1.Let's try using a camera.

If you go to a store and say, "I like a digital SLR camera", the salesclerk may not know what you want. You must make an effort to select a camera maker and model as well as an interchangeable lens and memory card. Moreover, you may need various accessories including a tripod and a bag. This could be very hard work.
A digital SLR camera is the main unit of a system rather than a single machine, and the system includes various accessories combined with each other for various photographic purposes. It's just like a personal computer. The combinations are endless.
If you are a beginner, we recommend a basic kit. It is important to become familiar with an affordably priced model for the beginner, rather than an expensive one. The affordable model will give you satisfactory pictures, in all probability.
Let's see the components of a packaged digital SLR camera.

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This is the "Nikon D50 Lens Kit" including 18-55 mm zoom lens as a standard accessory. If selecting the kit with no lens, you need to buy any interchangeable lens optionally.

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Camera body, lens, and strap (rear right), battery and charger (front left and right), and eyepiece cap (center). These are essential for you to take a picture.

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Cords for the connection between the camera and PC (lower left), camera and a TV set (upper left), and CD (right) including software for retouching photos on the PC.

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The Quick Operation Guide (right) allows you to learn the basics of using the camera. The User's Manual (left) presents in-depth information about how to use the camera. I recommend that you keep them with you at all times.

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Carefully read the requirements described on the warranty card and keep it in a safe place. Please register as a customer, which will enable you to get various kinds of information and to maintain your camera.

Memory card substituting for a film

A digital SLR camera has a memory card, in which the resulting pictures are saved. The D50 camera employs an SD card, while a CF card or micro-drive is used for the D70S, D200, and D2-series cameras. They are accessories not included in a package, so you must buy them separately.

The memory card is a rewritable medium for storing image data temporarily. For permanent storage, you need to transfer the data to a hard disk in your PC or to CD.

The size of recordable data is represented in megabytes (MB). There are various memory cards of different data sizes, so I recommend that you prepare two or more cards of 128 MB or higher in order to use your digital SLR camera vigorously.

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Purchase memory cards compatible with your camera optionally. I recommend that you prepare two or more cards of the required size.

SLR is the abbreviation for Single Lens Reflex. The third term means reflection. So, we normally call a single lens reflex camera a SLR camera.

When removing the lens from the camera body, you can see a mirror in the body. Rays of light pass through the single lens, are reflexed by the mirror, and build up an image. As a result, you can see it through the viewfinder. This is the fundamental mechanism of an SLR camera.

The verbal description may be a little hard to understand but is very important.

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For an SLR camera, the rays of light pass through the single lens, are reflexed by the mirror, and build up an image. Accordingly, you can see it through the viewfinder. At this time, the rays do not reach the imaging device (green part), so you cannot capture them with the camera.

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Unlike a digital compact camera, the SLR camera does not allow you to check the image on the LCD monitor while taking a picture. However, you can see it through the viewfinder, which presents a clearer image and much less time lag.

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When you press the shutter release, the mirror turns upward and the shutter curtain opens to let the light rays reach the imaging device. You have taken the image. Note that at this moment, you cannot see the image through the viewfinder.

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With the digital SLR camera, image appears on the LCD monitor on the rear panel only after you have taken the picture and the resulting image data is produced.

Almost all professional photographers use SLR cameras. Accordingly, you may believe that using an SLR camera gives you high-grade photos. However, don't misunderstand. Good photos are not always obtained even with high-class cameras designed for professional use. To take a good picture, you must assimilate knowledge about the subjects and how to shoot. This is the reason why we said that it was important to become familiar with an affordably priced model at the beginning of this issue.

Here, let's know the difference between digital SLR and other cameras,

Digital Compact Cameras and Digital SLR Cameras

Compared with digital compact cameras, digital SLR cameras have two advantages: speedy shooting and high-quality image data.

For example, when you take a picture of moving subjects, such as children and pets, the digital SLR camera is more advantageous than the digital compact camera because of its higher performance. The digital SLR camera reduces the time necessary for focusing on the subject, from pressing the shutter release to completing the shot, and for recording the resulting image data.

Concerning the image quality, there is no difference between the two in the case of L-size or 2L-size prints, but the difference is clear on A4-size prints or larger. This is because not only the number of pixels is higher, but also the imaging device is larger. More precisely speaking, the digital SLR camera has higher sensitivity, which can provide a high-quality picture even in a dark place, and it also allows you to take a photo with the background blurred considerably.

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The digital SLR camera is the best suited for taking a picture of children or pets that move freely. You are given many chances to take the best shot without stress because of the fast shooting performance and not having to consider film consumption costs.

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<13> Photo with a blurred background. <14> Shaking subject expressing movement. The digital SLR camera can capture your imagination, thanks to a wide range of photographic expressions.

