Any Nikon D200 users? newbie needs major help!

Patwa

Patwa

if anyone asks, it's $10
Hey!....just picked up a Nikon D200 with a Nikkor 18-200 lens....

Just wondering what the most common settings would be for regular picture taking in my tank? I'll prolly buy myself a macro later this year...might go for the 105mm....or a 130mm if any of you guys think it would be the better size.

FYI...my level of knowledge when it comes to SLR camera is very limited, but i'm a quick study!....looking forward to the help....i'm hungry for some nice shots!

Zach.
 
Patwa,

I have a D300 and the 18-200 lens. Today I was shooting at around 60mm in M mode at 1/125th f9, manual focus, using the in camera flash. ASA set to 200 and white balance on auto. Got some fairly good in-tank images of fish.

For macro work on the cheap, consider the $110 50mm 1.8 lens and a $35 diopter set. The neat thing about this is that you can use the 50mm for portrait work, or stack the diopters for macro.


Jay
 
Hey Zach!

For typical snapshots, set your D200 to "P" (program mode), ISO to 200 (or even auto ISO if you're still trying to get used to it) , Auto WB, and picture control set to SD (standard) This is the most basic setting.

If you can't seem to nail the color properly, press the QUAL button and move the main control wheel to switch to RAW (NEF). Download Nikon ViewNX (freeware) and adjust your exposure and white balance. NEF files are easier to manipulate than JPEGs.

I also have the 18-200. Note that it has two VR modes: active and normal. Use active when handholding on extremely shaky situations, like in a car and 'normal mode' when handholding normally. Turn off VR altogether when using a tripod. You need to pay attention to the sound the VR makes when being activated- the 18-200 makes a 'click' upon half-pressing the shutter and that's when you know it's active. My copy of 18-200 is sharpest at f/11. Also watch out for lens creep. There.. that's plenty of tips for you :)

Have fun with your D200, it's one awesome light-capturing machine!
 
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hehe...charging my battery as we speak :)....can't wait to tinker with it tonight! :D
 
thought i'd update with some shots i took last week...everything (that I know of) is set to auto...I followed the quick start guide in the manual.

DSC_0058Large.jpg

DSC_0063Large.jpg

DSC_0064Large.jpg


Zach.
 
Looks awesome zack!

I generally have my F-stop at the lowest possible setting (my lense goes down to 1.8), and increase the ISO. Less light crank ISO... pics will be a little noisier though.
 
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I believe that the right way to to do this is to understand the principle of taking pictures not how to use your D200 to take the pictures. You can master the manual but still can get a decent shot out of it.

Correlation between shutter speed and light, aperture and composition, these kind of things are what you have to understand.

and the answer to your question about which setting should you be using is, ... there'a no answer to that. You will know it yourself once you understand its principle. I only use "A" (aperture priority) mode, only adjust my aperture and leave the camera do the rest. You should also be worry about ISO, and White Balance too. May be a bit early but you will get there soon enough. :)

18-200 f3.5/5.6 VR is a walk-around lens, so don't expect much out of it.
I have one, love it.

105 F/2.8 VR is one of the best macro lens in the market. The first and only one that has vibration reduction or anti-shaking equipped. Exceptional image quality, get it...and it will be with you until you no longer interested in photography. I also have one.
 
thanks for the input.....here are some recent shots....will probably try to snag a few more tonight

best from a stroll around work at lunchtime
ZBR_0197Large.jpg


my tank
ZBR_0229Large.jpg

ZBR_0233Large.jpg

ZBR_0247Large.jpg

ZBR_0231Large.jpg


waddya think? doing well?

Zach
 
Did you get the Best Buy sale on the Nikon D200?
I was considering that...great pics you took!

This might be a dumb question here...but I'll ask...

Would you choose the Nikon D200 over a Canon 50D?

(Don't bite my head off) Not trying to steal this tread either, PM me if you want, but I just wanted to know the advantages of the D200 vs 50D etc...I love Nikon cameras.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14694405#post14694405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
This might be a dumb question here...but I'll ask...

Would you choose the Nikon D200 over a Canon 50D?
Click to expand...

No comparison... 50D is a better body IMO. (and this is coming from a Nikon shooter) :eek2:

Reason? 1. The D200 is outdated 2. The 50D is 15MP vs. 10MP on the D200, and 3. the 50D produces way cleaner images at high ISO's.

my 2 cents
 
:lol:

The problem that I have with Ken Rockwell is that he's very often blatantly wrong. He's posting his opinions, which he's certainly entitled to do. Just don't take it as gospel.
 
He's certainly opinionated and outspoken about his philosophy and style of photography. His just happens to be quite similar to mine, although I'm not ready to go back to film just yet and my D200's performance over ISO 800 is to noisy to give up my trusty Gitzo 1127.
 
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