Photography Magazine

There is no real definition of an amateur camera, or an amateur photographer for that matter. The basic difference between an amateur photographer and a professional one is that the amateur doesn’t make money from his or her craft, while the pro makes a living out of it. For the sake of this article however, let us look at some of the lesser priced models, and the compacts and the semi-pro cameras.

Most people who buy cameras for everyday use, intend taking photographs at family get-togethers and portraits. For this purpose, a portable pocket camera that is light and easy to use is the need of the hour. The Olympus MJU series are perfect for this kind of use, are the Canon PowerShot models and the Nikon Coolpix series. As with the professional models, Nikon and Canon lead the markets with compacts as well. Olympus, Fuji and Pentax too make great digital cameras, and are usually lower priced as compared to Canon and Nikon. Casio and Panasonic make some pretty interesting models, Panasonic using Leica lenses and Casio making some very compact cameras that easily fit into a shirt pocket or a purse. All said and done though, it is only your own personal requirement that determines the kind of camera you ought to purchase. If you are completely new to photography and do not want to be bothered with things like focus, exposure and all that, we suggest a totally automatic compact camera. Some of the latest features to hit the compacts include image stabilization and face detect. Image stabilization ensures blur-free pictures even in low light conditions, and face detect ensures that the camera focuses on the subject’s face even if it is located off the center of your frame, giving you in-focus subjects at all times.  

So how about a camera for those who wish to take everyday photographs as mentioned above, but also want some creative control over the settings? Semi-professional cameras offer SLR-like features at a lower price and weight to their big sisters, the SLRs! For example, you may not be able to use interchangeable lenses, but a semi pro like the Panasonic Lumix series will give you a lens with a wide zoom range. Also, a semi pro may give you the advantage of a hot shoe, allowing you to use an external flash (on camera or studio light). And then of course, the semi pro models allow you manual override on focus, shutter speed and aperture to name a few settings. All in all, if you are a traveler who like sto take a few creative photographs on your journeys, or if you are a beginner wanting to learn the craft, a semi pro model will do you good.

Again, it is only your personal requirement that should finally decide the camera you buy. Before you go to the camera dealers, you should at least have an idea of the type of camera you want – a compact, a semi-pro model or an SLR or beyond.

Thinking of getting your self a professional camera? Well, you are reading the right article if you are, and you do not know much about the different kinds of professional cameras available on the market. Most people who are looking out for professional cameras would already have a fair amount of knowledge of them. On the other hand, you may have enrolled in a professional photography course, and want a camera you can learn the craft with as well as use it for your first assignments.

The most common professional cameras today, and the most widely-used are the Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) models. They are basically similar in design to the much-appreciate SLRs of the 70s and 80s. The basic difference between today’s D-SLRs and the SLRs of yester year is that today we use digital sensors instead of film. An SLR allows you to ‘see’ through the lens, thereby getting a first hand insight into the depth of field and composition. The most sought after D-SLRs include the Nikon and canon models. Nikon and Canon top the list of digital SLRs. In fact, Nikon’s D-700, recently launched, and also the D-90 are the talk of the town today. Canon’s EOS series is on par with Nikon, and Nikon therefore no longer can be called the sole market leader. Pentax, Olympus, Fuji and Konica Minolta are the other makers of digital SLRs. It is interesting to note that Fuji makes SLR bodies that are compatible with Nikon lenses, so if you are looking for an affordable switch from film to digital, and have a series of Nikon lenses, go for the Fuji S-Pro models (which are based on Nikon film bodies in part). Do keep your requirement in mind before you spend a lot of money on a new camera – if you are a hobbyist, you may never use some of the features such as extremely high shutter speeds, offered in the pro models. For instance, the Nikon D-40x, a 12 megapixel camera, is moderately priced, and more than adequate to learn photography with, as well as shoot your basic assignments with.

Did you know that film cameras are still not out of the race? In fact some professionals still swear by film. Digital cameras have more than matched the quality of 35mm SLRs. But what about the medium and large format films used for advertising etc? Fuji recently launched a film camera (photokina ’08), much to everyone’s surprise. This just goes to show there is still a niche market for its users. However, the users are largely made up of advertising photographers who need to make giant-size blow-ups of their images. Mamiya and Hasselblad medium format cameras have remained the favorite with such photographers, to this day. Finally, the large format – 4 by 5 inch sheet film is still the ultimate in resolution, that humanity is able to offer! Sinar rail cameras, coupled with 4 by 5 inch backs and Schneider lenses – an advertising photographer’s dream come true.

How many times do we hear of people going out to buy a camera and ending up with something too complicated, something not applicable to their use, something they cannot understand or use easily? The first thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that what is applicable to one photographer may not be the right camera to you. Ask yourself why you want the camera at all - is it for your outings with family friends and for snap shots? Is it for dedicated segments such as landscape, architectural or panoramic photography? Are you a professional photographer looking for a versatile system? Cameras have conveniently been divided into the basic divisions of compacts, prosumer level and professional cameras. Let us look at the major differences between the categories. Of course this article is aimed at the absolute novice, who does not have much of an idea about photography.

