Posts Tagged ‘digital camera’
Digital Camera Battery
Digital Camera Battery
Of course you know there are allot of different cameras on the market and they all take different batteries, but which are the best? So how are we to know what the best digital camera battery is? Glad you asked. Each battery has a different use and each batteries sort of fullfils a different role.
If your looking at getting a new digital camera then you really shouldn’t worry about the battery, you should actually be more concerned with the batteries. You should match battery type with usage. For example, let’s say you spend a great deal of your time out in the wild taking photographs. In most cases, one might recommend a lithium battery because these rechargeable batteries are known to last the longest. However, if you are out in the back country that won’t help you if you have no way to recharge, so you would be better off with a camera that uses disposables.
You can quickly see why you need to take many factors into play to decide which batteries are the best for you. Then you can start shopping for a camera that uses those batteries.
There are proprietary batteries, which are available in a number of different shapes and sizes so you can match the battery to camera needs. There are some cameras that also have a line of batteries that are just for a certain type of digital camera. Some manufacturers choose to create an entire line of digital cameras all using the same type of battery.
NiMH - Nickel-Metal Hydride or Lithium Batteries
The Advantages • There are very compact battery choices available. This means that you can have a small battery and it will provide you still with allot of battery life. • These batteries generally last longer • The Battery Life gauges are super accurate
• NiMH batteries are considerably better for the environment compared to disposables • Over the long-term rechargeable batteries are far less expensive than disposable batteries.
The Disadvantages • You must always have access to electricity so you can recharge the batteries • You need to have extra batteries on hand so you can put charged ones in while you recharge the other batteries.
• You cannot use these batteries in other electronic devices • Allot of camera batteries don’t have cheaper alternatives and you have to buy expensive brand name batteries.
AA Rechargeable Batteries Allot of Digital Cameras use the Standard AA batteries. This means that any brand can use these batteries and you can get recharables.
Nickel-Metal Hydride AA Rechargeable Batteries
The Advantages • Last a long time • Can be bought many places • No need to be brand specific just make sure you have the right size rechargeable • Better for your environment that disposable batteries are • They are less expensive than disposable batteries over the long-term
The Disadvantages • Generally, you will require at least two of the AA rechargeable batteries to power the camera, which can add a great deal of weight.
Disposable Lithium, Alkaline, Oxy Alkaline Batteries The disposable lithium battery lasts considerably longer than an alkaline battery does. There are plenty of standard sizes to choose from.
The Advantages • The lithium batteries last a long time • The lithium batteries allow your camera to respond faster • The lithium is light weight
The Disadvantages • The alkaline batteries don’t last very long • The alkaline batteries are heavy • None of these are good for the environment
Find all the Best Waterproof Digital Cameras online and other great tips just like this article on our blog.
The Nikon D90 DX – A Top SLR Performer For the Price
A solid entry-level digital SLR camera for the serious hobbyist is the Nikon D90 DX, with a 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, and good image quality without noise up to ISO 6400.
The Nikon D90 DX is a solid digital SLR camera for its price point. It has been one of Nikon’s quieter success stories in the past few years. There are a lot of nice goodies on board for the money. First, there is a new CMOS sensor, which the company says will give it good quality imaging as high as ISO 6400. This is one of the many features that Nikon has included from its higher end cameras. It also features Live View with contrast-detect AF. It also has a DSLR movie mode with 720p HDTV quality production. This digital SLR camera also has an HDMI output. There also is a new shutter and the 3D tracking AF that is on the higher end D3 and D300.
The D90 is supposed to appeal to the biggest audience of any DSLR in the Nikon family. Whether you are a first timer who is graduating to a digital SLR camera, or a serious hobbyist wanting more control and features without the higher price of top end Nikons, this is a camera strongly worth considering.
You will notice when you first hold this digital SLR camera that they tried to keep its size under control so it makes it easy to hold onto. Many more expensive DSLRs are very heavy and bulky. But it also is not too lightweight, otherwise you might shake too much when holding it.
Some of the features of the D90 also include a 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor; a system that removes dust, a larger screen, movie mode, an ISO with a wider range; active D-lighting, vignetting control and retouching features; automatic chromatic aberration control; quick continuous shooting and a bigger buffer.
This digital camera will shoot as quickly as 4.5 frames per second, so it should work pretty well for entry level sports shooting, such as football and basketball.
The kit lens that comes with the D90 camera is fine for the beginner but you might notice some noise coming in your photos at the faster ISOs. You will want to consider an upgraded lens at some point in the future for the D90. The kit lens is an 18-105mm zoom lens. This camera also has good battery life, and a rather large screen so you can really see the fine details of what you are shooting.
One thing you may not like as much is the lack of auto focus when you are shooting videos. Also, the Live View mode does not work as well as one would like. The software does not seem to keep up with the image, so there is a good deal of delay. Overall however, Nikons are the leader in the digital SLR camera space, and this is a good option for the money.
Making the Most of your Portrait Photos
Making your a Better Photographer
So you have a digital camera and limited photography skills. If you have trouble taking photos or you just simple haven’t been shown then thats fine just follow this short guide and you will pick up allot of useful and great tips.
1. Never shoot kids or babies are your level, this will make your photos look like your a gaint and you will only see there heads. Make sure you get down in eye contact with the child and take the photo this way.
2. Make sure you don’t use your flash! What?. When you do you get those pictures that look like a deer in the headlights. Even the most photogenic person can’t fare well with these flash pics. That’s because the light squarely hits the subject and it creates what’s referred to as flat light, which is simply not flattering.
3. Choose clothing that contrasting. If the person your photographing wear contrasting colours then it will make the view look at your subject. Give it a go. Take a picture of your subject wearing white or light colored clothing, then take a picture of your subject wearing brighter colors or contrasting colors. You’ll see the difference.
