Digital Photography: Choosing Your 1st Digital SLR

Here are some basic things you have to look at when purchasing your digital camera. Purchasing a digital camera maybe be a costly expense but the need to choose one that fits your shooting style and needs will count a lot. Things to consider:

1. Price: What price range are you willing to spend? Are you planning to get a point and shoot or do you want a Digital SLR? For long term purposes, I would recommend getting a DSLR because it will cost you less. I would suggest that you buy a camera you can grow into rather then getting a camera than you will grow out of.

Spending on a cheap point and shoot now and upgrading it later to a better featured camera maybe costing you more in the long run considering you have to invest in accessories and other photographic gear.

2. Technology. There are so many arguments that you should get an up to date camera because it is too expensive. Well I would suggest get a camera with features that are up to date and that your money can afford. It does not make sense to buy a cheap model because it is out dated or discontinued. Generally parts for older cameras become more expensive because they have to be stocked because they are not current market models anymore and not everyone keeps stock of old parts.

3. Memory Cards. All cameras use Memory card but choose a camera that uses something that is easy to find and use. Some may use compact flash cards, smartmedia, sd/mmc cards, xd etc.. Some of the memory card prices have been going down because of volume of usage. It would be safe to go with cameras that use Compact Flash and SD cards. 4. Battery Life. All cameras come with rechargeable batteries. choose one that will fit your shooting style and something that can give you freedom to carry and extra set when needed.

5. Optical Glass. Not all lenses are created equal. do you need fast lenses? do you need lenses that can capture photos in low light situations? Prices of lenses depend on the quality you are buying and the specific uses you need them for. The better the quality of the glass the more expensive. Check and see what works for you.

6. Megapixel count. the higher the megapixel rating the better and finer the photo will be and the easier it would be to enlarge your photos without getting the jagged edges that happen to low resolution cameras.

7. Body and Styling. Make sure that you get a camera that fits well with you and is solid for your specific uses. Get something that is sturdy and easy to use.

Follow your instincts and trust your own sense of style and judgement to find that camera that best suits you and your style of shooting. Always remember that the Camera is just a tool to capture your creative style of shooting.
Source : Ezine

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Digital SLRs: Why are so many People going to Digital Single Lens Reflex (dSLR) Cameras?

As the digital bandwagon makes its way around the world, we are seeing its tracks touch almost every part of our daily lives. From digital chips in automobiles, coffee makers, telephones, televisions and credit cards, one of the most booming industries the digital era has revolutionized is photography.

While film-based SLRs have been around for nearly a century, digital SLRs have only been around for about a decade. Once a luxury and strictly for the professional crowd, digital SLRs have evolved into a camera that today is being picked off the shelves by amateurs and advanced hobbyists. This change has been brought on by falling camera prices, better picture quality and increased capabilities of these cameras. But why SLR?

Today's digital SLRs have the best of both worlds: these cameras can morph from a full manual camera to a point-and-shoot camera with a turn of a dial. They often sport higher mega-pixel image sensors, interchangeable lenses, more on-board functionality, beefier and more durable bodies, faster shutter speeds and instantaneous response from the camera once the shutter button is pressed than standard point-and-shoot digitals.

If you're accustomed to the point-and-shoot cameras of today, there are a few things you'll probably miss with a dSLR. To accommodate interchangeable lens mounts that are backwards compatible with older lenses, to allow for larger image sensors and to mimic the feeling of traditional SLR cameras, dSLRs are generally much larger than point-and-shoot cameras. While there are many pluses for having a larger body, tourists and those hoping to stay inconspicuous may want to stay with the small confines point-and-shoot cameras.

Another drawback of dSLR cameras compared with point-and-shoot cameras is that there is no live preview on the rear screen. dSLRs lack this for two reasons: first, there is a shutter and a mirror blocking the path of light from the lens to the image sensor; secondly, more and more of today's dSLRs are using CMOS image sensors (which are less expensive to manufacture and take less energy to use compared to its CCD rival) do not offer a way of having a live preview due to the inability to map pixels into a matrix.

