Just bought a Nikon D5200

[Darren]

Hi i thought i would see if i can get into Photography so i bought the above camera it is supposed to be a good beginners camera.
IF anyone knows of any good spots to take photos within 7 miles of Stafford (I don't drive) and any useful helpful techniques i should learn.

 

[Mikinton]

Excellent - I have a D5100. Stafford town centre and Victoria Park aren't bad places to start, or the castle.

Some thoughts ....

Take plenty of photos, and be prepared to delete 2/3rds of them.
Looking through the viewfinder, don't get too tight to your subject - you can always crop it down later.
Make good use of your photo editing software. It can really improve what might be an average photo.
Use the mode settings rather than leave it on auto.

And be prepared to experiment. The only thing you can do wrong is NOT to take the photograph.

 

[Darren]

Thank you for your advice, is there any photo editing software you recommend ?

 

[John Marwood]

Get yourself a cheap second hand 50mm lens

And go shoot from the hip

http://www.in-public.com/

 

[Mikinton]

I used to use Adobe Lightroom and would recommend it, though it is a bit pricey. Maybe one for later when you're a bit more experienced.

I'm currently using Raw Therapee, which is free. It seems to be functionally as good as Lightroom, but not as good ergonomically. (I much preferred using the latter, but maybe it's a question of practice.) And I used to use Picasa several years ago and that was good.

 

[Lucy]

The new 35mm for that camera is a good price and autofocus; most of the older 50mm aren't AF on that body. Stick it on A and get brilliant depth of field.

 

[John Marwood]

Stick it on P for Professional and hey presto!

 

[Darren]

Hi all it seems i have a steep learning curve because i dont understand most of this, however it just adds to the excitement, it has come with a lens it is the
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm

 

[Lucy]

Yep, that's the standard kit lens. I went on a course at Shugborough http://photographymadesimple.co.uk/ to help me learn.

 

[Gramaisc]

It's like driving - you really learn by actually doing it, after a little bit of instruction.

Unlike driving, you are unlikely to do much damage.

 

[Darren]

I just spent 20 minuets trying to put the strap on i am assuming with a very good tug it comes apart for safety reasons. Because i work from home and only go out once a week to socialize at darts i thought a good hobby would be photography and if i get good enough i will build myself a little website to showcase my images, if i get good enough.

 

[Gramaisc]

I just spent 20 minuets trying to put the strap on i am assuming with a very good tug it comes apart for safety reasons.

In the pictures that I can find, the strap looks the same as the one on @Ecker's D3000 - it shouldn't "come apart" - it's not easy to describe how it is correctly fitted, but it is pretty secure when it's done properly.

Does this help?

 

[Darren]

Strange the one i got with the camera has it the other way round with the little black bit under the buckle part.

 

[Gramaisc]

As long as both the standing part and the end both go through the buckle, it shouldn't come apart - the 'little black bit' is just to control the loose end.

Personally, I would do it the other way round, with the loose end inside the standing part, after the bight has passed through the loop on the camera from the outside.

 

[Darren]

Thank you i agree and will do the same, i can only think it was done that way straight from the box because of safety, it cost enough if someone is going to steel it from round my neck i would rather it not snap and deal with the pain after

 

[Gramaisc]

It doesn't snag on things as much, if you have the end on the inside.

 

[John Marwood]

Ignore the strap

Stick in a Tesco carrier bag

Saves ya getting mugged

 

[Gramaisc]

Ignore the strap

Stick in a Tesco carrier bag

Saves ya getting mugged

Not an Asda one - or somebody might fill it with cowshit.

 

[Darren]

Sorry another nooby question if i wanted to buy a better lens what should i go for, i would want something compatible with the camera with a reasonable zoom the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm or the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm i have no idea what the difference is.

 

[John Marwood]

As already mentioned you probably just want to have a play for 4 to 6 weeks with what you have

Shoot everything that moves

Zooms can make you lazy and your images look boring until you appreciate that the best pictures are the simplest ones

If you can then find a compatible fast 50mm lens within your budget then I would only use that for 12 months on the M setting , which is Masterpiece

I use an S6

It's a telephone