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Film - Digital

DSLR Cameras - Digital single lens reflex cameras

Professional and semi professional DSLR cameras offer an enormous range of creative possibilities. Unfortunately many photographers who purchase these cameras feel daunted by the possibilities and even more daunted by the manual that attempts to explain them. It is difficult to read an entire camera manual over a coffee and expect to be able to apply the information. Many photographers with a camera like this fall into the situation of wanting to use the various controls but when the circumstance arises they cant remember how it works. They either don't have the manual handy or it would take to long to thumb through the index, so their creative use of the camera never grows.

 

 

 

The biggest advantage of this type of camera is that they allow viewing through the taking lens and give a precise view of how the subject is framed and where the exact point of focus is. The image is projected through the lens onto a mirror where the image is focused onto a ground glass screen, and from here onto another series of mirrors to an viewing window. When the shutter is released the mirror is swung up allowing the image to project through onto the film.Some photographers find them hard to focus in dim light situations while others may be distracted by the brief loss of image while the exposure is made as the mirror is swung up. The mirror returns immediately after the exposure.

 

Move over image to see roll over image

 

 

The best advice when reading any camera manual is to learn one thing at a time and apply it. Take things slowly - take lots of image on related settings, note down what you are doing and compare the results on the computer. Any advanced camera is like a musical instrument an you need to practice at using it. This way when you need to use a particular setting - the reaction is instinctive.

In this series of pages we will look to simplify how many of these settings work - for information and investigations - click on the appropriate link below.

Exposure

 
Focus  
Lenses  

 

 

 

Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman