Do you like to dive or snorkel? I'll bet you have used those disposable 35mm underwater cameras, haven't you? They are good for taking photos up close and in shallow water but not good for deepwater. What you really need to create and save those underwater memories is an underwater digital camera.
Underwater digital cameras are used by divers all over the world and not just for personal use. Those who make their living from the ocean like marine photographers, biologists, and scientists use underwater digital cameras to film and study marine life. The photographers sell their videos and make a good living from it, the scientists use them to study and learn more about the creatures they are interested in. You are more than likely in none of those categories, probably like me, you are just a lover of the water. I thoroughly enjoy being able to bring back evidence of what I have seen underwater with a camera.
When you are looking for an underwater digital camera you must realize that they are rare and hard to find. Cameras as a rule, being electronic, can't take the high pressure associated with depths reached in diving even if they are waterproof. What you will find in most cases is a specialized casing produced specifically for a digital camera to be used underwater which in essence will turn your regular digital camera into an underwater one.
Using a camera underwater is quite a bit different than shooting on dry land. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind to get the best results from your underwater photography experiences.
Light is diffused more and more the deeper you dive so the images you are filming will be darker than what you would have above water. Using white balance will help with this and also give you more natural colors. Another thing to remember is that your pictures will end up larger due to the magnification effect underwater so bear this in mind when filming. Also be sure not to use a built in flash as this will cause your pictures to be blurry, use an external one instead.
Test your camera before diving with it by submerging the camera within its waterproof case in water for a few seconds and checking to see if there are any leaks in the protective underwater case. Take special precautions that you don't get so much as a hair or a grain of sand in the seal area because if you do I assure you the case will leak.
You can get optional lenses for your digital camera that will help you take better pictures; especially essential are the Macro lenses that will allow you to get close up shots without scaring away your subject.
When you finish your dive or snorkel trip always rinse off the case good and set it out to dry, especially if you have been in saltwater.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The Transition to Digital Photography
Today, an increasing amount of people is discovering the art of taking pictures through the advanced technology of digital photography. This approach, which is often used when capturing the images of graduations, parties, weddings, and family outings, has elevated the possibilities a camera may provide. Over the years, digital photography continues to make strides with the public, as manufactures are producing more equipment geared towards both commercial and professional use.
Digital photography involves an electronic device that records and translates images as binary data. A digital camera is able to store images, which are later edited and printed with the use of a personal computer and specialized software. At the time of picture-taking, the camera possesses the capacity to reveal poor photos and allows a user to immediately delete unsuccessful takes, which helps one better preserve their special moments in time.
Today, digital cameras outsell the traditional film camera, mostly because of the features a film camera is unable to deliver. With the ability to shoot live video and record audio, the digital camera is becoming much similar to a mini-camcorder. This type of technology has also taken hold of the cell phone industry, as an increasing amount of newer models allows users to enjoy digital photography features.
Commercial Digital Camera Advantages
The digital cameras geared towards the commercial consumer carries a great deal of advantages over traditional film selections. The ease of not having to wait for film development in order to review photos you may or may not have taken well is one of the best benefits associated with a digital camera. When problems with photos arise, they are easily correctable, which is very important regarding once-in-a-lifetime events. No more out-of-focus pictures, "cut-off" heads, finger blocking the lens, closed eyes, or awkward expressions. The instant review of photos is a lifesaver for the non-professional picture taker.
The cost of digital photography is also less, as you are in charge of producing the prints you want and photo storage is easily met through your computer. There is also no need to pay for reprints because you will always have the ability to make duplicates on your own. The freedom of picture taking with a digital camera is never-ending, as you select the types of paper, images, and other options. You may also make custom photo CDs and crop out unwanted distractions in photos using software.
Professional Digital Camera Advantages
Since immediate image review and deletion is available through the use of digital cameras, professional photographers are able to adjust the lighting regarding their subjects. This especially comes in handy when one is trying to gain the trust of clients and build a portfolio that attracts more business. A professional photographer is also able to work at a faster pace because of the advanced editing and printing possibilities associated with digital photography. Photo manipulation is a great way to change the hue and saturation of pictures, as well as allow the cropping of photo blunders and blemishes, including red eye.
