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Slr Camera Body

Slr Camera Body

Digital SLR Camera Overview

Single lens reflex (SLR) cameras have been around for over sixty years.  Within the last fifteen years, they have moved into the digital age.   This has co-incided with rapid technological advances with many of the major manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon and Olympus now offering a full range of digital SLR cameras, from entry level right up to full professional kits.  This article outlines the key advantages of digital SLR cameras as well as pointing out some of the drawbacks.

As many of you will know, a camera based on the SLR principle uses a mirror and pentaprism to show in the viewfinder the image that will be captured.  This precise framing is one of the key advantages of the digital SLR over other cameras – what you see is precisely what you get.  Digital SLR cameras also provide for precise exposure measurement through the lens.  This allows for more accurate exposure adjustment by the camera (in one of the many automatic modes available) or presentation of accurate exposure information to the photographer so that they can make informed judgments.

Digital SLR cameras are highly versatile, providing a range of operating modes such as point and shoot (with dial-up options such as landscape or sports available) right through to full manual operation where the photographer has control over the key variables such as aperture and shutter speed.  Most offer multiple options for light metering, have multiple options for automatic focusing as well as the ability to turn that off and go to manual focus mode, and come with features such as image stabilization and in-built flash (with a hot shoe for external flash options).  These cameras have extensive in-built operating systems coupled with a LCD screen enabling review and management of photographs.  All offer good interconnectivity with computers, enabling data (picture) transfer, and enhanced management of photographic libraries. 

Even entry-level digital SLR cameras offer previously unheard of shutter speeds (eg the Canon 1000D offers 1/4000 shutter speed) and continuous shooting modes (usually measured in frames taken per second).  Many of these features were only found on high-end professional models (with high-end price tags) 10 years ago.  Coupled with technological advances, picture resolution has increased dramatically and battery life has been enhanced with most employing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.  Camera bodies and the associated lenses have decreased in size and weight, making digital SLR cameras more portable and usable.

Perhaps the most recognised feature of the digital SLR camera is its ability to interchange various lenses, depending on the type of photography being undertaken.  These can range from wide angle (great for landscape shots) to telephoto lenses (great for nature , wildlife and sports shots).  Changing lenses takes only a few seconds and this versatility has been further enhanced by the wide range of zoom lenses available, which can cover a range of focal lengths. 

The cost of these cameras has reduced dramatically, putting them within reach of many consumers.  Clever product design from companies such as Canon and Nikon facilitated the migration of many SLR users into the digital age by retaining the look and feel of their pre-digital SLR systems.  People did not have to learn a new system from scratch. 

On the downside, digital SLR cameras remain more expensive than other options such as compact cameras and this remains a factor in some purchase decisions.  Despite size and weight reductions, they remain more bulky and when coupled with multiple lenses often require a dedicated bag.  Also, they tend to be more noisy than other photographic options, making them unsuitable for some applications.

Despite these factors, the digital SLR camera remains the first choice for many professionals and the photography enthusiast.  Their undoubted versatility and adaptability enables most users to get high quality results from their endeavours. 

About the Author

Geoff Whitehouse.  TDL - Total Digital Life

Geoff lives in Brisbane, Austalia, having recently emigrated from New Zealand.  Visit Geoff's Website at http://www.totaldigitallife.com

How to Improve your Digital Slr Camera Pictures?

Digital SLR cameras are amazing tools to expand your creativity and to document special moments. If your starting out and strive to improve your work master these five important tips. These tips deal with the relationship of shutter speed and focal length, achieving proper focus, stability, handling backlighting, and the effects of ISO and noise.

Understanding how the focal length of your lenses relates to the shutter speed you are shooting with.

If your shooting with a 50mm lenses the rule of thumb is that you can hand hold your camera with shutter speeds of 1/50th of a second and higher. With a 200mm lenses that it’s 1/200th of a second. With expensive image stabilization lenses you can hand hold a 200mmm at about 1/100th of a second maybe 1/60th of a second if you have steady hands. One trick I have used to squeeze an extra shutter speed stop while hand holding my camera is holding my breath and keeping my arm tight close to my chest. Knowing your lenses and remembering this simple tip should yield sharper results in your photos while hand holding your digital SLR camera.

Understanding the focus system in your camera

Practically every digital SLR camera focuses when you press the shutter button halfway down. Usually you will hear a beep and see a green or red square through the viewfinder. This is what the camera is focusing on. Then press the button the rest of the way down to take the picture. Understand that the computer inside the camera is looking at differences in image contrast and that difference is what is focusing the camera. Most digital SLR cameras also let you change the focus point manually to anywhere there is a predetermined point in the viewfinder. At a minimum you will get 9 points of focus up to 45 points of focus. It depends on the model and make of your digital SLR camera.

While executing my day-to-day shooting I always start with my focus point in the center of the viewfinder then I move it according to the subject I am shooting. It is easy to forget about where you set your focus point and then wonder why your photos are off focus or out of focus. So when you start a shoot the first place to check is where your focus point is and then center it, this should help you get more shots in focus.

Stability and when to use a tripod

If you are dealing with long exposures when shooting or if the shutter speed exceeds the focal length, then you need to use a tripod. All tripods are not the same. If in the studio a lightweight tripod can be used effectively if you weigh it down with sandbag or an alterative weighting device. When outdoors use a tripod on the heavier side is probably best, it also depending on weather condition. If there is a lot of wind you really need to secure the tripod with weight or some tripods even have a feature where you can spike them in the ground for more stability.

Any movement during a shot with a long exposure will almost always render that shot useless and that is why stability is so important. One of the newest advancements in camera technology is "image stabilization" in both lenses and camera bodies. This new technology is great and its best used if shooting with two hands on the camera and bracing your body against something. Still in some shooting situations there is still no replacement for a good weighted tripod.

How to handle strong backlighting

Backlighting subjects can be our enemy. Many people try to shoot a photo with a strong bright window light in the background, and then wonder why the shot didn't come out. Why does this happen? The bright light from the window floods the lens, and your camera usually can't compensate for it. One way to combat this is to use a fill flash on your subject or use a large white fill card. Another option is to diffuse the strong window light and fill the subject with a white fill card. Do not be afraid of backlighting use it to your advantage, just remember you need to counteract a strong backlight with a strong fill.

Understanding the effects of ISO in Digital SLR Cameras

Digital SLR cameras have some of the same characteristics as film SLR Cameras like interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, matrix metering, etc, but they do not handle ISO the same way. They are similar in that the relative ISO setting handles the light sensitivity that reaches the sensor or film. Where they differ is in the look they achieve in the final product. High ISO speeds on film have a certain film grain look to them that can be pleasing, but high ISO speeds on a digital SLR camera creates noise on the files and the look is not the same as film grain. In most situations noise is your enemy. If you want that film grain look, shoot your digital photos with the lowest possible ISO and then use Alien Skins Exposure® 2 plug in for Photoshop to achieve that film grain look.

In closing mastering these five tips will make your photography stronger, sharper, in focus and properly lit.

About the Author

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