Compact cameras are generally aimed at the non-professional segment of the camera buyers. However, this by no means implies that they are substandard cameras. It does imply that these cameras may have limited applications as compared to the versatile professional cameras. Compacts have in-built flashes, generally come with their own rechargeable batteries, have fixed lenses with a certain zoom range and today have interesting features such as image stabilization. Perfect for the odd family picnic and portraits with your friends. However, compact cameras usually do not allow you too many manual controls, which means they may not be the best bet for the creative minded. It is also true that compacts are able to deliver excellent pictures within their limited abilities.

SLRs are single lens reflect cameras, and have remained the favorite with photojournalists since the seventies when they became more popular than TLRs. SLR cameras have removable lenses, which make them versatile tools - you can use a different lens for every different type of photography. Maybe a wide angle for your interiors and landscapes, a 150mm for your portraiture, and a 500mm for sports photography. However, the ‘Dont use canon to kill mosquito’ philosophy is most applicable if you do NOT know much about photography and buy your self an expensive SLR simply because you believe the more money you shell out, the better the product you get. That may be true, but not of much use if you do not know how to use one, and neither wish to learn.

Prosumer cameras are rightly called semi-professional cameras as well. They generally have all the manual controls that you could ask for, have an SLR-like appearance but do not allow interchangeable lenses. However, some of them have such a wide range on the in built zoom lens, that you would probably never require to change lenses for most photographic applications. You do not spend money on extra lenses, and you never have a problem with dust getting in to harm the sensor. Such cameras are often used by upcoming photographers and students of the subject.

For ages, images have been painted on different types of canvasses and then one fine day photography came into being and the images were projected on to surfaces so that memories could come to life. According to certain researches mentioned in the Hockney-Falco thesis, some of the artists have used the camera lucida and camera obscura for tracing scenes way back in the 16th century. Although, it is being disputed by artists today, history maintains the use of the first camera in the 16th century only.

The early camera had no mechanism for fixing an image. It was able to project images through the opening in the walls of a dark room on to the surface. This way the entire room turned into a large pinhole camera. Actually the term camera obscura means dark room. Using of the camera obscura was a critical element in the evolution of modern day photography.

The first ever photograph of a person was taken by Louis Daguerre in early 1839 and was called “Boulevard du Temple”. Louis Daguerre also worked in partnership with Niépce to refine the then existing silver process. Finally in 1833 Niépce passed away but he left his notes for Daguerre to follow upon. Although Daguerre had no scientific background he still made an important contribution to photography. He discovered that when he exposed silver to iodine vapor before exposing it to light, and followed by exposing silver to mercury fumes, he was able to develop a latent image.

Louis Daguerre finally announced on January 7, 1839 the fact that he had invented a process that used silver on a copper plate and he aptly named it daguerreotype. A process quite similar to the daguerreotype is being used even today for Polaroid photos.

Another man Talbot read about Daguerre’s invention and worked towards perfecting his own process of photography. This was another important event in the process of evolution of photography. Talbot partnered with John Herschel, an astronomer, who provided him with an effective fixer. John Hershel is associated for the development of the very first glass negative.

Around 1840, Talbot invented a photographic process called the calotype process. He used to coat sheets of paper with silver chloride so that it could create an intermediate negative image. The remarkable thing of the Calotype process was that it could reproduce positive prints unlike the daguerreotype. Soon after, Slovene Janez Puhar invented a technical process for making photographs on glass.

Eleven years later, Frederick Scott Archer invented the collodion process. His invention was recognized by the Académie Nationale Agricole, Manufacturière et Commerciale on July 17, 1852 in Paris. This was probably the beginning of a new era of modern photography. But it took almost 20 years of improvements and in 1884 George Eastman, developed a dry gel that could be used on paper or on film, and this replaced the use of the photographic plate.

Four years later in July 1888, Eastman came out with his first camera called the Kodak camera (and it is a brand today). It was introduced commercially with an eye catching advertising slogan that said, “You press the button, we do the rest”.

We have come a long way since Eastman introduced the Kodak. Today there are several camera manufacturers, film manufactures, printers etc in the market. Some of the big names apart from Kodak include Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta, Fuji, Sony, Panasonic etc.

Pentax corporation once more proved itself to be a distinguished photo equipment producer. Pentax has announced about a new DSLR camera Pentax K20D.

The new camera is not just an upgrade of the previous model K10D. K20D has included in itself the newest technologies.
Specially for this camera a 14,6 mega pixel matrix was developed with a size of 23,4×15,5 mm. The main advantage of such matrix is a much better ability to perceive diagonal light rays. It will allow getting better results when shooting with a wide-angle lens and also when using film camera lens that are so popular about Pentax.

