The higher the "f" number the smaller the lens opening is--i.e. aperature. With the programs on your camera, you can emphasize certain features and have the camera do the other modes automatically. For example, I've found that on my D700, my outside photos seem to be better with the white balance set for cloudy--even if it's sunny. You might try an f8 aperature and notice what the other elements on your camera do, such as ISO and shutter speed. Also, Nikonians is a great web based resource. HTH
Ken, D90 is $809.88 for the body only or you can get the new D5000 for $611.89. It is the same camera but ina DX body (smaller body) and a new model.
The amount of light coming through the lens can be controlled. The settings are called f stops. At any given focus point, the amount that is also in focus ahead of the focus point and behind the focus point gets larger with a higher number f stop (like f8 will have more depth of field than f 5.6). It looks like you shot with a flash, your camera in auto likely set the shutter speed 1/60sec and the set the f-stop to some arbitrary number (usually near wide open - smaller number) and just shortened the flash duration to get the exposure. This is how my D90 works. DLSR's have less depth of field than point and shoots. If you go into aperture mode, you are telling the camera I want to a certain lens opening and calculate the proper exposure based upon that constraint. So you would set the aperture to say f8 and then the camera would shoot af 1/60 sec and use a longer flash duration. This will get more of the bottle in focus. You often want a shallow depth of field if you want the background out of focus but other times you want more in focus. For example, if you take a picture of a car from say the front corner view and you want to get the entire car in focus. The best way to focus is focus on the center of the car (driver door), lock in the focus, on Nikon has a focus lock, and then re-frame pic where the front corner may be closer to center.
LOL, welcome to the club! It's really a great resource. This is an example of how all the auto features help you take decent pictures. I shot this one handed through my windshield.
Im glad for you but honestly that kitten is the cutest thing I have ever seen, Ive been reduced to an innocent 4 year old with the sight of a few snapshots.. thanks Spry!
Right. They are both "cropped" sensors (DX). One big difference is the D3000/D5000 do not have an in camera motor so not all lenses will have auto focus, etc. The D90 also has a larger higher resolution LCD - very very nice. They do share similar technology in others area all inherited from the D300.
I can only imagine what I could do with a FF sensor. Can't wait for that day... oh and L glass would be nice too, haha. Oh well, rentals will suffice for now.
Here is a recent pic from the NC State Fair that show the attributes what I think Nikons tend to have. This was shot with a D90 with a 18-105 VR lens at ISO 1600 (yes) shot at 1/20 sec @ F5.3 wide open with auto balance. Yes, the subject is pretty dull and it is not razor sharp wide open but what the light availability it did extremely well for color purity at ISO 1600.
haha, how was the fair Bunky? Thinking of going down tomm. I have played around with a friends DSLR and they are nice but I cant justify the cost of one for someone who does not take many pics like me. Still like to have one so I could practice on one and get a little better.
I do not do the rides but there was plenty of food places. It was clean, dry, and not that crowded. We went through the Ag areas (judging on cows and goats in process). We walked around for about 4 hrs (a record for us) looking, snacking, and taking pics. Although I see Canon is the champ on lenses (breath of selection/quality), I think Nikon makes the best user friendly bodies with many functions just one push away. I was a former Canon guy (many years). The lighting in the ag exhibits is poor so high ISO if you have a stock lens (like me) is nice.
