Archive for October, 2009

Trail Cameras Help Wildlife Photographers

Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 2:30 pm  
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Trail Cameras

R. Dodge Woodson

World Photographers Organization

I looked into trail cameras recently. My son wanted on to monitor our woods with, and I thought it might put a new spin on my wildlife photography.  No, I am not suggesting that anyone use trail cameras to capture wildlife photos for sale or display. The pictures you get, however, can put you in the right area with your wildlife gear.

Much of the time spent afield by wildlife photographers to establish details on their intended subjects. Granted, kicking around the woods is a great way to spend a day. But, if you have limited time and need some specific wildlife images, a trail camera can be a big help.

Let’s use my land as an example. I have well over 100 acres for critters to live in. Where are they? What watering locations are they using? Is there a particular area where they are feeding? All of these questions can be answered with the application of good woodsman skills, but a trail camera can tell you more in less time.

Let’s say that I know a large whitetail buck is walking a particular old woods road. His tracks show me where he likes to get his water from. I can estimate his weight from the depression depth of the tracks, but how big are the antlers? Try figuring that one out with basic tracking and hunting skills.

A trail camera can capture a picture of my wandering buck and I will be able to see precisely how many points can be counted on the animal’s rack. Ah, how could it get any better than this? Well, believe it or not, it can. I recommend to members of World Photographers Organization that they used trail cameras to increase scouting for better wildlife photography.

Imagine that you are in your office making deals. As you talk on the speaker phone, read some briefs, and toy with your computer, you are shaken back to attention by a passing bear. What? A bear at your office? Not quite. The bear is on a live feed on your computer monitor. That’s right, your trail camera has a video feed and has locked onto a strolling bear. The trail cam sends a signal to a modem. Then the modem uses a cellular connection to send the video footage to your computer. You are talking about selling a hotel and watching a bear walk along your favorite game trail at the same time.

Okay, enough of setting the stage. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of trail cameras. Our goal here is to look at them as tools for wildlife photographers who have limited time to spend in the field.

How Many Megapixels?

What kind of quality can you expect from the various types of trail cameras? Each camera has its own features and benefits.  Price is usually a factor in quality, and there is no exception here. If you want to spend top dollar, around $380, you can get a camera with a 7 mp rating. Want more? Spend $650 and you can get high definition. On the low end, you can spend $90 for a camera with 2 mp. The surveillance systems give 1.3 mp for $600. A still camera that provides 1.3 mp is $450. From what other owners have told me, cameras with 4 megapixels get the job done well and more megapixels does better. No surprise there.

How Tough?

How tough does a trail camera have to be? The quality of the lens is always important, as is the overall performance of a camera. Trail cameras are forced to endure some tough times. They get rained on, caught in high winds, bounced around, and worse. Look for a camera with a solid encasement.

One complaint I have heard of often is the attachment system between some cameras and their source of stability, which is usually a tree. Many users have experienced broken straps. I suggest that you look each camera you are considering over closely to see that their means of attachment will be dependable. You don’t want a $400 camera falling into a trail only to be walked on by a moose.

Won’t Someone Steal The Camera?

It could happen. Containers are made to protect cameras from pawing bears and such, but I doubt that any of the protection against humans would be effective. The best means of security is concealment. Get creative with some natural cover and make the camera housing melt into the background.

What’s The Difference Between IR Cameras and cameras with Flashes?

Price is the first difference that you may notice. It is common for cameras with white flash to cost less than infrared (IR) flash. The reason is simple. When a common flash fires, animals can see the light. When an IR flash fires, the beam is not visible to the animal. Smart, old animals will quickly learn to avoid areas that flash at them.

The distance that a flash covers varies greatly with trail cameras. An average distance is probably 35-40 feet. Some only reach out to 20 feet and others go out to 60 feet. The one I ordered covers 50 feet with an IR flash.

What Else Should I Look For In The Comparison Of Trail Cameras?

When I started looking for a good trail camera I figured it couldn’t be too tough for a pro photographer to pick out a viable camera. Let me tell you, trail cameras are not as easy to decide on as a Canon 5D MarkII.

