Using my new D40

<p>Hi, I am new to this forum and also a new owner of a D40. I must say, I have no idea how to use my camera! I am used to my old p&s, but would now like to take pictures without using auto settings. I do not, however, seem to be able to figure out what settings to use!! I sort of know how to select say, aperture and shutter speed, but I do not know what settings to use to take 'normal' pictures.</p>

<p>I hope someone on this forum will be able to help me - someone with lots of patience!</p>

<p>Well, ah, I guess someone has to ask this. Did you read the owners manual?</p>

<p>I suggest you buy and read a beginner's photography book that will help you familiarize you with the terms and how the settings affect your photos. Just a quick intro: a lot of people use Aperture priority for most pictures.</p>

<p>Aperture is how big the lens diaphram/opening is when the picture is taken. A larger diaphram is a smaller number (i.e. f/2.8 is a larger opening than f/3.5). Larger diaphram means more light going in, and a shorter exposure, but also a shallower depth of field. Depth of field is basically how much distance in front and behind your subject is in focus.</p>

<p>Most lenses however, don't perform as well "wide-open" (with the aperture all the way open), so people "stop down" (close the aperture a bit) to improve image sharpness. For the D40 kit lens, the sweet spot is roughly around f/8. So you will get really far by setting to aperture priority, switching to f/8 (by turning the thumb wheel), and adjusting from there based on the situation and what you want to do.</p>

<p>If you need more depth of field, stop down more. If you need shallower depth if field, or more light (if your exposures seem too long), open up, and/or boost your ISO rating in the menu. Use the lowest ISO rating your lighting situation allows to reduce noise.</p>

<p>When you're running around in Aperture (or "P" mode, or shutter priority), one thing you may use often is exposure compensation. There/s a +/- button near the shutter release. Hold that down, and turn the thumb wheel, and you'll see a meter go up or down. This makes the camera expose a little more or a little less based on how you set it. You use this if you think the camera's metering system (which in aperture priority, judges how long to expose) isn't getting it quite right.</p>

<p>Thank you for the response! I have read the manual, but it only tells me where to adjust the settings, not really how to adjust the settings for a specific scene...but I guess I have to play around a bit and see what happens!</p>

<p>D40 has Automatic mode perhaps marked with green camera icon, and also other modes. You should just start with the Auto mode, then advance to the other automated modes like Portrait, Landscape, Sports, etc.</p>

<p>You should make beaufitul photos this way. Then once you know what your camera is capable of, venture into A, S, P, and M model.</p>

<p>You could lookup EXIF data from pictures taken in automated modes, and try to reason how/why the camera smarts selected exposure parameters for you. </p>

<p>Reading a book is always helpful.</p>

<p>Here's a starter:<br>

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Lantern-Guides-Nikon-D40/dp/1600591817/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271962990&sr=1-6</p>

<p>Second:<br>

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Book-Scott-Kelby/dp/032147404X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271963131&sr=1-2</p>

<p>google Nikon D40 digitutor.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d40/index.shtml">http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d40/index.shtml</a></p>

<p>Mark's second link there, Scott Kelby's "Digital Photography Book", is really good. Very easy to understand, and full of great tips and ideas.</p>

<p>If you bought the camera at a reputable store, they should have walked you through the basics.</p>