Practice,,,,,,,,,,,,

[dicklaxt]

Does it hurt anything to practice with the camera,power on and going thru the setup ,selection focus ,pushing buttons as if you were actually taking pics? 'm speaking of doing this without a memory card inserted just to get a feel for sequence etc.

dick

[jerryph]

I do not see how it could hurt it... but I also do not see the function of why you change settings without the card inserted in the first place?

For me, the practice comes when you change settings AND take a picture to see the results of those settings. This is something that cannot be done without the card installed. Basically, the ONLY time there is no card in my camera, is when the card is in the external reader being transfered to the computer, then I automatically re-insert it back into the camera and format the card... via the camera, NOT the computer.

Hope that answers your question. :)

[LensBaby]

It shouldn't hurt anything, BUT I would have a card in there at all times. I always keep a card in there. It might be out for uploading, but other than that - it is in my camera.

[dicklaxt]

I should have been more explanatory in and of my thoughts and efforts. I guess what I meant was doing things that would change all the different things just to get a feel of whats this for and whats that for .Its kinda like learning your way out of a swamp that has a maze of waterways. You are lost at first but as you venture further an further it eventually becomes second nature as to where you are in relation to where you started,does that make any sense?

Here is an example of why I want to slow down the train,I am presently watching an instructional video on my camera. The instructor asks a question of you ,gives you the answer and moves on to another question before you have time to reason out the first question and commit it to memory.

dick

[jerryph]

Pause the video after the question?

Leave the card in there, some functionality may be inhibited. For example, my Nikon, it will not activate the shutter without a card. Also certain things will not be visible anywhere else but the picture. Depth of field is a good example, shutter speed is another.

[dicklaxt]

I had programmed in for the "NOT" when asked if I wanted to take pics with out the sensor,

I inadvertantly left the media card in the computer and had a hell of a time trying to figure out why the camera would not work .I noticed the media door ajar and it hit me,,,,lesson learned

dick