The Mystical Zoom Effect Of Digital Cameras Explained In Plain English

Most of the digital cameras within the mid-priced range include a 3x/4x lens - the first number refers to the optical zoom with the second number referring to the digital zoom. A few of the lower-end priced cameras have only a digital zoom, but their photos are rather dull and slightly fuzzy. The zoom effect in a digital camera is similar to, yet different, from that of a conventional camera. It brings distant subjects closer.

However, in a digital camera there are two kinds of 'zooms'. The first is similar to that of a conventional camera and is known as the optical zoom. The second is the digital zoom, and is more interesting. It 'simulates' optical zoom by enlarging a portion of the image -- that is the digital zoom selects a portion of the photograph and blows it up.

The zoom effect should not be confused with photo editing, where an image editing software is used to crop and blow a picture on a computer screen. Cropping a picture can refer to enlarging the main subject, or an area of choice - thereby eliminating the remaining parts. Another misconception associated with digital zoom is that it is very handy in capturing long distance images. Nothing can be more misleading. Optical zoom matters more in a digital camera.

The zoom that should be used for comparing cameras is optical zoom, and not digital zoom or total zoom. A camera's quality depends upon the value of optical zoom; a camera with higher optical zoom is better than a camera with lower optical zoom. In fact, today the digital camera manufacturers have started using a new term - "total zoom." This term only confuses the customer for there is nothing like total zoom. At best, it can be used to indicate the fact that a digital camera has both kinds of zoom - optical zoom and digital zoom.

Individuals who previously used the 35mm camera or an APS camera used only optical zoom. This uses the lens to bring the subject of the picture closer. Digital zoom are associated with the digital video cameras.

Many photographers do not really associate digital zoom as "zoom" in the digital cameras, as it only enlarges a portion of the image. In layman's terms, the camera crops a certain aspect of the image, and then enlarges it back to size which causes a loss in image quality. But what it actually does is replace the image editing for cropping.

Another zoom effect that has been developed recently is the "smart zoom". This particular zoom maintains the image quality by avoiding interpolation of the image. However, smart zoom works only if you select an image smaller than the full available image size.

Sometimes optical zoom is compared to resolution while buying a digital camera. Nothing can be more absurd. These are two different values and have no common link. Resolution is used to indicate the number of pixels in an image while optical zoom is used to define the lens power. It can neither increase nor decrease the resolution.

There is also a tendency today to disable digital zoom. Some photographers prefer to crop and enlarge an image on a computer screen. They don't trust the camera to do it for them. This is not a good practice because it reduces the effectiveness of your camera.

What wide angle lens should I buy?

With today's consumer level DSLRs you need to consider the cropping effect.

Smaller sensors give a cropping effect to the image, making field of view smaller for any given focal length. Simply, lenses give a more zoomed-in feel on crop sensors (DX) compared to full-frame (135 film, FX). It's good to note that given their popularity (especially in the past with film), full-frame focal-lengths (and equivalents) are often the standard focal lengths to compare to.

The difference is about 1.5x for Nikons DX to FX comparison. So, a 35mm lens, which is a bit shorter than a standard lens for full frame, would give you the same field-of-view as a 52.5mm on a full-frame camera, and that is considered to be a 'standard' lens.
Here's how I think of it (this probably varies among photographers) For full-frame:

• <28mm = ultra-wide
• ~28mm = wide-angle
• ~50mm = standard
• ~85mm = portrait
• >100mm = telephoto

Equivalent DX ranges (what you have):

• <18mm = ultra-wide
• ~18mm = wide-angle
• ~35mm = standard
• ~50mm = portrait
• >70mm = telephoto

My recommendation for a Nikon wide-angle? Grab the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX
It isn't very fast and it won't turn any heads, but it is a nice, sharp lens. Ken Rockwell praised its sharpness and said it was a bargain compared to other lenses in the same focal length range.  Similarly, Thom Hogan praised its value and optical performance, but criticized its handling, noting a diminutive focus ring that rotates during focusing, with no manual override. Anything wider (ultra-wide territory) is going to cost significantly more (>$500). I don't normally suggest zooms, but at ~$150 used, it's hard to beat. And the VR makes up for its small aperture if you're not shooting anything that moves.

Best 35mm Rangefinders

Are you spending much time researching for the best model of 35mm rangefinder camera? Then, after reading this article, you will certainly stop searching for it and jump for joy because I'll tell

you about one of the best ones out there. With the changing of time, cameras have undergone many changes and become compact and handy with specialized features.

Though there have been many kinds of rangefinders, Leica was the first one to make quality 35mm

rangefinder cameras. Leica perfectly suits to the needs of the changing world. You will find Leica 35mm rangefinder very convenient and easy to operate because much of the camera handling is manual. It also has automatic shutter, speed control and other detail improvements to make your job easy.

