming • Photography • Eurogamer.net

moggsy 21 Aug 2008 13:40:41 3,859 posts
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Have you used an SLR before or are you coming at it like a virgin in a whorehouse so to speak?

Deleted user 21 August 2008 13:41:54

My advice would be to spend some time playing with it and working out what you don't know before getting any books.

Deleted user 21 August 2008 13:45:22

The D80 manual (I assume the D40 one is similar) was actually very comprehensive, not just specifically for using the camera, but also explaining the basics of exposure, and aperture and all that.

As I say, spend some time with the camera and the manual, and then get a book based on what you feel you need to understand more of. I got some books when I got mine, and most of it was redundant.

moggsy 21 Aug 2008 13:48:24 3,859 posts
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A more general purpose book might be best then. Something like [link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-SLR-Handbook-Michael-Freeman/dp/1905814178/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219322591&sr=1-2">this. or

Deleted user 21 August 2008 13:48:28

I had a bridge camera before with some similar functions, so I knew some stuff, but it doesn’t change my advice really. There’s very little point in getting books at this point really, it’s not like you won’t be able to do anything with your camera without them, and you may just find yourself a bit overwhelmed.

Jeepers 21 Aug 2008 13:53:18 16,616 posts
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I'd advise looking online for decent communities as well - flickr.com has a large number of active communities that are often very helpful.

And, of course, the EG forums have increased my knowledge of photography basics (whilst simultaneously dumbing me down in every other topic of knowledge

moggsy 21 Aug 2008 14:00:57 3,859 posts
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kalel wrote:
I had a bridge camera before with some similar functions, so I knew some stuff, but it doesn’t change my advice really. There’s very little point in getting books at this point really, it’s not like you won’t be able to do anything with your camera without them, and you may just find yourself a bit overwhelmed.

While I agree you can't beat playing around with the camera and taking plenty of pics a little bit of understanding of the basics can't hurt.

I think you need to do a bit of both - read a bit, play around a bit and so on.

moggsy 21 Aug 2008 14:03:00 3,859 posts
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ecosse_011172 wrote:
Any magazine recommendations?

I'd go to Smiths and have a flick through a few of them and see which one suits you best. You might have to buy a few different ones before you settle on which suits what you're after.

I don't think there are any particularly bad ones out there.

ayrtonsenna 21 Aug 2008 14:05:20 1,566 posts
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All the mags repeat themselves on 6 months cycles so you don't have to buy them for long. Real men read JPG mag and weep.

GingerMagician 21 Aug 2008 15:32:37 3,011 posts
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Re: the questions about good books, I'd recommend

This one...

...this one...

...and this one

Especially the first two.

edit: for about the eighth time....sorry

pistol 21 Aug 2008 15:57:26 13,018 posts
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I have the first one and it's a great book.

Deleted user 21 August 2008 19:58:43

I have the first one as well, improved my understanding very quickly.

ayrtonsenna 21 Aug 2008 20:13:15 1,566 posts
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Now ecosse, you're not going to turn into a raving Nikon fanboy now are you?

ayrtonsenna 22 Aug 2008 14:32:06 1,566 posts
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ecosse_011172 wrote:

ayrtonsenna wrote:
Now ecosse, you're not going to turn into a raving Nikon fanboy now are you?
Probably!

/weeps

ayrtonsenna 26 Aug 2008 13:28:35 1,566 posts
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Oh god.

Deleted user 26 August 2008 18:55:17

ecosse_011172 wrote:
Woohoo, they've given me the VR version of the lens!!!

When you pretend it is a Wiimote and start waggling your pics will still be sharp.

Deleted user 28 August 2008 22:09:49

Huh may as well use this thread as I started it for pointless question 100.

Are tripods universal? Can I buy any old tripod and put my camera on it? If not what I should I look for?

It is basically for taking photos of insects with my macro lens, taking shots hand held is a bitch.

I am not looking for something space age just simple, but no idea what to look for.

Jeepers 28 Aug 2008 22:14:14 16,616 posts
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As far as I know, yes. I picked one up for £6 from a charity shop and it worked fine.

Apparently, you should look out for a quick release head (fnurk) and the ability to tilt and pan - ideally with the simplest mechanism.

Deleted user 28 August 2008 22:16:07

Cheers Jeepers, the main question was the first really. I may have found a half decent one at a cheap price so thought it wise to check first.

Nikon D60 • Page 6