Nikon D5200 - Does anyone else have this SLR?

[Natasha00123]

Hi, I just bought a Nikon D5200 for my very first SLR camera. ..I shoot more photos than take video.
Does anyone else have or have had this camera that would care to share their thoughts on this camera?
In general or specific....

Thanks!

[Shadowman]

I have it, does a superb job especially with a good lens attached, although you'll get impressive images with the kit lens as well. I shoot different subjects, street, landscape, portraits, lowlight and the system handles it well. Are you having specific issues you'd like to address?

[Natasha00123]

I have the 18-55 lens and got a bundle which came with a 55-200 lens. I was kind of bummed that the 200 didn't go as far as my Nikon point and shoot (CoolPix P500), which has 36x. I guess I thought the x ment something else?? lol I also like to shoot landscape, random objects and people/portraits. So I do have one question, when the screen pops up on the monitor that has the three large dials (circles) how do I go from one to the other? Hitting the -> (arrow buttons) doesn't do anything for me.

[Shadowman]

I have the 18-55 lens and got a bundle which came with a 55-200 lens. I was kind of bummed that the 200 didn't go as far as my Nikon point and shoot (CoolPix P500), which has 36x. I guess I thought the x ment something else?? lol I also like to shoot landscape, random objects and people/portraits. So I do have one question, when the screen pops up on the monitor that has the three large dials (circles) how do I go from one to the other? Hitting the -> (arrow buttons) doesn't do anything for me.

Hi Natasha,

Those three circles are your all important shutterspeed, aperture, and ISO settings. You can individually change shutterspeed and leave aperture set by the camera by using the S on the mode dial, same goes for Aperture (A) mode. ISO can be changed in the menu or by selected the (i) or info button highlighting the feature you want to change and select OK. You can also change each setting using M mode. Your manual will walk you through all the features, also go to www.nikonusa.com for specific tutorials related to this model camera. Do you have some images you'd like to post?

How to post an image.
HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?

Understanding your camera settings.
https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...a-exposure.htm

[Natasha00123]

Hi Natasha,

Those three circles are your all important shutterspeed, aperture, and ISO settings. You can individually change shutterspeed and leave aperture set by the camera by using the S on the mode dial, same goes for Aperture (A) mode. ISO can be changed in the menu or by selected the (i) or info button highlighting the feature you want to change and select OK. You can also change each setting using M mode. Your manual will walk you through all the features, also go to www.nikonusa.com for specific tutorials related to this model camera. Do you have some images you'd like to post?

Thank you! I see now. That is why it wouldn't let me change the others. So if I'm in A, I can't change the S. And if I'm in S, I can't change the A. But I can change both in M. Got it. ...I got my SLR four days ago, I'm trying to learn everything there is to know. Trying to become fluent in my SLR jargon Thanks for the links. ...what kind of images are you talking? Images of my issue or just images I've shot so far? Here is one I shot using the color selector in the Effects mode. ...I am working on learning how and when to use ISO, today.

[Shadowman]

Thank you! I see now. That is why it wouldn't let me change the others. So if I'm in A, I can't change the S. And if I'm in S, I can't change the A. But I can change both in M. Got it. ...I got my SLR four days ago, I'm trying to learn everything there is to know. Trying to become fluent in my SLR jargon Thanks for the links. ...what kind of images are you talking? Images of my issue or just images I've shot so far? Here is one I shot using the color selector in the Effects mode. ...I am working on learning how and when to use ISO, today.

Nice effort on the image. So when you were using your P500 you didn't experiment with the camera settings? I had the earlier P90 and I tried everything I could to get a decent image out of that camera.

[Natasha00123]

Nice effort on the image. So when you were using your P500 you didn't experiment with the camera settings? I had the earlier P90 and I tried everything I could to get a decent image out of that camera.

Thanks ...yes, when I got my P500 I learned what Appeture and Shutter Speed was, but I never went as far as ISO and using the manual mode. I'd really like to learn all the ins and outs of photography. I'm still such a n00b. lol ...learning to read the histogram was a bit overwhelming, I'm going to have to revisit that one later. I'm also dabbling into raw vs. jpeg. ...question, do you have issues with a short battery life with the D5200?

[davidedric]

Hey Natasha,

Whoa, slow down a bit. If you try to learn everything at once life will likely get very confusing. I would suggest that you stay away from manual mode for now. Your three key variables are aperture, shutter speed and iso. I think it's easiest to learn each one in turn. If you haven't already, check out the tutorials here on CiC. They should help a lot.

