New to the DSLR world!

Pnut78

New member
Hello,

I had to finally get a dSLR now that I have a newborn. I am sort of green when it comes to photography in general. I have a D3100. Some questions I would love an answer to:

1) How do I read lens descriptions? I mean, how can I tell if it is wide angle, macro, etc.. based off of the "code" as I put it. For example, how can you tell what kind of lens this is:

AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II
or

AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

2) Any sites I should know of to help with photography and settings specific to Nikon? I want to really get into it and would love a description of what settings are ideal for sunny, indoor with low lighting, if I am in Manual mode and how to adjust the settings (I figured out how to adjust shutter speed and aperture so far.)

Thanks! I hope to become a regular Nikonite!
 

goz63

Senior Member
1) How do I read lens descriptions? I mean, how can I tell if it is wide angle, macro, etc.. based off of the "code" as I put it. For example, how can you tell what kind of lens this is:

AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II
or

AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
The AF-S is an auto focus lens. The "G" indicates that is has a focus motor in the lens. "D" Can auto focus if you have a focus motor in the camera. The D7000 has this. Your D3100 does not. So you need to stay with "G" lenses to auto focus.
Wide angle generally indicates a lens that goes wider than 35mm in a full frame (FX) camera. You have a DX format camera. For Nikon that means the lens focal lengths are multiplied by 1.5. So your 18-55 functions like a 27-82mm. That means your zoom can go to a wide angle focal length. I don't see if you have a VR lens. VR stands for vibration reduction. That helps you hold the camera steady with clear pictures at slower shutter speeds. It is not critical on either of those lenses ( the 35mm is not a VR, doesn't come that way).
This site is a good place to get information. Let us know what you are intending to do with your photography and we can then better help you with some details.
 

Mike150

Senior Member
Welcome to The Site.

First, Congrats on the Newborn. Babies are so much fun. Before you know it, they grow up and you have Grandbabies.

Take lots of pictures. Mark gave you a ton of excellent information. The only thing I can add is "Experiment" When I got my first DSLR, I would use auto mode when shooting things I really needed to look good. I would then experiment. Shots that didn't turn out, went into the wastebasket. Trust me... There were a LOT of pictures in the wastebasket

As you get comfortable with the camera, try shooting in Aperture priority or Shutter Priority. The worst that can happen is you'll have to delete the shot.

Happy Shooting
 
Top