Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging, Chapter 1: Essential Digital Imaging | 10 Equipment. Pt. 2. By Sybex | 4

Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging, Chapter 1: Essential Digital Imaging Equipment. Pt. 2.

SLR Camera Capabilities

All the features mentioned in the “Common Compact Digicam Features” section apply to digital SLR cameras, but there are additional capabilities. You’ll often find more ISO options (higher and lower), numerous custom functions for tailoring camera operation to your own preferences, extras such as depth-of-field preview for visually assessing the range of apparent sharpness at any f/stop, high-speed continuous AF for tracking fast motion, and more. All these are fairly typical SLR features, although not every camera includes all of the same capabilities.

You’ll want to consider some additional factors if you are thinking of buying an SLR camera (see Figure 1.16) or debating as to the type of camera that might be best for you.

Figure 1.16: Digital SLR cameras include more capabilities than most compact digicams and different types of controls. They are more versatile but also more complicated to operate.

Courtesy Fuji Photo Film USA Inc.

Additional Overrides

Digital cameras typically feature numerous overrides of digital image parameters. Some models, for example include a full range of options for adjusting white balance, sharpness, contrast, color hue, tone, and saturation, as well as color balance fine-tuning. Other cameras offer fewer options. Review the specifications for all cameras that you are considering before making a final decision.

Frankly, you may not need all the overrides available in the most-full-featured cameras, especially if you often plan to shoot in the RAW capture mode, as discussed earlier. That’s because you can adjust important image parameters using the conversion software. Even when shooting in JPEG or TIFF capture mode, there is really no need for an in-camera control for sharpness or color saturation; both parameters are best adjusted with image-editing software in your computer.

Color Space Options

A color space defines the range of colors available for a particular digital image. Because of the way digital image files are organized, they can contain only a limited number of total colors. Therefore, only a portion of the total visible spectrum is available. That portion is the color space.

Two standard color spaces are available. Most digital cameras make use of the sRGB (standard Red, Green, Blue, a color space that is ideal for Internet use.) This color space is a great choice for images that will only be displayed on a monitor, but it is not ideal for printed output. Many, digital SLR cameras offer the option of recording images in the Adobe RGB (1998) color space, which provides a wider range of colors than sRGB and is more appropriate for printed output.

Granted, you can shoot in sRGB color space and later convert the images to Adobe RGB (1998) in your computer, providing a broader range of colors while editing the image. This is not ideal because an image recorded in sRGB does not capture colors that are outside this color space, but within the Adobe RGB (1998) color space. Consequently, it’s worth looking for a camera that includes both color space options. Use Adobe RGB mode for shooting images that you plan to print; if you want to use some of the same pictures for e-mail or a web page, simply convert them to sRGB with image-editing software.

Speed Issues

Because they are designed for serious photography, digital SLR cameras typically offer higher framing rates than most compact digicams: 3 frames per second or faster is common. Especially if you often shoot sports or other action, check the specifications for the maximum frame rate as well as the “burst depth”: the maximum number of frames that you can shoot per burst in high-resolution capture modes.

Lens Compatibility

Every digital SLR camera accepts only lenses with a specific lens mount, usually only autofocus lenses. Nikon and Kodak cameras take Nikon AF mount lenses; Canon cameras require EF mount lenses; Pentax cameras are fully compatible with Pentax AF mount lenses and partially compatible with some Pentax mount manual focus lenses; Sigma cameras require SA mount lenses made only by Sigma; and the Olympus digital SLR cameras are compatible only with the new series of Zuiko Digital lenses from Olympus. If you already own lenses that will be compatible with certain digital SLR models, you will probably want to consider one of those cameras.

Flash Unit Compatibility

Most digital SLR cameras are equipped with a built-in flash unit that is not very powerful. If you need more power output, you’ll need an accessory flash unit that is specifically dedicated to the camera for full compatibility.

You may already own a flash unit that is compatible with a 35mm camera made by a certain manufacturer, but this flash unit may not be compatible with a digital camera. For example, Nikon digital cameras require DX series flash units, Canon cameras require EX series flash units, and so on. (Information about flash unit compatibility is available on the camera manufacturers’ websites.) While other flash units—designed for 35mm cameras of the same brand—may also work, they may not work properly, or some of the functions may not operate. Buy the right flash unit, and you’ll have access to a vast range of professional lighting effects, as discussed in Chapter 6.

Created: March 27, 2003
Revised: March 17, 2004

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