So while dSLRs may not be for those who need live previews or small camera bodies, their capabilities are much greater than point and shoot cameras at a price.
Source :Ezinearticles

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Top 5 Tips for Buying a Digital SLR Camera

Just a few short years ago picking the best digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera was a snap: there were only a few models to choose from, and they all cost well above $2,000.

Today making a similar choice is not so cut-and-dried. New manufacturers have plunged into the market and there is greater competition and a wider range of cameras being offered.

So what’s a consumer to do? Approach your digital SLR purchase as if you were buying a new car. While the costs are considerably different, the steps you should take are almost identical.

TIP #1 – Know What You Want to Photograph
A single male living in the city doesn’t need the same type of car as a soccer mom living in the suburbs. In the same fashion, not everyone needs a top-of-the-line digital SLR camera.

It’s important to decide what you want to take pictures of before you go looking for the best camera. Do you enjoy taking portraits of friends and family outdoors, or are you trying to capture your son’s indoor basketball games?

The answers to questions like this will help you focus your search for the best digital SLR camera.

TIP #2 – Understand the Jargon
When you’re buying a car, it helps to be informed. When the pushy dealer tries to sell you on a twin-cam fuel injection system you’ll be able to reject the offer only if you are REALLY sure you don’t need it.

The same thing applies to digital SLRs: before you get involved in a conversation with a camera dealer, learn about terms like ISO, anti-shake and megapixels (hint: more megapixels DO NOT increase the quality of the image) so you don’t buy more camera than you really need.

TIP #3 – Hold Some Cameras
You wouldn’t go out and buy a new car without taking it for a test drive first, would you?

A test drive is your best opportunity to see if you like the way the car handles, if there’s enough room in the interior and how easy it is to adjust the stereo when you’re doing 70 on the Interstate.

Digital SLR cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes - since you’re going to be taking a lot of photos with it, you should get a sense of how the camera feels in your hands before you make a decision to buy.

TIP #4 – Read Reviews
You’ve done your homework and you’ve taken a test drive. Are you ready to buy the car of your dreams? Well, not quite yet.

Before you make a final commitment, you’ll probably want to read reports about how well the car fared in crash tests and whether or not there is a serious defect with the vehicle make and model.

Since digital SLRs are just small computers with lenses on the front, they are subject to the same types of malfunctions that can plague your home computer. This is not to say that most digital SLRs fall apart within months – they don’t.

But some are more temperamental than others, and the only way to find out if you’re about to buy a real lemon is to read reviews from current owners.

TIP #5 – Buy From a Reputable Dealer
This last tip is VERY important.

When buying your car, you can either go to a dealer that others have recommended or you can take your chances with that shifty individual down at the used car lot.

Digital SLR cameras fall under the heading of “home electronics” and there are plenty of sleazy companies out there looking to make a quick buck by luring you in with unbelievable prices.

If you’re doing some price comparisons and come across a company selling a camera for half of what everyone else is selling it for, don’t walk, RUN away.

This is a bait-and-switch: they hook you with a low price and then sell you a lot of accessories that you really don’t need. End result? You actually wind up paying MORE (and spending a lot of your valuable time) than you would have if you’d just purchased from a respected and reputable dealer in the first place.
Source : Ezine

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Digital SLR Cameras | Should I Buy One?

The price of digital SLR cameras continues to fall. It is not so long ago that these were only affordable by professional photographers. Even then it was considered a major investment to buy one. As technology has advanced allowing prices to drop you will find digital SLR cameras now being owned by an increasing number of photography enthusiasts.

As the market for digital SLR cameras has expanded this has had a knock on effect in the range of compact digital cameras that are available. We are now seeing less and less advanced compact digital cameras that have features similar to those found on an SLR. These are effectively being squeezed out of the market by the cheaper SLR cameras. This in turn forces more people to buy an SLR if they are looking for a serious camera with a wide range of features. The biggest advantage from buying a digital SLR is the improvement you are likely to see in picture quality. There are two main reasons for this. The first is the size of the sensor that sits inside the camera and captures images. A sensor inside a typical SLR is far larger than one in a compact digital camera. The second reason is the quality of lenses. Those available to add to an SLR are of a much higher standard than you will find on a standard compact digital camera. You are also likely to find higher quality components and controls in general. The combination of these features all add up to better picture quality.

