David D. Busch - David Buschs Nikon Z50 guide to digital photography

The new Nikon Z50 is proof that an advanced mirrorless camera can be highly affordable, too. This 21-megapixel APS-C (DX) format camera packs a surprising number of high-end features into a compact body priced at less than $1,000 with a versatile 16-50mm kit lens included. Although its a new camera, the Z50 looks and handles like a Nikon, with controls and menus that veteran Nikon owners will find comfortably familiar as they explore its exciting enhancements. Newcomers to the world of Nikon or the realm of mirrorless digital photography will easily master the Z50s capabilities, even though the sheer number of features and options can be daunting. The only thing standing between you and pixel proficiency is the skimpy, 142-page book included in the box as a basic manual. Nikon provides detailed information in a reference manual available only as a download.

Everything you need to know is in there, somewhere, but you dont know where to start, nor how to find the information you really need to master your camera. In addition, the Z50 camera manual doesnt offer much guidance on the principles that will help you master digital photography. Nor does it really tell you much about how mirrorless shooting might differ from the kinds of digital photography you may already be used to. If youre like most enthusiasts, youre probably not interested in spending hours or days studying a comprehensive book on digital photography that doesnt necessarily apply directly to the enhanced features of your Z50.

What you really need is a guide that explains the purpose and function of the Z50s basic controls, available lens options, and most essential accessories from the perspective of mirrorless cameras. It should tell you how you should use them, and why. Ideally, there should be information about the exciting features at your disposal, how to optimize image quality, when to use exposure modes like Aperture- or Shutter-priority, and the use of special autofocus modes. In many cases, youd prefer to read about those topics only after youve had the chance to go out and take a few hundred great pictures with your new camera. Why isnt there a book that summarizes the most important information in its first two or three chapters, with lots of illustrations showing what your results will look like when you use this setting or that? This is that book.

If you cant decide on what basic settings to use with your camera because you cant figure out how changing ISO or white balance or focus defaults will affect your pictures, you need this guide. I wont talk down to you, either; this book isnt padded with dozens of pages of checklists telling you how to take a travel picture, a sports photo, or how to take a snapshot of your kids in overly simplistic terms. There are no special sections devoted to real-world recipes here. All of us do 100 percent of our shooting in the real world! So, I give you all the information you need to cook up great photos on your own!