D7000 users...fall in!!! Part 3

[kansatish]

Just got my d7000 today from Orient Photo!

Wow it's really much more complicated to use than my previous Canon 550D. But the autofocus and high ISO is really much better! Can easily shoot at 2500 ISO without much noise

Welcome to the club! You will definitely enjoy the experience!

 

[UncleFai]

Just got my d7000 today from Orient Photo!

Wow it's really much more complicated to use than my previous Canon 550D. But the autofocus and high ISO is really much better! Can easily shoot at 2500 ISO without much noise

After you learnt the ropes, you will appreciate how ergonomical it is compared to the C.

Enjoy!

 

[Harkamals]

After you learnt the ropes, you will appreciate how ergonomical it is compared to the C.

Enjoy!

UncleFai - help me how to read the meter reading, why is it at 0 in A mode.

 

[UncleFai]

UncleFai - help me how to read the meter reading, why is it at 0 in A mode.

I assume you have not chosen "auto-ISO". In A mode what you chose is the aperture. If you have fixed the ISO, then the camera will choose a shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure. In low light, this could result in a very low shutter speed - which is a no-no without a tripod. So you have to bump up aperture, and/or ISO to get the shutter speed within the 1/focal length range.

To see the meter move, go to M mode. Fix all three parameters - ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Then point it at different lighted or dark area. Alternatively, point the camera at a bright place, press and hold the AE-L button to lock the exposure. Then while holding the AE-L button, now point the camera to a dark place and see the meter move.

For the D7000, I find my copy a little over exposedby default. I would bump the exposure down by -0.7EV by holding downthe +/- button near the shutter release and rotating the thumb dial. Again, the meter will move.

 

[pbear1973]

I assume you have not chosen "auto-ISO". In A mode what you chose is the aperture. If you have fixed the ISO, then the camera will choose a shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure. In low light, this could result in a very low shutter speed - which is a no-no without a tripod. So you have to bump up aperture, and/or ISO to get the shutter speed within the 1/focal length range.

To see the meter move, go to M mode. Fix all three parameters - ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Then point it at different lighted or dark area. Alternatively, point the camera at a bright place, press and hold the AE-L button to lock the exposure. Then while holding the AE-L button, now point the camera to a dark place and see the meter move.

For the D7000, I find my copy a little over exposedby default. I would bump the exposure down by -0.7EV by holding downthe +/- button near the shutter release and rotating the thumb dial. Again, the meter will move.

The D7000 does over-expose by default, particularly in high-contrast scenes like shooting in the sun. I read that this ensures that the mid-ranges are properly exposed, as opposed to having a properly exposed sky but underexposed foreground for example.

 

[TonyOng]

UncleFai - help me how to read the meter reading, why is it at 0 in A mode.

in A mode it will choose the "proper" exposure so it will stuck at 0 as it is what the camera think that is the right exposure..

 

[crazyson]

Just click the link on my signature. I use a mix of cameras but most are from my D7000.

u can click on mine too.. those are all shot with D7000

UncleFair and TonyOng, you both have excellent pictures!! Thank you for sharing

 

[crazyson]

It's all about the lens

could you elaborate more?

 

[joneeee]

Just a qn regarding the "lo" sign on the LCD.

I understand that the "lo" appears, when the shot requires a shutter speed which the camera can't do, i.e. more than 30" or faster than 1/8000. However, "lo" seems to appear on my d7000, even when shutter speeds of only about 1/2" is required. I googled a bit, and can't seem to find a solution to this. Is this normal with the d7k?

 

[Harkamals]

Just a qn regarding the "lo" sign on the LCD.

I understand that the "lo" appears, when the shot requires a shutter speed which the camera can't do, i.e. more than 30" or faster than 1/8000. However, "lo" seems to appear on my d7000, even when shutter speeds of only about 1/2" is required. I googled a bit, and can't seem to find a solution to this. Is this normal with the d7k?

"lo" = 10 ? I got that in A mode, then I clicked and reviewed shutter time was 1/10

 

[Harkamals]

"lo" = 10 ? I got that in A mode, then I clicked and reviewed shutter time was 1/10

Then I closed lens cover, an then it was "Lo"

 

[UncleFai]

The D7000 does over-expose by default, particularly in high-contrast scenes like shooting in the sun. I read that this ensures that the mid-ranges are properly exposed, as opposed to having a properly exposed sky but underexposed foreground for example.

