Digital SLR Cameras

Digital SLR Cameras - take photos like the pros

How can I take pictures like the pros with one of those fancy digital SLR cameras? Hey wait a minute, what is a SLR camera anyway?

Single Lens Reflex is the name for these type of cameras, so named because you are actually looking through the lens when you focus and frame your image. Through a prism you see what the lens sees and thus you get the most acurate view of what your image will be like after you hit the shutter button to take the picture.

For several years the camera development process has meant that digital SLR cameras were way up at the top end in terms of price. Only the pros could afford to use these photographic tools. Now that price drops and technology improvements have brought SLR cameras into the realm of the avid photographer.

Why move up to a SLR camera?

Here are four good reasons:

1. Image quality- these camera feature the largest megalixel numbers of any cameras on the market. Their sensors are larger than the smaller consumer versions. This produces a better resolution in the final image.

2.Easier photo capturing- SLR's offer you true through the lens viewfinder so you can see accurately what your are cxapturing. Rather than watching the LCD on the back of the camera to compose your shot you can see what the lens sees without being distrated by bright daylight.

3. Versatility - SLR's allow you to use a wide variety of lenses, often including your exisiting lenses from conventional film cameras giving you a wide range of photographic techniques at your fingertips.

4. Quicker - the one down point of many "point and shoot" cameras is the shutter lag time. The time between pushing the button and when the camera actuallly captures the image. Most digital cameras are getting much better these days, but the SLR cameras feature almost instantaneous shutter release when you push the button. SLR's also allow much higher burst rates, the ability to take multiple shots in a row by holding down the shutter button.

So what camera do I buy you ask?

This really depends on your style and comfort level. The top cameras match out well against each other in terms of features and abilities. For sports and action the Nikon D70 is faster than the Canon Rebel and EOS. However all of these cameras perform quite well.

I am in the market for a Nikon D70 myself right now. I have two photographer friends who shoot with it and they are most happy. I will be using one on a shoot in the near future to capture ad photos for a sports company. I plan to give it a thorogh workout. Also in coming months I will post two feature articles about the NIkon and Canon SLR cameras with real life examples to show you what they can do.

Prices are falling on these cameras. What you buy may depend on what you already have on hand. If you have Canon lenses already then you might want to stick with the Canon platform. If however you own some Nikon lenses already then you may want to stay with the D70. Always remember that the better the camera the more important the glass you put in front of it is in the quality of the output.

Nikon has some nice (though expensive) image stabilization lenses for your telephoto needs. Man can you take some nice shots with those lenses.

Put one of these cameras in your bag and you can produce top quality images with tons of flexiblity and features to work with in your digital imaging.