overwhelmed by my new (used) D200

denise

New member
I bought a very gently used D200 from a student one year ago thinking I could just quickly learn the settings and go..not so. I'm not good with plowing through manuals but have set a goal for 2015. This is the year to master this camera. Any cheat sheets that you know of for 'out of production" camera models that will get me out of auto?
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I bought a very gently used D200 from a student one year ago thinking I could just quickly learn the settings and go..not so. I'm not good with plowing through manuals but have set a goal for 2015. This is the year to master this camera. Any cheat sheets that you know of for 'out of production" camera models that will get me out of auto?
Take a look at this Digital Field Guide for the D200 by David Busch. It will get you up and running quickly. There are more comprehensive books out there, but for getting your feet wet and busting out of full Auto, this is a great start.
 

John P

Senior Member
That is good advice.

I also just taught my niece photography.
To extend her learning her camera, she is going to do a 52 week project.
Each week focusing on a different setting or feature of her camera.
 
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denise

New member
Thanks for the suggestion. It has been ordered and is on its way. I'm hoping for some digital, interactive suggestions, too.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
great idea. as a retired teacher, an assignment appeals to me!

I would suggest an even heavier assignment - Project 365. Sure the year has started... but so what. There are many on here that will tell you the forced handling of your camera every day will cause you to learn at a quick pace. Sure, it starts out overwhelming and with a lot of confusion, but if you keep treading water you will eventually swim. Then, in a years time, move on to a Project 52. During a 52 you have the time to really polish what you had learned the previous year.

Photography is NOT a subject you can rush or cram for. Steady daily handling works best.

Two videos I found with some information. First one kind of walks you through the layout on the camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM5UnuLArjE&list=PLQF_WgKx35KeuCRSwQBqPbVZjQWIa8YxT&index=2

This video goes into more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pgKJpKEAkY&list=PLQF_WgKx35KeuCRSwQBqPbVZjQWIa8YxT&index=3

Hope these help.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
If you PM me your email address, I can send you a Setup Guide for your D200. It's in pdf format, hence the need for emailing it.
 

nickt

Senior Member
All good advice above, but I recommend that you get comfortable with the basic principals of exposure first. The camera manual, recommended settings and camera specific videos will make much more sense if you are completely comfortable with the relationship of shutter, aperture and ISO. When you understand these principals, you will better appreciate the tools available in your camera. Its tough to learn about how to use camera settings like shutter priority, aperture priority, exposure compensation, etc if you don't have a good feel of why you want to do those things.

Here is a start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8T94sdiNjc
 

denise

New member
Thanks for the link, Nickt. Think I'll start with with the basic relationship you suggest before moving into settings.

Denise
 

denise

New member
Thanks to all who gave suggestions. I'll take ALL your advice, work my way through some videos, and shooting. I'll report back in a month.
Denise
 

Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
The D200 was my first Nikon DSLR, never let me down. I came to this camera from a manual film Background, that is my suggestion, learn to shoot manual, no camera will ever present a challenge from that point on. Enjoy that new camera and we are excited to see some shots.
 

denise

New member
Thanks, Bill. I do have a manual (emulsion based film background) but D200 pixs will take awhile before I am comfortable with this camera. I have taken some good shots but by chance, not design. I don't feel that it is real unless I can duplicate the results.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Denise, I thought maybe you could use this:

D200 Menus.jpg
 
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