Google "Expose to the right" - may be this is what Nikon is doing.

 

[UncleFai]

Just a qn regarding the "lo" sign on the LCD.

I understand that the "lo" appears, when the shot requires a shutter speed which the camera can't do, i.e. more than 30" or faster than 1/8000. However, "lo" seems to appear on my d7000, even when shutter speeds of only about 1/2" is required. I googled a bit, and can't seem to find a solution to this. Is this normal with the d7k?

Let an expert answer your question: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=39773715

Bottom line: you can still snap away at Hi/Lo - just that the camera is warning you that the resulting shot will be (in its opinion) over/under exposed at the current setting. In such case, trust your eyes. For example, in a night shot with most of the scene in darkness, camera will complain if it is using matrix metering. But result may still be ok as it is what you expect.

Tip: if you heck care about the rest of the scene, and only one particular spot to come out right, use spot metering. For example, in very difficult lighting conditions, you want do a portrait shot. Then use spot metering and aim (focus and meter) for the eye nearest to you.

 

[nicorn]

It's all about the lens

hmm? care to elaborate

 

[pbear1973]

could you elaborate more?

I think he means that how nice your pictures turn out depends more on how good your lenses are rather than how good the camera body is. This is largely true. A 35mm f/1.4 will turn out much better pictures (sharper, less aberrations) on a D3100 in normal lighting than the kit 18-105mm would on a D7000.

There are other factors of course: The D7000 has excellent low-light performance (i.e. you can bump up the ISO to 2000 or more and still have great relatively noise-free results), and ultimately it's the photographer who produces nice pictures, not the camera or lens.

 

[Harkamals]

hmm? care to elaborate

Yes, further to pbear1983's nice explanation, 35mm is such a nice lens that I don't have to worry about other settings, just enjoy shooting because I know pics are goin to be sharp.

Invest less in camera body and more in lens.
Although, I did that and repent by selling of toyish canon 600d and moving to Nikon d7000, I invested more in body and less in lens, but I am pretty happy. My kit is d7000 + 18-105 + 35mm 1.8.

 

[NikF601]

Yes, further to pbear1983's nice explanation, 35mm is such a nice lens that I don't have to worry about other settings, just enjoy shooting because I know pics are goin to be sharp.

Invest less in camera body and more in lens.
Although, I did that and repent by selling of toyish canon 600d and moving to Nikon d7000, I invested more in body and less in lens, but I am pretty happy. My kit is d7000 + 18-105 + 35mm 1.8.

Don't forget flash...

 

[joneeee]

Just in defense of Canon, (since I just traded my 550D for a d7000), I think Canon has a very "neat" system of EF/EF-S lenses. I've seen some really splendid shots coming off a mere 450D, and some lousy shots coming out of a 7D. But ya, when it comes to camera build and feel, I guess it's very subjective.

Yes, further to pbear1983's nice explanation, 35mm is such a nice lens that I don't have to worry about other settings, just enjoy shooting because I know pics are goin to be sharp.

Invest less in camera body and more in lens.
Although, I did that and repent by selling of toyish canon 600d and moving to Nikon d7000, I invested more in body and less in lens, but I am pretty happy. My kit is d7000 + 18-105 + 35mm 1.8.

 

[TonyOng]

Just in defense of Canon, (since I just traded my 550D for a d7000), I think Canon has a very "neat" system of EF/EF-S lenses. I've seen some really splendid shots coming off a mere 450D, and some lousy shots coming out of a 7D. But ya, when it comes to camera build and feel, I guess it's very subjective.

ya.. its very subjective.. it depends on how the user prefers..

 

[kansatish]

ya.. its very subjective.. it depends on how the user prefers..

Very true, rightly said. I fell for Nikon's sturdy feel when I was handling the D7000 compared to Canon's peer when I bought it last year. Canon's model (forgot what it was but was a close equivalent to D7000) had a bit of a plasticky feel and when I held this baby, there was such an awesome difference and I was sold on the D7000 right away.