Very refreshing to the eye, this is the camera bag that you will surely love because of its aesthetic combination of colors and alighting appearance. This is one of the unique DSLR bag in the market, because as we all can see it is not made from nylon or anything like the conventional DSLR bags that we’ve come across.

They used Sunbrella outer fabric to materialize this cozy and inventive product. It is a fabric that is used in creating sailboats which makes it water repellent, highly resilient and fade resistant. Knowing fabrics just like our every day clothes it is prone and vulnerable: to dust, dirt and liquid spills. Thanks to technology there are so many cleaning solutions now in the market making it easy to clean.

The photojojo SLR Sloop inside storage has the capacity to hold a DSLR camera, couple of lenses, a flash and some small accessories and gadgets like cell phones etc. The interior is also padded which gives protection to your gear from shocks made by: slight collisions, bumps or accidental drops. It also has detachable padded dividers, which enables you to set the arrangements of your equipments inside. They have also integrated it with four additional pockets for extra things that you want to bring.

Because this bag is indeed bulky and intended to hold heavy stack of items; they made the shoulder strap a bit broad which makes it easy and relaxing to carry.

This satchel type of bag is available in four cool colors Berkeley Beige, Navy Sails, Stripey Siesta, and Nautical Red; and can be purchase in Photojojo’s official website for $149.

By: Patrick Garde

About the Author:

If you have never scuba dived before, then it might not be on the top of your list for things to do. The thing is though, there are many benefits to be gained from diving. Most people look at it as something that is fun to do on vacation, but if you live near a clear enough body of water, scuba diving is something that can be done on a more regular basis. Those living close to the ocean many times have an abundance of places they can go to in just a matter of minutes.

There is no doubt about it, scuba diving is a lot of fun and is a great hobby to invest in. This is one of the first reasons someone would decide to do it. However, it is not the only reason. The second reason is that there is a lot that can be learned when you dive and really pay attention to what you encounter while under the water. This is a great opportunity for the entire family to learn together about all of the things within the water. Learning is by far, one of the best reasons to pick up this sport.

The third reason to start scuba diving is that it is great exercise. Many people never associate scuba diving with exercise, but it is true. You are swimming and you are probably going to swim a lot because you will end up being caught up in all of the beauty and the excitement that can be found under the water. This means that you will have fun, you will learn a lot and you can get a lot of great exercise. It simply can’t get much better than that.The other thing to consider is that there is a lot of equipment needed in order to go scuba diving, and you need to carry all this equipment around with you. This alone is a great workout. The good part is that once you get in the water the equipment is much lighter and easier to cart around.

Scuba diving is rapidly becoming the world’s ideal sports activity that can be really enjoyed by virtually all of the household. More and more households are taking up scuba diving, as well as going forward on dive vacation trips. So what are you waiting for? The sooner you get started and you start scuba diving, the better! Start your training today.

By: Jack Leavitt

About the Author:

If you are always on the go and want a modern laptop bag which can also hold your DSLR, Tenba has a Messenger Photo/Laptop bag to suit your needs.

This bag has a capacity to hold 1 SLR body, a couple of lenses, flash and other accessories. It features a removable photo insert which makes this bag very versatile and lets you have additional storage. Also, the dividers for the photo insert use Velcro which allows you to customize. Its base is toughened with rubberized, humid and scratch-resistant pane.

Tenba Messenger bag has a heavily padded, outlined shoulder strap. Its hand grip is also comfortable for everyday use. The flap used on the bag is Dual Duraflex® which offers protection while the large Velcro patches lets you access quickly your laptop or DSLR. Its top opening zipper permits you to get the inside of the bag without opening the flap. The reflective frills on the front flap is treated with 3M Scotchlite™ to allow visibility even during the night.

You can also add additional options like the laser-engraved version which gives you the power to customize the name, other identification, logo, etc. on the bag. You can also avail of the Shootout Lens/Bottle Caddy which you can attach on your bag or your own belt or backpack. It can hold a lens or water bottle and it is collapsible for self-storage when it is not being used.

