Photography
Digital SLR Cameras
under
construction
This article is the result of 40 years of experience and
answering many questions. You will no doubt detect a few biases, but if you can
live with them, so can I.
Why did I choose (and recommend) a Digital
SLR (D-SLR)? Let
me give you a bit of history first. I started using a 35mm film Yashica SLR
camera around 1965. Before that I used a point-and-shoot 120mm camera. Around 1973 I
replaced the Yashica with a Minolta OM-1 which served me well for over 20 years.
Early in the 1990's, I gave the OM-1 to my oldest son to use, and bought a
Minolta Maxxum
7000i until in 2000 I got my first digital camera, a
Nikon Coolpix 990.
While I enjoyed the crispness of the digital images, I missed the SLR features,
so in 2003 I took the plunge with the Nikon D100.
So now I come back to the question, WHY a Digital SLR...
First of all, I like the benefits of an SLR.
The ability to change lenses for specific purposes, and more control over the
camera features, shooting speed, and the large, clear viewfinder all contribute
to my sense of flexibility. Digital adds the dimension of being able to view the
results immediately and re-shoot as needed. You also have more control over
color, sharpness, and light exposure. Some of these benefits will become clearer
as we explore more.
There are things that all SLR cameras have in common, and
then there are things that are unique to digital SLRs. With all SLRs you compose
your shot through the viewfinder. Even though a digital SLR has an LCD screen,
you only use it to view the photo after you take the shot.
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