Mastering the Nikon D3000 by Darrell Young is a comprehensive guide for owners of this new, budget-friendly generation of Nikon digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. The small, easy-to-carry D3000 is powerful in its ability to offer guided automatic camera operation with full manual capabilities when desired. Readers will be able to develop as photographers with the D3000 -progressing from camera controlled automatic operation to user-managed manual control. However, this level of functionality requires some camera complexity.
Darrell cuts through the camera 's complexity with full explanations of every button, dial, switch, and menu on the camera with a friendly and advisory tone, like an old friend stopping by to discuss a favorite topic of mutual interest. He goes beyond just describing how the camera works by providing personal recommendations on how and when to use each function.
Darrell understands that many owners of the D3000 may be just entering into the world of DSLR cameras and he takes time to guide them through some of the basics of photography. He covers how shutter speed and aperture works, depth-of-field, lens focal lengths, white balance, autofocus, image exposure, and the all-important digital histogram.
Mastering the D3000 is the most recent volume in Rocky Nook 's highly successful Nikonians Press series of books.
Chapter 1 Examining the Nikon D3000
Digital Sensor Basics, or Why Does a DSLR Make Better Images?
Section 1 – Initial Camera Configuration
Section 2 – Adjusting the Nikon D3000’s Settings
Chapter 2 Nikon Guide Menus – Basic Use
Shoot Guide Menu – Basic Use
Shoot Menu – Easy Operation
Shoot Menu – Advanced Operation
My Conclusions
Chapter 3 Guide Menu – Advanced Use
Shoot Menu Screen Review
Shoot Menu’s More Settings Selection
Shoot Menu’s Timers & Remote Control
Guide Menu’s View/Delete Selections
Guide Menu’s Set up Selections
My Conclusions
Chapter 4 Playback Menu
Delete Function
Playback Folder
Display Mode
Image Review
Rotate Tall
Slide Show
Printing Pictures without a Computer
Section 1 – PictBridge Printing
Section 2 – Print Set (DPOF)
My Conclusions
Chapter 5 Shooting and Information Edit Menus
Using the Shooting Menu
Using the Information Edit Menu
Reset Shooting Options
Set Picture Control
Image quality
Image size
White balance
ISO sensitivity settings
Active D-Lighting
Color Spaces
Noise reduction
Release mode
Focus modes
AF-Area Modes
AF-Assist
Metering
Built-in flash
Flash Compensation
Exposure Compensation
Flash Modes
My Conclusions
Chapter 6 Setup Menu
Reset Setup Options
Format Memory Card
LCD Brightness
Info Display Format
Auto Info Display
Clean Image Sensor
Mirror Lock-Up
Video Mode
Time Zone and Date
Language
Image Comment
Auto Image Rotation
Dust Off Ref Photo
Auto Off Timers
Self-Timer Delay
Remote on Duration
Beep
Viewfinder Options
File Number Sequence
Buttons
No Memory Card?
Date Imprint
Active Folder
Firmware Version
My Conclusions
Chapter 7 Retouch and Recent Settings Menus
Section 1 – Retouch Menu
Section 2 – Recent Settings
My Conclusions
Chapter 8 Aperture, Shutter Speed, and Focal Length
Understanding the Camera’s Aperture
How Does the Aperture Work? – An Experiment
What Is an Aperture Number?
Using Older Lenses with an Aperture Ring
Using the Camera’s Aperture
Understanding Depth of Field
Effect of Focal Length on Depth of Field
Understanding the Camera’s Shutter Speed
Using the Aperture and Shutter Speed Together for Great Pictures
A Little More Exposure Detail
General Shutter Speed/Aperture Exposure Rule
Aperture and Shutter Speed Chart
Focal Length
Vibration Reduction (VR) Lenses
Focus Motor in the Lens
A Simple Warning
My Conclusions
Chapter 9 Exposure Metering System, Exposure Modes, and Histogram
Section 1 – Exposure Metering Systems
Section 2 – Exposure Modes
Section 3 – Histogram
My Conclusions
Chapter 10 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 Shooting Menu
Mired WB Fine-Tuning Values
Measuring Ambient Light and Using PRE
Selecting the WB from a Previously Taken Image
Auto White Balance
Should I Worry about White Balance if I Shoot in RAW Mode?
My Conclusions
Chapter 11 Multi-CAM 1000 Autofocus
What is the Multi-CAM 1000 Autofocus Module?
AF System Override with Lens Setting
Understanding the Focus, 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.