You can purchase Tenba Messenger Photo/Laptop DSLR bag for $114.95 on its official website. You can save a few dollars when you purchase this bag on Amazon ($101.93)!

By: Patrick Garde

About the Author:

With so many Digital SLR camera options and brands in the marketplace it is difficult to find that ideal camera when you are thinking of upgrading. On average Digital SLR cameras cost comparatively more than a point and shoot digital cameras. This is a camera choice that you should grow with as your photography skills and desires expand.

The digital SLR camera that you choose should be represented by a camera manufacturer that has all the accessories you may want to buy now and in the future. The latest cool single lens reflex camera is great now but as you grow, it could be limiting if you need something special like underwater housing, macro lenses, extended zoom capability, or special external flashes.

So how do you make an educated choice on which DSLR is right for you?

For years now SLR buyers and digital SLR camera buyers have known they are buying into a camera system. Buying into a camera system is very much like getting into a marriage, if you make the incorrect choice now it can be painful and expensive to get out of it. The rest of this article will provide you with some useful questions and tips in selecting your ideal digital SLR camera.

The approach we will take is to define the way you shoot today, and how you would like to shoot in the future. Then aligning that with digital SLR camera features you will need today and tomorrow.

The first step is defining what types of photography and the shooting conditions you will need this digital slr camera to perform in.

Are you a still life shooter that prefers using a tripod?

Do you like to shoot in low light conditions hand holding the camera?

Do you shoot outdoors in all weather?

Is your passion capturing great moments in sports and fast moving occasions like weddings?

Do you plan on taking time lapsed photography where your camera is powered by AC current and is tethered to a laptop?

Keep searching in your mind about all the different situations and conditions you may want to shoot in then create a written list. From this photography situation and condition list create another list that addresses all the must have features to achieve your photographic goals. Items like fast shooting capture rate if you are a sports shooter or high ISO capability with the lowest grain if you like to shoot in low light situations with out a flash. You may like to shot hand held all the time where built in camera stabilization maybe helpful to keep your images sharp and in focus.

The next step is to define what accessories you will need with your ideal digital SLR camera and how much will those accessories cost. In your research you may find it is more important to invest in a certain accessory then in the latest digital SLR camera. If that is the case there are many great used digital SLR cameras for sale on the Internet.
Here are some more questions when defining the accessories and some of the features you may need.

Do you need fast zoom lenses?

Will you need long lenses with built in stabilization?

Will you be shooting with a tripod?

How heavy do you want the camera to be?

What type of flash gear will you need?

Do you need fast prime lenses?

Do you intend to shoot underwater?

Is there a special underwater housing available?

Will you need tilt shift lenses for architecture shooting and food photography?

Are you used to composing your shoots in a LCD screen?

May by you are looking for a live view LCD feature in the camera?

Do you have old lenses that you would like to use with a new system?

Do they offer adaptors for older lenses?

After you have asked yourself these many questions, created your features lists, and researched the different camera systems that are available hopefully a camera system preference will arise.

Remember there are trade offs in any digital SLR camera system you choose, but if you do your research right and are true to the way you intend to shoot you will make the right choice.

One last helpful tip, the digital SLR camera you choose does not have to be brand new. There are lots of used digital SLR cameras out there that were former demonstration models and professional back up cameras that where barely used. Happy shooting.

By: Scott Karcich

About the Author:

Any one who wants to buy a camera one way or another experienced a bout of headache and confusion. There are wide array to choose from considering the specifications and the value of money. The technical side of a camera is quite a need to reconsider yet somehow also gets complicated in finalizing your pick.

Questions like should I buy a compact camera or a SLR digital camera are somehow quite seemingly a million dollar question. In addition to the pressure is the fact that every year technical innovations of camera versions are never-endingly coming out in the market making your latest camera now outmoded.