In the end, digital photography produces a wealth of enhanced outcomes, as specialized software and advanced features are used to improve overall picture taking and tweak original photos into works of art.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rita_Lambros-Segur
Digital photography involves an electronic device that records and translates images as binary data. A digital camera is able to store images, which are later edited and printed with the use of a personal computer and specialized software. At the time of picture-taking, the camera possesses the capacity to reveal poor photos and allows a user to immediately delete unsuccessful takes, which helps one better preserve their special moments in time.
Today, digital cameras outsell the traditional film camera, mostly because of the features a film camera is unable to deliver. With the ability to shoot live video and record audio, the digital camera is becoming much similar to a mini-camcorder. This type of technology has also taken hold of the cell phone industry, as an increasing amount of newer models allows users to enjoy digital photography features.
Commercial Digital Camera Advantages
The digital cameras geared towards the commercial consumer carries a great deal of advantages over traditional film selections. The ease of not having to wait for film development in order to review photos you may or may not have taken well is one of the best benefits associated with a digital camera. When problems with photos arise, they are easily correctable, which is very important regarding once-in-a-lifetime events. No more out-of-focus pictures, "cut-off" heads, finger blocking the lens, closed eyes, or awkward expressions. The instant review of photos is a lifesaver for the non-professional picture taker.
The cost of digital photography is also less, as you are in charge of producing the prints you want and photo storage is easily met through your computer. There is also no need to pay for reprints because you will always have the ability to make duplicates on your own. The freedom of picture taking with a digital camera is never-ending, as you select the types of paper, images, and other options. You may also make custom photo CDs and crop out unwanted distractions in photos using software.
Professional Digital Camera Advantages
Since immediate image review and deletion is available through the use of digital cameras, professional photographers are able to adjust the lighting regarding their subjects. This especially comes in handy when one is trying to gain the trust of clients and build a portfolio that attracts more business. A professional photographer is also able to work at a faster pace because of the advanced editing and printing possibilities associated with digital photography. Photo manipulation is a great way to change the hue and saturation of pictures, as well as allow the cropping of photo blunders and blemishes, including red eye.
In the end, digital photography produces a wealth of enhanced outcomes, as specialized software and advanced features are used to improve overall picture taking and tweak original photos into works of art.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rita_Lambros-Segur
Understanding Light In Digital Photography
Focusing is essential in digital photography. One of the biggest topics in digital photography is lighting. If the light isn't right, then the picture is coming out in trouble. Most cameras will see things in a percentage of grayscale with three difference colors following pursuit. Therefore, photographers focus on backdrops, angles and the like.
It is wiser to add light rather than try to do it in some instances. Most cameras have a dimmer switch, which you can hit if the light is too bright. If the area is too light, you want to read your manual to see what exposure effects you can use in this situation. Otherwise, you can change your position or angle to adjust to the lighting. An ideal if you are trying to snap a shot with a dark background is holding up a grey colored card and letting the snaps meter visual this, which will trick the camera and then you can snap the shot.
One thing you want to keep in mind is that the fixed cameras are manufactured set. Therefore, if you are using one of these cameras you need to keep distance from the target in focus. The digital cameras today have automatic focus commands, which makes it easier to control your focus shots. If you are using the digital cameras with auto focus, you will need to lock in the command to make it work. Go figure! They say automatic and put you to work.
With a digital camera, you can target the subject or frame in photographers terms. Once you have the target in focus, you can hold the shutter button down, holding it halfway. Once you have these steps in place, realize that today's cameras alert you at what time the picture is ready to take.
After you have the alert message appearing push the shutter button down and there you have it. Now that you have a focus, let me stop here for a minute, since I received an e-mail that is fascinating.
It appears the new I-Stick is one of the latest storage mediums for storing files. This medium comes in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB. What a rewarding new commodity for storing images. Apparently, you can store about anything you want, including music, spreadsheets, videos, documents, pictures and more.
Anyway, back to focus. Are you focusing on the object or person you want to snap a shot at? Are you missing the shot? If you are, realize there are programs that will help you even if you don't focus properly. If your camera has auto focus, personally, I prefer not to use this feature, since as a high observational candidate, I trust what I see verses some auto device taking control of my sight. One thing you want to remember while snapping pictures is to stand still without moving the camera out of position while it is targeting the subject. If you move it can cause blurring, which can degrade your picture. If you are taking pictures with the camera positioned on a surface, your best bet is to invest in a tripod. Tripods are designed to keep a camera in place while pictures are being snapped.
