How To Choose the Right Camera

Nikon D3s 12 Megapixel

noreply@blogger.com (power system) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Nikon has just unveiled its new D3s 12-megapixel DSLR camera. A must for the professional photographer, the new Nikon D3s can shoot up to ISO 12,800 in normal settings, has improved 720p HD video (24fps) and can also be manually set to shoot at ISO 102,400, which, significantly enough, is four times more than the original D3.

The new Nikon D3s has been tailor-made to click better in low light mode and any other situation where blur-free shots are crucial. Although the camera brings the same 16-bit pipeline with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion from the older model, it has made efforts to cut down on chromatic aberration on the horizontal axis.

Equipped with a better dust removal system and an improved 100% viewfinder, the new D3s can also snap JPEG photos while videos are being played, with basic editing features incorporated. If you are on a movie shoot, the D3s gets improved light sensitivity come into play — this helps you draw on the full ISO range while recording low-light video.

On top of that, Nikon D3s shoots at up to nine frames per second, comes with the 51-point auto focus system and the same 3D metering system Nikon had put into its earlier DSLRs. Dual CF cards take care of the storage, which means that you also have the option to shoot RAW/JPEG to separate cards.

Nikon D3s will begin shipping late November, while the new AF-S 85mm f3.5G ED VR – a new DX mount lens – will be ready to ship in early December. The camera is expected to cost close to $5,200 (with the UK price climbing higher at £4200), while the lens could be yours for something close to $530.

Nikon D60

noreply@blogger.com (power system) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Image Sensor Format
DX
Image Sensor Type
CCD
Sensor Size
15.8 x 23.6mm
Total Pixels
10.75 million
Effective Pixels
10.2 million
Image Area (pixels)

DX-format
(L) 3,872 x 2,592
(M) 2,896 x 1,944
(S) 1,936 x 1,296
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
3 frames per second
Continuous Shooting Options
Single
LCD Monitor Size
2.5 in. diagonal
LCD Monitor Type
TFT-LCD
LCD Monitor Resolution
230,000 Dots
LCD Monitor Adjustments
Brightness, 7 levels
Shutter type
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
Slowest Shutter Speed
30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV
Bulb Shutter Setting
Yes
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
100 in steps of 1 EV
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
1,600 in steps of 1 EV
Highest Expanded ISO Sensitvity
HI1 (3200 equivalent)
Storage Media
SD
SDHC
Card Slot
1 Secure Digital (SD)
File Format
AVI
Compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW) JPEG (Baseline Compliant)
File System
Compliant with DCF 2.0
EXIF 2.21
Exposure Modes
Programmed Auto (P) with flexible Program
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
Digital Vari-Program
Digital Vari-Program Modes
Auto
Auto [Flash Off]
Portrait
Landscape
Child
Close-up
Sports
Night Portrait
Exposure Metering System
420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Center-weighted
Spot
Metering Range
0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering)
Exposure Meter Coupling
CPU
Exposure Compensation
±5 EV in increments of 1/3
Exposure Lock
Yes
Exposure Bracketing
No
Shutter Release Modes

Single Frame Shooting, Continuous Frame Shooting (Approx 3 FPS), Self Timer, Delayed Remote Mode, Quick Response Remote Mode
White Balance
Sun
Shade
Fluorescent
Incandescent
Flash
Preset
Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
Auto, 8 Modes (when Auto is selected, TTL white balance with main image sensor and 420-segment RGB sensor is available) fine-tuning possible
Interface
Hi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL
Lens Mount
Nikon F bayonet mount
Compatible Lenses
- AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR: All functions supported
- Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus.
- Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus.
- IX-NIKKOR and AF-NIKKOR for F3AF not supported.
- Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except some shooting modes.
Picture Angle
Equivalent in 35mm (135) format is approx. 1.5X lens focal length
Viewfinder
Eye-level penta-prism mirror single-lens reflex viewfinder
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
Approx. 95%
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment
-1.7 to +0.5 m^-1
Viewfinder Eyepoint
19.5
Reflex Mirror
Quick-return type
Focusing Screen

Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Viewfinder Magnification
Approx. 0.8x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0m^-1)
Autofocus System
TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
3
Autofocus Sensitivity
-1 to +19 EV (ISO100)
Focus Modes
Single-servo AF (S)
Continuous-servo (C)
Manual
Auto
Single-point AF Mode
Yes
Dynamic AF Mode
Yes
Auto-area AF Mode
Yes
Focus Lock
Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)
Automatic Exposure Scene Modes
Yes
Image Optimization
Normal
Softer
Vivid
More vivid
Portrait
Custom
B & W
In-Camera Image Editing
Trim
D-Lighting
Color Balance
Image Overlay
Side-by-Side Comparison
Filter Effects
Small Pic
Monochrome
Stop Motion
Red-Eye Correction
Built-in Flash
Yes
External Flash Shoe
Yes
Built-in Flash Distance
Guide Number Approx. 12/39, 13/43 with manual flash (m/ft, ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F)
Dust-Off Reference Photo
Yes
Nikon Creative Lighting System Compatibility
Yes
Flash Sync Speed
Up to 1/200
X-Sync Speed
1/200
Flash Sync Modes
Front-curtain sync (normal)
Slow sync
Rear-curtain sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash cancel/ flash off
Flash Control
i-TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-400, SB-800, and SB-600. Non-TTL Auto with SB-800.
Accessory Shoe
Yes
Self-timer
Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds
World Time Setting
Yes
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable
Battery / Batteries
EN-EL9 Lithium-ion Battery
AC Adaptor
EH-5a AC Adapter
(Used with Power Connector EP-5, available separately.)
Battery Charger
MH-23 Quick Charger
Image Comment
Yes
Battery Life (shots per charge)
500 shots (CIPA)
Tripod Socket
¼ inch 20
Approx. Dimensions
Width 5.0 in. (126mm)
Height 3.7 in. (94mm)
Depth 2.5 in. (64mm)
Approx. Weight
16.1 oz. (495g)
Supported Languages
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Supplied Software
Software Suite CD-ROM
Optional Accessories
ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control, Capture NX, Camera Control Pro 2, EP-5AC Adapter Connector, EH-5a AC Adapter, EG-D100Video Cable, CF-DC1 Semi-Soft Case, Speedlight SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, R1C1
Other
Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
Supplied Accessories
- EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
- MH-23 Quick Charger
- UC-E4 USB Cable
- DK-20 Rubber Eyecup
- AN-DC1 Camera Strap
- BF-1A Body Cap
- DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
- BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
- Software Suite CD-ROM
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.

Digital Camera - tips

noreply@blogger.com (power system) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:07:00 +0000

Sometimes shopping for a new camera could be a lot of fun, for all photography enthusiasts as they get to try out the operations of various cameras. But then, putting the fun part aside, ones main goal should be to buy digital cameras that fits within ones price range and at the same time contains all the vital functions one requires to take the best of pictures. This does not mean that one compromises to such an extent and purchases cheap digital cameras that have minimal functions and would last not more than a couple of months.

Generally the cost of the simple point and shoot digital cameras range from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000. One should remember that those at the lower end produce low resolution pictures, and the higher the price the higher is the resolution of the images clicked and stored. Another aspect is that the lower resolution pictures can be emailed and viewed on screen, but the print quality has much to ask for. Thus, ideally one should opt for the mid-range of cameras.

The following are some important tips to buy a digital camera:
• Research should be conducted: Whether buying a camera for the first time or not one needs to study the comparison of best digital cameras, prior to making the final purchase. Apart from seeking out recommendations, one needs to visit a couple of stores in order to get a hands-on feel of the cameras. There are also certain photography related publications that provide detailed product information.

• The Cost-Capability ratio: Whenever a company introduces a new model, it lowers the price of the older ones. This makes the cameras become a better deal. However, when checking out the price of cameras, one needs to also keep aised approximately Rs. 4,000 aside for various accessories such as extra batteries and memory cards.

• Increasing capability equals increased price, as well as complexity: the more expensive a digital camera, the more complex are its varied functions, because of the additional features. However, the fact is that the pictures are also better.

• The simpler cameras can be used by almost anyone in the family, without worrying about it getting damaged because of the simple functions.

• The camera should fit one’s style: One should be comfortable carrying the camera, just like it when selecting a cell phone.

• Size matter: One should be comfortable carrying their camera, and so the smaller ones are more convenient than the large and bulky ones

Lenses are as important - tip 2

noreply@blogger.com (power system) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:33:00 +0000

Lenses are as Important (and perhaps more important) Than the Camera Itself

What can be simpler than choosing the right lens for the job? You want to photograph a large landscape, you use a wide angle. You want to photograph a faraway detail, you use a telephoto lens. You want to photograph something in between the two, you use a normal lens. What more is there to the subject? Case done, book closed, let’s move on.

So what is there to know about lens choice that you don’t already know? Well, for one, and this is a big “one”, which lens you use should be based on how you want to depict the scene in front of you. In other words, and to go back to my first article in this series “Seeing Photographically” the lens you use should be chosen so that it first follows your vision and, second, suits the composition you want to create.

In this article, Part 3 of my Aesthetics and photography series, we are going to look very carefully at why learning how to choose the best lens for a specific composition is one of the most challenging decisions you will make on your way to creating top-quality images.

Choosing Camera Lens - tips 1

noreply@blogger.com (power system) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:29:00 +0000

Choosing camera lenses demands both knowledge of and experience with different types of camera lenses. Although knowing which lenses work best in given conditions is important, a photographer also chooses a particular lens to produce a specific photographic effect. Light, composition and subject matter of a scene all influence photographers’ choices of lenses.

