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 25th, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Mastering Photography

Shooting RAW vs Shooting JPEG

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Modern Digital Cameras, especially DSLR models, now offer the user the choice between shooting in RAW mode and shooting in JPEG mode. Some will even allow you to shoot both at the same time.

With this article, I’ll discuss the differences between the two modes, and offer suggestions as to which option is the best suited to your needs.

JPEG Mode - What is it?

The chances are that if you are reading an article on RAW vs JPEG option, you are using your camera in JPEG mode (in other words, the photos you take are recorded as a JPEG file, such as DSC_00324.jpg.) JPEG mode is the one that all digital cameras can use, and the one that is supported by all software packages that you are likely to use to edit your photographs.

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Written on Nov 12th, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Camera Techniques

Save Your Photos, Don’t Delete

DVD, histogram, lcd screen, memory cards, Photography, photos, Post Processing, risk, storage, Tips 0 comments

One of the key things I have learnt over the last couple of years of shooting digital is that you should never delete anything you take. Well, OK, maybe you can delete the odd one or two that are very obviously out of focus or have the exposure completely wrong when viewed on the LCD screen on the back of your camera, but you should try and keep as many as you can.

Why Save All Your Photos?

There are number of reasons why you shouldn’t get ‘delete happy’ when viewing your photos in the LCD screen on the back of your camera.

LCD screen can be misleading

The LCD screen itself isn’t that accurate at showing you whats good and whats bad, and unless you are zomming in on each image you look at, the standard preview doesn’t give you a good enough indication of whether a photos is sharp or not. It may also misrepresent the exposure of the photograph. Use the histogram function (if your camera has one) to ensure exposure rather than the preview in the LCD.

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