But really at the end of the appraisal are an escapable decision and the desire that you would want to end up with the best quality and the good value of your money. So what better way is there to assess but to present the pros and the cons of the two contenders, the compact and the SLR.

Compact cameras are designed for convenience for its being handy and small that you can put it in your pocket or sleek bag (for ladies). Top of the line manufacturer of this kind of camera are Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Samsung, Casio, Fuji or Leica. The latest most popular compact cameras range from 8 to 12 megapixels, about 150-200 grams, have limited zoom. Of course it is easy to use and able to take pictures under good light conditions or bad light conditions through inbuilt flash light. However, the downsides of this kind of camera are is slower in speed which gives blur shots in moving object despite in higher activity capture setting, you would not be able to get a good picture.

On the other hand, SLR cameras are bigger in comparison to compact cameras, it is bulkier sometimes at 535 grams excluding the other supplement lens. Having the zoom lens in carry bag, the total weight will come up to nearly 1 kilogram or even more considering additional batteries or battery charger. However, considering the advantages you can get by this camera were sharper pictures, and can capture fast pictures in rapid especially taking pictures of moving objects. The ability to capture rapidly the movements is the best thing you can get from SLR which ordinary digicam could not capture. So speed and quality image are the best specifications a SLR can offer to shoppers. Though this kind of camera can never be place in your pocket or handbag.

So what is the deciding factor now in buying a camera? Here are the basic features that most shoppers do look into and consider. These are the weight, quality of image, video, ease of use, feature scene modes, and pricing. These qualities can help you enough in what to buy. You can never go wrong with these basics. You do not want the extra bulk and weight when it is not necessary right? But neither bad pictures too. Having a video camera alone is not practical because there are so many digital cameras that come along with video feature and with real good capture, quality and sound recording. For sure you want to use your camera with less hassle and never freaky when it comes to menus, buttons, and features, style must reciprocate with the ease in use. And most importantly, buying gadgets should not be a waste of money. It should add fun, color and enjoyment in our everyday. The cost should again give in return the usage of the object.

Having said all that now leaves you the decision to make your choice of which suits you best.

By: Jonathan Popoola

About the Author:

While you are scuba diving, you are no doubt amazed by the beauty and grace of the underwater world and wish to share it with your family and friends who you have not been able to convince to go with you as of yet. Or maybe you just want to capture photos of your experiences so that you can keep them for your own enjoyment. No matter the reason, most people have a great desire to begin learning underwater photography fairly early on in their scuba diving career.

If this sounds like you, you have likely already begun browsing your local scuba dive shops for equipment and started reading up on articles and information published by underwater photography professionals. While you can find a lot of information in this way, a lot of it is technical and hard to follow. For this reason, the best way to learn how to take pictures underwater is to start taking them and then learn through trial and error.

Your first underwater camera will likely be a disposable water-proof camera that works great for taking pictures in shallow depths. This will get you used to taking pictures underwater but is not ideal for taking photos in deep water. The next step up from this camera is the amphibious camera. This camera is small, lightweight, and ideal for beginning underwater photography in deeper waters. You can also take a normal land camera, house it, and outfit it for use in underwater photography. While this is the most expensive option, this is the equipment that produces the vivid, breathtaking photos featured in magazines. Whatever equipment you choose, two things that you cannot take underwater photos without are an external flashgun and interchangeable lenses.

Once you have your equipment, the best way to begin is to start taking pictures. Be sure to stock up on lots of film and take several shots of each subject. This way you can compare shots and learn from your own underwater photography mistakes. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Get close to your subject. One reason why underwater photography is so challenging is that matter is suspended in the water between you and your subject. The flash reflects off of this material resulting in blurry, obstructed pictures.

Start photographing small objects first. This will allow you to preset your equipment before you dive. Use a flashgun to provide white light as monochromatic blue light is the only light that penetrates deeper water. Artificial white light is vital in underwater photography for producing sharp, colorful images.

Position your flashgun correctly. Your flashgun should be positioned a good distance from the lens axis to avoid reflection of light off of suspended matter otherwise called back scatter.

After you get a feel for underwater photography, you will find that you can easily learn as you go. Take lots of film as this is the cheapest component of underwater photography. Compare shots, learn from your mistakes, and you will soon be wowing your friends and family with more than stories. You’ll have the photos to back them up.

By: Layla Tusko

About the Author:

Canon EF 70-200 F4 L IS, one of famous telephoto lenses of the photography world today, is comprised of 4 main important parts which are lens construction, a lens body, IS (Image Stabilizer system) and an aperture. I have been using this lens for awhile and I would like to share my review into 4 important parts as listed below.

Firstly, the lens construction is composed of 15 lens groups and 20 lens elements with a filter diameter of 67 mm and it has a focal length range from 70 mm to 200 mm. Moreover, there are 2 UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) lens elements and 1 fluorite lens element which help dramatically light dispersion, color balance, image sharpness and a vignette while minimizing ghosting and flare. It has the closet focusing distance of 1.2 m and the maximum magnification of 0.21 m. It is used for dispersing light reflected from objects into an image sensor in a camera.

Secondly, with a total weight of 760 gram, the lens body has a diameter of 76 mm and a length of 172. It has a strong white magnesium alloy case with black rubber cover at a zoom ring and a focal ring and a red ring showing as the Canon professional lens, called L-series lens, around a front part of the lens. It is used to protect the lens elements, the aperture, dust and moisture from outside.

Thirdly, the aperture is made of 8 circular diaphragm blades. Its maximum aperture (F-Stop number) is 4 and its minimum aperture (F-Stop number) is 32 throughout all focal length. Moreover, there is no an aperture ring at the back of the lens so the aperture must be adjusted by the camera only. Its functions are for controlling the amount of lighting coming into the image sensor and depth of field.

Finally, IS (Image Stabilizer system) contains a special gyro system which shifts lens in the gyro system in the opposite direction of hand shaking both x-axis and y-axis in order to compensate vertical and lateral movement of hands while taking photos. Consequently, the motion of IS will cancel out hand shaking directions and the light coming into the image sensor will be steady. It is very useful when photographers would like to take photographs in low shutter speed condition and it gives an equivalent effect of shutter speed approximately 4 stops. With the IS, it helps considerably photographers get sharp images in low shutter speed condition.

In conclusion, the 4 main important parts of the Canon EF 70-200 F4 L IS lens which are the construction, the lens body, the IS (Image Stabilizer system) and the aperture make this lens as the outstanding professional telephoto lens.

By: Suwat Pongtepupathum

About the Author:

We’ve discussed many times what boudoir photography is all about, but just how do I, as a photographer get the images that impress the clients. I feel that the most important element is the comfort of the client. Anyone can take a shot of a woman standing there in lingerie or sitting on a sofa wearing lingerie, but I’ve seen a lot of shots where she looked completely out of her comfort zone, so in my opinion, it made the shots fall flat.

Another very important factor is makeup. I always highly recommend that my boudoir and glamour nude clients have their makeup professionally done. The makeup artists my studio uses are skilled in applying makeup specifically for our style of photoshoots. Makeup for photography is quite different than “everyday” makeup. But that’s a topic for another blog. Suffice it to say that how your makeup looks can make or break the photoshoot.

This brings me to the next most important part of the boudoir shoot. Sets. A beautiful set helps my clients to relax because the minute they see how the set pops up on the screen, and how gorgeous they look in it, it puts them at ease. We have thought about it at length and have purchased several different bedding sets as well as curtains, lamps, and screens to be able to build a set at a moment’s notice that will work with the clients attire. We also have accessories to add to those sets which come up beautifully in the shots and lend a “playboy” atmosphere to the photographs. We feel so strongly about the importance of the environment for a successful boudoir or glamour nude image, that we have built an entire room devoted to just that.