The lens of this rangefinder has excellent quality. You will surely impress by the lens immediately. With it, you can still make brilliant snapshots under difficult light conditions where other cameras don't. The Automatic Exposure helps your picture taking much faster. Simply adjust the f-stop and the shutter speed adjusts automatically. This saves your time and makes your picture taking much easier.

Leica 35mm rangefinder camera is one of the most feature laden rangefinder cameras to date. You will definitely notice its features, durability and 'stunning look'. National Geographic photographer David Allen Harvey and Henri Cartier-Bresson used a Leica rangefinder and appreciated its quality.

You can greatly use it for street photography, portraits, photojournalism and travel. You can also find it the perfect one for discrete documentary photography, what the late Henri Cartier-Bresson referred to as the "decisive moment" photography. So if you care deeply about making great documentary photography images, then perhaps the Leica should be your only 35mm rangefinder camera.

This 35mm rangefinder camera is a joy to use and has everything you could ever wish in the way of

your life.

A Photography Business Can Improve Information Systems to Increase Capacity

You are a busy photographer. Your business is expanding. Your time with your family is decreasing. You know it can be a headache to hire employees. In addition, you don't know how long this high demand for your services will persist.

If you are a photographer in this situation, you may consider expanding the capacity of your business by increasing the capacity of your computer information system. This article offers suggestions on ways to do this for the benefit of a photography business.

1. Automate commonly performed tasks. There are many ways in which this can be done. Both Photoshop and Lightroom allow a photographer to create macros. If you have a signature look put the steps required to create that look into a macro so you can easily apply it to all of your images. For commonly performed tasks that can be done outside of these programs and are performed in the general windows environment try creating macros using a generic program like ActiveWord.

2. Increase your hardware capacity. If you are frequently waiting on your computer to apply a technique to an image, a hardware upgrade may solve this productivity killer. A professional photographer should have a minimum of 4 gigs of RAM, a quality video card with its own RAM, and a relatively fast processor. A MAC might be a better option than a PC as its graphics capacity and reliability is usually better than most PCs.

3. Setup or increase the speed of your network. Today a network is essential for an efficient photography business. A photographer can waste an enormous amount of time transferring images back and forth on an external drive. In addition, with a network a photographer can take advantage of specialized workstations. Work that is best done on a specialized workstation can be pulled up on the network and applied to the images. The photographer can then access the images on another specialized workstation and perform the next round of editing.

The photography industry is extremely competitive. In order for a photographer to compete and expand effectively and still have time to spend with his family, a photographer needs to setup and use an effective computer information system.

The Digital Camera USB Cable- How Your Camera And Computer Talk

Perhaps you've been a photographer for as long as you can remember, and been messing around in the darkroom almost as long as that. You know how to turn your photos into the sort of prints that you friends want gracing their walls.

But even you could not turn your back on the digital camera revolution. You have always had a bit of a moral dilemma because you know that your dark room chemicals are not the kinds of substances you want in the water supply, and you also know that, in spite of the snob appeal of the 35mm camera, your digital camera just as capable and much more fun. And you've learned the magic of digital camera photograph editing software, which lets you duplicate all the darkroom effects you took years to master, in less than an afternoon.

Or perhaps you have not made the leap from 35mm film to digital, and think it all sounds just a little too good to be true. But if someone can persuade you that going digital with your photography is within your non-PC literate capabilities, you'll give it a try.

The secret to digital photography magic is that you can alter your photos in almost any imaginable fashion once you have them saved on your PC hard drive. Your digital camera will come equipped with a digital camera USB cable which allows you to do just that. If it doesn't, you can pick one up for less than $5.

How The USB Cable Works

The digital camera USB cable establishes a communications channel between your camera and your PC. When you take photos with your digital camera, instead of being stored on film they are stored in digital form on a memory card, and eventually the memory card will be full. If you want to keep taking pictures you'll have to get the existing photos off the memory card, and you do it by uploading the photos to you PC.

By putting your photos on your PC you'll also be able to view them in normal size rather than as the tiny images on your camera's LCD screen. And once they're on you PC, you can even print them; your printer will become your surrogate darkroom. You can also use software to turn your favorite photos into a continually running slideshow or make your absolutely favorite photo into wallpaper. But none of it happens without the digital camera USB cable.

Your camera will have included a CD with photo transferring software; all you need do is slide it into your D drive and insert your digital camera USB [http://www.topdigitalcamerareviews.com/Articles/Digital_Camera_Usb_Cable.php] cable into the USB port at the on your monitor. It should be clearly marked, but if you can't find it, consult you PC manual. And don't be surprised, if you have a lot of photos stored on your camera, if you have to recharge your batteries when the upload is finished.

