help with d200 settings

[nez]

I have had my d200 for one weekend can anyone tell me the optimum settings for this camera for bird photography.

Thanks Nez. :h?:

[nigelblake]

There are no optimum settings for bird photography, every image requires a different set of exposure parameters depending on the light (or lack of), focal length of the lens being used, which in combination with the aformentioned light and the activity and surroundings of the subject will dictate the iso, aperture and shutter speed.
I would suggest that you sit and read the instruction book a few times so you get to know the camera, and then stick a lens on the camera and go out and shoot as much as you can, you will learn as much from the duds as you will from the good'uns!

There is no short cut, you would not go and buy an expensive set of pro spec golf clubs then expect to hit 18 holes in one first time out with them, the joy of photography is the learning, and it never stops!

[Keith Reeder]

What Nigel says is particularly relevant on a camera as "involved" as the D200 - it is far more complicated (not the right word exactly, but it'll have to do) than say, the Nikon D70, or the Canon 30D.

The rather bewildering number of focus options available need some serious reading before you'll get to grips with them, and that's just one thing out of many - a "point & shoot" it ain't.

The metering modes need some serious thought too.

I'd suggest spot metering and single servo AF as starting points for birds, but really, you will need to get your hands dirty and try the many, many, many variations out for yourself...