Written on Nov 26th, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Camera Tips

Choosing which DSLR Camera to buy

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Selecting which DSLR camera you should buy can be a tricky business, with confusing specifications and prices making it difficult to compare like with like across different manufacturers.

The aim of this article is to highlight some of the features you should look for in your next DSLR, and some of the hidden costs that might not be apparent from reading the manufacturers sales material.

We’ll start off by assuming that you are used to using a camera in one form or another, whether it’s a simple point-and-shoot or a film DSLR that you wish to upgrade to digital.

Nikon D700, Nikon D90, Nikon D40 DSLR Cameras

• Nikon D700
• Nikon D90
• Nikon D40

Why upgrade to a DSLR camera

There are a number of reasons for wanting to upgrade to a DSLR camera, including the manual control they offer you over your work, the speed they operate (lack of shutter lag), functionality and final image quality. While a DSLR isn’t going to turn you into a photography god overnight, it can help extend your abilities and force you to think carefully about what you are doing in a way a point-and-shoot never will.

However don’t think that the point-and-shoot will become entirely redundant if you buy a DSRL, they still come in useful for those times when a larger DSLR isn’t convenient to bring out with you.

Upgrading from a film DSLR camera

If you are upgrading from a film DSLR (or wish to simply complement your film camera with digital,) one of your first considerations will be to the lenses you already own. Do you require compatibility between your current lens collection and your potential new digital back? If so, you will become tied to a particular manufacturer from the get-go.

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Written on Nov 24th, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Mastering Photography

ISO Settings on your Camera Explained

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ISO is the term used to describe the sensitivity of film to light, defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

With film cameras, this ISO rating was used when describing different types of photographic film, from 100 ISO (low sensitivity to light) to 1600 ISO (high sensitivity to light). With digital cameras, the ISO rating has remained, and now refers to the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light.

Matches (@ ISO1000) by Laszlo-Photo

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100 ISO, the standard setting

Most digital cameras come with the ISO set to 100 as standard. This means that the camera will record the best image possible with the least amount of digital noise, at the potential cost of a slower shutter speed. In other words the shutter has to remain open for longer to capture the photo as the camera sensor is at its least sensitive to light.

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