to learn camera- i dont want to read the entire manual...

[WayneF]

The manual just tells you how to run the menus, and which button does what. Maybe how to select what you want, but it is NOT about what you want, or why you might want it.

The manual is very important, we have to read it, but doesn't tell you anything about learning photography basics.

 

[Vtec44]

It's 2015! There's something called Google, yo!

 

[jake337]

I have never read the entire manual. #truestory

I don't think I've ever read a manual.

 

[table1349]

It's 2015! There's something called Google, yo!

Google makes us all dumber The neuroscience of search engines - Salon.com

 

[Vtec44]

It's 2015! There's something called Google, yo!

Google makes us all dumber The neuroscience of search engines - Salon.com

Maybe... but this dumb dude is smart enough to use the right tools to get a lot of things done

 

[jarg007]

.. but your's does not help.

Oh, but you're wrong! Mine's does help! In fact, mine is the only suggestion that get's you started taking picture's right away in precisely the manner in which you prefer; without reading a lot of stuff.

Now, if by some chance you wish to actually LEARN your camera, then I'm afraid you'll have to do some serious study; i.e.: read the manual.

Think nothing of it. I'm glad to help.

I'm not sure if your trying to be witty and funny but Im not saying i dont want to read anything or learn the camera ect.. just don't like reading purely dry and boring material. The original title of the post was a little mis-leading and maybe not the best of wordings.

However, there have been many great suggestions for learning the camera without going through the tedious manual, which is exactly the ideas I was looking for.

 

[480sparky]

OK. Don't read the whole manual.

Just read the 'Quick Start' section at the beginning.


Problem solved.

Now let's all calm down and go shoot something.





















With a camera, silly!!!!
















.

 

[table1349]

The manual just tells you how to run the menus, and which button does what. Maybe how to select what you want, but it is NOT about what you want, or why you might want it.

The manual is very important, we have to read it, but doesn't tell you anything about learning photography basics.

Wayne, I would have to disagree. How can you learn the basics if you don't know how to use the camera? That's like trying to drive and not knowing what the round thing on the pole in front of you is, what the little stick things coming out from that pole are foe or what those peddle looking things on the floor do. You can always tell the newbie that didn't read the manual, because they are driving down the street on a cloudless day with the windshield wipers going.

 

[table1349]

OK. Don't read the whole manual.

Just read the 'Quick Start' section at the beginning.


Problem solved.

Now let's all calm down and go shoot something.

With a camera, silly!!!!.

.

 

[Vtec44]

Be honest, you won't remember anything a week later from reading the entire manual.

 

[WayneF]

Wayne, I would have to disagree. How can you learn the basics if you don't know how to use the camera? That's like trying to drive and not knowing what the round thing on the pole in front of you is, what the little stick things coming out from that pole are foe or what those peddle looking things on the floor do. You can always tell the newbie that didn't read the manual, because they are driving down the street on a cloudless day with the windshield wipers going.

There are always different opinions, and certainly ours are definitely different. We might learn how to turn the wipers on/off, but we can't learn to drive by reading the cars manual. That needs other detailed data, like for example, the rules of the road.... the ideas governing our actions. Learning to turn the wipers on does not teach driving - and wipers are not on the drivers test.

Same as photography also needs the basics. There is much more than just the buttons. This needed basic instruction is Not in the equipment manuals. It probably would be helpful if we had photography tests too.

I do strongly advocate reading the manuals, that is info we do need to know (how to operate the camera). But we definitely also need the basic knowledge about how photography works (how to take a picture). If we cannot understand the manual, then we probably don't understand the basics well enough to know why the camera features are being discussed. We need to understand about rain to understand the wipers.

 

[tecboy]

Screw the manual! Go watch YouTube!




But seriously, I find the manual very interesting to learn like TTL and create auto modes. It is really fun to learn how to convert color to black & white. Read the manual, bro. It teaches you how to do these things in your DSLR.

 

[tecboy]

Was there a lady who don't want to read a manual happened long time ago, and she wanted a half professional camera with full automatic to do the job for her because she had a busy life style? Then, a lot of members in TPF slammed her, and she left.

 

[WayneF]

Was there a lady who don't want to read a manual happened long time ago, and she wanted a half professional camera with full automatic to do the job for her because she had a busy life style? Then, a lot of members in TPF slammed her, and she left.

We all use automation in high degree.. Camera A or S mode is auto exposure. Auto focus. In many cases Auto ISO and Auto White Balance. TTL flash is automation. Often, all of the above (whether we call it Auto mode or not). And often people claiming to use Manual exposure mean they simply just zero the meter by hand.. And compared to old time cameras, auto film advance and auto shutter cocking.

But skill and knowledge is the knowing when and how to deviate from that automation to improve the results, or match our goal.

 

[KmH]

The camera users manual tells you what features, capabilities and functions your camera has and how to activate each one
It is not likely you will use all of the features, capabilities and functions your camera has , but it sure is helpful what is available.

Your user manual will not tell you how to make pleasing photos.
If you want to make quality photos you will have to do even more reading so you can learn about how the different exposure settings- shutter speed, lens aperture, ISO - metering, composition, white balance, and exposure compensation all relate when making a photograph.

Books (hard copy or online) and printed reference material have the advantage over Internet searches in that they tend to be organized in a logical progression all in one place.

Internet searches have the advantage of you discovering information you didn't know you want to know by serendipity, but have the disadvantage of not being complete nor in a organized natural progression.