Starting out with a DSLR

I took the plunge into the DSLR world & bought a Nikon D80 with a

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Last fall I opted to pass on this camera because of the size & I was intimidated by the learning curve. But of all the DSLR’s the saleperson at Ritz had me try, this one felt the best for me. The options in cameras these days are staggering, but the experts say that they’re making DSLR’s much more user friendly.

Then I needed to decide on a lens. The feedback from our digiscrapping ladies is that the stock lens with the Canon Rebel isn’t flexible enough & I had read similarly about the Nikon’s package lens, so I decided to step it up. On the recommendation of a friend, I went with what he had purchased, but it caused me fear for 2 reasons: 1) size & 2) price. The camera body is larger & heavier than the Canon Rebel the way it is. And so I put it together with trepidation.

I’ve worked with 2 SLR’s - an Olympus OM-10 & a Minolta that’s in the closet with 2 lenses. But I really didn’t go beyond auto.

I took this rig outside yesterday to give it a try. The lens has vibration reduction (VR) which I thought was important because I have a bit of a tremble (the camera salesman noticed it).  He suggested that using the viewfinder was to my advantage because I would cradle the camera & compensate for that. He was right! I never turned the VR on for any of these shots.

I have to say on first impression that the lens is TOTALLY worth it! The range is incredible - from macro at 2 feet to a zoom (which can be pulled in closer because of the 10.2 pixels). The DSLR is SO amazing because you do the rough focusing & the camera does the fine on the lens. It’s incredible! And after a dozen shots, I wanted to adjust the depth of field to my choice & control the focusing, so I switched the camera to manual! Then I went back & forth between manual & auto trying the same shots. Another thing that struck me was response time.

The one thing that intrigued me was the focusing that seemed to be moving around inside the viewfinder. I want to know how to choose from them. (So the camera has already challenged me to learn more). The clarity & rich color is amazing. I love it!

Here are my favorite first shots (clicking a photo shows more detail):

Awesome macro from 18″!

Furthest range of lens…

Zooming in…

In-between!

   Sushi’s eyes are so blue!

manual allowed me to focus on the flowers

used Shadows & Highlights tool in Pro 2 to adjust this!

I have tried to do this with my point & shoot, but.. couldn’t.

My first experience was very enjoyable. The camera didn’t seem too heavy at all. I didn’t mind using the viewfinder. Next week I’m travelling to the ACD offices in Victoria, BC so you may be seeing more photos from this new camera!

So what do you think? I’m open to suggestions & criticism. I’m just beginning on this adventure!

Subscribe to the comments for this post