SLR Photography Basics

SLR Photography Basics

Nowadays, according to psychologists, more and more people are getting visually inclined. In other words, most of us love to use our eyes!

In what ways do we use our eyes for?

We use our eyes to view things in our environment. However, through time, man has devised ways on how to preserve the things we see, whether these are beautiful or not, and one of which is by way of using cameras.

These days, the biggest sellers in the camera market are the so-called digital SLR cameras.

Just what is an SLR camera?

SLR is an acronym for Single Lens Reflex. SLR cameras were the tools made for and used by professional photographers. Cameras such as these, similarly, make use of mirror that reflects light entering the lens up into the eye piece or the viewfinder. Thus, a photographer can gauge how the image or picture will look like. Moreover, a SLR camera uses lenses that are interchangeable. Hence, this camera can be used for long distance telephoto photography or close-up macro photography.

A digital SLR or DSLR camera is dependent on lenses and mirror and their optical capabilities. However a DSLR camera uses light sensor chips and digital memory cards instead of films, basically a computerized version of the abovementioned camera.

The following summarizes the comparison between DSLR and point and shoot cameras (SLRs):

1. DSLRs and SLRs use interchangeable lenses for better resolution.
2. Any picture you take using SLRs and DSLRs is usually crisper, cleaner and fine upon reproduction.
3. DSLRs have a higher speed when it comes to focusing and taking pictures
4. DSLRs perform better at low lighting conditions by using ISO speeds. These cameras have lesser granularity.
5. DSLRS provide more professional power over depth of field, light, and responsiveness.
6. DSLRs provide a more immediate feedback as they use digital chips or light sensing CCDs that translate incoming light rays into digital pictures.
7. DSLRs and SLRs cost more than point and shoot cameras.
8. DSLRs and SLRs are usually heavier than some point and shoot models.

Some sample DSLR models are listed below:

Prosumer models:

• Canon EOS 10D
• Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
• Nikon D50
• Nikon D70s
• Pentax *ist DS

Professional Models:

• Canon EOS 1D Mark II
• Canon EOS 20D
• Fuji Finepix S3 Pro
• Nikon D2x

Who actually wants DSLRs? Anyone wants to have crisper and clearer pictures—be it a hobbyist or a professional photographer can opt for a DSLR model. Anyone who will not bother carrying bigger cameras on trips in order to bring back topnotch photos can make use of DSLRs.

Like all electronic and computerized gadgets, digital models tend to get cheaper yet better over time. For sure, DSLRs will eventually migrate down to consumer cameras: ability to take bursts of 10 frames in a few seconds, quick response time, higher resolution image sensors, and accurate auto-focus, among others.

The only thing that will remain constant are the laws of optics—you will not get the same results from a finger-nail sized lens as with larger lenses used by professional users. Also the fact that people do not have enough money all the time remains the same through time.

If you plan to take photography as a profession, practice shooting some shots using prosumers models and consider budget and quality of lenses before you say, “Big Cheese”!

Buying Nikon DLSR Guide

So who needs an expensive Digital SLR camera? Anyone who takes pictures for a living would not be able to live without one these days. Anyone who is a photography hobbyist and interested in taking better, more professional photos. Anyone who doesn't mind carrying around a bigger camera on trips and such in order to bring back top of the line photos.

The truth is, most of us are served quite well by a $300 or $400 5MP or 7MP point and shoot digital camera - you get the convenience of a small camera you can throw in your pocket, you get instant review capability to check for blinks or blurs, and you get high resolution images that can easily be printed at 11x17 sizes, and you get acceptably good photos under almost all conditions.

As with all electronic and computerized gadgets, digital cameras tend to get better and cheaper over time, so much of the high end functionality of DSLRs will eventually migrate down to consumer cameras - quick response time, ability to take bursts of 10 frames in a few seconds, higher resolution image sensors, quick, accurate auto-focus, etc. The only thing that won't change are the laws of optics - you can't get the same kind of results from a fingernail-sized lense as you can from the larger, professional lenses. So start with your photography needs first, then consider budget, then consider quality available at that price.

I purchased my first DLSR after considering how seriously my interest toward photography. I can simply buy this expensive camera without a deep thinking moreover im not came from wealth family. So, if you're starting photography for hobbies, do get your self some good but cheap dlsr body and spend more on lens. Experience a lot of range of lens so you will knew what type of photographer are you.

Nikon DLSR

Nikon DLSR

One of the biggest sellers in the camera market these days are prosumer Digital SLR cameras. What is an SLR camera? SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. In the days before digital cameras, SLR cameras were the tools of professional photographers. Basically the design is such that light entering the lens is reflected by a mirror up into the viewfinder (eye-piece), allowing the photographer to see exactly what the final picture will look like (focus, depth of field, etc.).

A Digital SLR is just a computerized version of the same thing, using digital memory cards and light sensor chips instead of film. SLRs also use interchangeable lens, all with different focal lengths, allowing for closeup macro photography or long distance telephoto photography.

So how are Digital SLR cameras different from regular point and shoot digital cameras? Apart from the interchangeable lenses, SLRs are: must faster at starting, focusing, taking pictures, taking multiple pictures; better at taking pictures under low lighting situations by using higher ISO speeds (no graininess); offer more professional control over light, depth of field, responsiveness. And of course they cost more.

Digital SLR cameras are usually larger and heavier than point and shoot models, meaning you probably won't always have your camera ready in your pocket or purse when a photo opportunity comes along (SLRs are the type you might wear around your neck with a strap, you don't carry one in your pocket!). The big advantage that Digital SLRs have over standard film SLRs are the quick feedback you get by being able to view your shot on the LCD screen after taking it, and the fact that you no longer need to buy or develop film - take 10,000 pictures, doesn't cost you anything extra.