Can someone help settings for nikon D60

rhonday · #1 2009-02-11, 7:55pm

I just got a new nikon d60 with the 55 to 200 zoom. My pictures are blurry and i`m afraid I am sometimes technically challenged. can any of you assist me with the settings. When I set it on automatic with the 55 mm zoom, my pictures were o.k., however I could not get a nice clear big close up shot. I do have a light tent and photo bulbs.

Maybe it would help if I knew what others settings were on. When I use the 200mm it is so blurry it is just a shadow. Also the flash always pops up.

Any help would be appreciated

pinkcb · #2 2009-02-11, 9:07pm

check the setting on the actual lens. make sure it is in automatic mode.

rhonday · #3 2009-02-12, 8:18am

Thank you Charlene. I will try that

glass addict · #4 2009-02-15, 7:32am

How blurry are they? Is any part of the picture in focus? If part is in focus, you may want to switch to aperature priority and use a high number (start at f16 and go up to f22). That should allow more to be in focus from the front to the back of the bead.

If no part is in focus, back up. The problem then becomes that your bead may not fill as much of the frame as you would like. If that's the case, try a different lens, if you have one.

Mary

glass addict · #5 2009-02-15, 10:27am

I forgot to mention...

Once you have a lens that will have the bead in focus, you can get some filters that screw onto the end of your lens to simulate a macro lens. My set was about $70 (I don't remember when), and is called a close up set made by Hoya.

Mary

glass addict · #6 2009-02-15, 10:30am

Rhonda,

How do you transfer the images to glass? I tried to figure it out awhile ago, but didn't get very far. It's very cool.
Thanks,
Mary

navarre · #7 2009-02-28, 3:56am

Are you using a Tripod?

With the flash wanting to "pop-up" I would suggest that the shutter speed is rather slow so unless you have a really stable platform you could be having camera shake. The longer the lense the more this is apparent - hence why at 55mm your okay.

rhonday · #8 2009-02-28, 7:29am

I have been using a tripod, I also have the light tent and the photo bulbs. It is the actual camara settings of the nikion D60 that I am lost on. Like how to set white balence, aperture and the Fstop numbers, like how do I know which number to use for fstop and I quess I don`t fully understand apature. I don`t normally view myself as stupid, however I certainly feel that way with this camara.

JavaGirlBT · #9 2009-02-28, 10:08am

Have you gone through the manual? The manual for my D50 explained all that kind of stuff. I set the white balance by using a gray piece of cloth and following the instructions in the manual.

navarre · #10 2009-02-28, 10:44pm

I would suggest to set the dial to the A setting (Aperature priority) - and set the aperature to F11 or maybe F16 - this would give you good(ish) depth of field without softening the image up too much by going too small on the aperature.

To set the aperature hold down the exposure compensation button (near the shutter) and then with your thumb turn the main control wheel on back of the camera.

For the moment I would leave the white balance on Auto - at least until you get used to the camera control a little more - and also see what the output on auto is like (You can always tweek it a bit in post processing if needed)

SLR's can have a steep learning curve - but its well worth the effort.

rhonday · #11 2009-03-01, 11:22am

Thank you all. I have gone through the manual, but when I tried to follow the instructions in the manual it did not seem to do what I needed it to do. I will try your instructions thanks

szglassy · #12 2009-03-02, 1:28pm

Are you shooting with the standard lens.....anyone?

rhonday · #13 2009-03-02, 4:37pm

I am using the 55 lens, I did get the 60 to 200 lens, only I`m having a hard time getting it to focus. Here are some pictures I took this week playing with the settings. I think they are o.k. and probably could use some improvement.
feel free to critique and offer any suggestions on fixing. I so appreciate everyones help.

szglassy · #14 2009-03-03, 9:35pm

I'm not expert,but it looks a little out of focus. I'm sure that more practice would make it sharp.
And sorry.......I'll be experimenting with my D70 this week......so I'm following your thread for feedback.

Good Luck!

glass addict · #15 2009-03-04, 5:01pm

You may want to try taking it off of auto focus and putting it on manual.

Mary

glass addict · #16 2009-03-04, 5:01pm

The switch is on the left side of the lens.

Mary

rhonday · #17 2009-03-05, 7:42pm

Thank you I will try the manual focus.

Kevan · #18 2009-03-05, 9:51pm

I would not use a blue background because it will reflect blue light onto your beads.

Put the timer on to take the picture. You can't take a clear super close up pic by pushing the button with your hand. You can't touch the camera at all.

szglassy · #19 2009-03-06, 4:48pm

Are you shooting with the zoom extended or retracted,then enlarging the image?