I got a DSLR camera and there is a fairly steep learning curve such a device. The purpose of this blog is to learn and eventually become an expert with the camera by blogging about the features and techniques used with the device. The act of explaining the features in a blog helps me to learn about the camera. I currently have the camera, a few lenses and I have taken an introduction to DSLR photography at the camera store where I purchased the camera.

The camera kit. I purchased a Nikon D5300 18-140 VR Kit that included the camera body and a Nikon AF-s DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens (see picture below). You also get the Nikon ViewNX software, which has some basic photo editing tools, as well as cables and a battery charger. This camera is a consumer DSLR for taking very good family or hobbyist pictures, not quite as good as the more expensive professional DSLRs with a full-frame sensor, for instance the high end Nikon DSLR would have a sensor size of 35.9 x 24 mm vs. the 23.5 x 15.6 mm sensor in the camera that I purchased. The larger sensor would produce better pixels but the professional camera would cost 4 times more. The lower cost consumer grade camera is more than good enough for my current skill-level and desires, which is taking family pictures.

About the camera body:

• Nikon D5300 single-lens reflex digital camera.
• The image sensor is 23.5 x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor with 24.78 million pixels.
• There is a memory card slot for SD cards.
• The camera will produce JPEG files, raw (NEF) files, or both in 3 selectable sizes.
• The camera will capture video up to 1920 x 1080, 60p (NTSC or PAL) in a MOV file.
• The camera has a 3.2” (3:2) TFT monitor that can be flush with the back of the camera or swivel out to the side to angle up or down.
• There is a USB port that can be used to transfer files to a computer.
• It also has an integrated WiFi device that can be used with certain phone apps.
• There are a variety of shooting modes and built-in image processing features as well as the manual controls.
• The battery is a 1230 mAh lithium-ion and there is an AC charger included.

About the lens:

• AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
• 18 – 140 mm is the focal length
• f/3.5 – 5.6 is the aperture range
• AF means the lens supports auto-focus or manual focus
• VR is Vibration Reduction

I have also added 50mm and 35mm prime lenses to gear. These lenses are smaller, lighter and have wider apertures available. I purchased a camera bag from Amazon that has room for my camera, a few lenses and the other accessories I might like to carry.