One of our commercial clients has even given us several varieties of new lingerie so that if something a client brings for their shoot just doesn’t give them the look they want, they aren’t stuck without any other alternatives. In later articles we’ll discuss lighting, camera angles and other elements of a successful boudoir or glamour nude shoot.

By: Mark Anderson

About the Author:

Whether you’re an old hat at photography or this is your first go around with a digital single lens reflex camera, you need a digital camera lens. Chances are, you’ll actually need several. If you have no idea what the different lenses mean or are used for, read on.

First let’s clear up one misconception. Most cameras come standard with a fixed lens. This lens is already attached to your digital camera when you buy it from a retailer. The lens itself will let you take pictures without any hassle. That’s about as far as it goes. While this is of course essential, if you’re looking for any flexibility with your shots, you’ll need to buy additional lenses.

There are several kinds of zoom lenses that you may be interested in purchasing. What size zoom lens you need will depend on what your main subjects are. If you’re looking for lenses that will allow you to take fast action shots, you’ll want a strong lens.

First, realize that with a standard lens, you’ll be able to take great pictures, as long as you don’t mind following your subjects around. The larger and stronger the lens you purchase, the more action you can record clearly. Lenses start out at about 15-25 mm and go up from there. You can purchase different lenses from different camera manufacturers. You don’t always have to get the same kind of lens and camera.

You may find that a different manufacturer may make a lens that is more convenient for your use. Most zoom lenses will give you 2x, 5x, 10x and 20x magnification. You can also find much more powerful lenses. These lenses actually move away from the camera and focus in on your subject. You will need to manually adjust the focus and aperture with these lenses.

Many people aren’t really looking for anything that will magnify a flea on the grass half a mile away. If you’re looking to take high quality photos but don’t feel like lugging around a bag full of lenses, you may want to check into prime lenses. With the advances in technology, lenses can do just about anything these days.

With a zoom lens, the photographer must be actively involved in manipulating the lens. An alternative is a prime lens. Prime lens are of simpler design with fewer moving parts. The difference between zoom lenses and prime lenses is that zoom lenses must function at a variety of focal lengths, where prime lenses can be optimized for one particular focal length.

Prime lenses are convenient and also thought to provide much higher quality photos but this is not always completely true. However, prime lens gives you much more freedom to click and shoot quickly without changing out lenses.

If you’re a novice, you may be more interested in prime lenses. This lens will give you crisp, clear shots that will impress everyone. You won’t need to change lenses; this lens does everything for you. Whatever lens you decide to go with, make sure to take good care of your lens. Clean it regularly and always make sure to cover it with the appropriate lens cover. This is the best way to get the longest use out of your lens.

By: Jennifer K Crawley

About the Author:

Nikon Fisheye Lens AF DX-NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8

- Most important Features

The Nikon Fisheye Lens DX Nikkor lens is especially constructed for use with Nikon SLR digital cameras. It features a 180 angle of view as measured across the diagonal of the frame and provides high-quality images from infinity to the closest focusing distance of 0.14m (0.5 ft.), due to Nikon’s innovative near-distance correction technique.

More precise exposure control is possible while this is mounted on a Nikon camera having 3D Matrix Metering capability, since area of interest distance information is transferred from the lens to the camera body. The purpose of an extra-low dispersion (ED) lens element ensures superb optical performance, while a 7-blade diaphragm produces an aperture that is almost circular for exceptional rendering of out-of-focus highlights.

- Setting the aperture on the Nikon Fisheye Lens AF DX-NIKKOR

Because this Nikon Fisheye Lens does not hold an aperture ring, you should adjust the aperture on the camera body.

- Focusing and depth of field

With D2H, D1-Series, D100 and D70 digital SLR cameras, both autofocus and manual focus are workable. To focus manually, rotate the focus ring until the image in the viewfinder appears razor-sharp and clear.

If your camera has a depth of field preview (stop-down) button or lever, depth of field can be observed while looking through the camera viewfinder. It is furthermore probable to determine the depth of field by using the depth-of-field index.