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Interchangeable lenses give you a chance to take an extraordinary photo. <15> Photo with a soft focus lens (Kiyohara Soft VR50R). <16> Photo with a supertelephoto lens (Nikkor VR 80-400 mm).

There are right- and left-handed people, and different persons have different sized hands. Moreover, every person has his/her own peculiarities. Accordingly, you can hold your camera in your own way, but there is basic way to handle it.

There are three reasons why how you hold a camera is important: first, you want to operate each control smoothly; second, you want to securely hold the camera without shaking (images taken with minor motion blurring); and third, you don't want to get tired when holding the camera for a long time.

Moreover, you need to accustom yourself to holding your camera vertically. This orientation produces impressive photos when you shoot persons or tall subjects.

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Basically, hold the camera with your right hand only and support it with your left hand, so that you can turn the zoom ring of the lens.

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Please accustom yourself to holding your camera vertically. If your grasping power is insufficient, put your right hand downward, which may keep the camera stable.

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Use the forefinger of your right hand to operate the controls around the shutter release and the thumb to handle the dials or buttons on the rear panel of the camera.

These are dials and buttons that are not so common to the beginners. In addition, the camera has various kinds of dials and buttons. Please read the User's Manual carefully to try them.

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This is the dial for exposure (shooting) modes. Many users take a picture in the automatic mode, but other settings allow you to freely enjoy useful and flexible photographic techniques.

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Diopter adjusting lever. When taking a photo, you must view the subject clearly through the viewfinder. Turn the lever so that your eyes are just focused on it.

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Flash button. Use this button to force the built-in flashlight to be tuned ON or OFF. Always take care to avoid letting the flashlight pop up suddenly.

The lens is the most important element for determining image quality. I strongly recommend that you have several interchangeable lenses in the future. By using the interchangeable lenses, you will be able to take a never-before-seen photo. Changing the lenses is more effective than changing the camera body.

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The camera body is covered with a body cap, and the lens is protected by a lens cap. Contrary to what you might think, if dust is deposited on the rear side of these parts, it enters the body or adheres to the lens. Therefore, keep them clean.

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It is very easy to attach or detach the lens. Do not exert excessive force on it. Moreover, replace the lens while in a dust-free and clean place. Digital SLR cameras are particularly susceptible to dust.

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Do not touch the inside of the body and surface of the lens. Always pay close attention because high-precision components are incorporated into your digital SLR camera. As soon as you remove the lens, put the body cap on the camera.

Zoom ring and aperture ring

Turning the zoom ring of the lens zooms in or out on a subject. This is quite different from how to zoom with many digital compact cameras. You must do this operation smoothly. Some interchangeable lenses have a ring for changing the aperture.

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To zoom in or out on a subject, smoothly turn the zoom ring with your left hand. If you can do it well while looking at a subject through the viewfinder, the resulting photo images may be drastically improved.

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Zooming means changing the focal length of the lens. The focal length is a value printed on the zoom ring. The smaller the value (called wide-angle), the wider the shooting range, while the larger the value (called telephoto), the larger the subject.

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If you have an interchangeable lens with an aperture ring, set the largest aperture value for it. Otherwise, your camera may not work automatically. If your old lens is not compatible with your camera, please contact our customer support center.

Using the manual focusing mode

Since your digital SLR camera has a superior automatic focusing function, you will have little opportunity for focusing on a subject manually. Because of this, you may be confused when manual focusing is necessary. Accordingly, you should become familiar with the manual focusing mode.

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Dial for the focusing modes on the camera body. AF and M are abbreviations for Automatic Focus and Manual, respectively. Turning the dial to select M disables the automatic focusing mode. This setting is necessary when you use an interchangeable lens for manual focus.

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Some types of lenses have a switch for changing the focusing modes. In this case, you can use the manual focusing mode only by setting the switch of the lens to M even with the dial of the body being in the AF position.

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By turning the focus ring of the lens you can focus on a subject. Try to check whether the subject is in or out of focus by turning the focus ring while looking through the viewfinder.

Digital cameras are easily distinguished by the LCD monitor mounted on the back. The screen not only allows you to compare the resulting photos and check the focusing by enlarging them, but also plays a role as an interface for you to set various functions.

Many beginners are not confident they will be familiar with all the functions, but you need not worry about it. I recommend that you master only the functions you want while you are a beginner.

Here, I would like to give you some tips for using some functions.

Playing and deleting

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To take a look at the resulting photos, press the play button The multi-selector allows you to display the image data or switch to the next or previous picture. This is the most basic operation, so you need to fully master it.

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Each press of the thumbnail button displays four, nine, or one thumbnail(s) on the monitor. You can compare two or more photos to select one to be deleted.

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Pressing the delete button of the trash can twice deletes a chosen picture. Since the erased images cannot be restored, a dialog box appears to prompt you to confirm whether to do it.

