Mastering the Nikon D850

8 reviews for Mastering the Nikon D850

1. 

   wdavishall December 8, 2018

   Darrell Young’s “Mastering the Nikon D850”

   I suppose there are photographers experienced enough to find all the info they need in Nikon’s manual. Frankly, I need a bit more help. Beside, the D850 has it’s own “bag of tricks”. Mr. Young is particularly good at explaining layers of information, the settings within settings.

   Mr. Young assumes that you have some knowledge of digital photography. He certainly does. This not a book you can carry easily in your camera bag. It’s over 670 pages and probably weighs several pounds. The ebook might be a better option if you want something really portable, but I personally don’t find ebooks very practical as guides. There’s a lot of cross references and page flipping. (And, yes, I bought the ebook first.)

   Most guides to cameras like the D850, are organized by menu options. This book, with well chosen pictures, goes into the menus within menus, as well as (praise be) the author’s personal choices. So, yes, this is much more than a guide.

Mr. Young doesn’t apologize for some of the camera’s quirks, but he does clarify them.

   There is a lot, and I do mean a lot, of detailed information. A few short chapters are not included, but are online. Mr. Young claims he was worried about the length of the book, but I don’t think ten pages would have made much difference. “Trap focusing” and “AF fine tuning” and the other chapters should have been included (but at least they are available).

   If I have any criticism, it has to do with using the camera for video. Not that the controls aren’t well explained, they are. This camera is capable of great movies. But if you plan to use the camera for video, you are encouraged to visit the Nikon Video forum.

   I own several guide books (one other recommendation is only available as an ebook) for the D850, but this seems to cover all the bases. A lot of “why” and not just “how.”

   I bought the ebook for Kindle first. When the paperback was published, I got a discount through RockyNook. This turned out very well for me. If you bought the D850, and need more than the supplied manual, this is the book for you. Even if you may have lots of experience with Nikon’s high end cameras, you will find this useful. The D850 does some things in a different way.

   By the way, I hope new chapters and/or additions keep coming.

   I’ll still dipping into the book. I do carry it around when I can. Pity, it wasn’t published sooner, but it’s here now.

   — wdavishall

2. 

   wdavishall December 8, 2018

   I suppose there are photographers experienced enough to find all the info they need in Nikon’s manual. Frankly, I need a bit more help. Beside, the D850 has it’s own “bag of tricks”. Mr. Young is particularly good at explaining layers of information, the settings within settings.

   Mr. Young assumes that you have some knowledge of digital photography. He certainly knows cameras. This not a book you can carry easily in your camera bag. It’s over 670 pages and probably weighs several pounds. The ebook might be a better option if you want something really portable, but I personally don’t find ebooks very practical as guides. There’s a lot of cross references and page flipping. (And, yes, I bought the ebook first.)

   Most guides to cameras like the D850, are organized by the menu options. This book, with well chosen pictures, goes into the menus within menus, as well as (praise be) the author’s personal choices. So, yes, this is much more than a guide.

Mr. Young doesn’t apologize for some of the camera’s quirks, but he does clarify them.

   There is a lot, and I do mean a lot, of detailed information. A few short chapters are not included, but are online. Mr. Young claims he was worried about the length of the book, but I don’t think ten pages would have made much difference. “Trap focusing” and “AF fine tuning” and the other chapters should have been included (but at least they are available).

   If I have any criticism, it has to do with using the camera for video. Not that the controls aren’t well explained, they are. This camera is capable of great movies. But if you plan to use the camera for video, you are encouraged to visit the Nikon Video forum.

   I own several guide books (one other recommendation is only available as an ebook) for the D850, but this seems to cover all the bases. A lot of “why” and not just “how.”

   I bought the ebook for Kindle first. When the paperback was published, I got a discount through RockyNook. This turned out very well for me. If you bought the D850, and need more than the supplied manual, this is the book for you. Even if you may have lots of experience with Nikon’s high end cameras, you will find this useful. The D850 does some things in a different way.

   By the way, I hope new chapters and/or additions keep coming.