- Composing

Using a fisheye lens requires much more planning in relation to picture arrangement than with a standard lens. This lens not only produces extreme barrel distortion but furthermore exaggerates the virtual size of objects to conform to its format: Objects close the midpoint appear bigger than those next to the edges and they reveal a smaller amount barrel distortion. The entire field of view is pushed into the distance and spatial relations are transformed, and with a slight change of the camera, extra distortions are produced. Be careful
Not to accidentally include unwelcome objects in the picture, such as the legs of your stand or your own hands or feet.

- Use not obligatory Nikon Capture, a powerful digital postproduction tool, to convert the images taken by this fisheye to the regular wide-angle lens projection method. For more details, go to see the instruction handbook provided with Nikon Capture 4.

Slight vignetting possibly will occur in the four corners of the frame when shooting at its nearby distance or smallest aperture.

- Taking flash pictures with cameras having built-in flash

Avoid taking flash pictures with cameras having a built-in flash, for the reason that the flash will not cover this lens’s 180 picture point of view.

- Filters

A regular filter cannot be attached to the front of the lens. Use a gelatin filter by cutting it to an appropriate size. Then include it into the filter holder on the back of the lens. Rotate the focus ring to the infinity setting to accomplish insertion easier.

By: Eddy Logan

About the Author:

Nokia N82 is one of the best cell phone with the camera and that too it has added the lens cover in the cellphone which was not available in the Nokia N95-2 and Nokia 95-3. The camera has the xenon flash inbuilt which we very rarely found in the cell phone’s cameras.

This smart phone has various high end features like the auto focus 5 mega pixel camera along with the GPS, Wi-Fi support, the Symbian operating system, a large QVGA display screen and the TV support too.

The handset works on Symbian Operating system 9.2, S60 release 3.1 with the internal inbuilt memory size of 100 MB. The memory size can also be increased with the help of additional memory slot the MicroSD hot swap up to 2 GB.

The cell has the TFT display screen which supports almost 16 Million colors and the screen size is 2.4 inches. The user can download the ring tones in several formats like the Polyphonic, MP3, Monophonic and the True Tones etc.

The phone has a 5 Mega pixel camera which is 2592 x 1944 pixels in size. It has the autofocus feature available along with the xenon flash which is rarely found in cell phone cameras. It also has the secondary CIF video call camera also in the handset.

The user can very conveniently send and receive the SMS, MMS, and Emails and enjoy instant messaging. The Java based games can also be downloaded on the phone. It also has music player with a Stereo FM Radio. It supports the various formats like the MP3, AAC and WMA Player etc.

The cell declares the approximate talk time of up to 2 hours and 20 Minutes and the stand by time of around 225 hours.

The handset is available in the most wanted and liked Silver and Black color. The strongest feature of the cell phone is the solid build quality which is there all around the cell giving it a very sophisticated look and feel.

By: Bill Pratt

About the Author:

Scuba diving is just not complete without the use of underwater digital cameras. Try to imagine scuba diving in the vast blue seas with all its mystical creatures and rare marine life forms with nothing to capture that “once in a lifetime” experience. If you are new to scuba diving then you would most probably agree that the ocean, with all its creatures and coral life, is simply breathtaking especially when discovering and experiencing it for the first time. Despite seeming a bit strange at first sight, you will start to realize just how peaceful and relaxing the ocean really is after doing a few more dives. However, nothing beats actually getting something to remember out of all those dives because who knows what new experiences will take place on every new dive? The obvious solution to all this is to get your very own dive camera, and most divers recommend and go with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Shopping for your Camera

To begin with, searching for your first dive camera can be a bit daunting with all these high prices and technical jargons being repeated in every store you enter. However, searching for top quality underwater digital cameras with a reasonable price should be your main priority and the Canon EOS 5D, when combined with its underwater Ikelite Housing, is the ideal camera that provides all those required dive camera features. The best thing for you to do at this point in time is to search for a really good Canon 5D review online to see what all it is worth so that you know you are not being ripped off when actually buying one.

