Saturday, September 29, 2007

What Are The Best Batteries For A Digital Camera?

Battery consumption on a digital camera is worse than on the older film cameras, due to their onboard electronics. The thing to remember is the word battery does not mean only one cell, as some digital cameras require approximately four AA cells. And those four batteries can drain in about an hour or less of shooting. All of this adds up to the fact that batteries will always be a number one concern for any photographer to keep the camera running - cheaply, effectively, high capacity, rechargeable, and environmentally friendly.

Two very safe types for the environment are the NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) and the Ki-Ion (Lithium Ion) batteries which are less expensive to use than the traditional alkaline battery. These are an alternative to the 15 million alkaline batteries which are thrown away after a single usage. But regardless of which battery we are using, we cannot predict how long our digital camera will run by simply knowing the capacity rating of its battery. One example is the AA alkaline batteries which have a rating of over 2,500 mAh with the NiMH batteries only having a rating capacity of 1,200 to 1,900 mAh.

These numbers are what cause many photographers to falsely believe that the alkaline batteries have more power than the environmentally safe NiMH batteries. But for a fact, the NiMH batteries or the Li-Ion batteries will run the camera three to four times as long as alkaline batteries can deliver their full capacity only if the device is used slowly.

A NiMH battery with a rated capacity of 1,800 mAh will take more photographs than an alkaline battery does at the 2,800 mAh capacity. The digital cameras place a high-power drain on all batteries, which makes the rechargeable NiMH or NiCd (Nickel cadium) batteries better. The lithium batteries will also work, but are much more expensive and usually cannot be charged. The Duracell Ultra and Energizer Advanced Formula batteries also can last longer in the digital camera - but only 30% longer - which means a jump from 15 to 25 images on up to 20 to 40 images.

Many photographers place alkaline batteries in a freezer, thinking this will recharge them or keep them from running down. The fact is, alkaline batteries lose power at less than two per cent a year, so refrigerating or freezing them will not make much difference. But if they are stored in higher temperature surroundings, they lose their capacity a lot more - such as 5% a year at 85 degrees, or 25% at 100 degrees - which would require the refrigeration due to the outside heat.

The NiMH or NiCd batteries do lose power every day at 70 degree or higher weather, so refrigerating them will slow this down, while freezing them will keep its power at 90% capacity.

Another important step is the charging of the rechargeable batteries. A basic statement in a technical sense, states that "a battery that is always slow-charged will last longer than one that is rapid-charged".

Many rumors have said to quick charge a battery such as NiMh will reduce its life, but if the battery charger has been purchased that is specifically designed to rapid charge the NiMH cells there will not be a problem; the reduction of its power is more often to occur with an "overnight" charger which relies on unplugging them after a certain number of hours. What happens if they are forgotten and they charge more than they should - the life of the batteries will be reduced is what happens.


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Digital Camera Basics - Want To Stop Being An Idiot And Learn How Digital Cameras Work?

With the advancement of the digital camera and the software that is made for them, most pictures look professional from the first click of the camera. But like most things, it is important to understand the "how and why" for higher quality results.

The basics of a digital camera revolve around terms like pixel, pixel count, white balance, sensor, sensitivity, optical zoom, or digital zoom. These improve your understanding of what digital photography is all about, and will help you become a more efficient photographer.

For example, one important term is digital sensor. A typical digital camera may have a digital sensor element that is as big as a small finger nail. Most 5MP digital cameras use a sensor that is 7mm x 5mm in size. This is much smaller than the size of the negative of a 35 mm camera. However, high-end digital cameras have large sensors, and generate superior images. These are important things to know, to see how pictures can be better or worse.

Digital cameras also have sensitivity settings similar to ISO ratings on film. Most digital cameras will have settings for sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 and ISO 200. Many also have a setting for ISO 400. A few expensive digital SLR cameras with large sensors have settings for ISO 3200 or even for ISO 6400.

Most digital cameras have an optical and a digital zoom. An optical zoom lens works by changing the focal length and magnification while the zoom is being utilized - with the image quality remaining high. Digital zoom works by cropping the image to a smaller size. The cropped image is enlarged to fill the frame, causing a significant loss of quality.

