Camera Review - Digital SLR's

Indy's Camera Review - Digital SLR's

Introduction

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Nikon D100 A digital SLR (D-SLR) is a true Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera with changeable autofocus lenses. It has an electronically controlled mechanical shutter, and an eyepiece through the lens reflex mirror just like a 35MM film camera. Photographers already used to film cameras will find that true D-SLR's operate the same as with film. For all intents and purposes, you can think of a D-SLR as a professional 35mm camera with a high quality sensor where the film used to be.

On the other hand, a point and shoot is just that. You point it and press the shutter release, and the camera does everything else. It is a nifty little gadget with a live video display on the back. It fits in your pocket and you get good snapshots, but you are constrained to the limits of the camera. With practice and a few workarounds, you reach a point where you get what you get, and there is just no way to adjust the camera to get any better. If you want better than snapshots, then it's time for an upgrade to a D-SLR.

When upgrading to a D-SLR, the first thing point-and-shoot users need to understand is that there can't be a live digital LCD preview like a point-and-shoot camera, because the reflex mirror and shutter are in the way of the sensor. However, you can frame the shot and focus optically through the lens (TTL), then review the image and exposure histogram on the LCD display at any time AFTER you take it. You can then decide to keep it or delete it and take over. It sure saves on film by allowing you to confirm your exposure on the fly.

The second thing point-and-shoot users need to understand is that an SLR is not a point-and -shoot. To get really great results with any kind of SLR, film or digital, you have to tell the camera what to do or tweak the settings a lot more depending on shooting conditions. You also have to lug around all of the accessories. You have to learn photography. This is a lot more work than people new to SLR's expect, but there are fewer constraints. Many advanced techniques become available with a D-SLR that are not possible with a point and shoot camera. You get great images, more photo opportunities, and you can always do more and get better results with more practice or new accessories.

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