So I got a brand spanking new camera for my Birthday....but I need help! If anyone has one of the above or knows anything about them, when I take pics can I look at the image on the monitor rather than through the viewfinder? I have quickly flicked through the manual but can't find out the answer!

Thanks in advance for any help.

Nope! The only image that you can view on the back side is one that has already been taken. Digital SLR's are more focused on what is viewed through the view finder, especially when the focus points are only seen in the view finder. It makes for a better picture that way when you see the three autofocus guides in the view finder. Anyway, I've got the same camera myself about 2 months ago and absolutely LOVE it.

Digital SLRs don't work that way. There's a mirror in front of the sensor directing incoming light to the viewfinder. When you trigger the shutter, the mirror flips up momentarily allowing light through the shutter onto the sensor. The shutter closes and the mirror comes back down. You can't use a dSLR like a pocket camera.

I thought that was the case - just got to get used to it after have a smaller one which we always use the monitor. From what I have managed to do on the camera so far, it looks amazing! Very impressed with both it and myself!! Thanks for your help.

However there is the Sony that is being advertised with 'live view' which is pretty much the technology that allows you to view the image like you can on a point and shoot camera.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...ex.php#/alpha/

Thanks for the link. I wondered if somebody had a mash-up like that for the young'uns who like the tv screen view. I cut my teeth on a Nikkormat FTn, so a regular viewfinder is good enough for me.

I actually prefer the view finder myself since it uses less battery power. Plus there's something about using one that has that old school feeling about it.

dSLR's are most definitely not 'point and shoot' - getting a camera such as this and leaving it on auto everything and using live view (if it had it!) would be doing the camera a dis-service and completely missing the point.

There are a few dSLR's available with true 'live view' (same as on point and shoot) - Olympus's dSLR's have it, Canon and Nikon have resisted doing a true live view (although they do have live view of sorts - it is not intended for point and shoot photography) as this is not what these cameras are intended for. In fact, using an SLR properly - it would be very difficult to get top results without putting the camera to your eye - actually SEEING what you're taking a photo of (and focusing on etc) is critical and something which can not be replicated on a crappy LCD screen on the back of the camera.

Have fun with your new toy and make sure you investigate using more manual settings rather than just 'pointing and shooting'.

Cheers,

Graham

You will be pleased to hear I am reading the manual and plan on becoming an expert on manual settings rather than just pointing and shooting...though I think my OH is getting fed up of me taking his pic every 5 minutes tonight!

Oh my! My sister got tired of me taking her photos. She kept yelling that I sounded like that paparazzi. Then there were other nights she though it sounded like a crime scene and I was taking photos of the evidence.

I actually received two videos with my purchase and I've been using some of the programmed settings, particularly M,A,S. I've found those to be very useful. Just go out and have some fun. Better yet, post some shots that you have taken AND like in the gallery. I have in mine. It's my Kansas City album.

Nice Camera, although I'm not familiar with this series, so sorry I can't help.

OH!! ... a belated happy birthday btw.

Excellent

I recently bought an external speedlight so my OH is complaining about being constantly blinded by my experimenting

As ugacrew mentioned - M, A and S settings are the most useful. I almost exclusively shoot in A mode.

Have fun!

Graham

Hi AmyDavid I hope you had a good birthday.

I have also just recently purchased a Nikon D60. So far it has been easy to use and I am really pleased with the camera.

I have been compiling a little blog with my pictures, but I am sure I can improve on them a lot more . I am hoping to have some more time to do this this summer, as I have a further surgery to get through, that will allow me more time at home to play with the camera.

The only down side I can see to a Nikon is the price of further lenses. I was browsing the other day and some of them are in the thousands.

It depends on the model. My Dads Canon SLR requires that you turn the monitor on the back on for the live view. By default its off to save the batteries.

Lenses can run from a few hundred to over $90,000. Just go for the cheaper ones if budget is an issue. The price differences arise from glass quality & lens speed. Higher speed and quality glass cost more, as do some long focal length lenses. Stick to prime lenses or zooms with a narrower focal range.