The modern-day photographer has a litany of options when it comes to choosing a camera. DSLRs represent the pinnacle of photography and rule the roost when it comes to professional photography. If you want to get the highest quality images, DSLRs are the way to go. One camera that’s gaining a lot of traction is the Nikon D5600. The first time you get hands-on with the camera, you’ll notice the exceptional build quality. It’s made beautifully and perfectly fits into the hands; thus, taking pictures is just an absolute delight.
The D5600 is a part of Nikon’s entry-level DSLRs. Their beginner series is most popularly known for the D3300, which is typically most people’s first camera. The D5600 is a further step up from the D3300, and its design includes more features and helps provide creative control. It features Nikon’s intelligent 24.2MP CMOS sensor that provides incredible image quality and manages to record a lot of detail.
Nikon’s EXPEED 4 image processor also makes a return with the D5600 and helps provide brilliant dynamic coverage. The native ISO sensitivity range runs from 100-25,600 and ensures that the camera offers greater creative control in all lighting situations.
While other competitors might be offering 4K recording quality, the D5600 still sticks to 1080p. The performance is exceptional, however, and it’ll help you capture some genuinely breathtaking videos. The specifications and user-friendly nature of the D5600 allow photographers to truly explore different avenues and evolve their skillset.
Make Use Of All The Modes
For a beginner moving towards their first sort of intermediate camera like the D5600, one of the quickest ways to get familiar with the camera is trying to use all the modes. Like all Nikon camera’s the D5600 features a program auto mode, semiautomatic shutter-priority, and aperture-priority.
Users should start with the Auto mode and then move on to the semiautomatic modes. Once the photographers feel entirely comfortable, they can switch to manual mode and gain full creative control of the camera. Even for photographers that are familiar with Nikon camera’s switching over to different cameras takes some time. It’s always smart to gradually build up your level of comfortability with the camera.
Turn Off The Beep Sound
One of the most annoying default settings that modern DSLRs feature is the autofocus beep. The purpose of the beep is to let the photographer know that the autofocus motor is entirely focused on the subject.
However, a lot of the time, the only thing that the beep manages to accomplish is annoying photographers and distract the subject. Often, when photographers are covering the event, they need to be discreet, and the beeping noise attracts attention.
Among the first things that photographers need to do when they get a camera is to turn off the autofocus sound. It’s straightforward to do this, and you access the autofocus noise option for the D5600 from the settings menu. Turning the mode off will significantly increase the photographers’ discreetness and result in more successful event coverage.
Rename The Files
This is a tip that most beginner photographers don’t seem to follow, but users can easily change the name of their image files with the Nikon D5600. All Nikon cameras use the letters DSC in their file names as default.
However, users also have the option to change from the settings menu. Changing the name is accessible from the File Naming tab. After opening it, users can select any three-letter words to save their files.
There are multiple reasons why users may decide to change the file name. It’s significantly easier to identify what images are of what subject, event, or place if there’s a hint in the title. Whatever photographers decide to rename their files, it’s the ideal way to organize and label images properly.
Use The FN Key
One criticism of the Nikon D5600 is that unlike full professional DSLRs, the D5600 doesn’t feature a dedicated ISO or Wi-Fi button. As a result, users will need to access the GUI to adjust any of these settings.
Doing this can cause a major annoyance when you’re shooting on the go and want to adjust any settings on the fly. Among the easiest solutions that photographers have is mapping the FN button.
The Fn key’s original purpose is to call upon frequently used options that aren’t otherwise directly accessible. These options could be main features like the ISO or White Balance. Photographers can adjust the mapping by visiting the control sections of the custom settings. The best part about the FN key is that users can adjust it according to what features they want to access.
SnapBridge Technology
Thanks to revolutions in technology, today, we’re connected more than ever before. From smart TVs to virtual assistants, there’s no reason why cameras have to lag anymore, and thanks to the SnapBridge technology present in the D5600, photographers can share images significantly quicker and easier.
SnapBridge allows users to transfer 2MB copies of the images that photographers take to their smartphone VIA Bluetooth. The feature comes especially in handy on vacations where you might not want to view all the photos on the D5600 screen.
Wi-Fi connectivity allows the transfer of images and videos without any hassle to any potential smart device. It also allows photographers to use a remote live view. Remote live view allows photographers to set up the camera in a certain position, then move away and still get the live feed directly to their smartphone.
Use Camera Processing Tools
As is the case with all of its DSLRs, Nikon presents a very handy retouch menu that allows you to edit images. The D5600 contains several options that help save a significant amount of time in post-processing. Several editing tools, such as RAW processing, Trim, Resize, D-lighting, Straighten, and Distortion control.
Among these, the most useful editing tools are arguably the trim and straighten options. Using the trim option, photographers can crop and frame the photo according to their needs. It’s a very intuitive tool that users can take advantage of and cut the images in the camera itself.
The straighten tool also comes in clutch and lets you change the horizons of any image. Photographers should try out all the different tools in the camera’s processing tools to get a good idea of the editing prowess.
Use The Rangefinder With Manual Focus
The D5600 allows users to switch between autofocus and manual focus with a switch of a button. If you’re trying to get more comfortable with the manual focus, one of the most helpful tools is the Rangefinder. It’s a feature that’s been present in DSLRs for a long time but often gets overlooked.
When users activate the Rangefinder settings, and they get a more accurate method of identifying whether something is in focus or out of focus. There are indicators present in the exposure scale that’s present at the bottom of the viewfinder.
Photographers need to line up a point of focus over the subject and adjust the manual focusing ring. The scale on the bottom of the viewfinder helps identify whether photographers need to turn the focusing ring left or right. When a green dot begins to appear on the bottom-left corner of the viewfinder, that’s when photographers know that the subject is completely in focus.
Get Familiar With The AE-L/AF-L Buttons
Another longstanding feature of the camera that doesn’t get enough attention is the AE-L/AF-L button. Many photographers never actually get around to properly using this feature, and it’s a genuine shame. The D5600 is one of the handiest DSLRs on the market and features a brilliant auto-exposure and autofocus lock system. It becomes especially useful when the photographer is capturing images against a backlight.
Alternatively, photographers have the option of keeping either the auto-exposure lock active or the autofocus lock active. It’s ideal when photographers need to pre-focus on a subject that might suddenly move or if any potential obstructions might cause the autofocus to start refocusing.
Customize The Self-Timer
People also often overlook the fact that the Nikon D5600 allows users to customize the self-timer. It’s an option that becomes useful when photographers want to start taking group shots or using the remote release.
Users can adjust the self-timer to start taking images between 2,5,10 or 20 seconds. One of the best uses of the self-time is as a means to help prevent camera shake. An issue that most photographers suffer is shaking the camera when pressing down the capture button. Making use of a self-timer can help eliminate the existence of potential camera shake.
Retaining Ambience
Nikon’s auto white balance feature starts to see improvements with its implementation in every new camera, and the D5600 is no different. Users can adjust the AWB to normal or keeping warm light colors. As a result, photographers have the option to retain the ambiance of a location while using AWB settings!