Alternatives To The Digital Camera USB Cable

The battery depletion issue is one which has earned the attention of digital camera makers, and they are working on solutions, including supplying a power cord which will run from your camera to a wall socket. There is also a memory card reading device,; it is installed in the digital camera, copies you photos, and the removed and plugged into your PC's USB port. The memory reader eliminates the need for a digital camera USB cable completely, and is almost certain to make it obsolete in the not-too-distant future.

You can also find more info on Digital Camera Online [http://www.topdigitalcamerareviews.com/Articles/Digital_Camera_Online.php] and Digital Camera Photos [http://www.topdigitalcamerareviews.com/Articles/Digital_Camera_Photos.php]. Topdigitalcamerareviews.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Digital Cameras.

Canon Powershot SX20is Digital Camera

Starting with the 20x wide angle zoom on the new Canon Powershot SX20is and going from there it's easy to understand why the Canon SX20is is a top selling digital camera.

With features like a 20x wide angle optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent of 28-560mm zoom, Smart Auto Image Mode, Fast and quiet zoom lens and 720p High Definition Video and this digital camera is winner right out of the box.

The 20x optical zoom lens with a 28-560mm 35mm focal length using a high speed voice coil motor covers every possible focal length needed for every shooting situation allows you to get the shot you want and need every time. Built in Image Stabilization allows for sharp and crisp photos. Blurred and fuzzy photos from camera shake or low lighting and slow shutter speeds are no longer a worry with the image stabilization technology included in the Canon SX20is digital camera.

High Resolution 720p video using the high speed wide angle optical zoom lens allow for fantastic high definition shooting of HD Video (1280x720 pixels) and th included mini HDM connector allows for a direct connection to a high definition monitor so you'll be able to experience crisp clean and clear HD video at home or office.

Using the improve SMART Technology included in the Canon SX20is allows you to concentrate on shooting and not settings. The advanced technology included doesn't interfere with your shooting and automatically sets the camera to ananlyze any situation and set the Canon SX20is automatically. You shoot and the SX20is will concentrate on the camera settings. For those more adventurous and wanting more customization options, the Canon SX20is offers 24 different shooting modes allowing you full control over your shooting, whatever might come your way

The sharp 2.5 inch vari-angle LCD display allows for easy viewing and editing of your photos. The vari-angle LCD display will flip out from the camera body 170 degrees and rotate 270 degrees. You can compose and review your photos easily and quickly. For low light conditions, enjoy the night display mode for easy viewing of your photos in low light conditions.

There's no need for worry about worldwide voltages with the Canon SX20is as this fast, light, and versatile digital camera requires AA batteries only for power. Shoot knowing that the small AA batteries can be purchased at any store and are small enough to fit in a small pocket. This feature makes the SX20is a great travel camera as there's no need to bring a power adapter along.

The Canon SX20is comes with AA batteries, a NS-DC4 neck strap, LH-DC50 lens hood, Lens Cap, Digital Camera Solution CD ROM, IFC-400PU USB interface cable and STV-250N stereo video cable.

The Canon Powershot SX20is starts with a MSRP of $601.00, but with some savvy shopping you can do much better on price and save close to 40% off on this versatile and popular digital camera.

Scanning Film Negatives Vs Scanning Prints

One of the questions that I am quite often asked is the following:

Which is better to scan, film negatives or prints? It is always best to scan the original negatives, provided that they are in good shape and the colors have not faded. The reasons for this are explained below.

To begin with, you have to realize that a photograph is merely a copy of the original, processed negative. In most cases, a copy is never as good as the original. Typically, photographs are printed out at 240-300 dpi when done at your local photo lab. That means that a 4x6 print is, at most, 1200x1800 dpi. This is why prints are typically scanned at 300 dpi as scanning at a higher resolution does not bring out any further detail other than what is on the original print. The only time that scanning a photograph at 600 dpi, or greater, would be if the original was either very small or if it is going to be edited at a later date.

The size of a typical 35mm negative is 24mm x 36mm or, roughly, 1.0in x 1.5in. This means that the film was essentially scanned at 1200 dpi in order to produce the 4x6 print in the above example.

Most 35mm film negatives are capable of being scanned at up to 4000 dpi. This is especially true for the slower speed films (100, 200). When scanning negatives the general rule of thumb is the higher the resolution, the greater the detail.

For example, a negative scanned at a lower resolution of 2000 dpi may not be able to clearly display the time on a clock in the background or the fine print on a paper or sign when the photograph is blown up. By simply rescanning the same image at 4000 dpi you are providing 4x the resolution of the original scan. This type of resolution can display these details much more easily and clearly, especially when a larger print is be made.

Another reason for choosing to scan the film negatives instead of the photographic print is that the original film contains much more contrast and detail as compared to a photographic print. This is because prints tend to fade over time due to exposure to sunlight, etc. Negatives, if they have been stored in a dry place, are much more immune to this behavior.