New camera is equipped with a Pentax SR (Shake Reduction) system that in many cases will spare photographer from using a tripod or flash. The most valuable thing is that the built-in stabilization system works with all types of Pentax lenses and with all types of threaded lenses attached through lens adapter.

The absolute novelty of Pentax is the Dynamic Range Enlargement technology is used in K20D. It optimizes the dynamical range that allows achieving details clearness in light and shady areas of the picture. The brightness range has grown one EV-level up in the new camera. This will sometimes free a photographer from making doubles in the search of best exposure compromise.

Most photographers really appreciate a possibility of shooting without paying too much attention to the camera. They would be excited to know that Pentax equipped K20D with a LCD screen with the Live View feature. Now you can frame the picture using not only pentaprism viewfinder.

All these features and newest technologies are “packed” into the famous Pentax dust and moisture protected box. Pentax K20D is a camera that will help a photographer to get a high quality picture with a possibility to add some effects in a rather unhurried mode of shooting. Although the speed of Pentax K20D – 3 frames per second – is quite enough for most of professional reporter needs too.

The Year 2007 was very successful for such photo equipment giants as Nikon, Canon and Pentax. Their new digital cameras made many professionals to sell their old distinguished cameras to second-hand market. But not many people noticed new small Olympuses. And really unjustly. Mature professionals remember these compact film SLRs and rate them high for a lens quality, small weight and usability. Today to take their place came a line of DSLRs that will definitely add much fame to this brand. The newest Olympus camera is Olympus E-510. Here is its visit card: sensor format – 17.3X13mm (noticeably smaller than all the 10 Mega pixel rivals, this camera although doesn’t really loose in quality of pictures but allow to lower the lens weight significantly). The Live View mode allows framing a picture using digital screen that is new for the leaders of the market and makes such cameras much more expensive. The stabilization system of Olympus E-510 lets you shoot from hands on exposures that are 3-4 steps more continuous than regular. The ultrasound wave filter that protects your camera from dust is built in. Camera is also equipped with a new graphical processor. Shoot speed – 3 frames per second.  

The camera will really suite both a professional and an amateur photographer. And even more likely an amateur because of its price. Olympus E-510 with two very good lenses will cost you not more than a thousand dollar. 

“And what about the lens?” - you will probably ask. People who once used the lens of the Zuiko trade mark will probably say: perfect lenses! We’ve got a zoom lens 14-42 mm – light, compact, comply with 28-84 mm film one (for a remark – the crop factor of Olympuses equals 2). The second one is a zoom Zuiko 40-150 mm complies with 80-300 mm film zoom lens. For most types of shooting these are more than enough.  Although the Olympus engineers thought different and have developed lenses of the “TOP PRO” class. Its price is not low but the quality is corresponding… On the point of view of the author the Olympus professional zoom lenses gathered in itself the sharpness of Zeiss lenses with the flexibility of the Pentax lenses. Anyway to try once is better than to read 100 times.

The photographers using the digital equipment sometimes get really disappointed when in some very hot moment they get the “Memory Card Full” message on their LCD display.

Such a situation is almost impossible if you become an owner of the new professional digital camera - NIKON D3. For the first time, leaving behind the rivals, Nikon offered to its admirers a new camera (full-format) that is equipped with 2 slots for Compact Flash memory cards. For press photographers and those who take many photos in a very high pace this option is a must.

And now, here is some information about technical parameters of the new camera. D3 is equipped with full format (36 x 23.9 mm) 12.1 mega pixel CMOS matrix. The speed range is from 200 to 6400 ISO. The speed of shooting is also very high – 9 shots per second and camera can even perform faster, shooting 11 shots per second when working in DX (24 x 16 mm) format.

The camera start up time is also very low. It takes D3 only 12/100 of a second. This option is much faster than in its predecessor D2Xs for 8/100 of a second. Also camera is equipped with a HDMI interface, high quality 3-inch LCD monitor that allows using a Live View mode.

NIKON D3 is produced inside of a strong body made from magnesium alloy and has a very good protection from dust and moisture. In other words the camera is a very reliable and fast photo device that is created for a demanding and straight-out professional. With appearing on the market of a full-format DSLR the professionals received an alternative to the full matrix Canon 5D camera. The Nikon D3 is a modern and very fast camera but of course at a higher price. The comfort and speed always cost money, doesn’t it!?

Every professional in photography nowadays is waiting for the moment when Nikon will release their brand new digital camera on the market. This prototype for now was to be on the shelves few months ago but still is being hidden in the labs of photo equipment giant.

• A new 12.3-megapixel DX-Format CMOS Sensor
  
• The 3.0-inch super density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor
  
• Continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second
  
• Fast, accurate 51-point autofocus with 3D Focus Tracking
  
• Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System (SRS)
  
• Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System
  
• Two LiveView shooting modes
  
• New Picture Control settings
  
• Rugged magnesium-alloy construction
  

Available November 2007