[Leash15]

I just got a Nikon D200 for Christmas, which is an upgrade from my D70s. I'm new to the whole actually using and adjusting the settings manually, which i will have to do now. any suggestions on the D200? likes and dis-likes? I'm hoping it will work out well and that I find it better then the D70s.


am i crazy for thinking i can handle the d200? or will i survive?

[Soupdragon]

You do not have to set everything manually.
It has an auto mode, all you need to set is the ISO.

[Hacker]

You can set the auto mode but I would start experimenting with Aperture or Shutter Priority (A or S in the top LCD panel) which can be changed by pressing the mode button and turning the Command Dial. This will be the best way for you to start learning the camera and just what it is capable of, it is a great bit of kit and you will certainly notice the difference between it and the D70s.

I upgraded to a D200 from a D70 and in my experience it is not as forgiving a camera but don't let this put you off as you will become a better photographer because of it.

Just get out and enjoy it and remember to post your results on here!

[muscle750]

Buy Simon Staffords book on the D200 its about £15 well worth it very informative Can be ordered throu Grays of westminster i actually ordered mine throu W H Smith.
Also save ur pennies and buy a grip and extra battery about £150 well worth it.
Save even more pennies and buy yourself a 17 55 2.8 and ur away! Oh and a SB800!
Believe me it gets expensive!!!

[VinnyP]

The D200 has a lot more of the controls easy to use whilst keeping your eye to the viewfinder (and has a fair bit of information in the viewfinder) and you have to go to menus less often than a D70. So I would recommend practising shooting like this and changing settings and modes until you can do it without thinking too much. It will be clumsy at first but I think it's worth it.

As with any DSLR shoot lots to get used to how the camera handles and exposes and how the different modes work. Especially the focusing modes as they are quite complicated. Check the histogram often to see how it's exposing things.

I can recommend the Thom Hogan guide it covers absolutely everything in painful detail.

[Soupdragon]

I still maintain running the D200 in P mode is a good way to start.
Lets not forget this is a flexible program so, with perhaps the exception of exposure compensation, most all desired effects can be acheived with a high level of confidence.
Moreover, just because it is a professional camera does not mean you have to prove your photographic prowess by using manual modes.
Remember, there is only one correct exposure, how you acheive that is one of personal preference!

[Leash15]

oh! you reminded me, maybe one of ya'll can help me out, when I look at the histogram for my photos, what SHOULD it look like? all even across it, or mound shaped that reaches to teh ends, or just plain mound shaped? or am i way off???

[VinnyP]

Different scenes produce different Histogram curves. It's complicated if there was unlimited dynamic range then an evenly distributed or centred histogram would be ideal and that is what you should aim for in PP. But camera sensors are not linear in what they can capture. The upshot is that the best exposure is one where the histogram is a close to the far right edge without clipping it's called "expose to the right"

This of course looks a bit bright at first but means you retain far more detail that you can bring out in PP. Also you will need a faster F-stop or slower shutter so you need to decide which is the best result in trade off.