21 Sep 08 Nikon Announes New and Enhanced Suite of Coolscan High-Speed Desktop Film Scanners
Nikon Redefines Quality and Performance With New Products and Exclusive Features
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, MACWORLD CONFERENCE & EXPO, Booth 1129, January 5, 2004 - Nikon® has answered the calls of photo hobbyists, professional photographers and graphics professionals with the next generation of Coolscan desktop film scanners – the Coolscan V ED, Super Coolscan 5000 ED and the Super Coolscan 9000 ED. The new film scanners are loaded with features and benefits designed for a wide range of users, including Applied Science Fiction’s™ Digital ICE4™ Advanced technology, Nikon’s exclusive Scan Image Enhancer™ and other “one-button-simple” solutions. The new lineup of Coolscan products will help small and large businesses to streamline their operations and increase productivity while giving home users and hobbyists an affordable solution to revitalize, restore and save precious family memories.
“While digital is dominating today’s photography and printing markets, there are still an enormous amount of film images as well as a need for creating high-quality, versatile hi-resolution digital files. In American homes, literally millions of negatives and slides holding precious family memories are wasting away in shoeboxes and attics,” said Jerry Grossman, vice president, marketing, Consumer Digital Products and Compact Cameras, Nikon Inc. “A Nikon film scanner is an incredibly useful tool to help unlock the potential of an image and use the advantages of digital to bring that image to life.”
Why Nikon?
Nikon invented affordable desktop film scanning in 1994 with the introduction of the original Coolscan, and has been the market leader ever since. In 2001, Nikon was the first manufacturer to offer the groundbreaking Digital ICE3™ technology in its film scanners, as well as high quality ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass for sharp clear images and accurate color representation. Designed with this tradition in mind, Nikon possesses defining capabilities that make each Coolscan scanner the best in its class.
The new Nikon Coolscan desktop film scanners boast 4,000 dpi across the product line, a greater optical density range for even deeper levels of details, faster processing speeds (USB 2 and FireWire - IEEE 1394) and an enhanced version of Nikon Scan 4.
Nikon Coolscan scanners offer features such as:
- Scanner Nikkor ED lens - The single most important element in the production of high-quality scans is the lens. Nikon has incorporated lenses of the highest quality in each film scanner. ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens elements are far superior in edge-to-edge sharpness, definition and contrast, as well as color registration, saturation and accuracy.
- Low-heat, high-accuracy LED light source - Most scanners use halogen or fluorescent lamps as light sources, but they require time to warm up and the heat they generate can cause damage to film. Nikon products are the only scanners to employ LEDs as the source of light. LEDs are a stable, precise light source, which require no maintenance or warm-up time and present no risk of your film being damaged.
- Digital ICE4 Advanced™ - Nikon’s ED glass and LED lighting help to optimize the effectiveness of Digital ICE4 Advanced™ components, making Nikon Coolscan scanners and ICE a perfect match.
- Nikon Color Management System (CMS) - Nikon CMS provides consistently accurate reproduction of image data on monitors and in printouts.
Coolscan Scanners Are Designed for Multiple Applications
Nikon Coolscan V ED - The Digital Time Machine
The Coolscan V ED is an affordable, high-performance film scanner that is designed to be easy to operate for first-time scanner users. For some film camera
users, their best digital camera may, in fact, be their own film SLR camera. By using the Nikon Coolscan V ED, a Nikon N75 or N80 can produce digital scans at close to 22-megapixel resolution.
The Coolscan V ED is perfect for those looking to bring old images back to life and preserve memories with better-than-original quality. Imagine removing scratches from a 1950s family reunion shot or sending your parents their wedding portrait looking better than the day it was taken. It’s more than film scanning - it’s “Timemachineography™.”
