Speed Up Your Digital Camera

The other day my friend Steve was complaining about how he had missed an important "moment" with his new digital camera because in the time it took to turn the camera on and get ready the "moment" had passed. Hey, we are not talking about a long period of time here, photographic moments indeed pass quickly and unless you're set to go the reality is, you will miss it.

Here's the situation

Most people pack their cameras around with them and when a moment presents itself they reach for the camera, fumble with the power button, wait for the camera to cycle through the start-up screen and then they're good to go.

Oops... As everyone knows even this short start-up regiment can take just long enough to miss the shot, as was the case with my friend.

Solution

We sat down and sifted through his cameras menu system until we found the "disable logo/start-up screen" option and turned it off. Now when Steve fires up his camera he almost immediately finds himself ready to shoot, he was ecstatic.

Next he asked, "Are there any more setting I can make that will make things faster and quieter?"

So I asked, "Next to the start-up problem what's your next big complaint about your camera?"

That's easy Steve answered. "I was at a wedding on Saturday and I tried sneaking a couple of shots during the ceremony. So I VERY quietly raised the camera, framed to picture, and gently pressed the shutter button. WOW, I did not realize how LOUD the camera was. When I pressed the shutter button the camera announced it had recorded my picture with a very deafening "CLICK" and some more digital noises. Well... maybe not deafening but in the middle of wedding ceremony when it it absolutely quiet it sure sounded deafening."

So Steve and I again navigated into his cameras menu system and turned ALL the audible settings (start-up sound, operation sound, & shutter sound) off. Now he could truly take photos in stealth mode during wedding ceremonies. (As long as he turns his flash off.)

Last item we shut down was the review feature. Every time he took a photo the camera shows the photo just taken. Most people find this feature is not really necessary, if they want to peek at the last shot they navigate to preview. Also, turning the "Last Shot Review" off also speeds the camera up.

Steve marched out the door with a big smile on his face.

Here is the take home

Most people have no idea they can make their cameras go faster and quieter. Spending a couple of minutes in your cameras menu system will make your camera totally quiet and a lot faster which makes it a lot more fun to use.

http://www.digitalcameratracker.com/speed-up-your-digital-camera/

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The Key to Precision Shooting

Ever wonder why sometimes, the scene you see within the viewfinder of a camera is not exactly the scene that is captured in the photograph you have taken? This is because some models don't have automatic moving mirror system that is present in single-lens reflex cameras or SLR.

It has been a noted fact that before the inception of this technology, most models utilize two optical light paths-one is directly going through the lens that capture images, the other is slightly off and is directed towards the eyepiece or viewfinder. This is the reason why the photograph taken is slightly different from what to photographer sees. With the advent of the SLR technology, photographers can capture in the frame what needs to be captured.

But digital models have undermined the success of SLR. And previewing the shot on the LCD screen seemed to be the way to go for most people. After all, it doesn't matter to them if their shots are not perfect as long as they are clear. The good thing about most digicams today is that they have live-preview capability. That means that even if some people prefer to use the LCD display rather than the viewfinder, what they see on the display is what will actually come out in the photograph.

One of the advantages of a single-lens reflex model is that it has a wider aperture range (or the device that controls the amount of light that passes through the lens). Because of this, a photographer will have a narrower depth of field as he can shoot in low-light conditions without using flash. A more dramatic photograph can be achieved because of the depth of field, which is essential when you want to make your subject more prominent than its background. Also, there are models with lenses that have long focal lengths. This will help a photographer to shoot his or her subject at a distance without compromising the quality of the photograph.

But single-lens reflex models are not without disadvantages. The most notable of all is its size. Since these units have pentaprism and mirror box, it needs a bigger case. It is also because of that mirror box that simple wide-angle lenses could not be incorporated. In lieu of the simple lenses are retrofocus designs that are more complex. You can't even have a live preview on the LCD display of digital single-lens reflex models. You still have to preview the shot through the viewfinder. This minor setback, however, will be resolved with the arrival of new products in the market this year and in 2009.

They say a good camera needs a good photographer to take good pictures. But if you are still learning the basics of photography, it's good to know that some cameras will help you achieve success in taking photographs. Most models are equipped with certain features, which you can use to your advantage. Still, to get the best photos, a photographer would have to rely on his or her instincts and skills. Features will only make it easier.

For more information on which digital slr to buy or for help in choosing which is the best digital slr camera for your needs. Visit my site for information on compact and slr digital cameras. Including reviews and user reviews

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