My quest took me to 25 different trail cameras. Of these, there were 10 different brands. I had my work cut out for me.  A lot of information was available through Internet searches. The best overall comparison I found for trail cameras was at Cabelas. Check out the list below to see some other features to consider when buying a trail camera:

  • Power Source
  • How Many Batteries Are Needed?
  • Does The Unit Offer Video Options?
  • Can The Camera Be Powered By A Solar Panel?
  • Does The Camera Have Built-In Memory? If so, how much? (16-32 mb is common).
  • Will I Have A Viewer Built Into The Camera?
  • What Is the Unit’s Memory Card Capacity?
  • How Fast Can The Camera Fire?
  • How Many Bursts Can The Camera Shoot?
  • At What Temperature Ranges Can The Camera Function?
  • What Do You Get As A Warranty?
  • And, Of Course, How Much Does The Camera Cost?

There You Have It.

Well, there you have it. You can spend less than $100 or more than $700 for a camera. There are a few good ones available for less than $200. Until you start spending upwards of $225, don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles or long-term toughness.

I spent a lot of time compiling all of this information is my search for a suitable trail camera. Hopefully, you will find the data useful. If you enjoy wildlife photography, a trail camera might be your best next investment

Life is good when seen through a Canon® L lens.

R. Dodge Woodson

R. Dodge Woodson is a full-time internationally-known, best-selling author and photographer. He created the World Photographers Organization (WPO) as a serious resource for all photographers from point-and-shooters to pros. Photographers of all skill levels come to WPO to learn, to increase sales, and to take advantage of the extensive resources offered by WPO. Having been a pro photographer for more than 30 years and a full-time writer for 17 years, Dodge now feels it is time to share his tricks of the trade with up-and-coming freelancers. Woodson’s most recent photo book is: Maine Unseen: A Photographic Adventure That Few Witness.(Available at Amazon)

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/trail-cameras-help-wildlife-photographers-1405233.html

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet—Electronic Flash Units

Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 1:55 am  
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Photographer’s Studio Lighting

R. Dodge Woodson

World Photographers Organization

The right lighting system combined with a camera that offers a fast shutter speed can literally stop a bullet in mid-air. Well, it looks stopped when you see the picture. No, I’m not suggesting that you shoot the lights and watch them explode on impact. I’m referring to capturing the rotating bullet as an image. Studio strobes can be extremely powerful and can stop all sorts of motion without risk of blurred images.

If you plan to convert a spare bedroom, basement, or attic into a studio, you should give serious consideration to buying some studio strobes. This type of lighting is not cheap, but you can get name-brand lights that do a wonderful job for reasonable prices.

My studio lights are made by Novatron®, and I’m very happy with them. This company is known for its excellence in lighting equipment for both serious amateurs and professionals. It is common to find kits offered by Novatron and other quality manufacturers that will give you all the basics of good studio lighting. For less than $600, you can frequently find kits that include at least two flash heads, sometimes three, light stands, umbrellas, a carrying case, and other accessories. Anyone with an interest in studio photography can benefit from these semi-pro lighting kits. If you decide to use this type of lighting, invest in a good light meter that takes flash readings. Otherwise, you will suffer trial-and-error exposure ratings that will be very frustrating. Another option is to use the automatic mode on your camera and depend on the camera’s light meter.

Quartz

Quartz-halogen lights are an alternative to flash heads for studio photography. Problems occur with flash photography. One of the most common is finding out after you look at pictures taken that the flash units created unwanted shadows. This doesn’t happen with quartz-halogen lights. These lights are on while you are composing a picture, so you see the exact effect the lighting has on your subject. This is a big advantage for a lot of photographers. An added bonus to this type of lighting is that it’s less expensive than flash units. A good quartz-halogen starter get will cost you about $250. It will include the lights, barndoors (which allow you to angle the lighting), light stands, and a carrying case.

(CAUTION) Quartz-halogen and other photo lamps get extremely hot during use. They can easily inflict serious burns and are capable of starting fires if they come into contact with flammable materials.

I started my studio lighting with quartz-halogen lights and continue to use the same lights today. My flash heads see a lot of use, but so do my steady lights. Both types of lighting have their advantages and disadvantages. One drawback to quartz lights is that they get very hot. This can make a model’s make-up run, present a fire hazard if flammable materials come into contract with them, and there is some risk of serious burns if someone touches the lights.

Another problem with quartz lighting is that it can’t stop motion like a flash unit can. Since quartz lighting produces tungsten lighting, you will have to put a corrective filter on your lens to maintain accurate colors in color photographing. But, this is no big deal. Of course, you can made lighting corrections in your photo editing program in your computer.