With an optical resolution of 4,000 dpi and 14-bit A/D input conversion, the Coolscan V ED is the perfect tool for a home user or photo hobbyist looking to enhance their own film photography experience. A new plug-and-play USB 2.0 interface even improves the speed of image transfer. Scan speed is also surprisingly fast - the Coolscan V ED can scan an image in only 38 seconds (including image transfer and display) - making the entire process smoother and easier from start to finish.
Super Coolscan 5000 ED - Superior Quality, Greater Efficiency, Increased Profits
The Super Coolscan 5000 ED is designed with the needs of imaging professionals in mind, delivering 135/IX240 film scanning at an amazing 20 seconds per image (including image transfer to display) - at 4,000 dpi optical resolution. This, combined with a 16-bit A/D converter and 16-bit output channel, gives pros the speed and power they need to truly affect the scope of their business.
The Super Coolscan 5000 ED is targeted primarily to small and medium-sized business users including professional photographers, web developers and photo finishers, who demand the highest standard of image quality and ultra high-speed scanning capability. The Super Coolscan 5000 ED achieves incredible scan speeds of 20-seconds by utilizing a newly developed high-quality 2-line CCD sensor.
In addition to speed, the scanner also offers a number of time-saving accessories including the redesigned Slide Feeder (SF-210) and Roll Film Adapter (SA-30) to accommodate a variety of slide mounts and uncut film. The Super Coolscan 5000 ED combines superior performance and efficiency to make it the perfect digital archiving solution for business users.
Super Coolscan 9000 ED - Maximum Versatility, Reliability and Performance
The Super Coolscan 9000 ED is the ultimate film scanning solution for serious imaging professionals designed to handle a broad range of film formats such as 35mm, 120/220, 16mm, 6 x 7, 6 x 9 film, electron microscope and more. The Super Coolscan 9000 ED caters specifically to professionals in fields such as advertising and studio photography who regularly work with 120/220 format films.
The scanner outputs a true optical resolution of 4,000 dpi while 16-bit A/D conversion allows the Super Coolscan 9000 ED to produce images of incredible overall quality. Multi-sample scan capability of as many as 16 passes ensures faithful reproduction with smoother gradation of color and detail. This scanner employs a newly developed 3-line CCD sensor, which contributes to unmatched image quality, as well as fast scanning (35mm: 40 seconds; 6 x 9: 185 seconds). Unlike the other new scanners, the Super Coolscan 9000 ED employs an IEEE 1394 interface to quickly manage extremely large file transfers.
The Super Coolscan 9000 ED also features unparalleled image restoration capabilities. Digital ICE4 Advanced™, The Super Coolscan 9000 ED’s exclusive Digital ICE Professional™ is now also compatible with Kodachrome film. Nikon’s Scan Image Enhancer offers a simple solution for adjusting brightness and color saturation.
Nikon Coolscan and Super Coolscan desktop film scanners come equipped with everything needed to begin scanning immediately. To make the film scanning experience as seamless as possible, Nikon is shipping its new Easy Scanning Guide CD-ROM which features a custom Flash™ animated tutorial explaining the setup and operation of each new scanner.
The complete line of Nikon scanners will be available this month. The Nikon Coolscan V ED will be sold at an MSRP of $599.95. The Super Coolscan 5000 ED will retail for $1099.95 MSRP while the Super Coolscan 9000 ED will be $1999.95 MSRP. For more information, visit www.nikoncoolscan.com.
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21 Sep 08 Nikon Introduces New SB-800 Speedlight With i-TTL Technology
Designed For D2H Professional Digital SLR, SB-800 Offers Full Wireless Remote Control for Multiple Speedlights; New Level of Color Accuracy
MELVILLE, NY, JULY 22, 2003 - Nikon (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the SB-800™ speedlight, the foundation for a new Nikon Creative Lighting System. The SB-800 features powerful new i-TTL™ flash control system for automatic balanced fill-flash and advanced wireless lighting capabilities that delivers outstanding results creative new possibilities. The SB-800’s i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash control utilizes Nikon’s new Advanced Data Communication system to introduce improved monitor-pre-flash and wireless operation.
