Posts Tagged ‘Choosing’

Choosing A DSLR Camera – Some Considerations

There are a wide array of options and features available for DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras and it can be confusing if you are buying this type of camera for the first time. This guide will help you choose which features are valuable to you and hopefully help you to choose your ultimate DSLR camera.

Price

A major factor in your choice is, of course, the price. DSLR cameras start at about $400 and can be as much as $8000 for a top of the array camera. A camera of between $400 to $1000 would probably be a excellent choose for a newcomer. Lenses tend to be expensive and can cost more than the camera body do make sure you take this into account when you make your financial statement.

Format Size

There are four format sizes at the moment for 35mm DSLR cameras.

Full Frame

This format, with a sensor size of sensor size is 36mm x 24mm, is found on most higher end cameras and is the same size as that used in 35mm film cameras.

APS-C

On a Canon camera this format has a 15mm x 22.5mm sensor and on a Nikon 15.6mm x 23.7mm. This format is used by most DSLR cameras apart from some higher end cameras and Olympus makes. Nikon call it a DX format.

APS-H

This format is only found in a few cameras such as the Canon EOS 1D MkIII and has a 18.7mm x 28.7mm sensor.

Four Thirds

This is a smaller format at 13.5mm x 18mm and is found on Olympus and Panasonic cameras. The aspect ratio is 3:4 unlike other cameras with an aspect ratio of 2:3.

All of the formats will give a excellent print out up to 11″ x 14″ which is the largest most amateur photographers will usually need. Most cameras below about $1000 dollars use the Four Thirds or APS-C format so the choice is usually dictated by the price rather than performance.

Image Stabilization Systems

Systems for image stabilisation vary between manufacturers. Some systems are mounted in the camera body others on the lens itself. Nikon and Canon use a lens based system and use gyros on the lens to sense movement and keep the optical groups stable. Gyros mounted on the camera body are used by Sony, Panasonic and Olympus in a stabilisation system called a sensor shift. The sensor shifts to compensate for any movement. Although both systems perform equally as well the lens mounted systems need to be included on every lens which adds to the cost. In addition not all lenses have the system included especially prime lenses under 200mm.

Size and Weight

Cheaper cameras tend to be smaller and lighter although, as no DSLR camera is going to fit into a pocket anyway, the size is not of primary valuable.

Pixel Regard

DSLR camera start at about 6 mega pixels (MP) and can be as much as 22 MP for a high end camera. The pixel regard will dictate the size that a print can be blown up to and you need to choose how large you would like your prints before you choose on which model to buy. 240 pixels per inch will give a very excellent quality print so a 6 MP camera will be adequate for a high quality 8″ x 10″ print.

If you need larger prints a 10 MP camera will be capable of producing a excellent print at a size of 11″ x 14″. A top of the array camera with a pixel regard of 22 MP will give brilliant 11″ x 14″ prints.

ISO Settings

ISO ranges between 100 and 1600 are found on most decrease end cameras. Mid array cameras may have settings up to 6400 and a high end camera can reach as high as 25,500 and as low as 50. Most DSLR cameras will give pictures with low noise at ISO settings between 100 and 800 but the noise dramatically increases above this. The noise at the higher levels can vary considerably between models so, if possible, try to see images taken at higher background with the cameras you are considering.

Noise

All digital images will have some noise which will be more noticeable at higher ISO settings. Noise comes from the electronics and sensor when the digital signal is produced from the analog signal. All DSLR cameras have noise filtering systems but this works less well above an ISO background of about 800. Noise reduction softens the image so try to see images taken in low light if you will be using the higher array ISO settings.

Autofocus

Autofocus systems vary a fantastic deal between manufacturers. All auto focus systems work well for static images but can vary a fantastic deal for moving subjects, especially in low light. Check reviews of specific cameras for information on how well auto focus works for the model you are considering.

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Buying A Camera – Choosing Between Manual And Digital Cameras!

When it comes to choosing a camera, there are two types you can choose from. It mainly depends on if you want to practice traditional photography or modern photography. Presently, you can choose between a manual camera and a digital camera.

Here are a few tips you will demand in order to buy your camera, be it digital or manual.

Before buying a camera, you need to choose whether you want to practice photography as a leisure activity or just to pass your time. If you are honest about photography, go for a single lens reflex or a SLR camera. The main difference between a normal camera and an SLR is that the latter gives you the option of adjusting the gap and the shutter speed. Though this makes the pictures a small more hard to capture, it can give fantastic consequences. If you have enough patience, you can make any picture you wish to.

Make sure you consult a photographer and read enough photo magazine reviews. Read and research well loved photography magazines to see what their evaluation on SLR cameras is. Make sure you are aware of the innumerable cameras that are available today.

Reading also gives you a few excellent thoughts. It can help you choose whether you want a camera for taking close up shots or one with a flash system and the depth of meadow that you would prefer.

Camera prices vary, especially when it comes to SLR cameras. The cameras at the decrease end are manually operated and give options for automatic gap settings. The relatively expensive cameras have all these features and more. They are also programmable and have the ability to measure the flash via the camera lens as well as provide greater shutter speed and gap.

If you are ready to select a camera for buy, hold the camera, experiment with it, look through it and familiarize yourself with it. Check the focus of the camera. See if you find the controls comfortable and if you find the price suitable. Your manual camera should suite your needs as well as your financial statement.

If you intend on buying a digital camera, there are a few tips you should follow in order to select the best camera for you.

As with the manual camera, set a financial statement within which you intend on buying your digital camera. Ensure that you do not spend way above your means. You should be realistic in addition to being open-minded. A camera that is inexpensive need not be low end and an expensive camera need not be high end. Refurbished SLR digital cameras are cheaper than the new ones and have many more features that are not present in the newer versions.