If you understanding light, cameras and focus you are half way to the marketing point of taking a good picture. Still, even if you can't get it going on, you can use software-editing tools to make necessary changes. Remember, cameras also (most) have automatic timers, which enable you to set the cam to snap a shot at the right time. After all, it's all about the image.
Complete Photography Guide Discover the hidden photography secrets with Complete photography guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Peters
It is wiser to add light rather than try to do it in some instances. Most cameras have a dimmer switch, which you can hit if the light is too bright. If the area is too light, you want to read your manual to see what exposure effects you can use in this situation. Otherwise, you can change your position or angle to adjust to the lighting. An ideal if you are trying to snap a shot with a dark background is holding up a grey colored card and letting the snaps meter visual this, which will trick the camera and then you can snap the shot.
One thing you want to keep in mind is that the fixed cameras are manufactured set. Therefore, if you are using one of these cameras you need to keep distance from the target in focus. The digital cameras today have automatic focus commands, which makes it easier to control your focus shots. If you are using the digital cameras with auto focus, you will need to lock in the command to make it work. Go figure! They say automatic and put you to work.
With a digital camera, you can target the subject or frame in photographers terms. Once you have the target in focus, you can hold the shutter button down, holding it halfway. Once you have these steps in place, realize that today's cameras alert you at what time the picture is ready to take.
After you have the alert message appearing push the shutter button down and there you have it. Now that you have a focus, let me stop here for a minute, since I received an e-mail that is fascinating.
It appears the new I-Stick is one of the latest storage mediums for storing files. This medium comes in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB. What a rewarding new commodity for storing images. Apparently, you can store about anything you want, including music, spreadsheets, videos, documents, pictures and more.
Anyway, back to focus. Are you focusing on the object or person you want to snap a shot at? Are you missing the shot? If you are, realize there are programs that will help you even if you don't focus properly. If your camera has auto focus, personally, I prefer not to use this feature, since as a high observational candidate, I trust what I see verses some auto device taking control of my sight. One thing you want to remember while snapping pictures is to stand still without moving the camera out of position while it is targeting the subject. If you move it can cause blurring, which can degrade your picture. If you are taking pictures with the camera positioned on a surface, your best bet is to invest in a tripod. Tripods are designed to keep a camera in place while pictures are being snapped.
If you understanding light, cameras and focus you are half way to the marketing point of taking a good picture. Still, even if you can't get it going on, you can use software-editing tools to make necessary changes. Remember, cameras also (most) have automatic timers, which enable you to set the cam to snap a shot at the right time. After all, it's all about the image.
Complete Photography Guide Discover the hidden photography secrets with Complete photography guide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Peters
Don’t Make a $300.00 Digital Camera Mistake!
If you are looking for the best buy in a Digital Camera then looking on the Internet is a good start. Throughout the various sites on the Web you’ll see many great deals on digital cameras. Unfortunately, mixed in with all those good deals are a few lemons and over priced headaches no body should be so unlucky to be stuck with.
Having the ability to know which of the many Digital Cameras advertised on the Internet are really great deals and which ones are the lemons will mean whether you win or lose on your next Digital Camera purchase. And knowing the difference between a lemon and a sweet camera can be difficult, unless you have the right information. Below are steps that will help you quickly tell if a digital camera is just a lemon in disguise.
How to Spot a Lemon
* Do you know the one function that should be available on any digital camera you buy? - Image stabilization - Once you use a digital camera with image stabilization you will NEVER use a camera that does not have it again. Really! It’s that neat. Think about it… a large number of the pictures you will take are going to be indoors or in other words, marginal lighting situations. Without stabilization you run a higher risk of blurry (ruined) photos.
* There’s a reason people don’t use the various capabilities of their digital camera. - Buried Menus - One of the main reasons the average digital camera owner does not change settings on their cameras is that they are too hard to figure out and it takes too many menu selections to get to them.
* Not enough power – Battery Life – these days there is no excuse for your digital camera’s battery pooping out on you in the middle of your son’s birthday party. Current digital cameras can deliver 300 to 400 images per battery charge, even if you are using the flash.