Another advantage is that you can build up a system of lenses over a period of time. The beauty of SLR photography is that you can buy specialist lenses for specific tasks. For example you can buy a wide angle lens for landscape shots and a macro lens for close up work. You will find that the largest part of your investment is in the lenses rather than the camera itself. This means that if eventually you would like to upgrade your camera or buy a spare one then your lenses should also work with the new camera.

It is important that you set aside a decent budget for lenses. Buying a cheap lens will lead to a reduction in picture quality. To help keep the overall costs reasonable when you are starting out you can consider buying a kit that includes a camera and one or two lenses. Always shop around for value. You will find prices really do vary from store to store.

If you own a traditional 35mm camera then you should be able to use the lenses you already have with a new digital model. This is true as long as any camera you buy has the same lens mount as your original camera. From time to time there are some restrictions that stop older lenses from working. I would always advise you to double check the compatibility of your existing lenses with the manufacturer before purchasing your camera. This is much better than being disappointed after you have spent your money.

There is one point to look out for with existing lenses or if you are planning to buy new ones. Any lenses made for 35mm cameras will have their focal length affected by the size of the sensor on a digital SLR. This occurs because the sensor inside a digital SLR is usually smaller than 35mm. This increases the telephoto capacity when the lens is used on a digital SLR and decreases its wide angle capability. New lenses have been introduced specifically for digital SLR cameras to alleviate this issue.

The leading brands are Canon and Nikon. Other established players are Fuji and Olympus. Konica Minolta has withdrawn from the market. Later entrants are Sony and Panasonic.
Source :Ezinearticles

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The New Sigma SD14: 4.7 Megapixels = 14 Megapixels?

Photokina is going to be one hell of a show this year, and one of the many secrets being released and teased is that Sigma is coming out with with another DSLR, the SD14. Just from the name, DigitalDingus assumes it will be marketed as a 14MP DSLR, but will actually be a 4.7MP imager. Confusing? Yes, and the tradition continues in the world of image sensor spinning.

Preliminary Results? Pretty Good

The SD14 appears to put out some great images, just like the SD10 and the SD9 did many years ago. And this I won't really debate because how can a person debate a camera in and of itself? What is to be debated, is the way Sigma and Foveon present their cameras in relation to all the other competitors on the market. Sell Your Camera, Not Your Spin

The DSLR market is certainly competitive. The Megapixel Wars have been battling each other several years now, but why add to the problem of an already confusing consumer product by adding subjectively different terminology as well. Fuji is another company which loves to hype it's "Honeycomb" sensors. In fact, Fuji and Sigma (along with Foveon who make the imagers for Sigma's SD DSLRs) are the two companies which I really have an issue with over any other camera manufacturers.

Sigma and Foveon are still telling the consumer, there is more than one "pixel" which is absorbing light in their cameras. Not true. If this were true, the imager wouldn't be 3.34MP in the former Sigma SD10 (as in 10MP imager--3.34MPx3). With the SD14, I'm assuming Sigma and Foveon have not actually made a 14MP imager. If they did, I'd certainly revise my preview and would be congratulating both companies for taking a giant leap in technology and honesty. I still have a small grain of hope come September 26, 2006, when Sigma will announce the full details (however, I am sure we'll get a hold of the specs much earlier and post them here...as well as a gazillion other camera forums).

Why Sigma DSLR Images Look Good

Pixel. Pitch. Those two words need to be ingrained in every camera users brain. The reason why Sigma's DSLR images have looked rather good, is because the imagers have an exceptionally high pixel size (i.e., pixel pitch) which are in the same league as the Canon 1DMKII imager. Having fairly large pixels in a DSLR will consistently produce great images. In fact, the Canon 1D, only a 4.2MP DSLR, released over 5 years ago, is still used by many professionals. Why? The pixel size is 10.8µm x 10.8µm. We will discuss pixel sizes in another article, but for now, the general consensus is the larger the pixel, the better the image. The larger the bucket of water, the more water you can capture...

