Nikon D90 Digital Field Guide

  Author:    J. Dennis Thomas
  ISBN:    0470449926
  Sales Rank:    14779
  Published:    2009-02-03
  Publisher:    Wiley
  # Pages:    304
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 30 reviews
  Used Offers:    20 from $3.89
  Amazon Price:    $13.59
  (Data above last updated:  2010-03-16 08:13:42 EST)
  
  
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Nikon D90 Digital Field Guide
  

Capture spectacular images, even video, with your D90.

Your Nikon D90 is simply revolutionary â?? the first dSLR that also lets you shoot live HD video straight from the image sensor by using Live View. With so much to know about this remarkable camera, you'll want to take this book along on every shoot. It covers all the settings, modes, and menus; explores the applications for every available lens; guides you through lighting essentials; and provides advice for capturing great still and video images in dozens of situations.

  • Learn to compose your photos with the LCD monitor for clear, vibrant shots

  • Shoot high-quality video, even in low light, with excellent sound quality

  • Make the most of the versatile AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm VR lens

  • Use Nikon's Creative Lighting System

  • Explore professional secrets for getting great shots of people, landscapes, products, wildlife, and pets

About the Author

J. Dennis Thomas is a professional photographer and author based in Austin, TX. He owns Dead Sailor Productions and has photographed for many notable clients. He has authored seven Digital Field Guides and has published articles in national photography magazines.





Check Out J. Dennis Thomas's Favorite Accessories for the Nikon D90

  1. GP-1. The Nikon GP-1 is the first GPS unit that was specifically built for use with Nikon DSLR’s. The GP-1 provides “geotagging” information that is stored directly to your images metadata. Using the GP-1 you will always know the exact time and location that your pictures were taken. The GP-1 attains information from global positioning satellites and tags the metadata with latitude, longitude, altitude, and time information. The GP-1 is attached to the camera by siding it into the hot shoe, in the event that you need to use the hot shoe for your Speedlight you can use an accessory strap attachment, which is provided.
  2. SB-900. The SB-900 Speedlight is Nikon’s newest and most advanced Speedlight to date. New features include flash coverage from 10.5mm to 300mm, automatic filter information, a 360º rotating flash head, and adjustable flash patterns the SB-900 is the most versatile Speedlight ever. The newly redesigned user interface makes the SB-900 much easier to use and quicker to set up whether you’re using it as a Master or Remote unit.
  3. 35mm f/1.8G. This is Nikon’s newest lens. The Silent Wave motor allows fast and nearly imperceptible focusing. This new lens is the first “Normal” prime lens Nikon has ever offered that was designed specifically for its DX cameras. The 35mm focal length gives you the approximate field of view that a 52mm lens gives on a full frame digital or film camera. This focal length is perfect almost all types of photography from landscapes to portraits. The fast f/1.8 aperture allows for shallow depth of field for artistic shots and also allows you to get great low-light shots without the need to crank up the ISO setting. The 35mm f/1.8G also has 7 rounded aperture blades for a more natural and pleasing bokeh.

Photos Taken by J. Dennis Thomas with His Nikon D90 (Click to Enlarge)








                  Reader Reviews 1 - 28 of 28                 
  
  
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Reader Reviews Below Sorted by Newest First
02-23-10 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Very good Nikon D90 How To tutorial
Reviewer Permalink
This is a very good, step by step, book on how to understand and actually use the Nikon D90. I recommend it.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2010-03-16 08:18:48 EST)
02-10-10 2 1\7
(Hide Review...)  D90 field guide
Reviewer Permalink
I purchased this book after having read all of the rave reviews. I was truly disappointed in the book. I had already read the Nikon manual several times. I found the Nikon manual unnecessarily boring, and stiff. The original manual was structured from a position of what the camera did, not what you could do with the camera. I stepped up to the D90 after having used the D70 for 4 years. Unfortunately I had used the D70 mainly as a point and shoot, and I was determined to really stretch myself and the D90 to its full abilities.

I was very experienced in film photography 30-40 years ago. I found the D90 field guide to suffer the same problem as the Nikon manual. Easier to read, nicer in the hand, but really in many ways a better written "what the camera does", just like the Nikon manual. It either addressed very simple photographic principles, or just rehashed the same items in the same order as the manual did. It did very little of what I would think this book should do. Capture movement effects, here are the many ways you can use the tools that the D90 has to do that. Family gatherings, here are the many ways you can use the tools that the D90 has to capture the event in a useful way to capture the day. It seemed to me that there was very little information to help one enjoy the unique features of the D90. I will read this book again, for I must have missed something. As it stands now, I do not see that it is much better than the Nikon manual.

