This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

Nikon's new D5000 bridges the gap between the novice and the seasoned pro with a perfect combination of high speed and quality. This book is for anyone who upgrades from their point-and-shoot or first DSLR to a Nikon D5000 and wants to get the best shots possible but isn't sure what to do next. There's the manual, of course, as well as competing books, and while they all tell camera owners, often in 400+ pages, what the camera can do, none of them shows them exactly how to use their camera to create great images!

This book has one goal: to teach D5000 owners how to make great shots using their Nikon camera. It teaches them how to use their D5000 to create the type of photographs that inspired them to buy the camera in the first place. Everything in the book is in service of creating a great image. Starting with the top ten things they need to know about their camera, photographer Jeff Revell then carefully guides readers through the modes of the camera. Users will get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and even end-of-chapter assignments that will allow D5000 owners to immediately put to use all the great info in each chapter.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 5 Ratings

Very user friendly and helpful book - 2009-10-21
Reviewer Rating:
The D5000 is my second DSLR. I had a D40 for about a year and then went to the D5000. I purchased the Field Guide to the D40, to try to get a handle on what I could do with a DSLR. While the Field Guide had a great deal of information, it wasn't presented in a way that as easily understood by me. In contrast, this book is great. There are detailed descriptions of SLR features and settings specific to the D5000. There are even assignments to complete at the end of each chapter applying the knowledge on the concepts that were presented. I had a vague understanding of aperture, shutter speed, etc prior to this book. However, now I feel like I can actually implement the appropriate use of different techniques. There are many great pictures in the book as well that indicate the settings that were used to achieve the shot. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is not already an expert.

A must have for new Nikon D5000 users - 2009-12-01
Reviewer Rating:
I have the Sony DSC-V1 and Panasonic DMC-ZS3 point and shoot digital cameras as well as the Canon A-1 35mm but the Nikon D5000 is my first DSLR. Chapter One that lists changes to make to default settings to gain better control for taking more predictable shots is worth the cost of the book.
The book is very easy to read and quickly helped me to become very comfortable with using and optimizing the professional modes.
The sample photos provide great examples with specifics on settings and composition so you can take similar photos.
I purchased my camera about two weeks before I went on vacation to New Zealand and received the book a week later, so not only did it help me to accelerate my learning curve but I also used it as a field guide to review and take great photos that I will post here for your reference.
You will also be able to download two additional e-chapters that helped me to maximize the time lapse feature and the video mode.
In addition to being a good companion to the Nikon user guide with accurate references, it provides a good overview of digital photography.
As mentioned by other reviewers, at the end of each chapter there are assignments that really helped me to reinforce the material I read and to start taking photos with confidence.
I would highly recommend this book to any D5000 owner.

Good book with bonus contents - 2010-01-05
Reviewer Rating:
This book does not repeat much which is already included in the manual, rather, it instructs you how to set up D5000 and use it to do proper photography with good examples. I found the two additional chapters are helpful as well especially "Chapter 12, D5000 Video - Beyond the Basics". The contents about D5000's video feature is not included in the book but can be downloaded in Peachpit's website. I enjoyed it.

Great book - 2009-10-18
Reviewer Rating:
This is a good book and help a lot to take a great shots. I also want to purchase it in kindle.

For those who learn best visually - 2010-01-16
Reviewer Rating:
I just got a D5000 for Christmas, and while I'm not a novice, I'm not a professional either. I fall in the middle of the road category. I have a good amount of general photography knowledge, but can stand to learn more specifics and techniques, especially tailored for this model. I'm also getting my feet wet again, since I haven't used a SLR in a number of years.

It starts off with a run down, most of which I'd picked up via the user manual that came with the camera. But this is where it differs: it's all in color with lots of photo examples.

I personally am a very visual person. I'll pick up double the amount of information if you let me read it(vs. listening), and probably three times the info if it has visual photographic examples. This book was made for me!

Beyond the basics in the beginning, it delves into each setting on the camera(manual, shutter priority, etc as well as all the pre-programmed settings like sports and portraits). After covering the ins-and-outs of your camera, it has nice chapters on moving targets, portraits, landscape photography, mood lighting and creative composition.

I recommend it 100%, and is a great gift to a D5000 owner, or as an automatic companion when purchasing this camera. It's right down the middle: won't baffle the newbie but has some useful information for a seasoned photographer. I rarely buy books(or keep them) as I will check them out at the library, but I will have this for many years to come as an excellent read and perfect reference later. A must have!

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