Resolution Does Matter In The Overall World Of Photography

While pixel size is certainly the #1 priority in my book, if your overall resolution is not in the same ballpark as your competitor's, your imager's benefits become less of a benefit. For example, Nikon has released the D200 10.2MP and D80 10.2MP DSLR. Canon has released their 13MP 5D. If the Sigma SD14 is actually 4.7MP, we have at least double the pixel count and over 25% more resolution from other competitors (we have to remember in order to get twice as much resolution, you would need four times as many pixels).

Now, Sigma and Foveon are attempting to make a claim you don't need high resolution imagers. This is somewhat confusing. Maybe Foveon just doesn't have the technological and financial resources like Canon and Nikon have to make larger imagers. It takes a lot of money to research and develop larger imagers with more resolution, while still maintaining or exceeding image quality of a comparable smaller imager. Canon has virtually endless financial resources and in-house imaging, and Nikon already has Sony making most of its imagers, so these two companies already have a formula for creating competitive DSLRs.

Regardless of a manufacturer's methods, the result has been creating an imager with more resolution. Why is it we see a few companies twisting the definitions of pixels and resolution, and duping an already-confused DSLR consumer market?

Resolution in itself is certainly not the only answer to a camera's quality. We see many compact cameras announcing higher megapixels every 6 months. Compact camera resolution and DSLR resolution are pretty much in different categories since DSLRs still have larger pixels, and the image quality, is by far much better. So please don't think I am saying resolution is better 100% of the time because in some cases, it is not. However, when you follow Nikon and Canon's image sensor technology, their images have become better over the years in parallel to more resolution. This is not easy. And it's not cheap. Which is why many camera manufacturers are not producing 10MP DSLRs currently.

Being The Oddball Sells

In today's world of consumerism, not only does popularity sell...but being the outcast as well. If you have a competitor, or a few of them, and you know darn well there is no chance to compete because you flat-out don't have the personnel or resources to compete on the same level, simply create a reverse-popularity market, and create yourself as the oddball product that is better than your competitor. Believe it or not, it works. And it works darn well. Take any popular product and do a little research on the smaller competitors. Then look at the smaller competitor's marketing strategy. More than likely, you'll see a form of "oddball advertising". And on a curious note, some major competitors even use the smaller competitors' strategies to further their market share! Overall, it's a sea of marketing disinformation and confusion.

Don't Compete With The Big Guys, Just Sell Yourself

Another point I'd like to make is if you're a manufacturer who is struggling to survive and can't compete with the big guys...don't. Don't compete with them. Just sell yourself. Just sell your product. If Foveon and Sigma would just sell their product for what it was, and not compare it to proven camera giants like Canon and Nikon, you wouldn't be reading this editorial preview article. You'd simply be reading a preview on a cool new DSLR, improving on its previous DSLR model.

Would I Recommend A Sigma DSLR?

Well, I will not debate the SD DSLRs image quality because they are darn good. If I begin to compare them to other DSLRs, the amount of lenses available, the lens technologies such as Canon and Nikon, as well as new imaging technology from Canon and Nikon, the Sigma DSLR option becomes much less significant. If you're a Foveon imager fan, then the new SD14 is certainly going to get you excited. But I would like to request if you are going to purchase a Sigma DSLR, you conduct some simple tests.

Most camera shops have displays of the latest DSLRs available and you can bring your own media card and take images, then go home and open them up in your favorite image editor. What I recommend, is waiting until the SD14 becomes available in stores, take some images with the SD14, then take some images with a Canon 20D and a Nikon D80 or D200. Take all the images home which you've shot and compare them. If the Sigma seems it's better, then I am not one to tell you, you should do anything different. Buy the SD14. But if you like the other images from the Canon or Nikon, then go in that direction as well.
Source :Ezinearticles

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