By : Nikon School Blog | 27 May, 2016 |
Have you ever read the user manual that came with your new
D-SLR camera? While no is the answer to this question from
many people, some are very surprised to even hear about the
manual. In the excitement of trying out a newly purchased
camera, the humble user manual is often put inside the box and
then forgotten.
It is quite natural to want to head to an exotic location to try out
a newly purchased D-SLR and accessories. However, if you set
some time apart to know your equipment, you can avoid
mistakes that can arise out of not knowing your equipment well
enough.
No one makes you understand your equipment better than the
user manual. That is what it is designed to do. You must read
the user manual carefully before attempting to shoot
something important with your new equipment. Most
photography trainers will advice reading the user manual or
even carrying it with you for troubleshooting on the move.
Reading the user manual thoroughly helps you understand the
probable reasons for your equipment not working the way you
expect it to.
Many people are put off by the plain appearance of the
manual, but remember the manufacturer has created it as a
helpful guide, not as a book with attractive graphics.
Nowadays soft copies are provided with all equipment, making
it very easy to carry more than one manual on your phone.
Of course, cameras today are loaded with features and that
makes the manual quite lengthy too. The solution is to start with
a few chapters at a time, and practice with the camera as you
read. Though you may feel tempted to skip unimportant chapters
and read the more interesting parts, it is important to read the
whole manual in the right order at least once or twice to give you
a good idea about where to find the right information when you
need it. You may also find out new or lesser known things about
your new equipment.
Mark the pages that you find most useful. The index is very useful, always go for the index when looking for specific information
about a topic.
Even after you've gown used to your equipment, keep reading the
manual from time to time. Regular reading of the short hints and
articles along with practice with the camera will give you the
confidence and troubleshooting skills before going out for
important shoots.