Camera Advancement

It is without a doubt that technology is advancing more rapidly in time with everything and pays no exception to underwater digital cameras as well. With each passing year, camera manufacturers seem to put out something more attractive to catch our attention. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II was and continues to be the golden standard of all dive camera and standard camera technologies. Canon has outdone itself with all the amazing features it fabricated into the Mark II, from cutting edge technology in picture quality and accuracy to advanced interface and menus which are effective yet simple so it’s easy to understand. Since its release in September of 2008, the much anticipated Canon EOS 5D Mark II continues to live up to its name as a must-have upgrade especially for great picture pixel quality.

Canon EOS 5D Features

Without running the risk of sounding too technical and boring you to death here is a brief Canon 5D Review of the pros to owning such a camera. It has a 1080p/Full HD video recording with an astounding 21.2megapixel quality. Not only does it have the most selection of lenses for both pro grade users and ordinary consumers, it also has excellent high ISO noise handling despite having such a large resolution. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II model leaps past its rivals when it comes to resolution and features and with its affordable price tag this camera is excellent for both land and underwater users. However, this camera can only be converted into a dive camera by the use of either one of its recommended underwater camera housings which come in the form of the Ikelite camera housing and Ewa-Marine camera housing. Get your very own Mark II today and discover the rest of its amazing features that other underwater digital cameras fail to offer.

By: Edward Price

About the Author:

There is a great importance in conducting digital camera comparisons before you buy a camera, especially considering the multitude of options that are available today. If you do not take a bit of time to do digital camera comparisons then when you do go out to shop you are going to get lost and find yourself overwhelmed very quickly.

Most people are not aware of the features they should be looking for, the brands that they should trust and the price range that they should be aiming for. Digital camera comparisons are going to help with all of this.

Canon G9

Of the thousands of different digital cameras on the market today there are a few in particular that really stand out. The Canon G9 is one, and this camera really restores an important feature that many photographers will welcome, which is that it regains the ability to save images in the RAW recording format. There is also the 6x optical zoom lens that retracts into the body and which has its own lens cover when closed which is great because then the lens is protected. It also features scene modes and is great for both personal and professional photographers.

Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd

Another camera that should definitely be included in all digital camera comparisons is the Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd, which features a 7.24 megapixel resolution in a sleek and compact form. It features a picture stabilization technology that favors a high ISO and the face detection and automatic red eye removal makes all your portraits and group photos turn out crystal clear and keep them from going blurry. The IrSimple technology that is integrated into this camera allows for fast wireless image transfer to other IrSimple compatible products. It appeals largely to the younger crowd but also has appeal to other age groups as well. …..
more information:[http://www.bestdigitalcamera.net.cn/digital_camera_comparisons.html]

By: Xiao Gang

About the Author:

So what exactly is an exclusive handset? It is a deal struck between either a mobile network operator or retailer and a mobile phone manufacturer to solely supply to them for resale with conditions attached.

Sometimes the network or retailer can have a full exclusive with a particular handset for the duration of the manufacturing period whilst other times the network can only secure the initial launch exclusive for a specified time limit before the handset is rolled out for all of their rivals to buy and sell.

Examples of full exclusive handsets include the Sony Ericsson W910i Gold Edition otherwise known as the W910i Havana Gold and the Sony Ericsson V640i. These two models will only ever be offered on Vodafone after the network signed an exclusive agreement with Sony Ericsson for sole distribution. This does not mean however that customers will only be able to buy the handsets directly from Vodafone, it means that the handsets can only be connected to the Vodafone network regardless of where the customer buys the handset, ie: an high street shop or competing mobile phone dealer website.

Time limited exclusives are a different kettle of fish, these agreements mean that the retailer or network has exclusive rights over the launch of a new handset for a set time limit before the manufacturer will start to sell the phone to other competing companies. In this case the above mentioned Samsung G800 is a perfect example, it is available directly from Vodafone who have signed the agreement with Samsung for the initial release, after which all and sundry will be able to purchase and sell on the handset on different networks.

