Digital Photo Tips by Duane Brovan

 

Components of a Digital Camera! (Part 2 of 2)

All digital cameras have a few specific components. They are Digital Sensor Chip, Lens, View Finder/LCD Screen, Shutter Button and Flash. There are basically three markets digital cameras are targeting: Consumer/Amateur ($100-$499); Advanced Amateur/Pro-Consumer ($599-$999); Professional ($1,500-$8,000 lenses not included). As the price and experience level increases so do the features and flexibility of the camera. Here is a brief explanation of the second components (View Finder/LCD Screen, Shutter Button and Flash): 

View Finder/LCD Monitor/Screen:

All digital cameras have a LCD Monitor/Screen. It is described in diagonal inches and Pixels per Inch (i.e. 1.8”, 110,000 PPI).  Larger monitor/screens and the more PPI makes better viewing of your photos (the newer monitor/screens are much more sharper and vivid). Some digital cameras also have a View Finder, either Though the Lens (DSLR - Digital Single Lens Reflex) or a miniature monitor that you can put your eye up to and view (EV – Electronic View Finder). The cameras with just the monitor/screen that is used as a View Finder use batteries a lot faster then the cameras with View Finders (DSLR & EV). The DSLR has the longest battery life because you don’t need to use the monitor/screen to take photos. For most people a DSLR is too costly so the next best alterative is a camera with an EV.

Shutter Button:

Digital cameras all have Shutter Buttons, but not all are the same when it comes to capturing a photo! This is due to what is known as “Shutter Lag”, which is the time it takes from when you press the Shutter Button to the time the camera has captured the photo. The lower end cameras and older digital cameras will have longer “Shutter Lag” times then the newer more expensive cameras. The longer the “Shutter Lag” the harder it is to capture an action shot or take the photo with peoples’ eyes open. What I would do when I was using my older digital cameras (long “Shutter Lag”) is wait for people to close their eyes and take the shot. By the time my camera snapped the photo the people’s eyes would be open. With my newer DSLR I don’t even notice a lag at all! Tip: if you have a camera with a “Shutter Lag”, don’t move the camera for 1-2 seconds after you snap the photo. This will give you sharper and clearer photos.

Flash:

Almost all digital cameras have a built-in flash. These built-in flashes are handy but not very strong. They are good close up (within 10 feet) and for Fill Flash in the sunlight. If you wish to take photos of an event at night or indoors an External Flash is a must (the same for film or digital photos). The best type External Flash to get is one built specifically for your camera and that has a TTL (Through the Lens) sensor. This type of flash will adjust to match your camera’s settings. The lest expensive type of external flash has to be manually set to match your camera’s settings and takes a lot more training to have it work properly. The top camera brands (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, etc.) all have TTL flashes for their Pro-Consumer and Pro lines of cameras. Your operating manual should tell whether you are able get an external flash for your model camera and if so what model to purchase.

There are many choices for a person to make when picking out a digital camera and accessories. It would be advisable to get good competent advise from a person knowledgeable in digital cameras prior to the purchase of a digital camera.

For more information on digital cameras go to web link: www.duanebrovan.com/digitaltips or go to www.GoShingletown.com and click on the Free Digital Tips Icon

Duane is available for digital photo consultations and tutoring:

Call 474-4041

Email: Duane@DuaneBrovan.com

Visit: www.duanebrovan.com/digitaltips