What do you know about digital cameras?
October 7th 2007 22:47
Techno on the Board
Man, I had such a great weekend. But, gee, am I glad that I still live at home with Mum ready willing and able to wait on me hand and foot. I'm her 'baby' you see. I don't know how on earth I'd get off to work on time without her, especially after the BIG weekend and my weekends are REALLY BIG, all of them.
Some of my friends have moved out of home already and they're such slobs, their places are like pigstys, they really are. I just know I would NOT want to live like that.
But they're great blokes to hang out with and without them life really would not be much fun. But the only time they clean up is when they are having a real estate inspection and that is something to be seen. I got caught into helping one time, never again. They create the problem, let them fix it.
I was talking to my mate the photographer about the use of digital cameras now and how much harder it was compared to just the simple old point and click, then off to the local shop to get the film processed.
He said his sister had bought one middle of the range, knew how to use it but just got him to do all the fiddley things about which she didn't even know the basics.
So I thought it would be good to do this post based on that theme.
DIGITAL CAMERAS
Most digital cameras have some memory, generally 8MB or 16MB. This limits the number of photos that can be taken before storing your images on to a computer or other device. Memory cards come in different sizes and store more pictures. Memory cards are the ‘film’ of digital cameras.
Most digital cameras connect to the computers USB port using the cable supplied with the camera.
Digital cameras take a lot of energy so you need good quality batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride which last longer than Ni-Cad or Alkaline.
You may have heard of Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom. Optical zoom is accomplished through the camera lens, similar to a telescope, without causing any picture degradation. Digital zoom is performed by the camera’s internal electronic circuits with a slight loss of quality.
I hope from this you are learning a bit more so that it will all make a bit more sense to you.
Now, how to choose what digital camera suits you.
I think the easiest thing to do here is to show you one which is low cost and makes it suitable for beginners.
It's specifications are:
Canon PowerShot A450 5.0MP, 3.2x Optical Zoom Digital Camera, 2" LCD 1 Year Warranty
5.0 Megapixel
Canon 3.2x optical zoom lens
Super fast DiG!C II Imaging Processor
2.0" LCD Screen
Movie recording and playback
Print/Share* button allows easy 'one push' printing and downloading of images
And here is what it looks like.
Just the beginning of digital cameras
Now I know this may not mean a lot to some people and this is the first of a number of posts on the same subject.
Even if you've got your digital camera already, there may be things you still do not know.
NOW, the pictures below give you a range of images to compare. They are not taken with the particular camera pictured but they are there to show you the differences between otical and digital zoom and what a good photo looks like in comparison with a bad photo.
Bunny no 1, the good bunny
Bunny no 2 - the not so good bunny
And the next set of images shows the difference between optical and digital zoom and the results you'll get if the camera is not right.
Optical Zoom vs Digital Zoom - the eyes have it.
This has taken a long time already and now I've gotta buzz off to work, see you next time.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
It's surprising how often we use such things and not know much about them, isn't it?
I'm sure this information will help people feel more confident when they buy and know what they need to check out before doing so.
katyzzz
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Nice post!!!! The is something people need to know.
Comment by Krystal
feelings
I do need a new camera so this helps me a little in knowing what to look for. Thanks techno!
Crystal
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Great information and so timely.
After fiddling around long enough with my previous (old technology) digital camera, I have recently decided to buy a new one and was wondering why the zoom is better on some than others... huh, now I know (what to look for)...
Again, thanks for the heads up!
Lilla ...
Comment by Techno
Geeky Blog
Glad you liked it.
James, good on ya mate, must go fishin' some time, the last time was when I was in a boat with my dad, years ago, as a kid.
Krystal,
That sounds like a nice hobby for you, you seem to like pictures.
Lilla, I hope I've saved you from making a wrong choice, ask lots of questions and ask what the difference is between what you're offered, be persistent, and if they don't come up with helpful answers, go elsewhere.
Find someone with the patience and understanding to explain things but then don't just go to the opposition to save a few bucks, support those who support you. It pays off.
Techno the Brave.
Love you all, except James, well you know how it is James. I'm after the birds.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I have had my digital camera for only six months. I resisted it for ages because I knew it would take me a very, very long time to learn how to take a photo with it.
People get very annoyed with me when I direct them into a pose, order them to smile, and then accidentally press the power button instead of the button to take the photo.
Hopefully your posts will help me understand the mad world of digital technology!
Michaelie
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
I usually get a quick shot first, then think about the lighting and shadows and try for a better one before they start pulling silly faces at me.
I forget to check what's in the background though and still have to photoshop things out sometimes.
Comment by Techno
Geeky Blog
and, Rosemary, you sound like quite a pro.
The two of you doin' anythin' Fridee night?
Techno the Magnificent.