how do i set my cameras settings yo acheive the pics i want?

Question

nikon n85

Answer 1

I don't know how to answer this question. There's so much to say.

Get the Instructions Manual and also get Thom Hogan's Book on the N80, which has many, many great tips and suggestions on the features and options of this fine camera. This is the perfect camera also for taking a Beginner's Course in Photography at the local community college through the Adult, Evening & Continuing Education Department or at a local YMCA or YWCA or similar institution. This camera has auto-focus but it will only give you auto-focus if you have an auto-focus lens.

If you are a beginner and are not familiar with setting exposure settings, set the camera on "P" Mode (full automatic) by turning the knob on the top left side of the viewfinder.

Then, set the camera on auto-focus by selecting either Single Servo or Continuous Servo on the little knob in the shape that almost resembles a tear drop, on the front side of the camera, right side of the lens mount as you look at the camera; Set the indicator dot to "S" (Single Servo) for the time being. The dark "M" is for Manual Focus to override an AF lens without causing damage.

Now, on the right side of the viewfinder, you'll notice three symbols: the top one has a dot with two lines resembling parentheses, the middle one is a dot within what looks like a square cut into four pieces, and the button one is a dot. OK, the top symbol represents Average Metering (which is the same as Center-Weighted Metering), the middle one is called Matrix Metering and the button symbol is for Spot Metering. Turn the outside portion of that little button with the letters (AE-L/AF-L) so that the little indicator mark is on the middle symbol for Matrix Metering (I find this metering mode more accurate than Average Metering).

Now, if you ever find yourself where you want to take a photo of someone who has the light coming from behind him/her, then set this same little marker to the button dot (the symbol for Spot Metering) so that you can avoid getting a silhouette. Be sure to put it back to the center mark for Matrix Metering when you're finished taking the image on Spot Metering.

If you follow the above instructions, all you will have to do is press the shutter button halfway down and the camera will automatically focus for you, and it will also set the aperture and shutter speed for you automatically. You should find that your images will indeed come out well-exposed and in focus.

Visit www.nikonians.com and register for free, or become a member (worth the money... VERY affordable) and you'll find a very friendly but no-nonsense community of over 60,000 members and Nikon gear users from all over the world, from newbie beginners to working professionals and even technicians who are always willing to help you out with questions. There are also tutorials that you can read (and print) to learn different techniques. There are many different forums there that cover just about every aspect of photography (wedding, wildlife, photojournalism, sports, etc) and even one for those who still use the N80/F80 camera, and another for all automatic focus cameras, and another for lenses... well, check them out and see what you can learn from them.

I hope this helps you out. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

Wow! That one question asks for a book or fifty of information...

brb.. researching.. will edit in a few minutes...

Edit: OK, back.. Wow! I could not find a spec sheet for the N85 but I will assume that it has a few more features than the N80...

You don't say if you are totally new to photography.. or if you are experienced.. so I'll go with new...

Lense apeture determines the intensity of light that will enter your camera and it also determines your depth of focus (or how close things are when they are clear to how far away they are clear)...

Shutter speed will determine how much motion will affect the focus of your picture.. AND it determines how much light is gathered in total from outside the camera...

These two settings are used to get the desired effects.. if you have a lot of light on your scene then you can stop motion on something moving quickly...

If you don't have much light on your scene.. then you will not be able to take a stop motion picture (you will end up with light trails or motion blur)...

I found the best way to learn a new camera is to go out and take a LOT of pictures.. many of the same item, in a short time, at different settings, and keep good records so you can compare later...

Change your aperture and shutter speed around while letting in the correct amount of light to make your desired picture.. higher shutter speed.. lower aperture .. and visa versa...

The newer cameras will give you a decent preview of the picture you are going to get but I'm not sure how the size of the display is going to affect the amount of detail you can see as compared to on a good computer monitor...

best bet.. just keep good notes on what works and what does not work.. what you like.. what you don't like.. and.. describe the outcome with great detail because later you may WANT that type of outcome.

Answer 3

You need to read the manual that came with your specific camera. There are settings on most digital cameras for people and landscapes, portraits and even those you take of yourself with the camera just an arm's length away.

if you can't find the manual, look up your camera brand online and see what you can find out about that specific model.