Digital Camera Review

Fed up with grainy, dirty shots straight out of your camera? You’ve probably got your ISO setting too high or you’re suffering from a filthy sensor.

Keep the noisy down! The best way to do this is to shot with as low an ISO setting as is practically possible. If the subject you’re shooting is static and you have access to a tripod or other camera support then turn the ISO down (to 100, ideally) and use a slower shutter speed instead. If you have to use an exposure time longer than 5 seconds, you may want to consider using your cameras noise reduction setting. Most SLR’s offer this you’ll find it buried way in one of the menus, and subtracts noise or faulty pixels from a scene by comparing your shot with a black frame. It’s not and ideal method but it can get your out of a noisy situation. If all else fails, consider a software based solutions such as Photoshop’s Noise filter or a plug such as Noisy Ninja.  

Also, do your best to get the images crop right in camera rather doing some heavy handed trimming in software later. Use the entire sensor at the shooting stage and you’ll preserve the maximum quality.

Another problem for the SLR shooter is a dirty sensor. Dust, pollen and other debris can leave you with a mountain of post processing work. Our advice is don’t change lenses with camera switched on, and make sure you face away from the prevailing wind. There a variety of the market you can find help keep your sensor clean.

Autofocus systems are incredibility accurate these days. Unless you’re a full action photographer, single shot autofocus (AF-S) is the focus mode you’ll find yourself using the most. Once the camera’s locked on, it’ll stay release button pressed halfway down for trigger the AF-L button. This is the mode to select if you shooting static subjects. Don’t rely on the camera to decide which part of the scene should be in focus though – active the central sensor, point it the subject, let the AF lock on, then recompose the shot for the best composition.

If the subject doesn’t look quite as sharp in the viewfinder as you aspect it’s likely to be down to two reasons. First, check the viewfinder diopter adjustment is your camera has one. A slight tweak is usually all it takes to make the images snap. If this doesn’t work, it worth checking the camera isn’t ‘back focusing’ – focusing just behind the subject. Take some test shots and, if you aren’t happy, take your camera back to where you bought it.

Continuous autofocus mode (AF-C), as the name suggests, continues to adjust focus throughout the picture taking process, allowing you to track moving subject and, in theory, keep them sharp.

We say in theory, because you need to make sure an active point is placed on the subject as it moves through the viewfinder. Even the fastest focusing cameras need time to find the subject, so you need to get the systems active and start the following the action before it reaches the point where you start to take pictures. Give your camera the little extra help by pre-focusing close to where you aspect the action to kick off, reducing the time it need to lock on.

One of the more recent developments in focusing modes is automatic selection (AF-A), where the camera shifts from single shot autofocus to continuous if it detects movement. However, its worth relying on your own judgment where focusing is concerned.

You may be a top photographer but even if you own the best camera in the world, there are limits to what it can archive. So, bear in mind the following limitations when you’re shooting.

First, the majority of camera viewfinders don’t show 100% of the images that the difference between the view shown by your viewfinder and the image that actually recorded. Check it on the LCD. If you do this, your framing will be far more accurate and need to crop less of the picture.

Don’t go for the machine-gun or spray technique when taking shots. Timing is everything and if you’re just shooting in continuous mode and ratting off hundreds of shots, you’re unlikely to catch that Cartier-Bresson moment and simply filling up your camera’ buffer. Remember, it’s not a video  your making and you’re are the one using your judgment to catch that decisive moment.

The dynamic range of your camera is another issue you need to be aware of. Your camera can only cope with about four stop of exposure before the shadows in an image turn to black and the highlights begin to clip and bleach out. If you’re shooting a scene with a wide dynamic range you can counteract this limitation in one of two ways. First, if you shot in RAW you can process the image twice afterward, once for highlights and one for shadows. You can then blend the two shots in software such as PhotoShop. Alternatively, shoot an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image. This involves taking several pics of the scene at different exposures and then blending the result into a composite. The result can be odd-looking, but if handled well it can really increase dynamic range.

The lightweight digital camera combines high ISO and high zoom capability with images stabilisation feature for greater picture taking capability. THe point- and-shoot Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS camera is equpped with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens that gives out 12x optical zoom capability as well as 7.1 megapixel images sensor. Optical Images Stabilisation  feature ensure  blur  free  images  while  the  claimed 0.26 second click to capture speed ensure action shots can be done without delay. Depandinf on the lighting situation, the camera automatically select from ISO 80 to ISO 1600 setting. The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS feature Kodak’s signature Color Science images processing chip and Perfect touch technology.

The Canon M80 stores music, picture and videos up to 80GB on its 1.8 inch hard disk drive. Images and videos can be protected with a 4 to 8 digit password. Powered by Canon BP-511A Lithiumlon battery, this PictBridge compatible device offer USB 2.0 Hi Speed interface, slots for CF and SD cards. It can be connected to a TV for slideshows and movies. Made for consumers and professionals, the Canon M80 supports MPEG, MP3, WAV, JPEG as well as RAW images files and is encased in tough magnesium alloy. The M80 has an ultra-bright 3.7 inch TFT screen with a 160 degree viewing angle.