InFocus Photography Tips - Choosing an SLR Camera

For serious photography, creative amateur or professional, the Single Lens Reflex (SLR) is the best choice of camera for most subjects. It is a camera design that has the capabilities of taking photos in almost any situation. The SLR cameras of today, either digital or film, are packed with facilities and functions that do appear very confusing to the novice photographer. However one should always look past the bells and whistles on offer by many camera models and concentrate on what they need in a camera.

Since the introduction of Digital Photography, SLR cameras that have the digital technology are called DSLR cameras. However the basic design of both film SLR and DSLR cameras is really the same. There is only one lens and this is viewed both by the photographer (via a mirror and prism) and the capture media when the shutter opens.

Ideally the photographer should identify what functions they need in a camera. Here are some of the general functions that should be considered when choosing an SLR camera. What functions are available? Lets have a look...

Exposure Modes

There are many different exposure modes found on SLR cameras. These are often divided into two categories. There is the standard exposure modes and the other group often referred to as Subject exposure modes.

The standard modes would include Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Program. Manual exposure is probably the most important of these as it gives the photographer full control of the exposure system. The others help to speed up the picture taking process yet still give some control to the photographer.

Subject Modes are often indicated as in the image here. Almost all models of SLR cameras now have a standard range of subject modes. These usually include; Portrait, Landscape, Sport etc. However these are usually included in the camera to suit those who know little or nothing about photography and how the camera works. These fully automated systems will deliver good results in favourable lighting conditions but will rarely achieve the results achieved by a photographer who knows their way around a camera using the standard exposure modes.

Focusing Systems

There are two basic types of focusing functions; Manual and Auto-Focus. Both of these can be found on an SLR camera.

1. Manual Focus - This is when the photographer has to turn the focusing barrel on the lens until the subject appears sharp in the viewfinder. Manually focusing a lens is slower than auto focus systems especially for the inexperienced. Having said this a camera should always be equipped with manual focus. There are occasions when careful adjustment of the lens is necessary or when faced with a situation some autofocus systems find difficult to work in such as low light.
2. Auto Focus - It is almost impossible to beat the speed and accuracy of most autofocus systems. Aim the focusing area at the subject and the lens just snaps into focus. Some systems rely on just one focusing point while most found in SLR cameras can take an average focusing reading off of many points in the viewfinder.

Metering Systems

There are a number of metering systems usually available in SLR cameras. These systems can be divided into two groups; a full metering pattern, which takes an average light reading from the entire area of the viewfinder or; a selective metering pattern, which only reads the light level off a certain area of the viewfinder.

All SLR cameras have a full metering pattern of one sort or another and all delivering good results, even in contrasty lighting conditions. The most common is called Center Weighted metering. With this metering pattern most of the area of the viewfinder is taken into account. However more emphasis is placed in the central area than at the edges of the image. This pattern is based on the assumption the main subject will be placed in the central area of the image.

Selective metering patterns are not found on all models of cameras. These systems only take into account a small portion of the viewfinder area. The Spot Meter is the most common amongst these. It only takes into account a very small area, usually in the centre of the viewscreen. All other lighting levels in the scene have no bearing on the exposure reading.

Lenses and Accessories

Ensure that the brand and model of camera you choose has other lenses and accessories readily available. Most major brands such as Nikon, Canon, Minolta and Pentax are easily catered for but there are lesser-known brands that would have a poorer selection of extra accessories locally.

Some other manufactures may make accessories or lenses for your camera, notably, Tamron, Vivitar and Sigma all make lenses for the better known SLR cameras made by Nikon, Canon, etc. Usually these are cheaper than the manufacturers own lenses and do much the same job. That said, you get what you pay for, don't expect premium quality results if you are shooting through ultra cheap lenses.

We have covered some of the main points in choosing an SLR camera. There are other lesser factors that differentiate one model from another that may also sway a potential buyers judgement. System accessories, integration with existing systems and equipment may be important. Some camera manufacturers change the lens mount as newer models come out, meaning you will either have to keep the old system camera or replace all the lenses with new ones. Nikon are the only manufacture to keep the same lens mount throughout its SLR range. True the electronics may not work on the older cameras, but the lens still fits.

School of Photography.com Full Length Courses

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