D200 - Don't be Intimidated - This CAN Be Your First dSLR!

That's right, don't be intimidated by the D200. Although it looks like there is too much to learn just a few uses will have you intuitively pushing buttons and switches like a pro.

The D200 was my first SLR of any type, before that I was using a really simple point and click. I bought 2 DVD's with the D200 that were specific to this camera, they helped out a ton and I have watched them several times. There are also several 'quick start' guides online that will get you up and running quickly on the road to getting great pics.

I got comfortable with a base set of settings and quickly began taking great pics! The more I learned the more things I tried. I did have some pictures that didn't turn out that great when I was experimenting but that's one of the great pluses of digital - the mistakes don't cost you anything (just remember to take a pic using your normal settings, then take it using your 'trying them out' settings).

Another great hint with digital is to take pics on the highest quality setting for your use (use jpeg fine unless you are going to be doing extensive retouching, or post-editing, then use raw), and take TONS of pics, you can always weed out the 'almost-keepers' and keep the cream of the crop. SD memory is cheap enough these days so that there should be not trouble having a few large cards that will hold a weekend's worth of shooting.