Customer Reviews

David Busch's Nikon D60 Guide to Digital SLR Photography

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think Busch is onto something here, taking an entirely new approach to turn the tired old "camera guide" genre on its ear. I was very impressed with his Nikon D300 guide, and this new Nikon D60 book uses the same format, but is written at a completely different level. Where many Nikon D300 owners are likely to have some experience as they upgrade to a more advanced camera, those who purchase the D60 are probably less experienced, even if they are no less avid in their love of photography. This book is the perfect companion for these fledgling photographers.

The differences between this book and the typical guide are easy to see. For example, Busch's easy to understand, but exhaustive analysis of the Custom Setting Menu options alone spans 21 pages, which is more than what some other guides devote to all five of the D60's confusing menus. Yet, the explanations of the Custom Setting Menu are clear and concise enough for a beginner to quickly grasp, and with enough "why" and "how" to satisfy more advanced photographers.

Following the same format as his D300 guide, Busch teaches you how to fine-tune exposure, choose a metering method, master autofocus, and use the built-in flash, all written at the level of a typical D60 owner. For example, the chapter on lenses, like the one in the D300 guide, "decodes" the Nikon lens nomenclature system, tells you how to choose among wide angle and telephoto focal lengths, and provides reviews and descriptions of the most popular Nikon lenses. But where his D300 guide includes more expensive and "pro" lenses likely to be of interest to owners of the more advanced camera, Busch here concentrates on the more modest Nikon optics best suited for the Nikon D60. Throughout the book you'll find examples of coverage that has been down-shifted to make it easier for D60 owners to absorb.

Finally, note that the title of this book isn't "The Nikon D60 Guide" or some such. It's "David Busch's Nikon D60 Guide to Digital SLR Photography." It's more than a camera guide. It's an introduction to photography aimed at Nikon D60 owners.

I was familiar with Busch's work from his many articles in Popular Photography and other photo magazines, as well as books like Digital SLR Pro Secrets,so I grabbed this huge introduction to photography as soon as it became available. I was not disappointed. His expertise really shows in this huge introduction to photography with the Nikon D60. Virtually everything you need to know about this camera is included between the covers.

The level of detail and clarity of explanations far exceeds that of the traditional camera guide. He devotes 65 pages to a thorough explanation of each control and feature of the D60, and how to use them, illustrated with large color photos. Then, beginners and more advanced photogs alike are treated to 81 pages that clear up the mysteries of the D60's menus, and when to use particular options. There are 40 pages of advice on exposure and advanced shooting with the D60, and 30 wonderful pages describing Nikon lenses and the author's extensive experience with each of them. There's 30 pages of tips on using Nikon's CLS flash system that should be enough for any strobe shooter.

Only 10 pages are devoted to introducing Nikon software, but I wouldn't want more than that, anyway. I'm glad that nearly all of this book directly relates to photography with the D60. Who wants a book padded with general photo advice, software descriptions, etc.? Heck, the 20 page trouble shooting chapter alone was worth the price of the book, as it includes instructions for cleaning the sensor, which I discovered is sometimes required even with a camera that has built in sensor cleaning.

All in all this book showed me why when I want the last word in Nikon expertise, David Busch provides all the answers.

Written by a Nikon expert, this book clarifies not only the functions of D-60 but also explains the general concepts of photography. D60 is an entry-level DSLR and most of its users are either amateurs or new photography enthusiasts who are graduating from a point-and-shoot camera to real photography. And Dave Busch has kept this fact in mind while writing this guide.

This is literally a complete guide. It starts right from opening that camera box to connecting the cable to computer, and what not. You can skip over these details and come to the chapters detailing the photography concepts and how to best use them in your D60. Remember, it is NOT a Field-Guide. Chapters are NOT divided by settings for Macros, sport mode, nature etc. Rather it is very well divided into Understanding the Menu, Getting Right Exposure, Advanced tips, Lenses, Lighting etc.