The manufacturers of digital cameras use the term "pixel count" to describe their camera's image properties. The word pixel originates from "(PIC)ture (EL)ement"- with the use of phonics added for emphasis. It represents a single point in a graphic image - not a dot but an abstract sample that can be reproduced in any size, without a dot or square appearance.

A pixel is important to understand because it is the basic unit of measurement, used to define a digital photograph. The more the number of pixels per square inch, the higher the resolution of a digital picture, increasing its clarity. Some examples would be 2,400 pixels per inch, 640 pixels per line, or spaced 10 pixels apart. Designers, artists, and photographers sometimes interchange the pixel terminology, such as dots per inch (dpi) with pixels per inch (ppi). The dpi is used when it refers to the printer's resolution for the printing density. Each pixel is made up of three color channels - red, green and blue -- and has a numerical value of between 0 and 255.

The pixel count also decides the size of a print in case you want to print photographs. A 3MP camera can provide excellent 4x6 inch prints, while a 4 or 5MP digital camera can deliver high quality 8x10 inch prints. With a digital camera you can pick the white balance to suit the light source. This is meant to ensure that white looks white, and not yellow or blue. Normally, your digital camera will do this automatically. You can also set the white balance yourself for better effects.

Since each pixel generates three bytes of data, a photographer using a 3MP camera will need a storage space of 9 million bytes or 9MB to store a single image. This is a huge amount of space. Camera companies therefore allow for a compression of image using a format called JPEG. This reduces the file size significantly but while doing so a lot of data is lost. To overcome this problem companies have come up with different storage formats. Canon calls it RAW while Nikon calls it NEF. The data loss is less in these formats.

The low end cameras used by beginners can shoot images whose pixel count is one million is categorized as 1 MP or one million pixel camera because the intensity of each pixel is variable, with each pixel having three or four dimensions of variability - such as red, green and blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The high-end cameras used by professionals, can range from 14MP to 22MP with a pixel count as high as 14 million or 22 million per image.

The thing to remember is the higher the resolution, the more realistic the image is, matching closest what the actual image is. So take your time, do some research, and talk to people who know cameras. Otherwise, a lot of money will be spent on something that is barely adequate for what you want.



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Digital Camera Accessories Cover the Bases

With many professional portrait studios opting for them as the shooting weapon of choice and more and more homes going completely electronic, there`s no denying that digital cameras are here to stay. As technology continues to advance and pictures taken on them prove incredible, the amount of digital camera accessories to make shots even better is really on the rise. Where only a few extras used to be available, digital camera fans are finding a whole host of choices these day.

There are two major categories of digital camera accessories on the market the must haves and the would love to haves. Let`s look at both.

Must Haves

. Extra memory. With digital cameras offering such ease in shooting, those who want to take high-quality pictures find themselves tearing through memory cards rather quickly. These digital camera accessories are generally pretty affordable and are more than easy to carry. Typically the size of postage stamp or just slightly larger, extra memory cards can be used by anyone from the professional shooter to the amateur on vacation.

. Spare batteries. It might be hard to consider these as an accessory, but the fact is many who own these cameras do. While most digital camera batteries can last a long time, when they run out in the middle of a vacation or a particularly fun shoot, it can be really irritating. Having a spare set can really come in handy. It`s best to consider rechargeable spares to save on replacement costs down the road.

. Weatherproof camera bag. When it comes to digital camera accessories, this one is a must have for anyone that intends to take their camera outside, ever. Providing protection from bad weather and drops alike, these accessories aren`t very expensive either and they can help store those extra batteries and memory cards, too.

Love To Haves

. Lighting mechanisms. This particular class of digital camera accessory might almost fit into the must have list. While most digital cameras take very good pictures, there onboard flashes tend to leave a lot to be desired. There are all kind of lighting mechanisms that are available that can remedy this. Some are designed to work with specific cameras and others are standalones that can assist in any photography setting. These are great for anyone who wants to take spectacular shots to consider.

. Tripods. When it comes to digital camera accessories, this is one any serious shooter might want to consider. These help take away the shake that`s involved in some settings and can really help create spectacular images.