Quartz lights allow you to take normal light readings. This can be done with an independent light meter or the one that is in your camera. A flash meter is not required. Since quartz lights are on at all times, you can see shadows and lighting effects before you fire the shutter. This is a big help. If you want big-time lighting on a limited budget, quartz-halogen lights are the way to go.

Ring Lights

Ring lights are a specialty flash. They are used with macro lenses when taking close-up pictures. These units often consist of a sensor that mounts in the hot shoe of a camera, a battery pack, and the flash attachment. The flash mounts on the ring of a lens, in a way similar to a filter. Since the flash elements surround the lens, it gives good, even illumination of your subject. Some models, like the one I have, allow you to disable one-half of the ring for creative photography. Other models fire all at one time. For documentary photography of close-ups, ring lights can’t be beaten.

A ring light would not normally be used for anything other than documentary work. Taking a picture of a human model with a ring light used for flash would result in a bright, well-lit photograph that would probably be boring. Ring lights bring out extensive detail in subjects. This is usually not desirable when photographing people or pets. If you don’t chase after grasshoppers, mushrooms, and wildflowers, you shouldn’t need a ring light. But, if you love to bring nature home on your memory card with you in a film canister, a ring light might be right for you.

Flash In a Box

Some photographers like to take their flash shows on the road. If you are one of these road warriors, look into portable studio flashes that can travel with you. Any studio lighting can be used where electricity is available, but if your take your photos off the beaten track, you may want some battery-powered flashes to go along with you. There are two ways to do this. One is much more expensive than the other.

If you want to take full-power studio strobes out into a meadow to photograph a model, be prepared to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 for the privilege. You might find a portable, battery-powered location kit for less than $1,000, but they are not numerous. It might be cheaper to take your regular studio lights and rent a small electric generator for your location session. For that matter, it might even be cheaper to buy a small generator to run your AC lights. It’s very difficult to justify or afford location strobes. But, don’t get discouraged; I’m going to show you how to beat the system.

Most photography doesn’t require super-powerful studio strobes. If you want to take models on location and get some great shots, you can do it with inexpensive, portable, battery-powered flash units. I’m talking about the same electronic flashes that you might normally mount on your camera. These flashes when put together with either sync cords or slaves and some light stands make a good substitute for expensive location kits. You can still use umbrellas and reflection cards, and you will save a tremendous amount of money. Granted, you won’t have the full power and control you would with a location set, but you probably won’t need it.

To give you an idea of the results you can receive with inexpensive, pocket-size flash equipment, let me share a story from my past with you. When I started doing wedding photography, I couldn’t afford the best equipment, but I needed my work to look good. My second wedding assignment was a tough one.

I was going to have to light a large dance room with electronic flash to meet the demands of my customer. This would have been a good time to own a location set of strobes, but I didn’t. To compensate for my problem, I took several modest flashes, some inflatable umbrellas, and some light stands to the reception area. My assistant and I positioned the lights prior to the crowded arrival of guests. Each electronic flash was equipped with a peanut slave. When I fired my powerful, bracket-mounted camera flash, all of the slaves would trigger the other flashes. This simple, inexpensive set-up allowed me full light coverage of a large room and crowd with minimal cost.

I have never owned a location set of strobes. During all of my years in the field, I’ve always used simple, battery-powered flashes with good results. You can spend a lot of money on flashy pro gear if you want to, but it’s rarely needed.

Other Flash Factors

There are a number of accessories available for photographers who use flash equipment. Whether you’re using a $60 pocket flash or a $1,000 pro setup, you can always enhance your flash photography with accessories. Buying stuff is half of what makes photography so much fun! The accessories available are not mandatory equipment, but many of them can improve your photography and produce nice special effects. You will need a camera with either a hot shoe or a pc sync connection port.

Many photographers advance to a point where they want remote and or multiple flash sources. If you reach this level, you will likely use a sync cord for your remote flash. Slave devices can be used to trigger multiple flashes. There is one problem often encountered with sync cords. They don’t always maintain good connections with the camera body.

You can reduce flash failures by using a sync key, a small device that resizes the connection pieces, to keep your connections tight. This is a very inexpensive accessory that should be kept in your camera bag or vest at all times when doing flash photography.

