My first thread noob D5100 and I need help!long post.

[TammyCampbell]

Yeah I was really hurried. I wasn't being as careful as I should've been. Losing the light.and hoping the rangers wouldn't kick me out too soon. lol sorry for the sloppy..

 

[TammyCampbell]

Lol. Joker.

 

[robbins.photo]

Yeah I was really hurried. I wasn't being as careful as I should've been. Losing the light.and hoping the rangers wouldn't kick me out too soon. lol sorry for the sloppy..

Pshaw - No need to apologize. Your going to take a lot of shots that are out of focus, underexposed, etc, etc - As you get better it will happen less, but it will still happen occasionally. Nothing to worry about at all, just the nature of the beast really. The more practice you get with the camera's settings the more "keepers" you'll get and the better your shots will get over time. Nobody expects you to pickup a guitar and play like BB King first time out.

 

[TammyCampbell]

So buying used is safe to do.?I almost bought an "imported" model on Amazon. I almost didn't catch that It was a knockoff. But I caught it . It was 200 dollars with a bunch of accessories. I ended up going through modern electronics on Amazon.and getting the 55-300 .found it through http//www.lenshero.com. It has the 5 year USA warrantee . Came with cap, 3 lens filters, cap keeper and cleaning kit. And the lens bag. Payed 130 dollars more. But I wanted something sure. I'm learning but I definitely think my forte so. Far is landscapes.

 

[LakeFX]

Buying used lenses has the same risks as buying anything else used. If you are careful about who you buy from then you can save a lot of money. The only piece of equipment I have that I bought new is my 50/1.8 because it was only $75 new.

 

[robbins.photo]

So buying used is safe to do.?I almost bought an "imported" model on Amazon. I almost didn't catch that It was a knockoff. But I caught it . It was 200 dollars with a bunch of accessories. I ended up going through modern electronics on Amazon.and getting the 55-300 .found it through http//www.lenshero.com. It has the 5 year USA warrantee . Came with cap, 3 lens filters, cap keeper and cleaning kit. And the lens bag. Payed 130 dollars more. But I wanted something sure. I'm learning but I definitely think my forte so. Far is landscapes.

LakeFX pretty much nailed it there, Most of what I have I bought used - just couldn't afford new. I got most everything from Ebay - but I've found that as long as you read the descriptions carefully and ask questions before bidding you can get some really great deals that way. I shy away from sellers with limited feedback (less than 50 for cheap items, less than 100 for more expensive stuff). I also shy away from sellers who don't put any sort of description of the item in their ad, and if they don't mention something (like say the condition of the LCD screen for example) I'll ask - basically I get everything I feel is important specified in writing before I bid - and I don't rely on the pictures. Trying to see a scratch on an LCD screen in a picture is pretty difficult, but if I ask and they say "Nope, no scratches" then I'm covered. That sort of thing.

 

[TammyCampbell]

We are our own worst critics.. Artists do that. Want perfection always.. Lol. Your right only getting out there and learning the camera limits will teach me.

 

[robbins.photo]

We are our own worst critics.. Artists do that. Want perfection always.. Lol. Your right only getting out there and learning the camera limits will teach me.

Yup, pretty much. Just relax and have fun with it - your off to a flying start so I don't think it will take you much time at all to master the basics.

 

[TammyCampbell]

I'm so excited.. I caught tons of birds today.. and not the rude ones Flickr: tam_and_john's Photostream

 

[TammyCampbell]

Well I bought a hot shoe level.. but sometimes I like to be a little sideways.. lol... but I understand. I was more concerned with filling the scene and not leveling it. I do all of these by hand right now. I will start using my tripod soon though.

 

[robbins.photo]

Well I bought a hot shoe level.. but sometimes I like to be a little sideways.. lol... but I understand. I was more concerned with filling the scene and not leveling it. I do all of these by hand right now. I will start using my tripod soon though.

You can also use a post processing program of some sort (photoshop, light room, the gimp, ad infinitum) to edit your images after you take them, they come in real handy for little things light straightening your horizon (if it happens to be a little off kilter), etc.

 

[TammyCampbell]

I will get me a photoshop. as soon as possible.

 

[robbins.photo]

I will get me a photoshop. as soon as possible.

In the meantime you can download a copy of a program called "The Gimp" for free - it was originally developed for linux systems however they have made it available for Windows. It does have a lot of photoshop's features - I prefer photoshop myself because I'm used to the interface but certainly couldn't hurt to give the Gimp a look in the meantime.

 

[TammyCampbell]

Well, Im using the Nikon software I have. and so far.. its better. Not as many editing options. but still an improvement I think. I also did the water exercise from Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum edits and nef conversions - a set on Flickr

 

[RobMelone]

Robbins,

Thanks for that "Assign /FN Button" tip. I went to make that change on D5100 as well. That does make it easy and fast to change the ISO. Thanks again...