. Extra lenses. Not all cameras will accept these digital camera accessories, but those that do can really benefit from them. Providing a way to really turn a digital into an all-purpose camera, these add ons should be considered by those who can use them.

When it comes to digital camera accessories, the options are becoming amazing. The above is just a small list of those available. While not everyone will need many digital camera accessories to take the pictures they want, it`s nice to know options are out there


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Digital Photography Secrets For Black And White Shots

One of the biggest benefits of digital photography over regular film picture taking is the fact these little devices actually give a photographer instant access to many different special effects. One of the most spectacular of these effects is the ability digital photography gives to switch instantly from color to black and white exposures. Rather than having to change out film types or drain color from a shot on a computer screen, digital photography does this on the spot.

The truth is black and white photography tends to be under-rated. When it`s used to create an impact with a shot, the resulting image can be amazing. Landscapes, portraits and even still life type shots can all benefit from an occasional switch over to black and white. Learning how to take full advantage of this digital photography technique, however, will take a little time.

This type of digital photography can be a little tricky to master, but since the cameras generally come equipped with monitors to instantly see results, the risk factor of walking away with a bad shot is minimized. Since pictures can be reviewed on the spot, anyone trying this digital photography technique will find they can see their pictures and make adjustments instantly if the shot isn`t quite what they`d hoped for.

To make the most of black and white pictures taken on a digital camera, there are several tips beginners can try. These tips do translate to regular film photography, as well.

See the shot
This is a very important technique for black and white digital photography and even color. It`s important to really pay attention to what the camera sees and shows before snapping the shot. In black and white digital photography, the monitor will likely switch over to black and white mode, which makes this even easier. Practice paying attention to the images as they are presented and make sure the image presented is the one you want before you shoot. If you learn to rely on the monitor or the view finder, you`ll know when more light is needed, when subjects need to be moved or even when it`s best if you move yourself.

Contrast is everything
Since black and white digital photography doesn`t rely on color to tell the story, the contrast of shades will need to be relied upon. This is one of the most important black and white shooting tips to learn. It is important to make sure subjects stand out even more so in black and white than in color. While a dark blue shirt might look awesome against a dark green setting in color, it will likely get lost in the shuffle in black and white.

Play with lighting
While that dark shirt and dark background can present problems in contrast, lighting can help fix the issue. The best way to master lighting for this type of digital photography is to play around and be willing to experiment to see what works and what doesn`t. Try using the black and white settings in all kinds of situations to really master what needs to be done under different circumstances to effectively light up a shot.


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Basic Digital Camera Review

There are so many models of digital cameras available in today’s market, that it becomes a rather difficult task to pick the best buy among so many options. Perhaps a few steps should be taken into consideration when choosing the right camera. Will the camera be for daily use, or just for special occasions like birthdays, family reunions, etc. Will the price of the camera make much difference on the pocket?

Assuming that price is not an issue, one should choose a well known major brand camera and if possible, go for the latest model and with the highest number of mega pixels available. The higher the mega pixels, the better the picture will be specially if there is an intention of having photo enlargements quite often. A good quality optical zoom lens will also make a big difference. Choose a camera which comes with a battery that holds a good charge, this way you can enjoy lots of picture taking without having to be worried when the battery charge will come down.

The range of features available make a digital camera very cost effective and more than likely you will be able to find the right camera suited to satisfy your needs.

If you enjoy printing enlargements of your photographs, you may want to pay close attention to the printing size and what is required in mega pixels for you to have good quality results. For you to have an idea of the amount of mega pixels required for most commonly used size of prints, refer to the chart below:

For photos 2x6 inches - 2 mega pixels
For photos 5x7 inches - 3 mega pixels
For photos 8x10 inches -7 mega pixels
For photos 11x14 inches - 14 mega pixels
For photos 16x28 inches - 28 mega pixels
For photos 20x30 inches - 54 megapixels

The handling and design also matters and the lightweight ones are much nicer to carry around. Choose a camera that is user-friendly and make sure that you have a good local technical assistance in case you may run into problems with it.