Slaves come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Peanut slaves are inexpensive and work well under most conditions. This is the type of slave that I use, and I can recommend them highly. Most slave devices are made like a hot shoe. The ones that are not can be coupled with a remote flash by using a sync cord. The cord runs only from the slave to the flash, not from your camera body to the remote devices. Once you get to the point of doing creative things with artificial lighting, you will want multiple flashes and remote firing devices.

Studio strobes of good quality usually have slaves built into them. When you fire one light, they all go off. Before you invest in any studio strobes, make sure that they have adjustable power settings and built-in slaves. When this is the case, you only have to connect one light to your camera body with a sync cord, which is also known as a PC cord.

Filters

Filters are available for most photographic lights and flashes. Using filters with your lighting can produce some outstanding results. Even inexpensive pocket flashes are often sold with an assortment of colored filters. Some models use gel-type filters and others use plastic filters. It is a good idea to make sure that any lighting units you buy will accept filters for future interests in special effects.

Snoots

Snoots and barndoors sound like things you would find down on the farm, but they are accessories for photography lighting. Any reputable studio light will accept these types of accessories.

Barndoors consist of two or four metal flaps that allow you to angle light creatively. Snoots are used to concentrate a beam of light. They are often used to highlight a model’s hair. There are many other types of add-ons available for studio lighting, so make sure the products you are considering will accept them.

Umbrellas

Most people have seen umbrellas used in flash-photography sessions. They are used to bounce light in a soft, shadowless, attractive manner. Most photographers use white umbrellas, but silver umbrellas produce more bounce. You should experiment with both types until you are comfortable with which one to use on various assignments. As good as umbrellas are, the can be cumbersome at times, and they don’t allow a lot of mobility. There is a solution to this dilemma.

Inflatable umbrellas are the answer to higher mobility and better results when using small flash units. These little blow-up umbrellas are only several inches in diameter, but they produce great results. They attach to an electronic flash with elastic bands. Your flash fires into the clear surface of the device and is reflected by the white or silver interior surface. You get bounced lighting from a small, portable, affordable package. I’ve used them to photograph modeling sessions and weddings with wonderful results. This is one accessory any serious flash photographer should own.

Reflector Cards

Reflector cards are often used in photography. They are implemented with natural light and flash photography. A reflector card can be a small, hand-held size, or it can be a large unit that is supported by a stand. The painted walls and ceilings of buildings act as large reflector cards for photographers bouncing flashes. By bouncing flash or natural light with reflector cards, you receive lighting that is not harsh and distasteful.

Lightweight survival blankets fold to pocket-size proportions and are often silver on one side. These inexpensive items make fantastic reflectors.

Meters

Light meters are critical to good photography. Most modern cameras have some type on built-in meter, but these meters can be fooled under certain conditions. The use of multiple flash units is one of these conditions. If you are going to do much flash photography with any type of flash other than a dedicated, automatic, on-camera flash, invest in a decent flash meter. You will save time, frustration, and wasted film many times over. A lot of flash meters double as reflective meters, so that you are getting two meters for the price of one. This is the type that I would recommend. Flash photography and studio lighting can add a new dimension to your hobby, so give it serious consideration. You should enjoy the journey.

R. Dodge Woodson is a full-time internationally-known, best-selling author and photographer. He created the World Photographers Organization (WPO) as a serious resource for all photographers from point-and-shooters to pros. Photographers of all skill levels come to WPO to learn, to increase sales, and to take advantage of the extensive resources offered by WPO. Having been a pro photographer for more than 30 years and a full-time writer for 17 years, Dodge now feels it is time to share his tricks of the trade with up-and-coming freelancers.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/faster-than-a-speeding-bulletelectronic-flash-units-1403458.html

Canon Rebel XSi Or T1i – Which Canon Rebel Should I Buy

Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 7:54 am  
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Personally, I would choose the Canon Rebel XSi unless I had some extra cash that I did not know what to do with. And I have some excellent reasons. Canon has been at the top of the digital camera market, and in particular at the top of the DSLR market (along with Nikon) forever. Their Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras are all excellent. You could not make a mistake by purchasing any of them.

Even the lowest of the Canon DSLR line, the Canon Rebels, are rated very highly by all the camera review websites. While there are plenty of really good cameras to choose from other than a Canon, not every one of them is a great choice, and you would have to do some serious research before making your buying decision unless you had some inside information from a professional photographer friend. But buying a Canon DSLR is a no-brainer. They are all good. You will be really impressed with the quality of the images.

