Learn about the incredible Nikon D60 digital SLR!

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Discover why my last two books have been the #1 and #2 best-selling camera-specific guidebooks on Amazon. Whether you’re a veteran of my previous books or a new convert, I think you’ll find this introduction to the D60 quite different from the other books on the market. When Nikon unveiled the surprising D60 so soon after the introduction of its predecessor, the D40x, I realized that Nikon's "entry-level" cameras had become so advanced that a compact “field guide” like the one I wrote for the D40/D40x wouldn’t hack it. Although many shrewd beginners will be buying the D60 as a first digital SLR, many of you are more advanced amateurs -- or aspire to join those ranks as quickly as possible.

You don’t need a book that devotes almost third of its pages to little sections that provide the rudiments of shooting the most basic types of pictures. You don’t need to be told that you ought to use a fast shutter speed when shooting sports – you probably already know a dozen different kinds of action situations when slower shutter speeds are superior (such as motor sports with spinning tires, or when panning to capture a long jumper speeding towards the pit.) There’s a good chance that telling you to use a large aperture when shooting a portraits a bit simplistic for your skill level, too. If not, don’t worry, I provide this kind of information, too. I just don’t waste dozens of pages on these basic techniques when they can be covered in a few pages before jumping into the truly cool stuff. Instead, I’m going to emphasize the exciting things you can do in David Busch's Nikon D60 Guide to Digital SLR Photography.

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Click the cover picture at right!

Or read an excerpt:

Don't settle for a pocket-sized
guidebook! Your Nikon D60
deserves hundreds of pages more
of photographic knowledge!

After a couple introductory chapters that help you get your bearings with this innovative camera, we’re going to explore dSLR photography together using a significant new tool. I’ve tried to make the Nikon D60 Guide to Digital Photography different from your other D60 learn-up options. The roadmap sections use larger, color pictures to show you where all the buttons and dials are, and the explanations of what they do are longer and more comprehensive. Instead of the checklists devoted to general topics like “architectural photography” or “landscape photography,” you’ll find tips and techniques for using all the features of your Nikon D60 to take any kind of picture you want. The Nikon D60 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is aimed at both Nikon and dSLR veterans as well as newcomers to digital photography and digital SLRs. Both groups can be overwhelmed by the options the D60 offers, while underwhelmed by the explanations they receive in their user’s manual. The manuals are great if you already know what you don’t know, and you can find an answer somewhere in a booklet arranged by menu listings. I've done my best to make my book accessible, friendly, and comprehensive.

Why the Nikon D60 is great:

I’ve been using Nikon-based digital single lens reflex (SLR) cameras since before they had Nikon’s name on them. (Thank you, Kodak!) And never before have I been blown away by an entry-level digital SLR as I was by the Nikon D60. This camera has earned a permanent place in my camera bag next to my "pro" Nikons.

First and foremost, it's affordable, if you’re serious about photography. For those who are already (or soon to become) avid photographers, when you consider the features and capabilities stuffed into the Nikon D60, its introductory price is a bargain.

It's super-compact. It the D60 is your only camera, you won't hesitate to take it anywhere. Unless you have kangaroo-sized pockets, you'll want to carry it around your neck, tuck in a purse or briefcase, or stow it in a corner of a very small camera bag. If you use several different Nikon cameras (like I do), the D60 makes a perfect walk-around camera, a back-up camera, or an easy-to-tote second camera with a different zoom lens (say, the 18-55 VR lens on your D60, and Nikon's great 55-200mm VR zoom on your D80.

The Nikon D60 is also more expandable than any previous Nikon dSLR at this price. There are dozens of accessories and thousands of lenses from Nikon and third-party vendors that work well with your new camera.

The Nikon D60 also includes tons of very cool features, some of which aren't available in Nikon's top-of-the-line D3, such as a built-in flash and automatic/manual sensor cleaning, and the great new stop-motion movie capability.

My recommendations for Nikon D60 must-have essentials:

(Click picture for a discount price)

You gotta get this!

Wow! After I tried this out, I told everyone I knew about it, and then I ordered three more; one for each of my camera bags. Don't pay $50 or more for a scope to check out your sensor for dust. This $8.95 gadget does the job for a fraction of the price. It's a Carson slide-out 3X magnifier (although the packaging says it's a 2X unit) with an LED light. Lock up your mirror, open the shutter, and focus in on your sensor by holding the Carson magnifier just above the lens mount. Any dust, scratches, or other artifacts just pop out. You can even use a sensor brush or other tool to clean the sensor while you're looking at it with the magnifier. I'm rarely blown away by inexpensive gadgets, but this one belongs in every digital photographer's camera bag.


My guidebook, natch!	The Nikon SB-800 Speedlight	Nikon SB-600 Speedlight	Nikon D60 camera

Nikon ML-L3 infrared remote Never leave home without your remote release!	Manfrotto Monopod I own this, as well as the Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod. Super for sports, landscapes, wildlife.	Sigma 10-20mm zoom. Want an ultra-wide angle lens, but can't afford $900 for a Nikkor? You can save $400 on this great Sigma lens. Important: Buy only lenses with built-in focusing motors -- like this one -- to preserve your AF performance. .	Nikon 55-200mm VR lens This should be your second lens! It picks up where the 18-55 VR (vibration reduction) kit lens leaves off, and takes you all the way out to 200mm for those sports or wildlife shots.

SanDisk Extreme III 4GB Take thousands of shots on one card with this super-fast 4GB SanDisk SDHC memory card.	My wife and daughter put this 8GB card in the D60 they took with them to Paris this Spring, and never had to change cards once. I shoot all day with this card, but that's a different story.	SanDisk Extreme III 2GB You definitely must have at least one spare memory card, and this budget-priced card doesn't sacrifice speed or reliability.	Vertical grip/batteries You have to try this clever add-on to appreciate the convenience of a vertical grip with alternate shutter release button and extra internal batteries. Why doesn't Nikon make one of these for the D60?

For those with cash to burn:

The New "Magic Three" Unless you're shooting close-ups or distant sports, you really don't need any other lenses. Sharp, fast, and expensive, these lenses do everything! They are full-frame lenses for both DX and FX formats, too.
	Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor

This 70-300 VR lens is a bit slower than the legendary 70-200 VR, but it has a longer range, is more compact, and costs less. Great for traveling light	The 80-400 VR gives you a bit more range for sports, and many photographers prefer it to the 70-200 VR for wildlife photography.	105mm VR Micro-Nikkor Vibration Reduction may be overkill for a macro lens, but folks said the same thing about autofocus. This one is great indoors or out.	Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor Serious photographers often replace their kit lens with this one after they've worked with their cameras for awhile. Sharp!

	Nikon 85mm f/1.4 "Cream Machine" Beautiful bokeh; this is the #1 portrait lens for Nikon dSLRs. Get one now before Nikon replaces it with something less. You can own a legend!	AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR This versatile lens is the new king of the kit lens crowd for DX format dSLRs. It handles everything from architecture and landsapes to portraiture.