First things to do after you get your New Camera
Hey Everyone! Hope everyone is have a great week! I am. This week I want to discuss the things that you should do after you get your new camera. We usually think that we've bought a new camera that it should be as up to date as it can be. Well that's not always the case. Your camera might be new and shiny but depending on what you got it could be years old. So one of the first things to do is check your firmware version and make sure you have the latest firmware version.
Firmware. Back in the film days we really didn't have to worry about firmware because everything was
mechanical but now in the electronic and computer age everything seems to have some sort of program in them. And for some reason there is always an update to be had. Firmware ( in simple terms) is the program that electronics use to do whatever they do. When you update your firmware you are altering the program that was in the device that your updating. Usually fixing some sort of bug or adding some sort of feature. Much like Lightroom or Windows updates they correct bugs or improve stuff. In your camera this could mean better focusing or faster focus. Maybe they add some sort of new software to make your camera like new. As long as the hardware can handle the upgrade the possibilities are endless. Some company's put out lots of firmware updates and some do not. Making sure your camera has the latest and greatest update can make the camera perform like brand new saving you from having to upgrade or buy a new one. If you haven't checked your firmware you should. If you have never updated the firmware you may tell a big difference in the way that it works. Installing the firmware is easy and all of the camera companies will have a step by step procedure for you to follow to make sure you have the latest and greatest. This usually involves installing on your computer some sort of program that when your camera is connected to your computer the program updates the firmware. On older cameras it was installing the firmware on a SD card and inserting it into your camera and going through a series of procedures to update the firmware. In any case it's fairly easy to do .
But now a days its not just camera bodies that get the firmware update its also Lenses. Newer lenses have small computers in them also that can be tweaked to give that lens a sharper focusing and quicker focusing. So check your lenses especially if they are fairly new. The firmware updates that you do to them can make them really nice lenses. If you have a new body that has super fast focusing powers but your lens is still using the old way of focusing a firmware update to that lens could make it perform just like a brand new lens. I just got through checking all of my lenses for the firmware updates and they were all up to date. Its a good feeling to know that all of your equipment is up to date and running as efficient as it can. I think this should almost be an annual event or even a simi-annual event to check the firmware of all of your electronics.
The next thing you should do is read the manual. I know nobody likes to do this . New camera's can do all sorts of things that we might not know they can do until we read the manual. Another good alternative to this is to watch a video on how to set up your camera and go through all of the settings. This is usually one of the first things I do because now a days camera's are so complicated and have so many options that
learning from someone that has more experience using your make and model of camera and how to set it up is a great starting point. Whats nice about a video is you can rewind as many time as you want to get all of the facts right to set up your camera. You can find these videos on youtube or on places like Creative Live. I usually use Creative Live because I buy my camera's used and they have all kinds of video's on my particular camera and can usually get a print out of all of the settings and where to set.
Accessories. Make your camera yours. Maybe a new camera strap or a fancy lens cap. Or a new camera bag. Making your camera yours is a great way to make your camera more enjoyable to shoot. I don't do a lot but I always have a camera strap system put on my cameras . I usually use the Peak Design system that have the little buttons that you attach to your camera to put on the strap. or a plate on the bottom of the camera that will attach to a clip attached to my backpack. If your new camera that is in the same system as your old camera say your own Nikons and you buy another Nikon your accessories might work for your new camera like a remote shutter release system. Maybe an "L" bracket to put on your camera . I usually have these on all of my cameras. Make it yours. Oh just thought of this is to get a screen protector for your display to keep it from getting scratched because believe me it will get scratched. Just like you protect your phone screen you should definitely protect your camera display.
After all of this done you should shoot, shoot, shoot! The more you shoot the more familiar you will be with your new camera. Being very comfortable with your camera and not fumbling with it only comes with hours of practice . So shoot everything and anything. Getting used to all of the dials and buttons and knowing where they are will help you get the shot when it counts. Make photography more natural instead of a process of figuring out a new gadget. So until next week take your new camera and get out and Shoot, Shoot,Shoot!