* Nobody likes a slow camera – Slow Operation – There’s lots of technical jargon like shutter lag and preliminary metering flash to explain why a camera may be slow but the bottom line is, you’re not going to enjoy a slow camera.
* Low light can really challenge a digital camera’s ability to focus - low-light focusing aid – Many compact digital cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. Again, once you use it you’ll always want to use it.
How to Research Digital Cameras Before You Buy
* Do you know the first place to look when you’re shopping for a digital camera? – Aggregate Review Sites – Aggregate review sites include summaries from all main digital camera reviewers as they become available for each digital camera on the market, all listed in one place. This will save you a ton of time searching across the Internet for a particular digital camera review. Let someone else do the legwork. Note – Aggregate News Sites generally do not have nondisclosure agreements with the various digital camera manufacturers so you may find more colorful opinions on various digital camera models.
#1 Digital Camera Add-On
Regardless of which digital camera you purchase you will not be able to depend on the amount of storage memory the camera ships with – 1 Gigabyte Card - Considering how inexpensive memory cards are becoming it makes sense to pack your new digital camera with enough memory that you’ll never have to worry about running out. You’ll thank me later.
For up-to-the minute digital camera information and review summaries from all major Internet digital camera reviewers visit our site:
http://www.digitalcameratracker.com
Digital Camera Tracker offers a unique and consumer friendly method of researching your next digital camera purchase. Pay us a visit, you'll be really glad you did.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Huddleston
Having the ability to know which of the many Digital Cameras advertised on the Internet are really great deals and which ones are the lemons will mean whether you win or lose on your next Digital Camera purchase. And knowing the difference between a lemon and a sweet camera can be difficult, unless you have the right information. Below are steps that will help you quickly tell if a digital camera is just a lemon in disguise.
How to Spot a Lemon
* Do you know the one function that should be available on any digital camera you buy? - Image stabilization - Once you use a digital camera with image stabilization you will NEVER use a camera that does not have it again. Really! It’s that neat. Think about it… a large number of the pictures you will take are going to be indoors or in other words, marginal lighting situations. Without stabilization you run a higher risk of blurry (ruined) photos.
* There’s a reason people don’t use the various capabilities of their digital camera. - Buried Menus - One of the main reasons the average digital camera owner does not change settings on their cameras is that they are too hard to figure out and it takes too many menu selections to get to them.
* Not enough power – Battery Life – these days there is no excuse for your digital camera’s battery pooping out on you in the middle of your son’s birthday party. Current digital cameras can deliver 300 to 400 images per battery charge, even if you are using the flash.
* Nobody likes a slow camera – Slow Operation – There’s lots of technical jargon like shutter lag and preliminary metering flash to explain why a camera may be slow but the bottom line is, you’re not going to enjoy a slow camera.
* Low light can really challenge a digital camera’s ability to focus - low-light focusing aid – Many compact digital cameras have auxiliary lights that help them focus in dim settings. Again, once you use it you’ll always want to use it.
How to Research Digital Cameras Before You Buy
* Do you know the first place to look when you’re shopping for a digital camera? – Aggregate Review Sites – Aggregate review sites include summaries from all main digital camera reviewers as they become available for each digital camera on the market, all listed in one place. This will save you a ton of time searching across the Internet for a particular digital camera review. Let someone else do the legwork. Note – Aggregate News Sites generally do not have nondisclosure agreements with the various digital camera manufacturers so you may find more colorful opinions on various digital camera models.
#1 Digital Camera Add-On
Regardless of which digital camera you purchase you will not be able to depend on the amount of storage memory the camera ships with – 1 Gigabyte Card - Considering how inexpensive memory cards are becoming it makes sense to pack your new digital camera with enough memory that you’ll never have to worry about running out. You’ll thank me later.
For up-to-the minute digital camera information and review summaries from all major Internet digital camera reviewers visit our site:
http://www.digitalcameratracker.com
Digital Camera Tracker offers a unique and consumer friendly method of researching your next digital camera purchase. Pay us a visit, you'll be really glad you did.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Huddleston
Buying a Digital Camera? Understand the Basics and Find the Best Equipment For Your Needs
It seems like everyone has a digital camera these days and digital cameras have revived the art of photography as a hobby. As digital camera manufacturers improve equipment in quality and price, more people are embracing the benefits of digital photography and putting their film cameras on the shelf. If you’re looking to make the move to a digital understanding the basics of a digital camera can help guide you through understanding how the differences and similarities with film cameras can provide you with a digital camera that fits your needs.