These exclusive deals have obvious advantages for the retailers and networks as customers wanting that particular model will have no choice but to buy directly from them or as with limited time exclusives have to wait for the release of the handset to other parties. The network generates extra revenue from connecting and charging for calls and signing the customer up to a 12 or 18 month contract period.

This obviously has its disadvantages for potential customers, firstly the customer is left with no choice as to which network and tariff they would like to connect the handset to, as an example if an existing customer had been with the Orange network and enjoyed a healthy relationship with them they may not want to be forced to move networks just so that they may purchase an exclusive phone, likewise the customer may not have been with the new network before and signing up to a lengthy contract without the experience of their customer services and network services is a big decision.

It would seem that the pros for exclusive handset deals are purely for the networks and retailers whilst the cons are weighted heavily in favour of the customer.

The latest exclusive handset to be released is the new Smasung G800, this new handset is a direct upgrade to the G600 offering a 5.0 megapixel camera, but now adds 3 x optical zoom found in most high specification stand alone digital cameras and a new camera lens cover for protecting the lens whilst not in use.

As it stands, the Samsung G800 is still in its exclusive period with Vodafone so customers wanting to connect the phone to other networks will have to wait a while longer before it is rolled out to other networks and retailers.

By: Susan Hargreaves

About the Author:

Cameras are literally the eyes of a video surveillance system. Cameras should be deployed in critical areas to capture relevant video.

The two basic principles of camera deployment are (1) use chokepoints and (2) cover assets.

Chokepoints are areas where people or vehicles must pass to enter a certain area. Examples include doorways, hallways and driveways. Placing cameras at chokepoints is a very cost-effective way to document who entered a facility.

Assets are the specific objects or areas that need security. Examples of assets include physical objects such as safes and merchandise areas as well as areas where important activity occurs such as cash registers, parking spots or lobbies. What is defined as an asset is relative to the needs and priorities of your organization.

Once you determine what areas you want to cover, there are 4 camera characteristics to decide on:

Fixed vs PTZ: A camera can be fixed to only look at one specific view or it can be movable through the use of panning, tilting and zooming (i.e., moving left and right, up and down, closer and farer away). Most cameras used in surveillance are fixed. PTZ cameras are generally used to cover wider fields of views and should generally be used only if you expect a monitor to actively use the cameras on a daily basis. A key reason fixed cameras are generally used is that they cost 5 -8 times less than PTZs (fixed cameras average $200 – $500 USD whereas PTZ cameras can be over $2,000 USD). Color vs Infrared vs Thermal: In TV, a video can be color or black and white. In video surveillance today, the only time producing a black and white image makes sense is when lighting is very low (e.g., night time). In those conditions, infrared or thermal cameras produce black and white images. Infrared cameras require special lamps (infrared illuminators) that produce clear image in the dark (but are significantly more expensive than color cameras – often 2x to 3x more). Thermal cameras require no lighting but product only silhouettes of objects and are very expensive ($5,000 – $20,000 on average) In day time or lighted areas, color cameras are the obvious choice as the premium for color over black and white is trivial. Standard Definition vs. Megapixel: This choice is similar to that of TVs. Just like in the consmer world, historically everyone used standard definition cameras but now users are shifting into high definition cameras. While high definition TV maxes out at 3 MP, surveilance cameras can provide up to 16 MP resolution. In 2008, megapixel cameras only represent about 4% of total cameras sold but they are expanding very rapidly. See a demonstration of megapixel cameras to learn more. IP vs Analog: The largest trend in video surveillance today is the move from analog cameras to IP cameras. While all surveillance cameras are digitized to view and record on computers, only IP cameras digitize the video inside the camera. While most infrared and thermal cameras are still only available as analog cameras, you can only use megapixel resolution in IP cameras. Currently, 20% of cameras sold are IP and this percentage is increasingly rapidly.

By: John Honovich

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