Enlarging

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Pressing the enlargement button of the magnifying glass tool enlarges a displayed photo. Since this function is helpful for you to check the focusing quality, be sure to master it.

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The magnification varies depending on image sizes (specified number of pixels) or models. Use the maximum value to check whether the resulting picture is in focus or is affected by shaking.

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Using the multi-selector moves the position of the magnified image. You can enlarge the edge of the image appeared on the screen.

Displaying menus

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The MENU button allows you to display the names of various functions. It is not possible to understand all the menus at once from the beginning. Let's master them step by step.

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Some models, including the D50 camera, are equipped with the help button This button helps you understand the menus.

Each camera has standard accessories, some of which you may not understand how to use at first glance. However, if you actually use them, you will realize how convenient they are. Let's learn how to use them.

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Accessory shoe cover. This is a cover for the part on which an external speedlight is mounted. No problem occurs if you lose it, but leave the cover attached to the accessory shoe to protect the contacts.

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The left accessory is an eyecup for preventing light from entering the viewfinder, and the right one is an eyepiece cap for avoiding errors in exposure settings when the self-timer is used.

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There are two connectors in the compartment on the left side of the body: one is used for connecting your camera to a PC or TV set, and the other is a DC input for externally supplying power to the camera.

Useful accessories (optional)

I would like to recommend some accessories that are convenient but not mandatory. Please buy them according to your photographic purposes and budget.

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Remote control. Use this instead of the self-timer or a shutter release cable for minimizing camera shake.

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Card reader/writer. This accessory allows you to transfer photos from a memory card to a PC without connecting your camera directly to the PC. It supports various kinds of memory cards.

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AC adapter and spare battery. Either may be necessary not only for taking many pictures, but also for the maintenance of the camera.

No problem would ever occur if you could carefully take photos in a dust-free place, but that is not realistic. Many photographers touch the lens accidentally, or dust often enters the camera. When such problems occur, we recommend that you bring your camera to a service center where experts will service it, but this is not realistic either. Therefore, you should do the basic maintenance of your camera by yourself.

Cleaning accessories for cameras and lenses are available at camera shops.

Daily cleaning of the body and lens

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Since the camera body has projections and indentations, dust is deposited in the indentations as a result of long term use. To clean the camera, use a soft brush for the smaller, more delicate parts, and a soft cloth for the rest.

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Microscopic dust on the mirror in the camera body has no effect on photography. If you want to remove it, use a blower. Never touch the mirror.

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Use a blower to remove dust from the lens. Otherwise, it could cause mold. Clean not only the front and rear surfaces of the lens but also the interior of the lens cap.

What should you do if there is a fingerprint on the lens?

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First of all, remove dust completely. To do this, shape a piece of cleaning paper into a cone and remove the bits of dust off one by one. This is necessary because the remaining dust may scratch the lens surface the next time you clean it.

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Next, clean the lens with a cleaning paper slightly damped with a lens cleaner. Avoid using too much cleaner and dripping it directly on the lens.

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Finally, wipe the lens clean while softly moving the dampened paper in a circular motion, and then take the same action with a new, dry cleaning paper. Softly blow your breath on the surface and clean it until no cleaning mark remains.

Removing dust from the imaging device (low-pass filter)

Caution!
The same shadow often appears on the same part of every photo. In this case, there is a possibility that there is dust on the low-pass filter on the surface of the imaging device. You can remove it by yourself according to the procedures described in the User's Manual. However, I recommend that you contact the service center and ask to have your camera cleaned.

Never touch the surface of the imaging device (low-pass filter) with your finger or cloth. If the filter becomes very dirty, don't hesitate to contact our service center.

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Use the AC adapter or charge the battery fully, and then select "Cleaning mirror-up" from the menus.

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Use a brushless blower to remove dust. At this time, hold your camera downward, which prevents the removed dust from being deposited on the surface again.

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Never use any air spray. It could cause a large amount of fine dust to be deposited on the filter.

The picture is out of focus even though an expensive camera was used. The photo of an object in a room or of a night view is not good. The picture of a small flower is not beautiful. The most likely cause of these problems is that you held the camera with your hands.

Securely fixing your camera to a tripod allows you to take excellent photos even in a dark place, and sharper photos of small objects.

A digital SLR camera is relatively large, heavy, and expensive. If you use a lightweight tripod, your camera will be unstable and could fall and break. Therefore, you must select a tripod strong and heavy enough to support your camera.

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To fix your camera to the tripod, use the threaded hole on the bottom of the camera. The fixing method varies depending on the type of tripod. This is a tripod having a shoe for quick and easy attachment and detachment.

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The part of the tripod on which a camera is mounted is called the platform. I recommend that you select a tripod that allows you to smoothly adjust the camera orientation and height.

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Consider the best balance of your camera and tripod. Be sure to use a tripod strong and heavy enough to support your digital SLR camera.