Some basic setup to get going:
Are you familiar with how a centre-weighted light meter works and how to compensate for a light or dark background? If not, set the metering pattern to matrix as you will get fewer misexposed photos for the time being. (The ring around the AE-L/AF-L button straight up.
I'd start by taking control of the compositional parameters and letting the camera handle focus, shutter speed and ISO. Set the focus lever (the CSM one) to S for single-shot autofocus as you will probably want to start by shooting more or less static scenes. Set the focus mode selector (the lever above the CF light) to single-point. You can now move the focus point around with the four-way selector. The next step is setting up the Auto-ISO. Set the base ISO to 200 and cap the Auto-increase to 6400. Set the shutter speed threshold to 1/60 or 1/80 to get the most out of your 35-80. Activate Auto ISO. Set the camera to Aperture priority and go out to use the camera.
You now have control of the angle of view using the zoom ring, the viewpoint using your feet and the depth of field using the aperture. A big aperture, indicated by a small number means a shallower DOF.
This is based on the "Get to know your new camera" workshops I held for many years.