Looking for Reference Books

[angelia_martin]

I'm completely new to the photography and to the forums. I recently received a Nikon D30 as a gift from my husband and enrolled in a local class at the nearest tech college to learn more. However, the class in question I've become very disappointed in. The class focuses more on the concept and art rather what I really need to know first, how to use my camera. I do have the owners manual but it gives little on details. So I'm looking for any recommendations on books that are available that can explain in better detail on how to use the camera from technical stand point.

 

I have researched it, but there is so many out there that you just can't pin point which one to invest money into. I would also like to find something on filters and lenses. Something that explains them in depth rather just an overview.

 

Thanks<br />

[kevin_delson]

<p>Angelia,</p>

<p>Did you mean the Nikon D-300?</p>

<p>If you do a google search (Nikon D-300 + books) you will find many books that go more into detail compared to the manual.</p>

[angelia_martin]

<p>Let me correct myself real quick. I have no idea where D30 came from, that should be D40! And that was my point. There are soooooo many books out there on the D40 I was hoping to find or get a recommendation on books that others have used, to help do some weeding so to speak.</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Lots of Nikon users recommend <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.bythom.com/d40guide.htm&ei=GWrvSpeII4u2M6H0jYQM&sa=X&oi=nshc&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&ved=0CAoQzgQoAA&usg=AFQjCNFwlta179KanaBcjMQy2uUleHsshA">Thom Hogan's Nikon books</a> . I haven't read any of his equipment operation books personally but have read enough of his website articles to confirm that he writes clearly and knowledgeably.</p>

[JAPster]

<i>Moderator note: Please check your links before posting. Don't repeat the entire URL in the text portion of a hot link. It forces side-scrolling and is impossible to use.</i>

<hr>

<p>There is a publisher called Magic Lantirn that puts out camera books that are aimed at specific models. A Magic Lantirn book will cover pretty much the same territory as the owner's manual, but will explain things a bit deeper and sometimes they include pertinent technical information not found in the owner's manual. Here is a link to the Magic Lantern book for the D40 ...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.adorama.com/DVDMMWNKD40.html">adorama</a></p>

<p>looks like it also comes with some training DVDs you might find very helpful.</p>

<p>If you are willing to invest in some good modern photography books, I would suggest...<br>

Langford's Basic Photography, Eigth Edition<br>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240520351/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/181-9251221-7840143?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=0KABKMPTK15CTBNQ9GAB&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=0240515927">Langford's Basic Photography, Eigth Edition</a></p>

<p>and</p>

<p>Photography (9th Edition)<br>

by London, Stone, and Upton<br>

<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pbase.com/synapseman/image/101779215.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php%3Ft%3D418959&usg=__J5AZJbahzr4GnN0W4AmHCjdxLH0=&h=333&w=320&sz=25&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=UGGcGOSEWhxz4M:&tbnh=119&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dphotography%2Bbooks%2B%252B%2BLondon%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1">Photography (9th Edition)</a><br>

(look in the 2nd entry in this page).</p>

<p>Now if you want to skip a lot of basic fundamental stuff, and just see hints and tips, this is a good book...<br>

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Book-Scott-Kelby/dp/032147404X#reader_032147404X">this is a good book</a></p>

<p>Or, if you want more training, like a photography course in a book, this is a good book,<br>

A Short Course in Photography<br>

Barbara London<br>

<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i43.tower.com/images/mm100475412/a-short-course-in-photography-barbara-london-paperback-cover-art.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tower.com/a-short-course-in-photography-barbara-london-paperback/wapi/100475412&usg=__lsCYgbH2Ym00YM-nEoHEhgczhFM=&h=254&w=192&sz=18&hl=en&start=49&um=1&tbnid=Nnk3iKk7G5qyUM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=84&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dphotography%2Bcourses%2Blondon%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D40%26um%3D1">A Short Course in Photography</a></p>

<p>There's enough range here to fit just about any budget, so take a close look at one of these.</p>

<p>Also, remember that Nikon offers online tutorials available on the web. Check the fine print in the opening pages of your owner'smanual, and look for the lines that tell you the online Nikon tutorial sites. Check those out to see if t hey are helpful.</p>

<p>good luck</p>

[jim_momary]

<p>Scott Kelby cuts thru the endless stuff and shows you how to do this and that. (vol 1, 2 & 3) But it's general stuff, not model specific.<br>

Magic Lantern books are great add-ons for manuals.<br>

And a bit more indepth, but the best I've personally seen - Thom Hogan -<br>

http://www.bythom.com/d40guide.htm<br>

And there's nothing that replaces shoot - shoot - shoot. It costs nothing to take hundreds of images.Learn about and how to use the histogram and to look at exif data for each photo. Digital is the fastest way to get from A to B, learning wise, as you get <strong>instant feedback</strong> ! It took me years with film and a shot-by-shot notebook to get 'smart'.<br>

Happy shooting.<br>

Jim</p>

[richard_beisigl]

<p>Look at David Busch's book on the D40.</p>

[majid]

<p>Read the "Learn" section on this website to understand the concepts. Once you have them, the manual will make sense (although the other books mentioned above are usually more understandable). I can also recommend John Hedgecoe's didactic works on photography.</p>

[mark_drutz]

<p>As others have pointed out, there is the Magic Lantern Guide to the D40 that is like a more detailed manual for that specific camera. I have a couple of them for other Nikons and they are pretty good. I also suggest that you get a good basic photography book. I like any of several by John Hedgecoe or by Kodak, but there are many other good ones. I like the ones that are well illustrated as a picture really is better than 1000 words.</p>

[angelia_martin]

<p>Thanks everyone for your suggestions! This gives something better to go on than just a bunch of titles thrown at me.</p>