Honestly gauge how experienced you really are at photography and how much skill and potential you possess. If you are amateur, it is perhaps best to settle for a point and shoot camera. But if you intend on expanding your knowledge and experience, choose a camera with many features, control and exposure.

As with the manual camera, you need to read innumerable reviews on digital cameras. There are a number of websites that offer you extensive information on different models of digital cameras. They cater to the needs of both honest professionals as well as amateur hobbyists.

If you know what to look for, selecting a camera is a lot of fun and really simple. Whatever you buy, make sure that it caters to your needs, requirements and tastes. Don’t just settle for whatever the store person tells you to settle for.

Choosing the Right Hidden Camera or Spy Camera

Not sure what kind of hidden camera that you need? Hopefully this article will help.

Monitoring a room using video capturing equipment is honestly simple. There is a wide variety of equipment on the market to accomplish this. Listed below are some of the different types of equipment used to covertly capture video.

Miniature Wireless cameras

Hidden wireless cameras

Hidden IP cameras

Miniature Hard wired cameras

Hidden hard wired cameras

Motion activated all-in-one recording systems

Motion activated still shot cameras

Miniature Wireless cameras

Miniature Wireless cameras can be a suitable choice given the right circumstances. A mini wireless camera will need power to operate the camera, whether it is array or plugged directly into the wall. Most mini wireless cameras will run on a standard 9 volt array. The array will last between 4 and 8 hours depending both on the array that you choose and the camera specifications. I generally recommend plugging it into the wall when possible.

Some other considerations are where to hide the camera and where/ what to confirmation on or view the camera on. The camera could be easily hidden in a plant or you could build something to hide the camera. Most mini wireless cameras have a pin hole lens so you can easily hide them in a box or possibly in a book or anything else that you can reckon of. You could even set the camera inside of an air vent looking out. Recording is probably the largest obstacle. The receiver can be plugged into a TV for viewing live. But, If you cannot sit and watch all the time there is a excellent chance that you will miss all the action. You could also plug the receiver into a VCR to confirmation onto a VHS tape. The problem there is that you have to find a place to hide the VCR and you can only confirmation as long as the VHS tape will allow. For example, you start recording at eight o’clock in the morning when you leave for work. Your partner is due home at Two o’clock. If your tape will only hold six hours you are going to miss what you were trying get catch on tape. You could also you a digital video recorder with motion activation. This is probably a better choice, but still has tribulations. A Motion activated recorder works fantastic with a hard wired camera, but has tribulations when it comes to wireless cameras. The way a motion activated DVR works is that it can sense the pixelation change appearance through the camera when something moves and knows to confirmation. All wireless cameras have interference. There is nothing you can do about it. It’s just the nature of the beast. When the DVR senses the change in pixels caused by interference it thinks it is motion and ends up recording nearly all of the time.

There are better options that I will cover in the paragraphs to follow.

Hidden wireless cameras

Hidden wireless cameras, also know as a nanny cam, makes equipment a small simpler because the camera comes pre hidden. You can get wireless cameras built into just about any thing you can imagine from televisions to air fresheners. While these cameras do make it simpler you will still have the same concerns with recording as you would with a standard wireless camera.

Hard wired miniature cameras

Hard wired miniature cameras are certainly more reliable than wireless but still pose some tribulations. As with the wireless camera you still have to hide the camera and find a way to confirmation or view the camera. The main problem with the hard wired camera is that you have to run a cable from the camera to the recording device. In some situations this may not be a problem, but in most situations it is not practical.

Recording is simpler with a hard wired camera because you can use a motion activated DVR effectively. For instance in the example given for wireless cameras you could start recording when you leave for work and the motion activated DVR would not confirmation anything until it saw movement in the cameras array. Most motion activated DVRs can be adjusted to confirmation for a very long time. Pre hidden hard wired cameras can also be bought.

Hidden IP cameras

Hidden IP cameras are similar to a hidden wireless camera in that they come pre concealed inside of many everyday items and they are also wireless. That is where the similarity ends. With an IP camera the video signal is sent through the electrical system of the house. The receiver is then plugged into a wall outlet near your notebook and connected to a USB port on your notebook. Using the software that comes with the system you can then view and confirmation the images on your notebook. An IP camera will also make possible you to view your camera from somewhere in the world with internet access as long as the notebook with camera connected to it is also connected to the notebook.

The one drawback to an IP camera is that the software is not hidden on the notebook. So, if your partner sees the software on the notebook you may have some explaining to do.

Hidden still shot cameras

Hidden still shot cameras may be a excellent option depending on the circumstances. One of the best brands that I have found is the Home Guard. It is motion activated and records pictures at an adjustable frame rate when it senses motion. You can adjust the frame rate from one picture every second when motion is detected to ten pictures every second. I normally suggest background it to take one picture every second.

There are no wires or cables, it records onto an internal chip and saves the images for future viewing. The Home Guard looks like an air freshener so it will “fit in” in any environment. Most of my clients that use the home Guard will take a sticker off of another air freshener product such as Glade or Air Fresh and place it on the home guard to make it more believable.

Motion activated all-in-one hidden camera

Motion activated all-in-one hidden camera/recording systems are my hidden camera of choice. They come in a very large choice of products making it simple to select one that will work in nearly any circumstances.

These devices are really self contained. They can be easily deployed and take away all of the worries that you may have with other choices that you may be considering to capture video.

The all-in-one units are motion activated and demand no cables, receivers or external recording devices. Simply place the device where you want it and let it go to work. You can then view the video that it recorded right off of the unit itself or remove the SD card and view the video on a notebook.

This is by far the simplest and most reliable of the options available to secretly capture video.