Mastering the Nikon D5000 by Darrell Young is a comprehensive guide for of the owners of this newest, budget-friendly generation of Nikon digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. The smaller, more lightweight Nikon D5000 mixes generous portions of user-controlled manual photography features with the latest technological innovations, allowing fully automatic point and shoot simplicity.
Darrell's approach in helping the reader to master this camera avoids the purely instructional technique, favoring a more friendly and advisory tone. He blends his decades of Nikon camera experience with an intuitive understanding of the readers' most likely questions regarding specific camera functions and features. Rather than just list all options for the myriad of camera settings and adjustments, he explains the background behind each setting and shares his personal recommendations.
Darrell understands that many owners of the D5000 may be just entering the world of DSLRs, and he takes the time to guide these new owners through the basics, while giving more experienced photographers the option of a refresher course.
Also included is an entire chapter on the exciting new D-Movie function that can record high-quality HD movie clips at an amazing 24-frames per second.
Mastering the D5000 is the most recent volume in the highly successful series of Nikonians Press books.
Chapter 1 Nikon D5000 Initial Configuration
Digital Sensor Basics, or Why Does a DSLR Make Better Images?
First Use of the Nikon D5000
Charging the Battery
Initial Camera Setup
Getting Down to Basics – Shooting Menu Settings
Custom Settings Menu Basics
Information Edit Screen
Using the Information Edit Screens
My Conclusions
Chapter 2 Aperture and Shutter Speed
Understanding the Camera’s Aperture
Understanding Depth of Field
Understanding the Camera’s Shutter Speed
Using the Aperture and Shutter Speed Together for Great Pictures
My Conclusions
Chapter 3 Exposure Metering System, Exposure Modes, and Histogram
Section 1 – Metering Systems
3D Color Matrix II Metering
Center-Weighted Metering
Spot Metering
Section 2 – Exposure Modes
P – Programmed Auto Mode
S – Shutter-Priority Auto Mode
A – Aperture-Priority Auto Mode
M – Manual Mode
My Recommendations on Exposure Mode selection
Full Auto and Scene Modes
Auto Exposure Mode
Why Have Scene Modes?
Six External Scene Modes Found on the Mode Dial
Thirteen Internal Scene Modes
Section 3 – Histogram
Understanding the Histogram (An Overview)
My Conclusions
Chapter 4 White Balance
How Does White Balance (WB) Work?
Color Temperature
Method 1: Setting White Balance with the Information Edit Screens
Method 2: Setting White Balance with the Menus and Selecting Options
Mired WB Fine-Tuning Values
Measuring Ambient Light and Using PRE
Selecting the White Balance from a Previously Taken Image
White Balance Bracketing
Auto White Balance
Should I Worry About White Balance If I Shoot in RAW Mode?
White Balance Tips
My Conclusions
Chapter 5 Playback Menu
Delete Function
Playback Folder
Display Mode
Image Review
Slide Show
Print Set
My Conclusions
Chapter 6 Shooting Menu
Setting Up the Shooting Menu
Image Quality
Understanding Image Formats
Image Size
White Balance
ISO Sensitivity Settings
Active D-Lighting
Auto Distortion Control
Color Space
Long Exposure NR
High ISO Noise Reduction
Active Folder
Movie Settings
Interval Timer Shooting
My Conclusions
Chapter 7 Custom Setting Menu
Configuring the Custom Settings
Autofocus - Custom Settings a1 to a4
Exposure - Custom Setting b1
Timers/AE Lock - Custom Settings c1 to c4
Shooting/Display - Custom Settings d1 to d7
Bracketing/Flash - Custom Settings e1 and e2
Controls - Custom Settings f1 to f5
My Conclusions
Chapter 8 Setup Menu
Format Memory Card
LCD Brightness
Info Display Format
Auto Information Display
Info Wrap-Around
Clean Image Sensor
Lock Mirror Up for Cleaning
Video Mode
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Time Zone and Date
Language
Image Comment
Auto Image Rotation
Image Dust Off Ref Photo
GPS
Firmware Version
My Conclusions
Chapter 9 Retouch Menu, Recent Settings/My Menu
Retouch Menu
Recent Settings/My Menu
My Conclusions
Chapter 10 Multi-CAM 1000 Autofocus
What Is the Multi-CAM 1000 Autofocus Module?
Understanding the Autofocus, AF-Area, and Release Modes
Darrell Young (DigitalDarrell) is an information technology engineer by trade. He's been an avid photographer since 1968 when his mother gave him a Brownie Hawkeye camera.
Darrell has used Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses since 1980. He has an incurable case of Nikon Acquisition Syndrom (NAS) and delights in working with Nikon's newest digital cameras.
Living near Great Smoky Mountains National Park has given him a real concern for, and interest in, nature photography.
He loves to write, as you can see in the Resources area of the Nikonians.org community. He joined the community in 2000 and his literary contributions led to an invitation to become a Founding Member of the Nikonians Writers Guild.