Issue 1

Welcome to the first edition of Kelly’s Kamera Korner, which I hope will help you get the most use out of your camera and make photography more enjoyable.

For this installment, let’s have a quick background on how cameras work and the most popular types of cameras.  All cameras have an optical element (lens), a recording element (film or digital sensor), and a mechanical element (the camera body).  When you take a photograph, the camera records the light pattern of the image on the recording element.  While the internal workings are little more complicated, that’s about all you really need to know.

Compact cameras typically use 35mm or Advanced Photo System (APS) film and have automatic exposure controls and focusing.  They are also referred to as point-and-shoot because that is all that is required.  The viewfinder is offset from the lens making what you see slightly different from the actual image.  Compact cameras are small and easy to use and require minimal input from the user.

Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras have a body with a detachable lens.  They use a mirror to direct the lens image to the viewfinder, so you see the actual image.   The camera’s “single lens” is used to both view and photograph the subject.  SLR cameras are versatile because you can use settings ranging from fully automatic to fully manual in controlling shutter speed, aperture, and focus.  You can also change lenses to get different focal lengths, which allow you to zoom in (telephoto) or out (wide angle).  You can also attach different accessories such as a more powerful flash or filters for different effects.

            Digital cameras come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges and have become the camera of choice for amateurs and professionals alike.  Their ease of use, versatility, and “instant gratification” have led to a huge growth in sales since their introduction, and a reduction in the purchase of film cameras.  (In fact, a major move came in January 2004 from Kodak, who announced that they would stop selling APS and reloadable 35mm film cameras in the US, Canada, and Western Europe.) While the early digital cameras did not produce images comparable to film, today there is virtually no difference when using a good quality digital camera.  Digital cameras use the basic elements described above, but use an image sensor to record the light.  The sensor can be either a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).  Each has unique strengths and weaknesses giving advantages in different applications.  (Perhaps a topic for another time.)

Digital cameras can range from very small to fit in a pocket (including camera phones) to the latest digital SLR cameras.  One of the problems digital cameras have typically had is a delay between pressing the button and taking the photo, which can cause you to miss the shot.  One solution to this is the digital SLR, which uses an actual mechanical reflex that reacts when you press the button.  While the price of digital SLR cameras previously kept them only for the true professionals, prices have drastically come down in recent years, making many of them available for less than $1000.  This seems to be one of the fastest growing areas of digital photography.

            If you are in the market for a digital camera, the options may be overwhelming.  I recommend several approaches to narrow down your search.  Borrow a friend’s camera to see if you like it and what features are important to you.  Go to a local camera store and talk to the experts.  They will let you use the camera in the store to get a feel for it.  (Be sure to check the delay between pressing the button and taking the photo.)  Surf the web to read what others are saying.  One good site is www.dpreview.com, which has a Buyer’s Guide to compare features.  While you definitely need to do your homework, you could spend forever researching or waiting for the price to come down on the perfect camera.  Set a deadline for when you want your camera (such as an event you want to use it for).  At some point, you just need to trust yourself and make the plunge!  (If you want the camera for an event, make sure you give yourself enough time to learn how to use it.)

Believe it or not, you can get a good digital camera for under $200.  Anything with at least 3 megapixels can give you a quality image up to 8x10.  (The more megapixels the better.)  My first digital camera in 2003 had 3.2 megapixels and produced many of the photos on my website, many of which I print at 8x10” size.

Stay tuned next time when we will discuss megapixels and related issues.  (If you have a question or topic you would like to see discussed, please e-mail ka_photos@comcast.net.)