I think both of these books goof in the same way. You want to capture x effect. Here is how you can do that many different ways with this tool. Goal, and how to get there. A much harder book to write, but about how to use the tool. Also this camera is so flexible that one can get to the same effect several different ways.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2010-02-28 08:39:00 EST)
11-04-09 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  A must have book for all D90 owners
Reviewer Permalink
This field guide is outstanding, I can truely say that I used the book faithfully. It is very informative and easy to understand. Everything in the book is useful. If you are a owner of a Nikon D90 and you have no idea on how to fully operate your camera then this is a book you need to go out and buy. The D90 is a complex piece of equipment that can take wonderful photos right out the box, but if you want to take great photos then this book is for you. It explains all the menus and camera settings and give you color graphics which are easy to follow and help you learn. It not written in dull and technical language that will have you nodding off before you finish chapter one. It will make up you pick up your camera and pratice all the things that are cover in the book. This is a must have book for every D90 owner.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2010-02-15 08:34:40 EST)
09-09-09 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Helpful Guide
Reviewer Permalink
I have not used the book much. I look up features as I want to use them and have found the guide helpful.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-11-09 07:37:46 EST)
07-30-09 4 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Very good choice, nice balance
Reviewer Permalink
I am currently reading this D90 Digital Field guide from cover to cover. I picked it up since I earlier purchased a D90. I really appreciate JDT's approach and information. His approach is, for me, a perfect balance between the newbie basic info and a touch of more advanced explanation, with a few personal recommendations thrown in. The D90 has many buttons and menus and options, and this guide is great help in becoming more familiar with its capabilities. Thanks!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-09-24 07:23:20 EST)
07-03-09 1 3\5
(Hide Review...)  Almost worthless, not a supplement to the Nikon manual
Reviewer Permalink
This will not be a lengthy review. The book isn't worth the time needed for a detailed consideration. First, it's not a "field guide," meaning (as with the famous Kodak Field Guide) a handy reference to consult on the job when just the right setting is wanted and a reference table all but essential. The author has been lazy, giving a sort of introduction to the Nikon D90, going over the essentials (and little more) such as Aperture Priority but not giving the steps to change settings. Definitely of little use if one needs quickly to figure out which dials to turn and buttons to push.

My guess is that the author is working from a template for his series of guides to a number of cameras and hasn't taken the time to list the specifics for each camera. Cross references to other pages in the book where a topic is treated again are largely missing. In any case, when a topic is broached a second time there likely will not be more detailed treatment, just a repetition of the earlier comments.

The printing company has done its job, producing an attractive book, with numerous photos. The section on composition, though unoriginal, benefits from illustrations of well printed pictures.

Don't bother spending money for this book. You'll be much better off sticking with the Nikon manual. If you want introduction to using a digital camera and to the sorts of features to be found in the Nikon d90, buy David Pogue's Digital Photography, the Missing Manual. Then once you know about the features, go to the Nikon manual to see how to implement them. Fortunately, the Nikon manual is rather good.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-08-02 00:37:15 EST)
06-23-09 2 3\5
(Hide Review...)  Too superficial
Reviewer Permalink
This book was a disappointment because the explanations are superficial and they don't seriously relate the controls and features to what they mean to picture taking. I learned a little, and I know zero about photography, but I don't feel I understand much at all after reading the book. I'm a pretty technical person, too, so it's not like I couldn't understand good explanations. In many cases it's like he wrote the minimum possible to say he covered the feature or topic. I'd return the book if it were worth the time it would take. I've ordered the Kelby books and the new Bausch book on the D90. Baushch's other books that I looked at in the bookstore are comprehensive and discuss the camera's features in conjunction with how and why you actually use them or would use them in the applicable situations.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-07-12 00:24:04 EST)
06-13-09 4 1\2
(Hide Review...)  Nikon D90 Digital Field Guide
Reviewer Permalink
Well laid out and easy to read and understand, I like this book and carry it with me when I shoot as it has a easy to get to reference data and information I need.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-06-29 00:23:23 EST)
06-08-09 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great
Reviewer Permalink
I was very impressed with how quickly I received the book. I am enjoying the book tremendously. It is full of useful, helpful information.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-06-13 07:37:42 EST)
06-02-09 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great Book!
Reviewer Permalink
This book is an excellent guide to the Nikon D90 camera. It is well written and very clear in its explanations. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has just purchased a D90 camera. There is so much to know.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-06-13 00:59:52 EST)
06-01-09 4 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Good Reference, Some Minor Technical Errors
Reviewer Permalink
I purchased this book when I purchased my Nikon D90 few weeks ago. It is an excellent reference manual and includes most everything that the Nikon manual has, in an easy to ready format as well as tips on composing photos and some advise on accessories.