4. If your going to shot during the day make sure you target or subject is facing away from the sun. This is a common mistake made by both experienced and amateur photographers. If they are facing the sun you will get unwanted shadows and you will not get a flattering picture.
5. In most cases it’s much better to compose your shot and then focus on the eye of your subject, instead of focusing on the eyes and then trying to compose around it.
6. Add a Relaxing prop to your subject. If your target is nervous then make sure you add a prop this will ease there nervous. Toss them a flower, an umbrella, a scarf, a stuffed animal, or any other prop.
7. Make sure you experiment with low and high key lighting. Some photos look great underexposed while others might look good overexposed. This is something that every person or photographer should do, is experiementing with lighting and the effect it has on your photo.
8. If you want a really cool perspective try using a really wide lens. If you use an ultra-wide lens to shoot portraits you can run into problems if it’s not done right. The main problem is that the face normally gets distorted, but if you can play around and get the right angle and settings then you will one have allot of fun but also master this technique.
9. Sunset Protraits, need to not be cold. You need to heat the skin up this can be done with gels and heat packs. Sunsets aren’t balanced and the light is warm with purple, yellow, and red hues. Warming the flash will make the picture look more natural, because by the time you get the time for sunset photos then you will be cooling down.
10. Cloudy days are perfect for portrait shoots. The light is even and soft because clouds work as a giant reflector. Clouds also cut out some of the sun’s light and you’ll be able to overpower the ambient light using your flash.
There you have it 10 portrait tips to make you look like a real pro and take better pictures.
Find the Best Digital Camera Reviews here and other great tips on how to become a better photographer. Tips like photo taking tips for Fireworks
What Is So Great About a Digital SLR Camera?
A digital SRL camera provides serious hobbyists and professionals with the flexibility and high quality components that are necessary to take truly high quality images. Two SLRs worth your consideration are the Nikon D3100 and the Canon EOS Rebel T3i.
A lot of people may think they know what a digital SRL camera is. However, what many of them might be thinking of is a compact digital camera, which is not the same thing. Before selecting a good SLR camera, you should probably know just what one is.
SLR is short for Single Lens Reflex. Here’s what makes this camera so much different from its compact cousins:
- When you view through the viewfinder, you are seeing straight through the camera lens. You are viewing precisely what the lens is viewing.
- The lens on a digital SLR camera can be swapped out. This is what makes these cameras the choice for serious hobbyists and professionals. You have so much more shot flexibility with an SLR.
- A digital SLR has a better and bigger image sensor. You get much better quality pictures.
- A good SLR has almost zero delay between the time you push the button and the camera takes the picture.
The biggest advantage of this type of camera is that it is very versatile. Whatever kind of pictures you want to take, you can do it with your SLR and a few lens and accessories.
Another big advantage of these cameras over compacts is that a digital SLR camera can get great photos without a lot of light. And you can do this without the flash. You do this by adjusting the ISO – you make the digital sensor in the camera more light sensitive. When you do this with an SLR, you do not get a lot of graininess or ‘noise’ in your image, either.
Two Good SLRs to Consider
The Nikon D3100 is a good example of an ‘entry level’ digital SLR camera. However, it has a broad feature set:
- Full recording in HD
- A screen of 3 inches
- Megapixel sensor of 14.2
- 11 focusing points
- Vibration reduction lens, 18-55mm
The general verdict on this SLR is that it is a fine value for your dollar. It also is the least expensive SLR that has full HD video recording. If you are looking for the ability to shoot excellent pictures with little noise, and also record HD, the D3100 from Nikon is a fine choice. It has many features and options, ease of control, and outstanding quality images with great detail. Bottom line is it is a highly recommended camera for pictures and HD video for the serious hobbyist.
The Canon EOS Rebel T3i is another strong competitor that has fine video abilities, along with great picture taking. The image quality and the picture shooting ability are excellent; however, it is not a very fast camera for action photos. The burst shooting feature for taking pictures of sports or children moving quickly is not quite as good as the Nikon.
However, the T3i is still a good choice for the hobbyist or SLR videographer. The camera shoots photos with little noise. The JPEGs are extremely clean until ISO 400. At ISO 800, you really have to look for the noise, and even at ISO 1600 the noise is still acceptable.
What camera is right for me?
The cameras on phones are getting better by the season. They’re getting scarily close to what you would expect from an entry level to mid level compact camera. All those extra megapixels have just exposed why higher MP’s belong on advanced models, not something the size of an Altoids can. You just need to open your eyes a bit and see that the emperor has no clothes.
I find mysel walking the line between a compact camera and a Digital SLR Camera. I’ve been bothered by the quality of my pictures, even after I adjust for light and crop. It’s past time to grow up, and go big. The compact point-and-shoot models are sleek, come in fun colors, and are easy to store. These are the excuses I told myself about making a change, and getting a camera that fits my matured expectations. The improved image sensor, RAW shooting option, and a vast array of manual shooting adjustments are too much to live without. Advanced Point-and-Shoots now have models with interchangeable lens. Some models can even use the SLR lens with an adapter. Olympus has the PEN series, Sony has its NEX, and Panasonic has its G series. If you get the opportunity to try one out at a store, you’ll be sold. But be warned, all that glitz in a small package will cost you a pretty penny.
While a DSLR is years away for me, an advanced point shoot will make my journey there easier. I’ve had the argument about the price of an entry level DSLR is on par with the price of a good advanced-point-and-shoot. That withstanding, I can’t be talked out of the smaller and lighter physics of the advanced-point-and-shoot like Olympus PEN E-PL2 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 . So goodbye washed out colors and grainy blacks & grays, hello RAW mode and super-high ISO’s.