   I’ll still dipping into the book. I do carry it around when I can. Pity, it wasn’t published sooner, but it’s here now.

   — wdavishall

3. 

   Jackie (verified owner) December 29, 2018

   I purchased this book and another for the D850. Although the other book has several strong reviews on several sites, I found this book by NikoniansPress to be a better read. The indexing system in the back is well organized in such a way it is easier to find what you need. The descriptions to menu settings provide screen shots to show you how to get to the menu item you are looking for which I find very helpful. I also found the description / instructions for some of the settings to be better explained in this book.

4. 

   ljlarson57 March 26, 2019

   “Mastering the Nikon D850” The title of this book is perfect. Indeed, it is about “mastering” the Nikon D850. I know of no book that will better enable the photographer to know and understand the technical aspects of this remarkable camera. It will not enable you to become a better artist. That is not its purpose. However, it will enable you to master this tool so that you will better be able to create the art that you envision. Internalizing the book, will free you to devote your focus to what matters most to you in being a photographer. I have been using Darrell’s mastering book for my Nikons for over 12 years. And I have never been disappointed.

   He writes in a way that is beautifully organized and is crystal clear. Unlike the user manual, Darrell begins with what you need to know to get up and running taking photographs. From there, he goes into every aspect of the camera. Some of the features of the D850, you probably will never use. However, if you decide that you wish to explore any capability of the camera, you will find that Darrell provides everything that you need to know. Thinking about this, the book, like all manuals, is not best approached by reading it straight through. Once you are taking photographs, you can proceed step by step, first reading and understanding a feature, and then, trying it out in the field until you find that that particular feature is ingrained inside of you.

   The book is at every step of the way, set up to be used in conjunction with the user manual. As you use the two together, you will find what works best for you.

   Like all of Darrell’s “mastering manuals” published by Rock Nook, the graphics are fabulous and are unsurpassed by any similar manuals. This is a critical aspect for me. To be honest, the book is quite elegant. It in itself is a work of art.

   One last thing. Darrell is more than willing to tell you what he does when using the camera. Even though I don’t always find that what works best for him works best for me, I do give his experience a try. His investment is always in the photographer.

   Please do yourself a favor. Get the book AND use it.

5. 

   Richard (verified owner) August 9, 2019

   For me, reading an owners manual is like trying to learn a new language by reading a dictionary. This book goes the extra mile by providing context as to why a person might use one setting or preset or another.. Darrell Young explains the “how-to” as well as the “why it makes sense in the first place”. His explanations are detailed, clear and concise. The “why you might consider going this way” explanations really help.

6. 

   tigteebud123 (verified owner) September 27, 2019

   Goes well beyond the rather large Instruction manual.

   This is my 2nd Nikon guide by Mr. Young. The 1st was “Mastering the Nikon D7200”. That had helped me get a lot out of that very fine camera. When I purchased a used D850 a few months ago, I tried to get along with just the manual,(better then most) but knew I needed more help. Darrell’s books on cameras are always beneficial, with explanations that are very understandable. He explains in detail, using screen shots of every menu, and telling you exactly how to set particular functions. Given the many excellent functions of this complex camera that means there is a lot of material, but in almost all cases Young will tell you exactly what to do, as well as tell you the settings he recommends and the reason why. The book is beautifully printed and bound too. In addition, I also received the e-book for more portability when needed.(got both bound & e-book through the excellent Rocky Nook Book Club).
   The suggested settings and tips are very helpful and appreciated. I would recommend to anyone who has a Nikon to purchase his books as they are a second to none. I encourage everyone with this camera get this book!

7. 

   hlslaw (verified owner) July 24, 2020

   As a beginner this book has helped me tremendously. I went through it slower but it helped me to understand many concepts and the camera. The explanations and photographs assisted in my learning. The book is printed in high quality. Thank you.

8. 

   glen_wilkerson (verified owner) January 1, 2022

   I always buy the book on a new camera as the information included is better than trying to read the manual that came with the camera. I can pick and choose where and what information I want to learn. The D850 is like learning a new computer system so this book is invaluable. Highly recommended.