OK, so why choose the Rebel XSi over the T1i? It’s because of the price. The XSi is more than $150 cheaper than it’s younger cousin, the T1i. And for the novice photographer (which is what most of us are when we are buying our first entry level DSLR) the technology differences of the two cameras are pretty much non-existent. The exception is the HD video. If you must have video in your digital camera, then you should get a Canon Rebel T1i. Otherwise, go with the XSi.

Use the $150 dollars you save to buy an extra lens or a tripod.

Bottom line if you are asking yourself the question “which Canon Rebel should I buy”.. You can’t make a mistake, because they are both fantastic. Buying a Canon Rebel XSi or T1i will transform your photographic life, especially if you get that extra lens. Make it a macro or a zoom lens to give yourself a bit more flexibility.

You may want to take a look at the actual specs on each of these cameras. There is a great comparison at http://www.digital-photographic-resources.com.

I love photography and all things related to it. Cameras, camera gear, and image editing software fascinate me, so I am either buying the newest piece of equipment (or software) or researching my next purchase. Be sure to visit the Cameras-N-Stuff Blog.

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Choosing a Digital Camera for Beginners

Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 7:07 pm  
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Digital photography is the perfect way to capture this generation’s need for instant gratification. You can snap a picture, view it instantaneously, download it to your computer, and send it out in an email or post it on the World Wide Web. You can’t do that with cameras that use 35mm film. With all the major camera makers offering multitudes of different digital camera options how do you know which camera will work best for you.

There are three basic things you need to know when it comes to buying a digital camera; how much is your buying budget, what type of picture do you want to take, and what do you intend to use the pictures for?

How much money you can afford to spend can have a big impact on which make and model you can purchase. If you only take the odd picture now and then you probably aren’t really looking for a higher-end model. If you’re this type you can get a good digital camera for $50 to $100 that is a simple point-and-shoot camera.

On the other hand if you like to take pictures of everything you and your family and friends do then you probably will need to spend more to get a good quality camera that will let you capture all those special moments. Cameras in the $200 to $300 range are a good choice to get you started.

Once you know how much you are willing to comfortably spend it’s time to consider the type of pictures you’ll be taking. If you are going to be carrying the camera everywhere you go then size and weight is something to think about. DO you mainly take pictures of friends and family or are you into taking outdoor landscape panoramic photos?

For family shots a digital zoom with flash is all you need. For picturesque landscape photos you’ll need an optical zoom lens and a camera with a panoramic setting. You’ll also need to store all those photos so memory size is another consideration to make. The more pictures you take the more memory you’ll need between downloads to your laptop or PC.

Digital cameras also need power so battery life is also important. Many cameras use 2-AA batteries which are easy to store and replace. Others use rechargeable batteries that normally last longer then AA but they must be recharged on a consistent basis.

The last thing to think about is how do you intend to use your pictures. For portrait style high resolution pictures that you want to print in larger sizes you’ll need a camera with a high megapixel count. The more megapixels the sharper the image; and the more expensive the camera. For the beginner who just wants to print off normal sized photos the number of megapixels a camera is rated for is not as big a deal.

For the novice digital camera buyer keeping in mind your budget, what type of pictures you want to take, and what you want to do with them will help you make the right decision when buying a new digital camera.

There is no better choice then a Nikon Coolpix Digital Cameras when it comes to taking great point-and-shoot digital pictures. To learn more about Nikon Coolpix Digital Cameras please Click Here.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/choosing-a-digital-camera-for-beginners-1398557.html

The differences between Digital Camera Bundles and Digital Camera

Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 12:15 am  
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Probably, many of you want to buy a digital camera, a nice and suit for your need, but you confuse which camera you must buy. You confuse because there are a lot of brand and type of digital camera in the market. You have Canon, Nikon, Minolta and other brand and type from many manufacturers. So, which one you gonna choose to buy? Maybe a digital camera bundles is a good start if you don’t know much about what you’ll need and want to buy your first and new digital camera. But what is this bundles consist of? A digital camera bundles is a bundles that when you buy a digital camera it includes with other things like an array of software and hardware. Of course this bundle may equal to nice savings money rather than you purchase it separately.

