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www.explorephotography.com
A Resource for Aspiring
Photographers
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Cameras
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Cameras
Types of Cameras
While this is
oversimplifying things a bit, there are four main
categories of cameras:
- Point-and-shoot
(includes 35mm, Advanced Photo System, and most
digital cameras)
- 35mm SLR (Single
Lens Reflex)
- Medium
format
- Large
format
Many people's first
experience with photography is with a point-and-shoot
camera of some type. These are relatively inexpensive and
easy to use. However, almost anyone interested in
becoming serious about photography will need a 35mm SLR (Single
Lens Reflex) camera. This type of camera offers the
capabilities needed to create high-quality photographs.
While significant advancements have been made to the
current point-and-shoot type of cameras, they do not
provide most of the features needed by a serious
photographer. These features include interchangeable
lenses, manual control of aperture and shutter speed.,
and many others. Medium format and large format cameras
do provide these features, but they are more expensive to
purchase and use and more difficult to operate than a 35mm
SLR camera. If you are ready to enter the medium or large
format world of photography you are well beyond the scope
of this site.
35mm SLR Camera
Features
35mm SLR cameras are
becoming more sophisticated, incorporating features
unheard of a few years ago. They are often marketed as
products that will allow anyone to take good photographs,
even those people that do not have basic knowledge of the
photographic process. This technology is great, for those
people who do not wish to learn about the photographic
process and what is needed to produce a good photograph.
But which camera is best for you? Does an aspiring
photographer need an expensive, powerful camera? The
answer is a definite no!
One problem with
automatic cameras is that decisions are made by the
camera’s computer system. To facilitate this, the
camera is programmed to take various measurements
regarding the subject and then adjust the camera's
settings to achieve a predefined result. This means that
in a normal situation the camera will normally take a
good photograph. Every so often, all the automatic
decisions will be made correctly and the result will be a
great photograph. However, to take an above average
photograph consistently and an excellent photograph
occasionally, you need to control the operation of the
camera.
Fortunately, most 35mm
SLR cameras today provide you with this level of control
in their most basic, manual setting. As you learn more
about photography, you will likely use this manual
setting more frequently and will tend not to use the
automatic settings. This means an inexpensive camera may
be all you need! You do not need the other features that
come with the more expensive cameras. Please note I said
you do not NEED them. There are certainly many features
nice to have and the appropriateness of these will vary
greatly from person to person. For fans of technology,
nothing beats owning the latest gadget, especially if the
manual and the price tag are both large enough to raise a
few eyebrows.
So, what is appropriate
for you? Realize a camera’s features often have
relatively little impact on the quality of your
photographs. A camera body is just a box. The quality of
your photographs will be primarily influenced by other
factors such as type of lens, type of film, and how you
use your equipment. Generally, it is better to use a high
quality lens on a basic camera body than vice versa.
Start with the basic features. Many camera stores accept
trade-ins and you can always upgrade to more powerful
equipment when you are offered that exotic assignment
from National Geographic!
Some important camera
features to consider include:
Focusing Mode
A camera either
provides autofocusing (AF) capability or it requires
manual focusing. AF cameras normally have an option
allowing you to use them in manual focus mode when
desired. Manual focusing is frequently used during
serious photography for precise focusing and to
obtain a specific depth-of-field range. Autofocusing
is not required for most situations, but can be
especially beneficial for people with less than
perfect eyesight, with dimly lit subjects, and for
quick, easy focusing. Many advanced AF functions have
been developed, such as focus lock, spot focusing,
and continuous autofocus.
Control of Aperture
and Shutter Speed
The aperture and
shutter speed settings determine the exposure.
Exposure is commonly determined using one of four
methods:
- Automatic
- the camera determines the aperture and
shutter speed
- Manual
- the photographer determines the aperture
and shutter speed
- Aperture
priority - the photographer determines the
aperture and the camera determines the
shutter speed
- Shutter
priority - the photographer determines the
shutter speed and the camera determines the
aperture
It is essential to be
able to control both the aperture and shutter speed
manually in order to obtain the desired exposure,
depth-of-field, and stop-action capability. Refer to
the Technical
Photography Tips section for more information
about this.