I found a few minor technical errors (and was unable to find a feedback form on the Wiley publishing website, so I will post them here):

1) Page 2 references the Main Command dial but it is not identified in the photo QT.1
2) Page 18-19 references Bracketing (BKT) button and then cross-references Chapter 5. But there is NO mention of bracketing (a very important subject) in either Chapter 5 or really anywhere else in the book.
3) Would have liked to have seen some discussion on polarizer rings and filters and how/if they affect the advanced lenses.
4) I ordered the Echo messenger bag as recommended by Thomas (pg 262) even though Amazon feedback indicates a may be a bit small. I phoned the mfg and they said it should work fine for a D90 with the Nikor 18-105mm kit lens attached.

If you spent the money for a great camera like the D90 this book is well worth a few extra $$ to get the most from your investment.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-06-13 00:59:52 EST)
05-28-09 5 0\1
(Hide Review...)  A must have if you own a D90
Reviewer Permalink
It is a complete guide of the D90. If you think you know your camera, you will find out there are many thinks you didn't know about it. It also give you many tips about lenses and lighting that doesn't only apply for the D90 and are good things to know. Great book to have.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-06-01 01:23:24 EST)
05-26-09 3 1\2
(Hide Review...)  Challenging for a Total Amateur
Reviewer Permalink
First let me make it clear that I am not knocking this book. Based on the other reviews, it is clear this wonderful book has helped many with the operation of their D-90. In fact my decision to buy this book was based solely on the reviews found here. I am writing just to let others know that this book may not be suitable for a true amateur. I have what I would describe as a very BASIC understanding of cameras - no lessons or professionals to mentor me - just LOTS of time behind various cameras over the past 35 years. As a result, I am able to shoot photos that many rave over. I would call it dumb luck, lots of patience, and having the knack to be in the right place at the right time. This book however was over my head with lots of terminology I am unfamiliar with. Knowing its value to so many others tells me that I need to do some self-teaching or take a photography class to be able to let this book help me. Please don't hesitate buying this book because of my review. Instead just keep in mind that having nice cameras and lots of experience taking pictures may not guarantee you the ability to understand this book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-05-28 13:41:10 EST)
05-09-09 5 4\4
(Hide Review...)  An essential manual for getting the most out of a D90
Reviewer Permalink
My interest in photography soared after buying a Nikon D40X in 12-07. I loved the SLR part of the experience, but was a bit intimidated by the "digital" part - i.e the huge number of parameters that can be controlled by this camera. The experience enrichened as I acquired an SB600 speedlight, and a few very cool Nikon lenses. It seemed however that the Nikon manual for the D40X was just a dense book of facts, and I was having trouble moving up the experential ladder.

So when I made the jump to upgrade to the D90, I purchased Mr. Thomas' manual and it arrived a few days before the camera. I bought it based on other reviews posted on Amazon - almost all of which were positive. The book was a joy to read, and used a more casual language that was less technical jargon and more substance. The illustrations and pictures are all color and both basic and advanced techniques are presented in a clear fashion. It was so good that I never even opened up my D90 manual to see what it had to say - until recently.

