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How to learn your new camera

April 24, 2021 by Andrea Johnson Leave a Comment

You are here: Home / BLOG / How to learn your new camera
Kodak brownie
My first camera, a loner from my mother. Simply two settings, black and white, or color

…AHHH, a brand new camera! How exciting! Equipment today is loaded with technology. This article will focus on the process of learning a new camera. Before taking that wonderful new piece of technology out on your next vacation, take the time to master it.

My mothers Kodak Retina Reflex, essentially this dial is the ASA Setting

Settings, buttons, switches, menus and modes

First, learn where all the controls are and what they do. In order to make quick adjustments, this is an important skill. As a consequence of looking down at your equipment, a missed shot can easily happen. For this reason, I find it helpful to become familiar with the tactile feel of where all the external adjustments are. As a result, making adjustments quickly will be easy.

Coupled with learning the buttons, settings are also important. In every owners manual, there is an explanation of your new cameras settings. In addition to the owners manual, an independently written users guide is helpful. Not only will an independent guide assist with learning, some also give recommendations for settings. For example, what mode to use when capturing a landscape. Moreover, some guides contain small assignments designed to fully explore what the equipment is capable of.

Looking down at lens settings on the Kodak Retina,


Learn what the camera will really do

Equally important is knowing what the equipment is capable of. This means how much can it be pushed. Discover the thresholds of your new camera first. For example, performance in low light, focus, depth of field. Discovery of where loss of image quality occurs will lead to less editing at the end of the day. In contrast, discovery of the “sweet spot” will lead to images that match your intent.

Classic Nikon, Nikon F3, fine art photography, Black and white camera art.
My old friend F3- technology has come a long way

Given these points, please remember, learning a new camera is always fun! As shown above, taking time to become familiar with your new purchase will lead to producing satisfying images. Knowledge of equipment puts the user in control. In closing yes, your camera will do exactly what it is told to do.

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