Internet is the best place to look for information before you shop, as they have a lot information on some digital camera bundles that sell in the market. Sometimes they also have a nice review and ratings. Base on my research, this bundle usually includes a wide variation of items. Most of this bundles include items like : an SD card or other memory card that would fit on your digital camera, a unique, funny or cute camera bag along with accessories and attachments of its own, one or a pair of rechargeable long life batteries, battery charger, LCD screen protectors to protect digital camera screen, a cleaning kit, a mini tripod, protector to take photo underwater, digital camera photo printer from many various leading printer manufacturers and all the cables you need to connect your digital camera to your computer or digital camera printer. For example, I find a digital camera bundles that includes Digital optical zoom camera, wide angle lens, telephoto lens, inkjet printer (designed for printing photos), memory cards, ,Photo paper, software CDs, tripod, lens cleaning kit, and camera case. This kits runs anyware from $400 to $800, depends on the variety of the items included. This is just from one bundles, one brand, and one type of digital camera. You can find other brand and type out there sell by many stores either online or offline stores.

For people new and only know little things about digital camera and photography, digital camera bundles is the great way to begin. You will find out how the digital cameras technology now can make you an outstanding photos You probably already read about many things that people can do with these programs and bundles, you will not fully appreciate the power of digital photography until you have used and try it by yourself. When you get better with the technology, also comfortable with the accessories, you may want go to more advanced software technology to edit you photos with you computer.

These manufacturers also give a fine solution for those people who have already purchased the camera and are now looking for the accessories to go with it. They also selling digital camera bundles that are separate from the camera. And now, to find digital camera bundles need become a lot easier than before. So, if you purchase these bundles, make sure you are getting the right accessories that included with the camera.

Jennifer has been writing articles for years but usually didn’t post it online. Come visit her latest website over at http://digitalcamerabundles.eazygadget.com/ which helps people find the best digital camera bundles and information they are looking for when pick digital camera bundles.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/the-differences-between-digital-camera-bundles-and-digital-camera-1392672.html

Online Photography Courses – Proud Photography Online Course Review

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 5:41 am  
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Proud Photography is an online photography course that created by professional photographers and simply one of the top online photography courses available on the internet today. To back up the statement, the lessons are created and guide by real award winning photographers so the amateur photographers will learn the in depth training from real professional.

The entire curriculum has extensive and specialized training for new beginner and homework, examination, assignment and quizzes for each segment. The activities are useful for students which enable you to enhance your photography skills and allow you to advance to the next level. The course is interactive which mean you can send your works to proud photography mentors for evaluation which will help to improve your skills. The best thing about online photography course is that your progression will be closely monitored and lead by a personal mentor. The course is available for you to study at your own pace. After the enrollment there is no dead line to be met because you are free to work anytime you desired so you won’t receive the pressurization from other students who are learning at a faster pace. Proud Photography works all days including weekend and public holiday which mean you can study according to your own convenience.

The Proud Photography online course does not require any special and expensive high end camera and special ability from the student. You can use a simple digital compact camera or a 35mm camera which uses a film because the lessons you will be taught are the photography skill not the camera you are using. It does not matter whether you are a new beginner who does not know how to take a photograph or a skilled photographer. You can enroll for the Proud Photography online interactive course for splendid results.

Click Here To Check Out The Highest Rated Online Photography Courses.


Let me show you how to successfully become a Professional Photographer.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/online-photography-courses-proud-photography-online-course-review-1387428.html

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS or SD780 IS – How Do These Family Friendly Pocket Cameras Compare

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 9:12 am  
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Canon released two similar cameras in the “family pocket camera” market. They are the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS and its close relative, the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS.

A very quick glance at the specifications of these two compact pocket cameras shows that they are almost identical. Here are some of the similarities:

The differences are only in the Megapixels and the video capablility. The Canon PowerShot SD780 IS has a whopping 12 megapixel image sensor, while the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS has only a 10 megapixel image sensor. If you are a megapixel watcher, this may be enough for you to go for the SD780 IS, but it really is not enough of a difference to base your final decision on.

The biggest difference is in the video capture feature. The Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS has decent video with capacity of capturing 640×480 video at 30fps (frames per second), which is similar to previous pocket cameras. However, the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS has the capability to capture HD video at 1280×720 pixels and 30 fps. This is the same video capability and format as some much higher end cameras.

So, if you want to be able to show your pocket camera video on your HD TV with excellent quality, the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS is the camera for you. The additional 40 or so $$$ is well worth the upgrade in video.

If video is not your thing, then by all means, save the $40 and get the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS. The image quality for still photos is pretty much identical. Use the money you save to get a memory card for your new family pocket camera. (By the way, you will have to spring for the memory card with the SD780 too, in order to record that great video.)