Wide-Angle Lens
Although some will take landscape shots with telephoto lenses, most photographers opt for the wide-angle lens. Because a wide-angle lens has a wider field of vision than the human eye, it can take in more of a topographical expanse. Consequently, the wide-angle lens is one of the preferred landscape camera lenses.

A wide-angle lens can focus on the foreground and background simultaneously, another ability that the human eye lacks. Wide-angle camera lenses are best for large, dynamic landscapes where background and foreground both catch the eye’s attention. However, a photographer should refrain from using a wide-angle lens if he wants to focus in on the details of a single, distinct subject.

Zoom Lens
A zoom lens allows the photographer to widen or shorten the lens’ focal length to increase or decrease the magnification of the subject. This feature makes the zoom lens a popular camera accessory in many types of photography, ranging from landscape to portrait photography. However, because zoom lenses have small apertures (or lens openings), they are not well suited to taking pictures in low-light conditions.

Zoom lenses have replaced the fixed focal length camera lens in most camera models, especially with the advent of digital cameras. When choosing camera lenses, bear in mind that an optical zoom lens and a digital zoom lens are different.

While an optical zoom lens magnifies the image, a digital zoom lens crops the image after the maximum zoom is reached. Essentially a digital zoom enlarges and crops the image seen in the viewfinder instead of magnifying the subject. This digital enlargement results in lower resolution and, therefore, a poorer quality image.

When choosing camera lenses with zoom capabilities, photographers should look for high optical zoom capabilities rather than being deceived by claims about digital zoom capability. Pictures are of much better quality with an optical zoom lens.

Telephoto Lens
The difference between a zoom lens and a telephoto lens is subtle. A zoom lens enlarges and magnifies the image. In contrast, a telephoto lens brings the subject “closer” to the photographer, reducing the distance between objects in the photograph and the camera’s lens. This allows a telephoto lens to show greater detail than the human eye could see at the same distance.

Fixed-Focal Length Camera Lens
A fixed-focal length camera lens is a permanent, non-adjustable lens found on some low to mid-range quality cameras. Often (but not always) doubling as a wide-angle lens, fixed-focal lenses tend to work well for low-light photos.

A fixed-focal length lens can do wonders for beginning photographers by helping them learn the art of photography. Without zoom capabilities, the photographer must give more thought to basic photography composition to produce good quality shots. Consequently, a budding photographer may learn the basics of good photography faster if by choosing a fixed-focal length lens.

Fixed-focal length camera lenses are less common than they once were, in part because most mid-range digital cameras now have built-in zoom lenses.

The Macro Lens
A macro lens is used to take extreme close ups of objects. Its short focal length allows the photographer to take pictures at close distances without distortions. The resulting image is as large as, or larger, than the original subject.

Choosing a macro lens has been complicated by digital camera settings. Originally, a macro lens was an extension tube for the camera lens. However, today’s digital cameras often have a macro setting. Although the setting replaces the traditional lens, it still
produces the same effect as the previous macro lenses.

Macro lenses or macro settings are best used for magnifying the details of already small
objects. For example, a photographer can use his macro setting to photograph ripples in water, the dew on a flower petal or the crevices of a rock.

Fisheye Lens
Fisheye camera lenses distort the subject image, producing photos with curved and convex appearances. The fisheye lens was first developed for astronomy photography that seeks to capture as wide a range of sky as possible.

Today, the fisheye lens has become popular with landscape photographers, as the lens distortion curves horizons and hints at the earth’s curve. A portrait of a person taken with a fisheye lens has the distortion similar to what’s seen when looking through a door’s
peephole.

Front of Lens Accessories
Choosing among different camera lenses isn’t an issue for most mid-range cameras because they already have built-in lenses that cannot be changed. While single lens reflex (SLR) cameras have interchangeable lenses, their steeper prices tend to make them a tool for professionals or serious amateur photographers.

For the hobbyist who doesn’t have an SLR camera, front of lens accessories that mimic the effects of certain lenses are available. A front of lens accessory is a disc that clips onto the front of a camera lens to provide specific effects. While some front of lens accessories filter out light, others mimic the effect of a wide-angle or fisheye lens.

Photos taken with a lens clip on accessory lack the quality of those taken with camera lenses designed for the same effect. As choosing a lens is not possible with many cameras, front of lens accessories increase the average photographer’s options.

Basic to choose the right camera

noreply@blogger.com (power system) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:24:00 +0000

Step 1

Choose a subject to photograph.
Step 2

Opt for a telephoto lens (a lens with a focal length greater than 55 mm) to bring your subject closer.
Step 3

Select a wide-angle lens (a lens with a focal length of less than 40 mm) to broaden the scope of your photograph.
Step 4

Use a regular lens (a lens with a focal length of 40 mm to 55 mm) for most situations, because it offers the maximum aperture range, which allows you to photograph under a wider variety of lighting conditions.
Step 5

Go for a zoom lens (a lens without a set focal length) to reduce expense and increase flexibility because it lets you shoot across a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto using one lens.