What should I do?

HornetSting

HornetSting

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Name
Ben
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Im going to the Farnborough Airshow this weekend and was wondering what I should do. I have a point and shoot camera and Ive got my brand new Nikon D5000 with the 18-55mm lens and also a 55-200mm zoom lens.

What I want to know is, should I take my new camera? I am brand new to the DSLR and dont want to really start experimenting with settings and risk not getting any pictures. I would have to use the camera on auto for everything really, so would I get any decent shots or is it a waste of time?

Thanks
 
Take the new cam mate.
You'll be sorry if you don't!

Ask lot's of advice on here, and make sure you know what your doing.

It's actually easier than you think ;)
 
You can use the new camera on auto so it will work like a P&S and also you could experiment a little in fact no reason you cant take both :)
 
Thanks for the replies. I thought of doing it all on auto, and just hoped that it would take good shots. I am really new to it, so even if I did start experimenting I wouldnt know how to experiment. If someone could maybe suggest some things to try and then I can write them down and then that way Ive got something to go by, otherwise I would just be changing things but not knowing why or how.
 
Can someone please just post a few different settings I can play with when I go on Saturday?

I will have to use auto, but would like someone with a bit of knowledge just to guide me in the right direction so I can experiment a bit, but not being doing it completely wrong.

Just a few different settings that I can jot down on some paper and take with me, maybe play with while there are less interesting aircraft flying. PLEASE!
 
Nothing wrong with Auto. If you get really good shots then you just look at the meta data to see what the setting were for future reference.
To get good moving shots then put it into Sports mode and use multi shot and wack off 2 or 3 shots. This will also give you settings for the future.
The auto focus in Sports mode will keep most of your shots in what you first focus on so just press the shutter half way and bob's yer uncle.
Don't be intimidated just enjoy it. If you cock up then you have still learnt something.
Set your ISO and white balance to auto and your all set. Very acurate in daylight these cameras.
Once you know what things do then you can break the rules.
Have a good day of shooting. Take both lenses as a zoom is great in situations that have so many wonderfull things to shoot but you cant get close enough.
 
Thanks Pete, appreciate the help, its set my mind at ease. I just dont want to miss a chance to get some nice shots, at least for my first go with a DSLR.

Do I shoot in RAW or jpeg ( I have a feeling the camera can shoot in both at the same time, but unsure)?

Thanks
 
Ben, flick over to Shutter priority and for fast jets, set it to about 1/800 - 1/1000s. Make sure you set a decent iso for the conditions. Ideally for aircraft you will end up with the camera choosing about f8 if you get the top two correct.
I wouldn't worry too much about white balance settings. You can sort that in RAW pp. Set the exposure to matrix metering and the focus to single point. Keep the focus switch on continuous focus.
It sounds like a lot to do, but just go down the list one at a time.
THEN! When the prop planes come out to play, just wind the speed down to about 1/125s
and let the camera do the rest. Pan nice and steady with the aircraft and relish in prop blur. :D
I've tried to simplify it without causing too much confusion. There are other setings you will want/need to use in the future. But walk before you try to run. :thumbs:
Most of all have a great day. I hope the weather plays ball for you.

Kev.
 
Re: raw and jpegs - have you got software to convert the raw files. You can download gimp or photoscape if you google them for free for raw conversion but if you don`t fancy that at this stage and have no other software just shoot jpeg to save card space. You might need to adjust exposure values to get exposure spot on - little +- button on top right if it`s like my D80 / D700 and turn the front wheel ?
 
Ben, am not sure if you have read the manual that came with the camera. I have no experience with Nikon but I assume manuals must be written like the Canon ones and I can definitely tell you that a good read of the manual and grasping as much as possible about controls etc from there will be extremely helpful.

Many people really underestimate the importance of a good read on the manual but it really can help tremendously. More so for a newbie to DSLR the manual breaks down lots of things into simple aspects and you will be able to start using your camera more comfortably from the very beginning
 
Thats advice has been great, thanks everyone. I will jot this down and have a play with less interesting planes so that I can have a play and see what I get. Appreciate the effort you have gone into helping me. Thanks Kev, and thanks Pete for that link.

I do hope the weather holds out, its been torrential here in north wales for the last 24hrs, had a quick look at the weather for saturday and it seems to be ok, cloudy sun, so fingers crossed, as long as im not getting wet I dont mind. Not much fun standing on grass in the pouring rain.

To be honest I have been reading a pdf version of the manual (camera being delivered today), seems quite complicated, but it maybe because I dont have anything in my hand to play with (oo err) and play with settings and see the difference it makes. Im also getting a 'Dummies' book for the camera as well just to help guide me a bit.

Jinky - I have Photoshop Elements (im thinking of getting Elements 8) will that do?

I will see what happens, and Im sure I will brave posting a few pics for you to have a look at to see how I got on.

Thanks

PS - Pete that sites great, thanks for that, I relate better to visual/sound than I do just reading a book, thanks, reckon this will help me get my head around it. Nice one :thumbs:
 
Kev is correct about Aperture mode and you will find a large number of pros use this when shooting outdoors.
Also I would shoot Jpgs unless you have a large card for storage. RAW is the best as there is no compression and far more data to play with but as you are starting out then Just get used to the camera's feel and then progress from there.
Elements 8 will do most of what you will require and will take RAW images. Just ask questions. I have done some videos for www.photoshopelementsight.com who are only into Elements. There are plenty of things that are hidden in Adobe programs that you will never find, that make life easy once you know how to do it. Don't hesitate to pm me if you get stuck or ask here.
I've never joined a forum where there are so many posts so quickly answered. Wish I had found this site a long time ago.
 
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