It’s always a good idea to research your purchase before you buy. Don’t just walk into your favorite discount department store and pick up the prettiest camera off the shelf because its design will impress your friends. There are some great compact digital cameras being offered. But that is not the case with every camera. Check the ratings from the camera review sites and online stores where those who actually purchased the cameras are posting their evaluations. Some of these reviews will convince you one way or the other about the camera you are considering.

Of course you should always check in at www.digital-photographic-resources.com before making any camera decision.

Happy Shooting!

I love photography and all things related to it. Cameras, camera gear, and image editing software fascinate me, so I am either buying the newest piece of equipment (or software) or researching my next purchase. Be sure to visit my photography blog at www.digital-photographic-resources.com/blog.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/canon-powershot-sd1200-is-or-sd780-is-how-do-these-family-friendly-pocket-cameras-compare-1384161.html

Refurbished Digital Cameras Is As Good As A New One

Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 3:56 pm  
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If you are given the option to buy a digital camera, your best choice would be to buy a refurbished one. A refurbished Digital Camera is also like a brand new camera. If you know how it becomes refurbished, you will understand the truth of the statement.

A customer may return the digital camera for many reasons: he discovers that he does not like the brand or model or it is the wrong color and size or there is a defect. If the camera is returned within a prescribed period, (commonly 30 days); he gets a 100% refund. The digital camera is then identified as a product to be refurbished.

The digital camera is returned to the manufacturer or any professional persons authorized to do the job. In the factory, every camera is examined and tested thoroughly for any defect. After it is sanitized, it has to pass a stringent quality control examination. The digital camera is now in par with a brand new model. It is send back to the dealer or outlet where it will be resold, not as a brand new article but as refurbished and it is sold at a much lower price. It is illegal to sell refurbished items as brand new, according the Consumer Protection Law.

Advantages of purchasing refurbished digital cameras:

1. Refurbished digital cameras, through rigid testing, are able to maintain its high quality standard.

2. Its quality and durability is guaranteed by its strict quality control test.

3. The camera is sold at a much reduced price; less for more; you buy for a low price products which have more quality.

4. According to a market study, the rate of return of refurbished digital camera is very low, only around 2%.

5. Each refurbished Digital Camera is given a full warranty.

Just like its brand new counterpart, you can view a wide array of refurbished digital camera in the internet. Prices can be compared, as well as, product descriptions and reviews. For your convenience, you can even order online.

For the reasons stated above, a refurbished digital camera is also like a brand new camera.

Weenie Rifareal is an Asian homebased online worker dealing with SEO, internet marketing and article writing. I bought a refurbished digital camera recently. Had a good deal and the camera is as good as new . Read more about refurbished digital cameras at http://www.refurbisheddigitalcameras.net

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/refurbished-digital-cameras-is-as-good-as-a-new-one-1379839.html

Nikon D40 Takes a Final Bow – Nikon D3000 Is In – Can It Outperform the Canon Rebel XSi

Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 6:09 pm  
Comments (1)

Nikon’s D40 has been a truly great performer in the photography market. Its rise to the top of the market in the cheap DSLR market is due to the value that buyers felt they got when buying. It truly was a wonderful camera for beginning DSLR buyers. You can still get a D40, but they are no longer being manufactured, so the supply will run out before too long.

The Nikon D3000 has now been released, and it is already making its presence known in the camera market. There have been major upgrades from the D40, most notably from a 6.1 megapixel sensor in the D40 to 10.2 megapixels in the D3000. There have also been technology upgrades in the LCD, the image processing engine, and auto focus modes. Overall, cameras are getting “smarter” with each release. So it is becoming easier to take flawless photos when selecting the right scene mode. At the time of this article, the user rating at Amazon.com is perfect. Not one reviewer has listed a negative about their new D3000.

Canon’s direct competition to the D3000 is the Canon Rebel XSi (aka 450D). They have very similar specifications and features, but the Rebel XSi has been on the market for a year and a half already.

Here is an interesting observation. Canon and Nikon have gone head to head for as long as digital cameras have been around. Both companies came out with sub-$1000 DSLR cameras at almost exactly the same time. Both companies have similar cameras at every level in the DSLR market. There is not a clear winner at any level between Canon and Nikon. The winner is whoever the camera buyer deems to be the winner. If the buyer is a Nikon buyer, normally they will stick with Nikon, and vise versa for Canon. A few photographers have crossed the line one way or the other, but it is fairly uncommon.

