You point and shoot. The camaer in it's auto setting will do most of the work for you. You zoom in and out - press the shutter half way down to focus and all the way down to shoot. It really is that simple.
You will have other manual modes that the cameras manual will explain how to use.
I need to take pictures of landscapes and of peopele in portraits, im stuggling with how im supposed to set the speed to ''60'' for the shutter speed, i bought a 400 film made by ilford. The pictures need to be in black and white. The scale sometimes reads underexposed on the minus side of the scale, was reasing th manual yesterday. noticed the auto settings for focus and the programed mode so far. still have a long way to go.
Landscapes are pretty much of a muchness - just put it into auto mode - take a note of the aperture. Then put it into Aperture mode and select different shutter speeds and keep notes of everything if you are using film.
Dont forget - try and use a tripod when you can at 60th fps - you are at the limit of hand held photography Portraits all depend on how much you want in focus. Select S = shutter priority and open the fstop right up to the lowest number. See what your auto exp display reads. Depending on light which is the big "if" take the same photo (light allowing) working your way up to f8 or similar. This will produce various levels of depth of field (the bits in focus) If there's not enough light - add some yourself, but daylight is much better for portraits.
If it's any consolation to you, we bought a new video/DVD recorder 18 months ago. We also have a manual and still can't figure out how to get the darned thing working !
Wendy, I know all about the frustration, im going o the focus on imaging show at the NEC tomorrow, probably shouldnt. i have no work to submit for my course, was hoping to make a start with the new camera, so so sad.
jus get a new camera... im a graphic designer and have always hated SLR cameras - get a digital. then all you have to do to take a pic of a landscape is press the button with a mountain on it. then for close ups, or portraits press the button with the flower on it. Its so easy and cheap nowadays. If your a photographer then u'l probly wanna stick to the dark room process but its jus a suggestion
The course is starting using black and white pictures taken by SLR's so having a digital will be of no use. Imagine taking a CHIP to the dark room to develop... lol.