Learn How To Use Your DSLR Camera

Different Brands Of DSLR's

There are many brands of DSLR cameras. The most popular are Canon and Nikon. There are other brands as well, but these two are the most common. I happen to use a Canon. If you haven't chosen a DSLR yet it is important to consider what you will be purchasing.

One of the main considerations is the choice of lenses. You can't put a Canon lens on a Nikon camera. If you are just starting out the chances are your camera will come with a lens. But one of the major benefits of using a SLR is being able to change the lens to fit different conditions.

If you choose either Canon or Nikon you will likely be happy with your choice. But this report will be somewhat generic. Some of the modes may be different than what is on your camera, but the concepts will be the same.

Exposure Modes

The exposure mode is set by the dial on top of your camera. The main modes to understand are:

• P - Program Mode - This is the mode that most amateurs use, but it's the mode you should almost never use. It may be OK to use when you are in a rush, but you shouldn't expect great results in this mode.
• Tv - Shutter Priority - The Tv can be confusing as it stands for Time Value, but most people call it Shutter Priority. In this mode you set the desired shutter speed, and the camera will automatically give you the needed aperture (we'll discuss aperture later). For Nikon cameras this will be the "S" setting.
• Av - Aperture Priority - The Av stands for aperture value. In this mode you set the desired aperture, and the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to give you the proper exposure. For Nikon cameras this will be the "A" setting.
• M - Manual - This is the mode of professionals! When you understand how aperture and priority work together it becomes easy to use Manual mode. In this mode you set the aperture and shutter speed. But when you know what to look for your camera will tell you the right settings.