There are several advantages of having a digital camera instead of the old traditional film camera. First of all, there are no films to be purchased ever. You make take dozens, perhaps hundreds of photos and instantly delete the ones you don’t like, or that did not came well into focus and just keep the best ones. You may load them into your computer album, record them and you may view your favorite photos from you camera or from your television set. Some digital cameras also come with a recording device that allows you to record special events and replay them immediately after recording

Digital cameras take pictures that are stored in digital media. It is possible to select, save or delete photos without any cost whatsoever. The photos are usually stored in media cards into the hundreds, meaning that you can take as many pictures as you like before you run out of space. Also in most digital cameras, the user can view the pictures on the LCD screen, which will allow him to pick the best ones.

No wonder that digital cameras became so popular and accessible item to almost everyone. It became a must to have one nowadays and even cell phone cameras are getting better everyday with noticeable improvements in quality of picture taken. The earlier models of cell phone cameras were somewhat limited as far as picture quality is concerned comparing to the ones we find on today’s market. The mega pixels are increasing constantly and so the quality of the cameras. If a person needs to carry both at the same time, maybe a cell phone with a digital camera built in will be an interesting option to consider

If you have not bought yet a digital camera, maybe this the right time to do so, considering the manufactures are offering so many new models with new features at bargain prices. It is wise to compare the several models among different manufacturers and also the prices from traditional and online stores. Make sure you do your research right, and most likely you will find the digital camera you are looking for.




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Some Digital Camera Vocabulary Explained

When purchasing a digital camera there is a dazzling array of information about the device available. The digital camera box will have bullet pointed lists of features, and many of those consist of numbers and abbreviations that may be misunderstood. High numbers always seem very impressive, but without knowing what they mean, you may end up purchasing a digital camera that does not match your requirements. Some of the most common abbreviations and the impact they have upon your gadget experience are summarized below.

Many digital camera manufacturers base their advertising campaign and packaging on the number of pixels the camera uses to create its image. Pixels are the elements that make up the digital image. Each pixel is of a single colour, and these join like a mosaic to create the image taken by the device. Pixels are indistinguishable unless the picture is enlarged as they are the smallest element of the digital image. When enlarged they can be seen with the naked eye. PPI stands for pixels per inch, and details the level of detail in the picture. The higher the number: the more intricate the detail.

The number of pixels is displayed in terms of mega pixels (MP), and they are measured by multiplying the number of pixels in the vertical line of the image by the number in the horizontal line. Mega pixels total 1 million pixels, and the number advertised is the maximum number used by the digital camera. Mega pixels affect the size of the photograph rather than the quality, though of course if you want bigger images then a high number of mega pixels are a necessity. A digital camera with 1 MP would produce a quality 5x7 inch digital image. For a quality 8x10 image, a 2MP digital camera would be required, and a 3MP device would be the minimum requirement for images of 11x14 dimensions. There are many other factors that influence the quality of an image, and so mid range mega pixel size should be perfect for the general user.

Another common abbreviation to be found on packaging is JPEG. This stands for the Joint Photographic Experts Group, which was created in 1986 with the aim of setting a universal standard for the compression of digital camera images. They oversee both the file requirements and the compression process for all JPEG digital cameras. The JPEG process compresses images into streams of bytes which are then decompressed back into the image that was taken. A minimal amount of quality is lost in this process, but it remains the most popular file for storage of digital camera images. This is because JPEG images can be full colour or grey scale, and are internet compatible which means that images can be sent via email to friends and family. The JPEG file is photographic specific and so ensures good quality.

MPEG may be seen on your digital camera and this stands for the Moving Pictures Expert Group which oversees video and audio encoding standards. They are responsible for the compression and decompression of video and audio including that of TV broadcast and digital TV networks. If you see MPEG on a digital camera, it means that it can take video clips as well as images.

LCD is the abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display and refers to the display screen of your device. The LCD will be full colour and will enable you to preview your picture. You can then use the LCD to review the image on your digital camera. The LCD is also where you navigate your device and all its features and settings through the menu button. The LCD panel shows all the relevant information for your digital camera whilst in use, such as battery life, and the number of exposures remaining.

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