Now I can tell you that the "Field Guide" is an excellent companion to the manual and that both should be used by the serious student if you really want to master this amazing camera. The Nikon manual for the D90 is better than the Nikon manual for the D40X, and should be considered required reading along with Mr Thomas' tome. I give Mr Thomas 5 stars and and a "thank you" for your hard work. I am making some fine pictures these days.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-05-27 08:40:27 EST)
05-01-09 4 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Much better than the Nikon D90 Manual
Reviewer Permalink
This book is much more intuitive than the Manual that comes with the Nikon D90. I would recommend that you have the camera accessable as you read each chapter otherwise it is information overload. Learn the features & options of this amazing camera as you progress through the book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-05-10 01:46:16 EST)
04-07-09 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Great Book for the D90
Reviewer Permalink
Great book has all the information the manual left out and more. If you have a D90 and are an average amateur photographer you should have this book. It provides clear explanation of all the functions of the D90 short and to the point. The book also has some interesting sections on general photography not specific to the D90 that I found useful.
Nikon D90 Digital Field Guide
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-05-02 00:26:46 EST)
04-01-09 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Complete info
Reviewer Permalink
Carry this in your photo back pak.....it's all you will need if you have any questions about the D90.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-04-09 00:43:53 EST)
03-30-09 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  A Must for D90 Owners
Reviewer Permalink
I purchased my D90 three months ago but struggled some with the manual that ships with the camera. Since buying this book, it has opened up a whole new world to me. It is very easy to read and well organized. In just a few hours reading the book and apply the techniqes as I wqent along, I was experimenting with various white balance settings, using picture controls, and taking pictures using the "M" (Manual) mode effectively. If you couple this book with Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure", you will benefit from the technical and basic photo making techniques of this book and the creative elements of Bryan's book. You will be well on your way to enjoying digital photography, particularly if you are rlatively new to it as I am. Enjoy!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-04-04 00:45:45 EST)
03-29-09 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Right On The Money
Reviewer Permalink
Absolutely great book. It has everything I was looking for to supplement the manufacturer's manual - and more. The prose is easy to read and understand; pictures are clear and sharp; and the coloring is helpful and not overdone. As well, the book seems to be well made, unlike some other such books on the market! Pages are heavy and sturdy semi-gloss and the binding seems to be nice and tight. You won't be disappointed if you purchase this book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-04-04 00:45:45 EST)
03-26-09 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  NIKON D90 101
Reviewer Permalink
My new D90 manual just didnt do it for me. I needed a "how to", "step by step" manual on how to familiarize myself with the D90's functions & capabilities. I had so many basic (beginner/ amateur) questions that the manual couldn't help me with. I needed a book that will explain the basic WHAT, WHY & HOW's and this book is the one that explained all the things that I wanted to learn about. If you're new to DSLR's, this is the book for you. It teaches you the basics, and at the same time slowly points you through the right path. It teaches you about all the buttons on your camera, what it does & the possibilities of what you can do (the 1st 100+ pages is dedicated to the D90's functions alone. After reading the book the first time, I already knew that I will be using this book as reference guide for a long time.
My advise is that as you go through the topics, have the camera handy next to you so that you can apply what you learn. If you are a pro, this book may not be for you because it probably contains things that you already know. It seemed to me that the author has people like me in mind when he wrote this book,and I am very grateful for that.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-03-30 01:14:04 EST)
03-21-09 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Very Helpful
Reviewer Permalink
Much easier to figure out how to use the Nikon D90 compared to the Nikon D90 insteuction booklet
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-03-29 00:45:13 EST)
03-13-09 3 2\4
(Hide Review...)  Manual re-write?
Reviewer Permalink
Although this book is well-written, it's not much more than the manual that comes with the camera re-written. I was a little disappointed, was expecting more than that.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-03-22 02:23:53 EST)
03-08-09 5 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Great guide
Reviewer Permalink
This guide is a must for the camera. Very thorough. If only the manuals that come with equipment could be this complete. The guide lifts the camera to a whole new level.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-03-13 12:13:24 EST)
02-24-09 4 2\4
(Hide Review...)  Book is Fine Shipping was an issue.
Reviewer Permalink
The book was sent to me twice the first time it was sent back as undeliverable not sure why but I had 3 different packages coming at the same time and only this one was sent back as undeliverable. I called Amazon back and they resent the book to me with 2 day shipping for free. I did receive it this time. I'm enjoying it and learning how to use my new camera. The book is great I'm loving the way everything is explained in layman terms.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-03-08 00:26:49 EST)
02-12-09 5 2\2
(Hide Review...)  Best book for the D90
Reviewer Permalink
This book is excellent. It is well made and has a ton of useful, easy to understand information. This book has everything you need to learn and master the D90. You will not find a better buy snywhere. Thanks for making this book.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-02-27 06:13:43 EST)
02-06-09 5 3\3
(Hide Review...)  A Fabulous Guide
Reviewer Permalink
I just got my D90 last week and started reading this digital field guide. I'm not that technically savvy with professional cameras just yet, but I was really impressed with this book. It's easy to read, visually appealing (photographs), and has helped me tremendously in getting to know all of the buttons on the camera. I feel a little more confident taking photos now.

I highly recommend this book to newcomers to the D90, as it will help you with the basics and get you more comfortable with the camera.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-02-13 01:16:33 EST)
02-05-09 1 1\10
(Hide Review...)  Author and publisher in need of dupes
Reviewer Permalink
While most of these "field guides" just rehash what is in the manuals this guide in particular is even worse than most. Save your money, read the manual and practice. This book isn't worth your time or your money.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-02-13 01:16:33 EST)
02-05-09 5 4\4
(Hide Review...)  BIG help!
Reviewer Permalink
This book identifies all the camera controls and walks you through menu screens of the Nikon D90. It also explains when and how you should use the various modes. I found it to be a huge help with my newest toy. :)
It also gives a lot of information on accessories, which is great because as I've been getting to know my camera better, I've been more and more interested in getting some additional lenses as well as some other accessories. Highly recommended!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2009-02-13 01:16:33 EST)
  
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 28 of 28                 
  
  
  
  
  
  

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