Rich Kopp Photography

Archive for the ‘Cameras and Equipment’ Category

When shopping for Canon cameras, know that you are choosing a brand that stands for quality. Canon makes some of the best cameras in the world, and currently provides a line of cameras that are suitable for everyone from the novice user to the expert. There are some features to consider before making your purchasing decision.

The number of megapixels is what determines how clear your shots will be. Megapixels in the amount of 12, 14, or 18 will all produce crystal clear pictures. While lower amounts are fine for photos that will be viewed only on the computer, if you wish to make physical prints, you will want a higher level of megapixels.

Ease of use should also be considered. There are options that include a general setting that will prompt the camera to self-adjust to different conditions. This setting eliminates the need to worry about which setting is best under which conditions. Both novice and moderately skilled photographers may wish to own a camera with a all-purpose setting.

Canon cameras are available in both point and shoot, and digital SLR types. Many people fear digital SLR, but once you learn how to use the many options that these cameras provide, you will be able to take pictures that are as of high a quality as even a professional photographer. Rest assured that the learning curve is not as steep as you might think.

Sony has released a firmware update for its cameras and Sony α850 Sony α900. With this improvement, the manufacturer reports that the auto focus is fast and responsive, thanks to improved engine control and detection AF in-focus distance of objects smarter than before.

The creative options are enriched with a broader range of values ​​of exposure compensation (EV) is going to be ± 5EV.

Has also increased the exposure bracketing range from up to 4.0EV (three shots-2EV, 0EV, +2 EV) to a maximum of 6.0EV (-3EV, 0EV, +3 EV).

Similarly, a new menu option to activate the shutter release even when the camera body does not detect any lens attached. This feature is useful for specialized applications such as astrophotography, where the camera is attached to a telescope.

The National Geographic website has posted an interesting collection of analemma a singular photographic specialty. According to Wikipedia illustrates a analemma is the curve describes the position of the sun in the sky if every day of the year he watches the same time of day and from the place of observation.

As can be seen in the images that illustrate this information, the analemma form a curve that is usually about one-eight. Analemma can be observed on other planets in the solar system, but have a different way to that observed in the Earth, Mars, for example, is very similar to a drop of water.

In this case, the authorship of the photographs is not for professionals but the National Geographic magazine’s website includes images taken by amateur astrophotography, including a Spanish Juan Carlos Casado, whose image is possibly the one with greater aesthetic value.

The first analemma was captured in 1978 and since then known more than twenty of these laborious and difficult pictures. In most instances, compositions analemma are the lower and higher, but not always.

The place to find beautiful analemma and many other astronomical images is The World at Night (TWAN), a website specializing in night photography.

The most important thing is your power a flash light and if the new HVL-F43AM Sony guide number (GN) amounts to 43 (105mm lens, ISO 100) which places it as a powerful instrument, without reach the limit of other models.

The flash output level can be changed in 22 increments, from 1 / 1 to 1 / 128 in steps of 1 / 3. This output is complemented by a fast recycle time, roughly about 2.9 seconds.

This flash retrieves a feature that was present for decades, for example, Metz flashes and missed the path of development in many brands, but Sony had already recovered. I’m talking about the possibility to rotate the flash head to make it horizontal or vertical regardless of the frame of the camera is positioned in portrait or landscape. This feature may seem superfluous, adds versatility to the possibilities of bounce and shadows can also get consistent regardless of the position of the camera.

Another brilliant feature of this new compact Sony is the wireless radio control that lets you select the proportions of light emission of up to three separate flash units (the wireless radio control is only available when using the DSLR-A900, DSLR-A850 or DSLR-A700). As this is not an infrared connection, its reliability is much higher and allows the creation of sophisticated lighting effects from various sources, without using additional equipment connection.

Finally, the list of outstanding features worth mentioning that the HVL-F43AM is equipped with a rugged dust and moisture.

Measurement system is the most complex of the three, and that works well in 90% of situations. In fact, it is likely that the setting to bring your camera by default.

What makes this measurement method is through a rather complex array of points, collect the different light values ​​for each of these points.

For each collection takes assigned a weight, and from these values ​​and those weights calculate the exposure value of the final light.

When using each method of measurement?
Well, that’s a very good question. As I said, in most cases, the metering will work just fine.

When you do something worse in situations of strong backlighting. In these cases, understanding that we have no additional light source such as a flash, we have to choose what we want to come out correctly exposed, if the background or the object before us. And that’s where the weighted and spot metering will allow us to measure the light more effectively.

Step 1: Choose a camera
Indecision, uncertainty and being a bit “lost” will make our purchase of one of the worst decisions we ever made. Do not complicate your life, forget everything and first Focus on “discovering” what is the camera you want. Think about the type of use that you’ll give, for what purpose you want it (professional or hobby), how many times you think you’re going to use, etc.

Step 2: Choose one of two or guarantee affordable
Depending on the country where you live have few other options to buy a used camera. Read the rest of this entry »