Nikon D3100 For Dummies Paperback – December 21, 2010

This book was really helpful to me. It covers in excellent detail all of the features of the camera. The full-color photos are essential and greatly beneficial. I have not once thought, "I don't understand," while reading. The entire book has been really easy to follow, even for a beginner. The topic arrangement of the book is nice too.The first five chapters are designed to get you familiar with the controls, buttons and features and also to get you started shooting using auto modes. This may sound straight forward, but there is alot of camera terminology that I didn't know before this book that is essential to understanding even basic controls. This book does a great job at explaining these terms in clear, everyday language. Even better, there is just enough repetition to remind you of things without being annoying.The remaining chapters deal with advanced shooting modes. I haven't gotten to this part (I'm currently on Chap. 5), but I am assuming that it is just as good as the rest of the book. It should be noted, however, that I've ready 130ish pages already and I want to finish the rest. It is an easy-to-read, enjoyable book.One thing this books doesn't do is discuss photography in general. It doesn't, for instance, go into color theory. I'm glad it doesn't; that would be way too much all at once! It is intended to introduce you to the camera, not the art of photography.

I have been very impressed with this book. I have been an SLR photographer for some time, but recently jumped into the DSLR game and bought a Nikon D3100. While some of it was fairly intuitive out of the box, there was much more the camera was capable of and the owners manual was not the most easily understood aid. While the D3100 does an excellent job as a high end point and shoot, I prefer to shoot entirely manually where I have full creative control over the images. This book covers all the automatic settings (and there are several on this camera) but it manual photography and the author gives her tips on the best way to configure the camera given the particular type of subject matter you are shooting. She also illustrates all her main points with pictures so you can see how the different settings impact the pictures. I have loved reading this book and really learning to use all the capabilities of the D3100. In fact, I recently purchased a Canon EOS T-3 for my wife and she is currently reading the EOS T-3 for Dummies book by the same author and she really likes it.Whether you are a seasoned photographer or just a point-and-shooter wanting to become a little more creative with your DSLR, these books are great and I very highly recommend them. They will certainly up your game.

This well-written book with its easy-to-follow, pictured instructions is the BEST investment yet to understanding my D3100! This is my first dSLR camera; though I'm familiar with Nikon Cool-pix point-and-shoot cameras. When Nikon eliminated viewfinders from the point-and-shoot line of cameras, I made the switch, with some trepidation, to a dSLR to get a viewfinder! The camera produces fantastic photos using automatic settings (as this book points out). While reading through this book I realized that further exploration of my camera's capabilities would be FUN! With the help of this awesome book and the author's teaching-style explanations I've come to understand terms such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, metering. Thanks to this often fun-to-read book, my photos are now taken using AUTO, as well as P(rogram), S(hutter speed), A(perture), and even a few M(anual) settings. This book will be my long-time guide/reference to unveiling my camera's potential!I'd enthusiastically recommend this book!

I've been using SLR cameras for many years. I've had several digital Point and Shoots also. So, when I was upgrading to a DSLR, I wanted an easy, concise handbook to read through. Of course my camera came with a brochure, but I wanted something more than the technical way that is written.The Dummies books have always been fun to read and have all the information one might need to get started, or in my case, more of a reminder. Great for beginners and those more experienced. I found it more useful than the Nikon supplied booklet, and have discovered things about the camera which weren't as obvious when I first picked it up. Unfortunately, too large to throw into your camera bag but a good read at home as you play around with the camera.

This book has taught me much about my camera! Love it!

Got the camera and so confused. Read on line thst this book could really help me understand and use my camera. I have not read the whole book yet, but so far what I have read, made a lot of sense!

Like all the "For Dummies" books, this is a solid introduction. It covers all the basics you need for photographing with a D3100. At times, however, the text is so pedantic you begin to think to yourself "What is the point of wasting this space?" With that said, it IS a book "For Dummies." And, with that aside, it does have some useful tips for beginners shooting with their first DSLR (which I assume one is if he/she purchases a D3100). Overall, good intro and reference material for those with their first foray into the DSLR world.

I am only half way through the book and it already worth the money I spent on it. It beats reading the camera manual. The author does an excellent job of explaining certain operations and giving advise. At first I considered the Kindle addition but after a trial run on my Kindle, I decided on the print version and I have no regrets on that. With the print version I can highlight and bookmark certain pages to go back to, much harder to do on the Kindle version. Some books are just not meant for the Kindle.