New to DSLR? Come in here! - VRForums - SITEX 2009

buaya · Oct 6th, 08, 07:31 PM

Basically, this thread will be about DSLR basics from handling a DSLR, to explanation on some of the features - Av, Tv, ISO, etc.

The "quick guide" will be explained in a simplest possible term and hopefully, it'll be easy enough to be digested.

buaya · 09:38 PM

Hand-holding of DSLR

There may be various ways to hand hold a DSLR. However, the bottom line would be to:

- Have proper grip
- Have proper shooting posture, which in turn
- Help reduces camera/hand shakes by being more 'stable'

Holding a DSLR is like holding a rifle. Hold it close to your body and control your breathing for better stability. (Those who been through NS will understand this =/)

buaya · 07:41 PM

Aperture, Shutter, and ISO

Aperture
Let’s use a tap as an analogy. The aperture is like the nozzle size of the tap, the bigger it is (smaller F value) the more water (light) can pass thru it and vice versa if its smaller (bigger F value).

What does aperture control?
Aperture controls the light entering thru the lens (which affect shutter speed) and the depth of field. Using a smaller aperture (e.g. f/2.8) will allow more light thru the lens hence allowing a faster shutter speed, but at a cost of a shallow depth of field.

What is Depth of Field (DOF)?
DOF refers to the portion that is in focus. A shallower DOF will give you more bokeh and the ability to better isolate and emphasize the primary subject.

Bokeh (from the Japanese boke ボケ, "blur") – The blurred area created by the distance between the subject and background or foreground.

Shutter Speed
Let’s keep to the tap analogy. The shutter speed is how fast you open and close the tap to allow the flow of water (light). The faster the shutter speed, the less time there is for light to enter and vice versa.

A fast shutter speed is generally used to stop and freeze motion - used mainly in high and fast activity situations (sports, concerts, etc.).

A slow/lower shutter speed is used to create intentional motion blur (panning) or used in low light conditions to allow more light into the sensor.

Bulb Mode – Shutter will be kept open until the release of the shutter release button and usually done with a remote for extra-long exposures.

X-sync/flash synchronization – Maximum shutter speed achievable with the use of a flash.

ISO
ISO/ASA/Film speed is the measure of sensitivity to light of the film or digital sensor. It has a direct relationship to shutter speed and aperture – a higher ISO value allows you to have a faster shutter and smaller aperture but at a cost of more noise/grain.

What is Noise/Grain?
In film, the granularity of the Silver halide is directly related to the sensitivity of the film. A coarser grain is more sensitive and a finer grain is less sensitive.

Noise is “digital grain” and is caused by heat generated by the digital signal.

Credit goes to Raied

buaya · 08:08 PM

RAW file format

Take "RAW" as your conventional negative (film) equivalent, and JPEG as the processed, printed equivalent.

Shooting in RAW gives you more post processing latitude, and RAW offers greater image quality, as well as much finer gradations.

Do note however, that RAW files take up significantly more storage space (larger file size) than JPEG files.

So which should one use? It depends on need!
If you need more control over your images and willing to process and convert each of your image, then RAW's for you.

If you need a ready-to-use solution, don't have much time to spend on your images or just need the space, then Jpeg is the way to go!

Credit goes to Raied with additional input from myself