The aperture settings
available are determined by the lens, not the camera.
But the shutter speeds available are determined by
the camera. Most cameras offer shutter speeds that at
least cover the range of 1 second to 1/1000 second. A
wider range is even better. Also, it’s nice to
have a bulb, or timer, setting. This setting allows
you to use a cable release to manually control the
opening and closing of the shutter. With this you can
take exposures longer than your slowest shutter speed
setting (for example, a 10 second exposure, or even a
6-hour exposure).
Types of Exposure
Metering
A camera’s
exposure meter measures the light passing through the
lens. While it is often best to determine the proper
exposure manually, the camera's exposure meter can
help by providing valuable information. There are
different types of exposure metering. The most common
types are:
- Center
weighted metering - places a strong emphasis
on the light near the center of the frame
- Matrix
metering - uses a complicated algorithm to
place more emphasis on the light in certain
portions of the frame; this is an attempt at
'intelligent' metering
- Spot
metering - meters the light appearing in a
very narrow angle of view in the center of
the frame
Some cameras offer
all three types of exposure metering.
Flash Capabilities
Not all electronic
flash units work with all cameras. Many automatic
cameras feature TTL (through-the-lens) flash exposure
control. This measures the amount of light from the
flash as it reflects off the subject and passes
through the lens while the shutter is open. It then
turns off the flash when appropriate. This may sound
unrealistic at first, but when you consider the speed
of light, this is easily accomplished. A dedicated
flash made for your specific brand and model of
camera is needed for TTL flash. If TTL flash is not
provided by a camera you may use either a non-TTL
automatic flash, which has a light sensor on the
front of the flash unit itself, or a manual flash,
which is not able to monitor and automatically adjust
its light output.
Another feature to
consider is the flash synchronization speed of the
camera. This is the fastest shutter speed setting you
may use with the flash. On most cameras this is
either 1/60 or 1/125 of a second. Some cameras offer
a flash synchronization speed of 1/250 of a second.
Viewfinder Display
A camera can display several
types of information in the viewfinder. Information
that may be displayed includes the aperture setting,
the shutter speed, and the exposure meter. A few
cameras provide more information. Other cameras
display very little information in the viewfinder.
Film Transport
Automatic cameras
advance the film during loading and after taking a
photograph. They also automatically rewind it at the
end of the roll. If you would like the ability to
take multiple exposures be sure you can override the
automatic film advance. Some cameras advance the film
very quickly. This allows you to take several frames
per second. Film manufacturers love this feature!
Cable Release
A cable release, normally a 12-18
inch (0.3 - 0.5 meter) cable, has one end that screws
into your camera body, often right into the shutter
release, and the other end contains a mechanism which
you either push, turn, or squeeze. This allows the
shutter to be pressed without actually touching the
camera, and generally results in sharper images. Some
cameras accept an inexpensive manual cable release,
others require an electronic release.
Self-Timer
This allows for a delay,
typically around 10 seconds, in triggering the
shutter. This is often used when the photographer
would like to appear in the photograph.
Film Speed Setting
Many cameras read the
DX coding on a film cassette and set the film speed
automatically. The ability to override this is needed
to shoot the film at a different speed. There are two
common reasons why photographers sometimes do this.
First, the recommended film speed may not be totally
accurate. For example, one popular type of slide film
is listed with a speed of ISO 50, but is more
accurately rated at ISO 40. Second, a technique
called 'pushing' is sometimes used. To push a film
with a speed of ISO 100, you would shoot it at a
speed of ISO 200. Then the processing lab must be
notified of this as they will alter how they develop
that film to avoid underexposure. This somewhat
advanced technique allows a photographer to
effectively increase the speed of the film.
Tripod Mount
Most, if not all,
cameras have a small, threaded hole on the bottom of
the camera body that is used to mount the camera to a
tripod screw.
Durability
Cameras are constructed in
different ways and with different materials.
Consequently, their durability also varies.
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Subject:
Canada Violet (Viola canadensis) Lens:
Nikkor Micro 105mm
Aperture: f/22
Shutter Speed: 1/2 second
Film: Kodak Ektachrome 100 VS
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