My first digital camera has a 640 by 480 pixel resolution and saved images to floppy disks. It was a little clunky, but it worked well and I was happy with the results. Today, the quality of that camera would barely qualify as a web cam for some people. The technology curve continues to move along for digital cameras but today most digital cameras should be able to provide you with a simple “point and click” experience and provide enough resolution to print 4 by 6 inch prints that you’ll be happy to archive in a scrapbook.
The resolution of most digital cameras is measured today in “mega pixels.” This is a measure of the number of dots which are available to digitally describe the image as a computer file. A digital camera with a 3.1 mega pixel resolution is usually enough to produce pictures that look like a film print on a 4 by 6 print. Moving up to a digital camera with a 5.1 mega pixel resolution will provide a sharper image at the same print size. Can everyone tell the difference? No they can’t. When shopping for a camera, don’t be mesmerized by claims that you must have the very highest resolution to be happy with your digital pictures. Look at samples and select the camera that meets your price range and quality desires.
Generally, digital cameras with a resolution lower than 1 mega pixel are good for images you plan on emailing to people, or posting on the web, but the resolution is not high enough for quality prints. If you plan on making film-style prints of your pictures, you should make your minimum 3.1 mega pixels.
The next issue with digital cameras is how it gets the electricity it needs to function. Many cameras today use rechargeable batteries but some still use AA size batteries. If you plan on taking lots of pictures, a camera that uses disposable batteries can become a very expensive camera, but if the camera has a rechargeable battery with a short life between charges, you might find yourself without power when a great photo opportunity presents itself or you may be stuck buying an extra, and often expensive, rechargeable battery which is custom designed to only fit that specific camera. When you have made you short list of digital cameras meeting your quality requirements, be sure to compare battery life statistics from the manufacturer.
As with film cameras, most digital cameras have automatic settings that adjust to provide a “point and shoot” experience. Some cameras also have manual settings which mimic advanced film camera settings such as aperture and exposure. Digital cameras often have additional features which allow for special effects and even picture taking in very low light settings. These features may or may not be important to you in a digital camera. How often did you load black and white film in your film camera? Chances are these nice-to-have features are not a high priority for most digital camera owners.
Most of the digital cameras feature an LCD view screen. This lets you shoot the image perfectly and then to check it. and is probably one of the most appreciated features of a digital camera over a film camera. The LCD does use up electricity though and by turning your camera off when you are not shooting pictures will preserve battery life.
Most digital cameras use a removable memory card on which pictures are stored. If you have a computer with a built-in reader of a memory card, checking to see if the digital camera uses a compatible type of memory card can make it much easier for you to transfer images to your PC and reduce the expensive of a separate memory card reader. If your digital camera comes with a data transfer cable, keep in mind that the memory card readers are usually much faster and provide greater flexibility. It’s best to keep the data transfer cable in the box.
Overall, most digital camera manufacturers have done an excellent job in making the transition from film cameras to digital cameras a painless one. By knowing some small details about the minor differences, you should have no problem finding a digital camera that you will enjoy and use frequently.
Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator and lifelong technologist. He lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife, Irene and writes about his many passions. While pursuing his own enjoyments in broadly experiencing life, Dave Saunders specializes in creating bridges between technical matters and practical application through his writings and lectures to help others create context and see new discoveries and technologies in more a practical light. You can find out more about digital cameras and digital photography at http://www.aboutdigitalcameras.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Saunders
My first digital camera has a 640 by 480 pixel resolution and saved images to floppy disks. It was a little clunky, but it worked well and I was happy with the results. Today, the quality of that camera would barely qualify as a web cam for some people. The technology curve continues to move along for digital cameras but today most digital cameras should be able to provide you with a simple “point and click” experience and provide enough resolution to print 4 by 6 inch prints that you’ll be happy to archive in a scrapbook.
