DIGITAL CAMERA'S EXPLAINED

 
  • Digital still cameras and digital camcorders are fast becoming more and more alike ,In short this means that digital cameras posses the ability to capture both still images and movies,However the movies are limited quality and length if you don't buy a 3ccd camera .In contrast the digital video(dv) camcorders are able to capture high quality still images on top of recording normal movies,A feature which has vastly improved over recent years with the introduction of megapixel technology ,As a result the best all in one option is to buy a Mini DV camcorder with dv in and dv out (Explain later)
    Those DV camcorders that posses the digital still feature have become a popular alternative to caring both a camcorder and a digital stills camera around with you ,Where the digital still feature is available to produce high quality video footage and digital still photos without having to exchange equipment the DV cameras now produce excellent results in a budget people can afford .
    The latest digital cameras can provide still images up to a max 3 mega pixels,In other words this allows A4 size photos to be reproduced without any suggestion of Quality deterioration.Once taken these images can then be stored on a memory card or downloaded on to your pc or mac with a DV lead or a firewire lead you get with the cameras ,(Buy only DV in DV out option cameras )
    Digital video quality is far superior to the classic 8mm or VHS-C cameras of old but( its not what you have got its what you can do with it what counts) Digital recordings are sharper due to higher video resolution in the new Mini DV cameras ,And stereo sound is captured in CD quality .Other advantages include the option to edit movies onto master tapes without any loss in quality ,There is so much editing Software available out there now to help you produce a complete edited film to then transfer to your very own DVD ,Plus There is now loads of software to help you design your very own DVD of your film .This use to involve either the use of a separate DV recording deck or an input terminal on the camcorder (in other words,the camera now acts as a VCR in your hand )
    All this technology is packaged in a small camera body ,Not much larger than a standard Digital stills camera ,For more info go buy a Mini DV camera and read the instruction book and play with the camera till you get the idea ,1st thing you do is go buy a few Camcorder magazines and look at the reviews and get some idea of what your looking for ,From novice to exp camera op you will never know it all about cameras a bit like women ,Find out how it works and gain the rewards by taking your time over it?
    The best way to lead is use it ....
  • VIEWFINDER
    The viewfinder provides an alternative to using the LCD monitor ,But it does save your battery time if used ,Ideal when the cameras on a tripods In the past most have been in black n white but now some have color which is wonderful ,This viewfinder is no use when screening to a few people as you can only put one eye in at a time! Nowadays some of the viewfinders are displaying full menu information such as time code & remaining battery time and if your recording some can be adjusted for different viewfinder focussing useful for people wearing sunglasses ?
    ZOOM LENS
    All digital cameras have built in zoom lenses almost always described in a ratio term for example 10x or 20x in simplistic terms this means a camera offering a 10x zoom will give you ten times more magnification than a wide angle setting ,The optical zoom is the true magnification of the cameras zoom lens ,Which will give you the sharpest images before the zoom is enhanced with digital trickery ,Keep this in mind when you are buying a camera to be used in a situation where you use a lot of zoom (private eyes-Sporting events Bird watching from roof tops in oxford street in the summer for example?
  • You can ask me any questions you want (On my email im there if you need any advice ,I can only try and help from my exp .(johnnie oddball)
  • LCD VIEWSCREEN
  • The separate LCD screen ,Found generally on the side of the camera ?Gives the user the option to see the scene in front of the camera at the same time as viewing the recording popular operation is to twist the screen through 180o allowing the user to view themselves if they wish while recording themselves (no egos here you say)The LCD screen usually incorporates a built in speaker,Which allows for a small group of people to sit around and hear whats going on for the ones who can't see the screen !
  • IMAGE STABILIZER
  • Whenever you zoom into a subject always remember the camera exaggerate shakes,Unless you want a film like a killer camera man style or just to make the people watching the film feel rather sick ,Then invest in a tripods ,Making recordings jerky and uncomfortable doesn't look good for you,This also happens when the camera is in motion so don't start running down the road with the camera rolling unless its another Blair which style movie ,A moving vehicle is just as bad ,camcorder manufacture's have tired to over come this by incorporating an image stabilizer,Which is great for small movements and jerks but they never expected some of the people to be running while filming it now did they?There is also loads of steady cam style products out their some are so crap its funny others are really good again look at reviews before spending hard cash and finding its worse than a mfi unit with jap instructions!
  • MICROPHONE
  • Most of the Mini DV camera's now days have There own built in Microphone's they can pick up surrounding sounds like cars birds etc in a CD stereo sound quality ,Giving you the ability to re-create the atmosphere at home ,Many modern cameras have simultaneously increased the sensitivity of the microphone as you zoom into a subject,cutting down the exces ambient sounds,Get a directional mic or a radio mic or even a hand held mic but try never to use the built in camera ones
  • J.ODDBALL