What have I gotten myself into?

June 27th, 2014
I got the D7100 today and I got it all set up and powered up and everything and then I tried to shoot with it. What the crap.

I have no idea what I'm doing with this thing- I upgraded from a D5100, and was confident that I'd at least be kind of familiar with this camera. But nope- any tips on getting started?
June 27th, 2014
Read the manual, read the manual and then read the manual again? Failing that... buy a Canon? :)
June 27th, 2014
Oh, I just got one a couple of weeks ago. It is a great camera, so congrat's. I had to return mine as it had a problem with the sensor (I can't blame Nikon, as it was a demo, so who knows what abuse it had been put through, and they have been great with working with me over it). I should have a new one by the 2nd (I hope so, I would like to have it for the 4th). I had used my b-in-laws D7000, so was pretty familiar with it. There are some good tutorials and books out there. Do read the basics in the manual, too, but you will need to use it, to really familiarize yourself. Just take it a little at a time, like learning to adjust exposure or aperture 1st. Once you get that down well, move on to the next item you want to learn.
June 27th, 2014
Oh, please don't read the manual to learn about the camera, it won't tell you what you need to know if you don't know it already. The big difference between the D7100 and the D5100 is that there are many more dedicated controls on the camera that do not need the menu system to change, and the changes are made usually from the small top b/w screen without going to the full screen.

Look for the "From Snapshots to Great Shots" for the D7100. Here is a link on amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D7100-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321934962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403906073&sr=8-1&keywords=1from+snapshot+to+Great+Shots+D7100. There is a lot more to the camera than in the book, but it will cover the basics, give you things to try, besides having lovely example shots...
June 27th, 2014
I had the same experience when I moved from my 5100 to my D800. I found Ken Rockwell's site really helpful. He walk you through how to set everything up step-by-step. I was able to use my new one for a shoot the next day. Just google Ken Rockwell and your camera type. :)
June 27th, 2014
& he explains all of the choices he makes in a way I could understand. I was a lot less overwhelmed thanks to him.
June 27th, 2014
@creampuff Buy a Canon! Hee hee!
June 28th, 2014
I learned my camera by concentrating on one new setting per week at first. That really helped me. I think the above ideas are great too.
June 28th, 2014
I have no camera-specific advice for you Paign but as a recent upgrader myself I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the new things I can do! You will love it :)
@frankhymus @lindseying I'm finding these resources really useful too, thanks! I am pretty comfortable with my new camera but very keen to get the most out of it.
June 28th, 2014
@creampuff @paign
or just go out and play with it hahahaha
June 28th, 2014
Take your time and don't panic. Lots of advice available so just take some time. You can always shoot on the green/auto setting but like @creampuff as a canon user go for canon. Enjoy it will work out .
June 28th, 2014
I would always suggest searching for tutorials on YouTube using your specific camera. There are lots of great videos out there so that may be the fastest way for you to learn the settings on your camera! Good luck and enjoy the new camera!
June 28th, 2014
@320days I'm with Stephanie! I use tutorials a great deal. I have a Canon and the manufacturer has a lot of videos, too. I assume Nikon has vids, too. Benefit, for me, is this: I can watch a vid about what I want to learn in real time with my camera in my hands, stop when I need to fiddle on the camera, and then resume the vid. Congrats on the upgrade. :)
June 28th, 2014
@creampuff I have too much money tied up in NIkon to even consider changing teams. xD

@debrac Oh gosh- I hope you get a good one back. :D

@frankhymus I flipped through the manual at first, but it bores me to death. I did end up getting a couple of books on the 7100 from Amazon. From snapshots to great shots and Mastering the Nikon D7100.

@lindseying I almost forgot about Ken Rockwell. xD

@annied Playing with it is definitely on my list. Actually going out with it tomorrow to a botanical garden to break it in. :3

@padlock I'm far too stubborn to use the auto setting. I guess I'll power through and experiment like I did with my 5100.

@320days @voiceprintz I may look up videos if my book resources fail me. Never even thought of that

@daisymiller I could see doing that. I'd likely set it up like a technique challenge, otherwise I get really distracted.

@aliha I'm terribly excited about it, I'm wondering at all of the things it can do that my 5100 can't. Adventure!
June 29th, 2014
@paign have fun!
August 5th, 2014
I have a 7100 and love it. Videos and the manual were helpful, but the best way for me to learn it was to just start messing around with it. :) Hang in there, it gets easier and you won't regret the move up!
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