Sunday 7 April 2013

Review Digital Camera World 04-08-2013

Blogtrottr
Digital Camera World
How to use a camera: master manual mode for total control
Apr 7th 2013, 23:01

In the final post in our Shoot Like A Pro series on how to use a camera, we show you how to take total control of the image-making process by learning how to master your camera’s manual exposure mode.

How to use a camera: master manual mode for total control

Once you've worked out how to control the aperture and shutter speeds using Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes, the next step is to move on to fully manual exposure.

While Manual mode gives you complete control over your camera's settings, it doesn't mean you can use any setting that you like. Just like in any other mode, you have to choose a combination that will 
give the correct exposure.

Your camera will have a display either on the LCD screen, in the viewfinder, or both, indicating the correct exposure according to the camera's meter. This is usually the +0- display that's used to measure Exposure Compensation in most other exposure modes.

You're the boss
The real advantage of using Manual mode is that unlike any other exposure mode, none of the settings will change unless you decide to alter them.

This is perfect for situations where you have the time to think about your exposure, such as when shooting landscapes, but it's also great for action shots where the light on the subject is constant but the lighting or colour of the background changes.

The Pros and Cons of using manual mode

Pros of using manual mode

  • When the light on the background is changing, but the light on the subject stays the same.
  • Studio photography.
  • Low-light photography.

Cons of using manual mode

  • Subjects and situations when you don't have time to change settings.
  • When the light on the subject is changing, or the subject is moving from lighter to darker areas.
  • When you only need to control either the shutter speed or aperture for the effect you want.

PAGE 1: Pros and Cons of manual mode
PAGE 2: Use longer shutter speeds in manual mode
PAGE 3: How to get started in manual mode
PAGE 4: How to use your histogram in manual mode

READ MORE

15 common photography questions from beginners (and how to solve them)
Famous Photographers: 225 tips to inspire you
44 essential digital camera tips and tricks

A layman's guide to extension tubes: common questions and answers
Apr 7th 2013, 13:00

What are extension tubes? In our latest Layman’s Guide we answer the common questions about this useful photo accessory and show the effects it can produce.

A layman's guide to extension tubes: common questions and answers

What are extension tubes?
Extension tubes are hollow tubes without any optical elements. Their purpose is to position the lens further away from the camera, to enable a closer focus distance.

How do they work?
The greater the distance between the lens and camera, the shorter the focus range will be. Longer extension tubes may therefore deny the ability to focus at long range.

The upside is that the maximum magnification factor of the lens is increased, so you can fill the frame with relatively small objects in close-up shooting.

Lens only

The closest focus setting of a lens may be insufficient to enable you to fill the frame with small objects

What about compatibility?
Most popular camera manufacturers make their own extension tubes, but there are also a variety of independent makes available, like Kenko.

An important consideration for SLRs is that the electrical connections are maintained between the lens and the camera. Without these connections, autofocus will be impossible and you may not be able to govern the aperture of the lens. Instead you will be forced to shoot at the lens's widest aperture.

With extension

Extension tubes give a greater magnification factor but image quality generally can't match a proper macro lens

How do I attach them to my SLR?
Extension tubes often come in sets, typically with three tubes of different lengths included (see left). These can be used individually or stacked for progressively greater magnification.

Remember, the greater the distance between the camera and lens, the less light will be transmitted from the scene to the camera. Longer exposure times are therefore required.

READ MORE

How to set your autofocus for macro photography
25 flower photography tips for beginners
In Pictures: the world’s best insect macro photography
Try this reverse lens technique for extreme macro photography

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions

No comments:

Post a Comment