The resolution of most digital cameras is measured today in “mega pixels.” This is a measure of the number of dots which are available to digitally describe the image as a computer file. A digital camera with a 3.1 mega pixel resolution is usually enough to produce pictures that look like a film print on a 4 by 6 print. Moving up to a digital camera with a 5.1 mega pixel resolution will provide a sharper image at the same print size. Can everyone tell the difference? No they can’t. When shopping for a camera, don’t be mesmerized by claims that you must have the very highest resolution to be happy with your digital pictures. Look at samples and select the camera that meets your price range and quality desires.
Generally, digital cameras with a resolution lower than 1 mega pixel are good for images you plan on emailing to people, or posting on the web, but the resolution is not high enough for quality prints. If you plan on making film-style prints of your pictures, you should make your minimum 3.1 mega pixels.
The next issue with digital cameras is how it gets the electricity it needs to function. Many cameras today use rechargeable batteries but some still use AA size batteries. If you plan on taking lots of pictures, a camera that uses disposable batteries can become a very expensive camera, but if the camera has a rechargeable battery with a short life between charges, you might find yourself without power when a great photo opportunity presents itself or you may be stuck buying an extra, and often expensive, rechargeable battery which is custom designed to only fit that specific camera. When you have made you short list of digital cameras meeting your quality requirements, be sure to compare battery life statistics from the manufacturer.
As with film cameras, most digital cameras have automatic settings that adjust to provide a “point and shoot” experience. Some cameras also have manual settings which mimic advanced film camera settings such as aperture and exposure. Digital cameras often have additional features which allow for special effects and even picture taking in very low light settings. These features may or may not be important to you in a digital camera. How often did you load black and white film in your film camera? Chances are these nice-to-have features are not a high priority for most digital camera owners.
Most of the digital cameras feature an LCD view screen. This lets you shoot the image perfectly and then to check it. and is probably one of the most appreciated features of a digital camera over a film camera. The LCD does use up electricity though and by turning your camera off when you are not shooting pictures will preserve battery life.
Most digital cameras use a removable memory card on which pictures are stored. If you have a computer with a built-in reader of a memory card, checking to see if the digital camera uses a compatible type of memory card can make it much easier for you to transfer images to your PC and reduce the expensive of a separate memory card reader. If your digital camera comes with a data transfer cable, keep in mind that the memory card readers are usually much faster and provide greater flexibility. It’s best to keep the data transfer cable in the box.
Overall, most digital camera manufacturers have done an excellent job in making the transition from film cameras to digital cameras a painless one. By knowing some small details about the minor differences, you should have no problem finding a digital camera that you will enjoy and use frequently.
Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator and lifelong technologist. He lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife, Irene and writes about his many passions. While pursuing his own enjoyments in broadly experiencing life, Dave Saunders specializes in creating bridges between technical matters and practical application through his writings and lectures to help others create context and see new discoveries and technologies in more a practical light. You can find out more about digital cameras and digital photography at http://www.aboutdigitalcameras.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Saunders
How Does A Digital Camera Combined Auto Focus Work
Objects in good focus in a digital photo is a very basic requirement for high quality photography. There are two different ways to focus on such objects: manual or automatic. There are a few automatic focus methods – combined auto focus systems use more than one such method.
High quality sharp and crisp digital photos are a result of many optical parameters that need to be set right. One of the most important optical parameters is focus. When objects in a digital photo are out of focus they look blurry and are missing details and clarity. When objects are in focus they look sharp and crisp.
While the focus can be manually set by the photographer in most cases using the digital camera’s automatic focus feature is much easier and faster. There are many different algorithms and methods that digital cameras use in order to automatically determine the right focus for a specific scenario. Such algorithms include passive and active auto focus. One type of combined automatic focus system uses these two algorithms to delivery superior automatic focus.
Combined passive and active auto focus
Active auto focus systems use distance sensors that measure the distance from the camera to the objects in the scene. Usually the camera measures the distance to the object or objects around the center of the photo. By knowing that distance the camera can then set the camera lenses to achieve good focus. One of active auto focus biggest advantages is that it can work in complete darkness. On the other hand active focus can fail in problematic scenarios such as when objects emit certain energies (like infrared) are photographed or when surfaces in the scene absorb the energy used to measure the distance.
