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How to buy a Digital SLR

How to buy a Digital SLR. Nath Kaplan, May 14, 2007. What is an SLR?. SLR - Single Lens Reflex

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How to buy a Digital SLR

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  1. How to buy a Digital SLR Nath Kaplan, May 14, 2007 Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  2. What is an SLR? • SLR - Single Lens Reflex • "SLR" means that the same lens is used for viewing and taking pictures. A mirror in the body directs the light from the lens up into a prism for viewing, then flips up out of the way just before an exposure is made. Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  3. Pros and Cons of a DSLR • Pros • Greater lens versatility • Almost always better image quality • Better performance • Greater flexibility • Cons • Bigger and heavier • More complex • Higher price • Can not use the LCD for framing (This is changing) Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  4. What type of photography do you do? • The type of photography will suggest what functions you need. • Action (Sports) photography will need a faster camera. • Macro photography will require mirror lockup. Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  5. How much do you want to spend on the camera? • Set a budget for the camera • Keep in mind you will need some accessories • Consider the following: • How long do you plan on keeping the camera? • Is this an intro camera or the camera you will keep for ever? Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  6. Do you have lenses from other cameras? • Some older lenses may work on the newer cameras. If you have lenses find out if they will work on any of the newer DSLR cameras. • If they do, you may want to stick with that brand camera. Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  7. Key Camera Points • Functions • What pre-programmed functions does the camera have • Sensor • Type • CCD (Charge Coupled device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor • It is reported that the CCD creates a better image, but it cost more and uses more power. The CMOS is lower cost, uses less power and is found in larger cameras. • General rule is look at the photos not the sensors • Size • Full Frame - This sensor is the same size as 35mm film 24x36mm • APS – Smaller sensors 22.5x15mm (This is the most common sensor) • Magnification – The smaller sensor causes a magnification. • 1.5 (Nikon), 1.6 (Canon) A 50mm lens would equal 70 to 80mm Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  8. Camera Sensors Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  9. Key Camera Points • Speed of the camera • How many frames per second can the camera shoot. Canon 30D can do 3 to 5 frames per second. • Mirror Lockup • Mirror lockup enables you to lift the mirror before you take the photo. This will decrease camera movement. This function is helpful in macro photography. • Focus Points • DSLRs enable you to select where you focus. The number of focus points vary from as low as 3 to as high as 45. The Nikon D40 has 3, the Canon 30d has 9 in a diamond shape. The new Canon Mark III has 45. • Flash • Not all DSLRs come with a built-in flash. The Pro DSLRs do not have a built-in. • TTL (Through the Lens), the flash is metered through the lens for better proper flash settings. Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  10. Key Camera Points • Dust on the senor • The senor has a process to remove dust. (This is just starting to be seen on cameras.) • Image Stabilizer / Anti-shake (This is just starting to be seen on cameras.) • Some cameras now offer this function • LCD size • 2 ½ to 3 inches • Live view via the LCD (Very few cameras offer this.) • Photo file types • RAW, JPEG, RAW & JPEG, TIFF, DNG • ISO Settings • Look at the high and the low (100 or 200 for low, 1600 to 3200 for the high) • What point is missing? Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  11. Key Camera Points • Size and feel of the camera • Sizes and operations for DSLR vary. You want to pick up the cameras and see how they feel. Check the menus and functions. Try to do some functions. • Look at what the camera is made out of • The lower end cameras are made of plastic. • The more expensive cameras are made of metal or metal-polycarbonate Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  12. Lenses (AKA: Glass) • Quality • There are different quality lenses. You should try to get the best lens you can. This may mean passing on some of the camera kits. • Auto Focus Type • Ultrasound Motor (Found in the better lenses) • Auto Focus motor in the lens (Nikon D40: no motor in the camera, AF-S lens have auto focus motor in lens) • DSLR Lenses • Lenses designed exclusively for the DSLR camera with the smaller sensor. If used on a film camera or a full frame sensor you will see darkening around the edges. • Image Stabilizer / Anti-shake • Image stabilized lenses cost more • They are not needed if the camera has IS • Aperture • The widest aperture will vary by lenses. ( f 4 to 5.6, the most common) • Lenses with 2.8 or bigger are more expensive and considered “Fast Lenses” • 50 mm is what the human eye sees • 10 or 12 mm is considered a wide angle lens Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  13. Lenses • Quality of lens • There are all different qualities of lenses. • The better the lens the more costly it is • Third Party lenses tend to be cheaper than the Canon and Nikon lenses. • Lens kits with the camera • Many cameras come with lens kits. These lenses tend to be a lower end lens. • Crop factor / Magnification • Lens Hoods Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  14. Buying the camera • Camera Reviews • (www.DPreview.com, www.megapixel.net) • Camera Life Cycle • Most cameras are replaced every 18 to 24 months. • Watch for rebates • Go to a store and pick up and hold the camera • Buy from trusted dealers • If the price is too good to be true, run away Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  15. Accessories • Memory Cards ($50 to $100) • Extra Batteries ($50 to $70) • Tripod & Head (Tripod $100 to $500, Head $60 to $400) • Cable Release (Cable or wireless) ($40 to $100) • Filters (Cir-Polarizing) ($50 to $100) • Flash ($50 to $600) • Camera bag ($30 to $200) • Books and DVD • Total cost of accessories could run between $400 to $1800 Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  16. Computer Accessories • Software(Next meeting topic, Fall 2007) • Computer • Hard drive and memory • DVD drive • Printer • Books and DVDs Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  17. General Information • Canon and Nikon are the top makers of DSLR Cameras. • Canon’s Digital Rebel is the top selling DSLR camera in the US. • The Nikon D40 and D40x are the smallest DSLR camera on the market. • Sony, Pentax, Samsung have moved into the DSLR market. • Sony purchased the Konica / Minolta camera line so many of the Konica / Minolta lenses will work on the Sony DSLR. • Complete D-SLR System Guide • Watch out for the model numbers on the camera. • Nikon d40 and d40x (one is 6MP, one is 10.2 MP) • Canon Rebel XT and Rebel XTI (one is 8MP, one is 10.1 MP) Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  18. Learning the Camera • Manual • A must read. Many people carry the manual in their camera bag. • Books • Some third party books are helpful. • DVDs • These are wonderful for people who need to see and hear. Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

  19. Photo Tip - Lighting • Backlighting • backlight can add drama to an image • backlit images can show the delicacy of a subject (think transparent or translucent things like flowers or insects) • backlight can help create real mode in a shot • backlit images can highlight details on the edges of subjects • backlight can reveal textures that might previously have been hidden • backlit images can show off the shape and form of a subject • backlight can create shadows that add points of interest to an image (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/) Nath Kaplan www.nbkaplan.com

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