How to Use a Nikon

Prepare your camera. If using a film-based camera, open the camera back and insert the film. On many models of Nikon camera this can be done by pulling upward on the film advance mechanism to open the back of the camera body; on others, there is a lock on the bottom of the camera that must be turned to the "open" position. Load the spool of film on the left side and insert the end of the film strip into the tab on the take-up spool on the right. Align the film sprockets with the gear teeth on the take-up spool and advance the film until securely wound. Close the camera back. For digital cameras, open the media card door, which is located on the right-hand side of the camera. Insert the media card into the slot and close the door.

Attach the lens. This process is the same for all Nikon cameras. Remove any protective cap from the camera and the lens and locate the white dots on the camera body and near the aperture ring on the lens. Align the white dots and set the lens into the lens mount. Turn the lens counterclockwise until it clicks into place securely.

Adjust the aperture settings. Some digital camera and lens combinations will not function properly without the lens being set to the minimum aperture size. This varies from camera to camera and lens to lens.

If necessary, insert the camera batteries. Even older, film-based models use batteries for operation of metering functions and shutter release. The type and size of battery needed as well as the placement will vary between makes and models.

Test the camera batteries. The type and placement will vary between models of Nikon. For older, film-based cameras such as the FE2 the meter operates on a battery, so to test the battery remove the lens cover and depress the shutter button halfway while looking through the viewfinder. If the battery is correctly installed, the meter will move. For Nikon digital SLR cameras, insert the fully charged camera battery into the camera body and power on the unit by turning the dial located on the top right of the camera body.

Compose and meter your photograph. Digital SLR cameras have a live meter reading that can be accessed by looking through the viewfinder at the meter bar on the bottom. Adjust the aperture and shutter speed until the meter bars are at "0." On some models, this readout may also be viewed on the LCD screen. For non-digital models, compose the scene and press the shutter release halfway. This will move the meter needle to the reading marking an estimated optimal shutter speed based on the aperture selected. Changing the aperture will change this reading.

Set the exposure. This will vary between make and model of camera. On film-based cameras, the aperture can be adjusted by turning the aperture ring on the lens to the proper setting, while the shutter speed is adjusted by using the numbered dial on the top of the camera body. On digital cameras, the process may be accessible from the camera body or the photographer may have to hold a combination of buttons to access shutter speed and aperture settings. Once settings are adjusted, expose your image.

Film-based cameras require rewinding at the end of the roll of film. To do this, depress the button on the bottom of the camera body beneath the take-up reel, then wind the film using the dial on the top of the camera body until the dial spins freely and without resistance. This indicates that the film is wound into the cartridge and may now be removed.