My New Camera

Went and bought a Nikon D3100 and bundle deal on Thursday. After loads of looking about and a lot of headaches (there's to many out there), I went for this one simply because I liked the feel of it. It fitted into my hand the best. I wasn't bothered if it was a Canon or a Nikon as I've never owned a dslr before. The D3100 felt better than the 500D. As for being a better camera I haven't a clue.

Anyway, got my new toy home, took a few pics and my heart sunk. First thoughts was, what have I done, zoom isn't as good as my FZ38, the anti shake wasn't as good and the pictures only come up a massive long envelope shape on my laptop.
I think now, all it is, is I've had the Lumix a couple of years and knew what the camera could do. This is something I will have to learn with the D3100. A few days later after reading more of the manual and looking at some youtube tutorial, I can see with practice it will get better and better.

I may have to use the tripod more. I find it hard not to have camera shake with the Tamron 70-300mm Zoom Lens.


Any hints or tips on how I can used this camera to the full is much appreciated.

A few pics of my second time out with it.....


Landscape mode.




Aperture mode.




Aperture mode..




Shutter mode.




With the Tamron 70-300mm Zoom Lens, hand held.
Shutter mode. Cropped..... Anyone know what the bird is?

Looks like a young Blue tit to me Dave. The shots are great! Happy new camera!

Cheers Dave. I did think it was but didn't want to make a tit of myself

It's only a guess Dave, I know very little about birds

For my money it's a juvenile Robin

Nice pics BTW.

Congratulations on your new camera !

You wouldn't be the first person to feel a bit despondent having switched to a DSLR from a high end compact or bridge camera. Just keep taking pictures and I'm sure in time you'll be more than happy with it.

Nothing wrong with these shots though.

Congratulations on your new camera !

You wouldn't be the first person to feel a bit despondent having switched to a DSLR from a high end compact or bridge camera. Just keep taking pictures and I'm sure in time you'll be more than happy with it.

Nothing wrong with these shots though.

Thanks Niko.

Cheers Phil. It wasn't a good feeling at all when I first thought, my pics with the FZ38 are better.
I've started at an entry level one on purpose.... It was my budget lol. Also if I don't like the dslr route not all is lost.
The one main thing that is doing my head in at the mo is camera shake. Back to the manual to see if there's a anti shake feature.

With Camera shake, Dave, the main thing is to keep your shutter speed up. The reciprocal of the lens length is the thing. So if you're shooting at 88mm, adjust your shutter speed to 1/88th of a second (well ok 1/100th and meter for the aperture. Also, pay attention to your camera hold and just roll your finger over the shutter button to release gently.

Congrats on new camera! And it's a juvenile Robin

xx