Passive auto focus systems use software that runs on the digital camera built-in computer. The camera executes such image processing algorithms to determine a Focus Level number. The exact way in which such a number is calculated is out of the scope of this article. Suffice is to say that the camera uses some image processing algorithms with which it can calculate how good the focus is. Using these algorithms the camera can find the best focus for the scene. In some scenes the passive auto focus is limited or not functional at all. It does not work well in poor lighting conditions and does not work at all in dark scenes. It is also hard to focus on low contrast objects such as walls or solid surfaces.
Cameras that are equipped with combined auto focus systems pick the right system for the specific scene or cross check by using both systems at the same time. The photographer can also manually decide to use one of the two options. For example when shooting blue skies the camera can try to use the active system and measure the distance. Since the distance is infinite the camera can set the focus and skip the passive focus. In other cases when the distance is not infinite the camera can use the active system to put the lens in approximately the right position and then use the passive system for fine tuning. In dark scenarios the camera can opt to use the active system since the passive system will not work.
Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find more information about photo album printing and photography in general on http://www.printrates.com - a site dedicated to photo printing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ziv_Haparnas
High quality sharp and crisp digital photos are a result of many optical parameters that need to be set right. One of the most important optical parameters is focus. When objects in a digital photo are out of focus they look blurry and are missing details and clarity. When objects are in focus they look sharp and crisp.
While the focus can be manually set by the photographer in most cases using the digital camera’s automatic focus feature is much easier and faster. There are many different algorithms and methods that digital cameras use in order to automatically determine the right focus for a specific scenario. Such algorithms include passive and active auto focus. One type of combined automatic focus system uses these two algorithms to delivery superior automatic focus.
Combined passive and active auto focus
Active auto focus systems use distance sensors that measure the distance from the camera to the objects in the scene. Usually the camera measures the distance to the object or objects around the center of the photo. By knowing that distance the camera can then set the camera lenses to achieve good focus. One of active auto focus biggest advantages is that it can work in complete darkness. On the other hand active focus can fail in problematic scenarios such as when objects emit certain energies (like infrared) are photographed or when surfaces in the scene absorb the energy used to measure the distance.
Passive auto focus systems use software that runs on the digital camera built-in computer. The camera executes such image processing algorithms to determine a Focus Level number. The exact way in which such a number is calculated is out of the scope of this article. Suffice is to say that the camera uses some image processing algorithms with which it can calculate how good the focus is. Using these algorithms the camera can find the best focus for the scene. In some scenes the passive auto focus is limited or not functional at all. It does not work well in poor lighting conditions and does not work at all in dark scenes. It is also hard to focus on low contrast objects such as walls or solid surfaces.
Cameras that are equipped with combined auto focus systems pick the right system for the specific scene or cross check by using both systems at the same time. The photographer can also manually decide to use one of the two options. For example when shooting blue skies the camera can try to use the active system and measure the distance. Since the distance is infinite the camera can set the focus and skip the passive focus. In other cases when the distance is not infinite the camera can use the active system to put the lens in approximately the right position and then use the passive system for fine tuning. In dark scenarios the camera can opt to use the active system since the passive system will not work.
Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find more information about photo album printing and photography in general on http://www.printrates.com - a site dedicated to photo printing.
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Digital Camera Buyer's Guide
If you are ready to make the switch to digital photography, there's good news! Digital cameras have gotten better with every new model introduction, and many of the newest models can be as easy to use as any Point-and-Shoot (P&S) 35mm film camera.
http://www.photoxels.com/buyersGuide.html
In shopping for a digital camera, many photographers make the mistake of trying to find "the best digital camera." Of course, that's a moving target as digital cameras get better and better with each new model introduction, but what they are really asking is "what's the perfect digital camera" -- and there's no such thing. In their (often) exhaustive search, many end up discouraged and even more confused than when they started.
We have put together this Buyer's Guide to help you find -- not "the best digital camera" -- but the digital camera that is "best for you."
Each person has different needs and has different photographic knowledge and aptitude. For example, one person may simply want a Point-and-Shoot camera with the camera making all the decisions; others may want a camera that will allow them to learn and grow as amateur photographers. So, what may be best for one person may not necessarily be the best digital camera for another person.
This Buyer's Guide will help you narrow down the hundreds of digital camera choices available to you to a manageable handful.
http://www.photoxels.com/buyersGuide.html
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