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Move Up To The Nikon D5100 As An Entry Level SLR Camera And Improve Your Photography

By John Wilson

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 07Dec2011
Word count: 877
Viewed: 154 time(s)

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Are you a keen photographer? Have you ever cast envious glances at a photographer with an SLR (single lens reflex) camera?

Perhaps you already have a simple point and shoot camera?

You may have taken some photos, and you are happy with the results but want to improve your photography by buying a more versatile camera. Perhaps you are thinking of moving up to an entry level SLR (single lens reflex) camera but may feel rather intimidated?

I can understand why you feel intimidated. I have recently bought the Nikon D5100 SLR camera and counted on it no fewer than 19 buttons and dials! I can understand it if you were to ask yourself, 'What on earth are all those buttons and dials for?' You may then go on to say, 'Although I would like to move up to an SLR, I am really put off by how complicated it seems. So I shall play it safe and stick with the basic camera I already own!' It would be a shame if you thought this way. You would be missing out on the satisfaction of possessing and learning how to use an SLR and, by so doing, becoming a more accomplished photographer.

Here is a confident prediction.

If you go about it the right way you will get used to using an SLR and will go on to improve your photography.

Here is how!

THE TWO SECRETS OF MASTERING HOW TO USE AN SLR CAMERA

Here are two secrets which will help you become an skilled SLR user:

1. You can still take point and shoot photos with an SLR
2. By pacing yourself and learning gradually, you will master your SLR

1. YOU CAN STILL TAKE POINT AND SHOOT PHOTOS WITH AN SLR

With most SLRs you can take point and shoot photos. So you can continue doing what you have been doing with your basic camera! On the Nikon D5100 SLR there are two settings labeled as 'Auto'. One 'Auto' setting will use the flash if the camera decides this will give you a better photo. The other 'Auto' setting switches off the flash. By using just one of these two settings, you will be able to take some excellent photos in most conditions.

But what about all those other controls on an SLR camera which seem so perplexing?

2. IF YOU PACE YOURSELF AND LEARN GRADUALLY YOU WILL MASTER YOUR SLR

Maybe, like me, you will decide to buy the Nikon D5100. You look at the 19 buttons and dials on the camera and think, 'I'm never going to learn what all those buttons and dials are for!'

But you will be able to familiarise yourself with what they are all for.

You see, you have, in the past, carried out this sort of learning task! Remember your first day in a new class at school or your first day in a new job? There were twenty, thirty or more new people, all with different names. You learned the names of the few people nearest to you in the first two or three days. You then went on to learn the name of the others, two or three at a time. In a month or two, lo and behold, you had learnt everyone's name! You accomplished the task of learning twenty or thirty names by doing it slowly and gradually, two or three at a time.

That is how you will learn about the dials and controls on your new SLR.

By doing it slowly and steadily!

Do you think you could manage learning the use of three controls a week? If you could do this, it would take you six or seven weeks to learn about all the controls on an SLR like the Nikon D5100. Even if you decided only to learn about two controls a week, you would master all the controls in ten weeks! So, if you feel intimidated about buying an SLR camera, feel intimidated no more! Straight out of the box you will be able to use it by setting it on 'Auto' for point and shoot. Then, with patience, at your own speed, you will gradually learn how to use all the controls on the camera.

WHICH ENTRY LEVEL SLR?

Which is the best digital SLR for beginners?

You are spoilt for choice with excellent quality entry level SLRs, many of which have been well received in the photographic press. However, I do not have personal experience of most of these cameras. I am recommending the Nikon D5100 simply because I possess and use one and know it to be excellent camera.

John Wilson has been taking photos as an amateur photographer for longer than he cares to remember! However, he can remember the excitement and challenge of moving up to an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera after using a simpler camera. If you are considering moving up to an entry level SLR, check out why he is so enthusiastic about his current camera, the newly released Nikon D5100.

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