Initially I was a bit disappointed by the book, since it is not a field-guide, but later I realized that this approach has helped me to get a good hold of the concepts and now I am able to play around with my camera and its settings, rather than just memorizing them.

There are also suggestions for buying the accessories, lenses, troubleshooting and preventative maintenance. Everything is well-explained using lots of pictures, which helps a lot. After all, it is a guide for a DSLR..!!!!

After trying to make sense of the owners manual that came with my Nikon D60, I decided to buy David Busch's Guide. I have learned more from this book than I ever could have with the owners manual. Busch's guide goes way beyond just telling you what all the buttons and settings are for. With his guide you find out how to take beautiful photographs using those same settings and buttons! If you have a Nikon D60, get this book! The camera isn't as complicated as it looks. And taking beauitful professional quality photographs with it isn't complicated either, once you read Busch's book!

I received a Nikon d60 as a gift a year ago. This is my first experience with a dSLR camera. I can shoot in the automatic mode with it quite easily, but if that was all i wanted to do with it, my little point and shoot camera was fine. I tried and tried to read the manual that came with the d60 but it was a frustrating, tear-my-hair-out kind of experience. I don't have a long attention span (apparently) and that manual was so dry and boring that it was hard to stay focused on it. I felt guilty that i had such a nice camera that was capable of doing so many things but I wasn't really learning to do any of it. Then i discovered David Busch. I really enjoyed his somewhat chatty, relaxed style of writing and the fact that he didn't expect me to know much about this type of camera already--but if one does have some knowledge, or is a natural techie (that would not be me), he does go pretty deep. I also like the real color photographs of the camera, rather than the simple black and white illustrations of it like the ones in the manual that comes with the camera. I haven't finished the book yet, but am amazed that i even have the desire to keep reading and even re-reading. Definitely worth the money. Thank you David!

As mentioned elsewhere, I am in the process of converting from film to digital photography and there are certain aspects which I have found quite daunting. Over the past few months I have studied several books and tutorial DVDs on the subject as that process of conversion continues. I have also attended courses run by Nikon (UK) and it was on the first of those I was introduced to this book. My fellow student insisted this was the best available on the subject and I have come to the conclusion he was right.

Of course, there are those whose expertise is already at a well advanced level who seem to delight in purchasing products such as this just to write a less than praiseworthy review. It's called showing off! Take it from someone who has studied the field, whatever you want or need to know about this camera, the answer really is found in this product.

Laid out in an easy-to-follow format with plenty of excellent illustrations this book begins at the BEGINNING by helping you set up your camera. Slowly, the author builds upon each item shown as we work our way through the book to learn all, there is to learn about the Nikon D300.

I always find it better to read a number of books on the same subject - if only because a different approach often helps to explain a difficult point in an alternative way. If, however, you can only afford one book on this subject, then "This" is the one to buy.

NM

David Busch's NIKON D60 Guide unfolds the mystery within the digital camera far more understandably than does NIKON'S manual. Having it available provides an ongoing and important reference. I recommend this book to anyone buying this camera.

I have been away from photography for a while and this book made my return painless. It is written in plain language and is much easier to follow than the owners manual. Skip the "all about me" section up front and go right to the first chapter. Worth the price!

This is a great book for the D60 owner that:

- knows a little something about SLR photography. Maybe you owned a film SLR in the day and have been shooting point and shoot digital for a few years. Recently you made the move to DSLR.

- you want to go further than the D60 owner's manual takes you

- you want to know WHY settings in the D60 change your photos

Busch accomplishes the above in a fairly readable and organized format. I'd recommend this book to new D60 owners who are not professionals. Although I bet a 'pro' would appreciate the organized access to the various menu items and choices of the D60 this book provides.

As a new photographer I was very excited to get my D60 and eagerly read the enclosed manual which only confused me. I needed to understand much of the jargon and basic features and this book was the answer. It was easy to understand and offered basic information without being a copy of the manual.