So, today, if you are first time DSLR buyer, which one do you choose?

The writer was in this very predicament when the D40 and the Canon Rebel 300D came out. Ready to buy the first DSLR. Read all the forum posts. Got confused by the Canon-Nikon mud slinging and name calling (I read the forum posts now just for amusement).

Yours truly came down on the Canon side back then. Now, with the same decision, considering the Nikon D3000 and the Canon Rebel XSi 450D, the decision would be in favor of Nikon… for only one reason. It is not because I have been dissatisfied with my Canon gear.. not at all. The decision would be based solely on the age of the cameras; the Nikon is newer and actually costs a few dollars less. But either one will be excellent choices. And either one will give you awesome pictures. And both will be replaced by newer models in the very near future.

Go ahead and read the forum posts. But be prepared to be spammed by some very adamant fans of either Canon or Nikon. It’s kind of like going to a football game in the New York Giants stadium if they are playing the Jets. It will be difficult to get an unbiased opinion because they are cross-town rivals.

There are some unbiased facts and real statistics at www.digital-photographic-resources.com about the Nikon D3000 vs Canon Rebel XSi.

I love photography and all things related to it. Cameras, camera gear, and image editing software fascinate me, so I am either buying the newest piece of equipment (or software) or researching my next purchase.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/nikon-d40-takes-a-final-bow-nikon-d3000-is-in-can-it-outperform-the-canon-rebel-xsi-1376884.html

Aiptek Camcorder Reviews: Latest Aiptek Camcorder

Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm  
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The latest Aiptek camcorder is called the DV5 and it is the first Aiptek camcorder to utilize MPEG4 formatting to store videos. Also known as DV3500 Aiptek camcorder, it can record 3 times longer than camcorders that use traditional AVI formatting and it keeps your recorded files small, yet still gives you quality video and sound.

Another neat thing about the latest Aiptek camcorder is it is a 6-in-1 multi-tasking camcorder that contains a DV5 Multi Cam, Handycam, digital camera, MP3 player, voice recorder and web cam recorder in DVD quality. It has a removable hard disk, compact flash card reader and you can charge it on the USB port of your computer. It has a swivel-reversible 1.8 inch LTPS color LCD display so you get striking realism and better outdoor viewing, along with an intuitive interface.

Some of the features of this latest Aiptek camcorder are:
• It’s a pocket multi-cam, which is portable and affordable, around $100.
• Pictures are crisp and clear with the 2 mega pixel camera function that offers internal flash and
images up to 1600×1200.
• You can capture 7 minutes of video or up to 50 pictures on the 16MB internal memory.
• It is expandable with a 512MB SD memory card for up to three hours of video and 5600 pictures.
• You can use Pinnacle software to edit and create your results or use the audio/video output to
playback on your television.
• It only weighs a couple pounds, so it is lightweight and comfortable to use.
• It features 4 times, real-time digital zoom.
• You can upload your MP3 files and play them back on the built-in speaker.
• It has a macro lens that enables high quality close-up prints up to 10 inches.
• Advanced digital video stabilization compensates for slight movements while you are recording
video.
• It has red eye reduction which is great for beginning videographers.

The latest Aiptek camcorder has everything you need to start performing all of the multi functions. It comes with a built-in lithium battery and charger, USB cable, AC Output cable, camera bag, ear bud headphones, Camera Manager, CyberLink Power Director Pro, ULead photo explorer software, and you can run it with Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP, with Direct X8.0 or above, 128MB of ram, 64MB Video card and 4X CD-ROM.

This Aiptek camcorder comes with everything you need and you get a lot for the money if you ever considered purchasing the components separately.

Customer reviews give the DV5 Aiptek camcorder high ratings and they mention things like the fact it never lost a charge with making over 1.5g of content and it is a high quality solid state portable video recorder for the money. Even the most critical reviews give it 3 starts and most people rate it 4 stars.

If you are looking for a good multi-tasking product for your video and audio needs, the latest Aiptek camcorder is a hard deal to beat in affordability and functions.

Visit http://BuyAiptekCamcorder.com for more useful information about Aiptek Camcorder to choose which Aiptek Camcorder fits your needs best.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/aiptek-camcorder-reviews-latest-aiptek-camcorder-1376252.html

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