Nikon Help Line

[alexander]

As suggested, a Nikon Help Line. I have a D100 and got a D200 for Xmas.
My first time out with the 200 was with a mate who had just got his 1st camera, a 400D. He had a Q. and I tried to show him how it would work by setting his camera in manual and do some bracketing. He didn't have his manual and I couldn't work it out so I thought, Bring out the new D200 and show in off. Well at least I could get his 400D set to manual. With my own newy I could even find manual :o :o (I didn't have my manual either).

So to start this thread with a great tip.

1. Read your manual before you take your new camera out and show it off to your mates.
Alex.

Sar Nop and D200, I hope you don't mind but I feel you might have your work cut out solving the issues on this thread.:)

[SupremeMoFo]

I only show off the good results :P and the best way to learn is to spend a lot of time with your camera, then go back to the manual to learn what you don't understand.

[d200]

on d200 and I assume d80, set custom setting f1 (multi selector options) to playback mode -> zoom on -> high magnification.

Then, when reviewing a shot you just took, press and release the centre button of the multi selector (to take you immediately to 1:1 magnification). Now press and hold the checkerboard (thumbnail) button - the small window shows the section of the photo you will zoom in to. Move this window to the eyes using the multiselector L/R up/down, and release the checkerboard button.

if the eyes are sharp - it's a keeper, if not, shoot again.

[alexander]

on d200 and I assume d80, set custom setting f1 (multi selector options) to playback mode -> zoom on -> high magnification.

Then, when reviewing a shot you just took, press and release the centre button of the multi selector (to take you immediately to 1:1 magnification). Now press and hold the checkerboard (thumbnail) button - the small window shows the section of the photo you will zoom in to. Move this window to the eyes using the multiselector L/R up/down, and release the checkerboard button.

if the eyes are sharp - it's a keeper, if not, shoot again.

WOW.................. Dig that.
Alex

[Mike]

on d200 and I assume d80, set ...

...checkerboard (thumbnail) button - the small window shows the section of the photo you will zoom in to. Move this window to the eyes using the multiselector L/R up/down, and release the checkerboard button.

if the eyes are sharp - it's a keeper, if not, shoot again.

It maybe too late to shoot again by then..
If you used a Canon you would know it is in focus already..
lol

[alexander]

It maybe too late to shoot again by then..
If you used a Canon you would know it is in focus already..
lol

Get Off.. You Canon user...... Nikons rule:) :) Alex.

[d200]

It maybe too late to shoot again by then..
If you used a Canon you would know it is in focus already..
lol

I am quite sure that no-one shooting a canon has ever produced a soft image, ever.

[d200]

Another useful hint - probably quite applicable to all modern DSLRs, is how you leave the camera set up when you switch it off.

I use a lot of manual mode with spot metering and flash adjustments and manual focus etc, but if there is something I want to shoot quickly, I want the camera ready to go. Therefore, before putting the camera back in my bag, I always set:

Mode to aperture priority - aperture around 2.0-4.0 depending on the lens I have atached. If quickly shooting a fleeting subject (people or wildlife) I will probably want faster shutter speeds and less DOF.

ISO 100-400. Good balance between speed and noise for my personal tastes.

Metering to matrix - point and shoot

Qual to raw - that way I can fix white balance and saturation etc later.

focus to single servo AF

VR to on if a vibration reduction lens.

AF area to single area AF and I select the central area.

Flash to matrix and flash compensation to 0 - I usually shoot in simple TTL with a -1.0 to -2.0 compensation, but this is quick and easy to dial up - If I want to point and shoot in a hurry, It is much quicker to let the nikon matrix BL sort it out for me.

This is all very personal - the point is to think about every possible setting on your camera, and what you would want your camera setings to be to capture a fleeting moment - the settings have come from years of trial andd error, and hundreds of wasted shots because I had left the camera set up as it had been for the last scenic!

[alexander]

Good points D200. I have just started to try a few things lately and every time I pick my camera up the next time.... Bang!!! the first shot is ruined because I haven't check where i left the settings.

Alex.

P.S. (to anyone) call me Alex, Alexander is a waste of ink.

[Axel]

Excellent tip D200, feel free to post it in the Canon helpline too.

It is a good point and yes I have a lot of bad White Balance first shots because I don't reset before putting the camera away.

[SupremeMoFo]

I am quite sure that no-one shooting a canon has ever produced a soft image, ever.Especially with those kit lens :p
Sorry, I'll get back in my box now.