New Nikon

DPP Appears to be a Canon specific product and my first guess was that Canon and Nikon use different file extensions for RAW files, so Googled for somthing along those lines and ...

Canon cameras the RAW format looks like .CR2 and for Nikon it's .NEF
​

Using File Explorer (rather than manufacturer's software) to check the SD card will confirm the file extensions being used.

 

I will give that try @wiseowl although due to my impatience I deleted most of yesterday's pics out of frustration! I had a go this morning BUT I shot in jpeg. Some came out OK even when cropped but I still need practice in focusing, not quite there yet.
Cropped and lightened bit with Windows 10 Photo Gallery basic editing aids.

 

Nice picture
On the focusing @strongylodon do you use af-c or af-s ?p and what focus point are you using single,9,21,39?
Do you use back button focusing?
I found it tricky at first but getting the hang of it now

 

@mowgley I set it on 39 point and the focus point on af-s for single shooting.
Where is the back button?
Also it seems you can't zoom in on your shots in review, When I looked at them they were out of focus but were clear when uploaded to the PC.
I can't find a crop on camera feature as on Bridge cameras so I assume it is thought that with a DSLR you are going to do it if required in post processing.
I used auto and programmed today as a beginner!

Any more hint/tips will be welcomed.

 

@strongylodon I found this guy on YouTube very helpful.
When shooting flowers or wildlife I use single or 9 point on af-c.
His videos will explain it loads better than I can




Hope these help

 

You can download the NEF codec from the Nikon site and that should allow you to view RAW images using your existing viewers.................
http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/sw/87.html

I use IrfanView as my primary photo viewer. It is freeware and very simple to use for cropping, resizing and converting RAW (NEF) to JPEG..............
http://www.irfanview.com/

The beauty of RAW as it was explained to me is that it saves a more literal digital interpretaion (JPEG is a more assumed digital conversion), the downside is that the file sizes are significantly larger.

As far as getting to know your new camera all I can say is spend some time in the garden with it in manual exposure mode and play with the settings (shutter speed, aperture, image enhancement etc) and see what works best. The worst that can happen is that they're rubbish and you bin them. Manual settings are an intuitive thing and it comes with experience. Ultimately manual settings will produce the best images.

 

Hi all advice please,

I've just bought the D3300 i would have preferred the D5300 but just out of my price range,

My budget was around the same price as one but i'm wanting a macro lens,

I've read through this thread and some useful advice for using my new camera many thanks, I'm in the same boat as @strongylodon only used to using a bridge, i guess its getting hands on and using it,

Anyhow i have around £200 to spend on a macro lens, what lens size would i need ? any recommendations please.

 

Thank you A i will have a look on the net, ive just had a quick play with it in the garden and it looks like i will also need one for distance as well at a later date,

I could have bought a package with a 16-55 and 70-300mm lens but wasn't sure if the 70-300mm would have been suitable for my needs so went for the 16-55, early days but i can already see a difference from my older camera, fly's hairs are more in focus, a bit of knowlage using it and a macro lens should make more improvement,

I will have to get out of the habit of looking at the screen to take a picture , best of 20 shots of various things.

 

There'll be no looking back now @martin-f

 

Its something ive wanted for a while longk, its my third camera in as many years, others have been bridge £120/140, the spec on this is better than my others and I'm quite sure once i learn the basics and have the correct lens my photos should improve , time will tell .