What a huge difference a digital SLR makes

D80

This weekend, I've been learning my way around my new Nikon D80. I previously used a 35mm N70, but when we bought a digital point-and-shoot in 2002, the poor N70 sat unused. I had always planned to use the digital for snapshots, but film for "nicer" shots. It just didn't happen that way. I never went back to film once we got the digital camera.

Part of me is thinking, why the hell did I wait so long? to get a digital SLR. But, I am thrilled with the D80. Very easy to learn; a great interface; and my test shots are fantastic -- especially with flash (flash with our point-and-shoot is horrible under most conditions).

There is a user manual online written by a professional photographer with some great suggestions on how to configure the D80 for the best results. His only beef is that he feels the D80 tends to slightly overexpose shots, so he recommends setting exposure compensation at -0.7 (for non-flash shots). I'll probably use bracketing for a while to see what I think here. Interestingly, he is very anti-bracketing ("bracketing is for wimps"). Maybe true if you are a professional, but with a digital camera why the heck not use it, particularly when you are getting familiar with the camera?

So, now it will be time to dust off some photography skills. Really, I've always been more a snapshot shooter - maybe I'll give a go at being a bit more creative.