Dave

[Shadowman]

Thanks ...yes, when I got my P500 I learned what Appeture and Shutter Speed was, but I never went as far as ISO and using the manual mode. I'd really like to learn all the ins and outs of photography. I'm still such a n00b. lol ...learning to read the histogram was a bit overwhelming, I'm going to have to revisit that one later. I'm also dabbling into raw vs. jpeg. ...question, do you have issues with a short battery life with the D5200?

Battery life is pretty good with the D5200, however when using the LiveView (especially if photographing this way) or using flash battery life depletes very quickly. I normally shoot about 1,000 frames before I start to be concerned about the battery. Are you using the Nikon supplied battery or a third party? I purchased a third party battery for the D5200 and it does seem to deplete at a much faster rate.

[krispix]

I got my SLR four days ago, I'm trying to learn everything there is to know.

Hi Natasha,

As others have said, you will learn a lot from tutorials on this site. But you need to get to know your camera as a priority.

So,

Rule 1. Read the instruction book (with the camera on your lap)

Rule 2. Read it again.

Always remember that Photography is a journey, not a destination.

Enjoy.

[Natasha00123]

Hey Natasha,

Whoa, slow down a bit. If you try to learn everything at once life will likely get very confusing. I would suggest that you stay away from manual mode for now. Your three key variables are aperture, shutter speed and iso. I think it's easiest to learn each one in turn. If you haven't already, check out the tutorials here on CiC. They should help a lot.

Dave

Thanks Dave! Yes, it has spurts of confusion... I've read the manual, watched Youtube videos and have read serveral blogs/tips/how to's. So you wouldn't be suprised that I didn't slow down... and I bought a SB700 flash. Yep. On top of all that! haha ...I reallly didn't know an external flash (for my hot shoe) was so complicated. So, I think I'll take your advice. Learn one thing at a time. It's just all so exciting... I need to calm down and focus! Some of this stuff is hard to grasp. I feel like it is just going to take time for it to sink in... how everything is related to everything else. I feel like the only two things left that I want to buy is a macro lens and an extra battery. Then, I'll wait 6+ months before even thinking about buying anything else.

I'm going to go through the CiC tutorials on here again. Thanks for the response!

[Natasha00123]

Battery life is pretty good with the D5200, however when using the LiveView (especially if photographing this way) or using flash battery life depletes very quickly. I normally shoot about 1,000 frames before I start to be concerned about the battery. Are you using the Nikon supplied battery or a third party? I purchased a third party battery for the D5200 and it does seem to deplete at a much faster rate.

I just have the Nikon one that came with the camera. Thanks for that input on the third party battery. I'll have to get a Nikon one soon then, dreading the price...

[Natasha00123]

Hi Natasha,

As others have said, you will learn a lot from tutorials on this site. But you need to get to know your camera as a priority.

So,

Rule 1. Read the instruction book (with the camera on your lap)

Rule 2. Read it again.

Always remember that Photography is a journey, not a destination.

Enjoy.

Thanks. Yes this is alot to take in... even with watching/reading everything I can get ahold of. To actually wrap my brain around all of the relationships between functions... If I was a cartoon, smoke would be coming from my ears. lol ...I've read the manual. You're right about it being somewhat of a destination for me.... It's like I want to hurry up and learn everything about my camera, and then take the journey afterwards. ...and for some reason, I do tend to do things in life backwards.

[Donald]

It's like I want to hurry up and learn everything about my camera, and then take the journey afterwards. ...

I think there's an awful lot of people on here who'd be like that. It seems to be the sort of people we are!!

Anyway, I hope you are able to take on board what some of the guys have said about slowing down and taking it one step at a time. There will be times when it all gets totally frustrating, when you feel that everyone knows more than you and that you must be stupid because you can't 'get it'. We've all been there.

Just know that there will always be someone on this forum that will be able to offer the advice, guidance and help that will see you through the blockage.

[JR1]

Hi, I just bought a Nikon D5200 for my very first SLR camera. ..I shoot more photos than take video.
Does anyone else have or have had this camera that would care to share their thoughts on this camera?
In general or specific....

Thanks!

I don't but I know FIVE club members do and they swear by it

[dabhand]

Natasha,

I echo what everyone has said about slowing down , reading the manual etc and I would also suggest you choose one type of photography first rather than jumping around macro, street, portrait etc.

I would suggest you try landscape first - it doesn't move around too much ;-) and use it as a means of understanding the various effects of apeture, shutter etc without aiming to get the 'perfect' image.

steve