Designed for professional photographers and photo enthusiasts, the SB-800 offers groundbreaking new features when used with Nikon’s new D2H professional digital SLR camera. These features include advanced wireless control for multiple SB-800 speedlights that are controlled by a master speedlight, new Auto FP high-speed sync, new Flash Value (FV) lock, flash color information communication for improved color accuracy and a new Wide-Area AF Assist Illuminator that is tailored to the D2H’s new 11-area Multi-Cam 2000 AF sensor module. Combined with other Nikon digital SLR cameras, the SB-800 offers performance comparable to the highly successful Nikon SB-80DX speedlight.
“While developing the new D2H professional digital SLR camera, Nikon recognized the opportunity to create a new speedlight system that could harness the revolutionary technology incorporated in the camera and respond to professional photographers’ needs. The result is the SB-800 speedlight, Nikon’s most advanced lighting system, featuring revolutionary new i-TTL advanced wireless control capabilities,” said Richard LoPinto, vice president for SLR camera systems at Nikon, Inc. “The SB-800 will find creative uses in studios, remote locations and any number of picture-taking situations where photographers need to carry a compact, versatile and powerful light system that works automatically and maintains tremendous creative control,” he added.
SB-800: Advanced Wireless Lighting Control for Easier Creative Lighting
The SB-800 speedlight system features new wireless technology that enables photographers to fully control up to four groups of SB-800 speedlights wirelessly. This set of four includes one Master Controller and three remote groups - each of which can contain any number of SB-800 speedlights for total lighting control. A majority of features for speedlights within each group can be individually controlled from the Master Controller. These settings are made and confirmed on the Master Controller’s large dot-matrix LCD screen. All speedlights within this wireless arrangement can operate in i-TTL mode for completely automatic flash exposures - which are calculated via a new monitor pre-flash function that measures light from each source and combines them with overall camera exposure readings - producing an accurate, well exposed photograph with balanced lighting. Each group within the wireless arrangement can also be programmed to different flash modes such as i-TTL AA, or Manual mode, or any combination of these modes.
One of the most appealing features of Nikon’s i-TTL wireless system is the ability to adjust flash compensation settings on the fly for each group of speedlights, from the Master Controller. This makes controlling light output from speedlights placed in hard to reach locations simple and effortless. The SB-800 makes multiple flash photography as easy as using a single speedlight mounted on a camera, without the hassles of cables or stands.
In addition to wireless flash capabilities, the SB-800 offers significant new features designed for high-speed photography and exceptional overall accuracy. Highlights of these new features include:
- Auto White Balance Adjustment using Flash Color Temperature Information: The SB-800 achieves a high level of color accuracy when used with the D2H digital SLR camera. With changes in the duration of light emitted by a speedlight, there are slight variations of color temperature. Using the D2H in Auto White Balance mode, the SB-800 communicates these slight variations in color data back to D2H and the camera’s auto white balance system implements the fine adjustment needed for overall excellent white balance.
- FV-Lock: FV-Lock (Flash Value Lock) is comparable to the way an AE-Lock functions in a camera. Once the camera measures a correct flash value, the SB-800 locks this value until the photographer resets it - helping to maintain the flash value for correct exposure of the subject.
- Auto FP High-Speed Sync Flash: The SB-800’s Auto FP function can automatically fire the speedlight in i-TTL mode at shutter speeds up to 1/8,000 second, offering excellent opportunities to use flash in bright light with fast aperture lenses.
- Modeling Flash: A modeling flash feature in the SB-800 fires a stroboscopic burst of light for approximately one second, allowing photographers to visually confirm lighting and shadow effects before shooting.
- Quick Battery Recycle Pack: Included with the SB-800 Speedlight is the SD-800 Quick Battery Recycle pack that cuts recycling time in the SB-800 to as short as 2.7 seconds for full power manual flash.
- Additional features: Additional features in the SB-800 include zoom coverage, bounce and rotating flash head, large LCD read-out panel, accessory filters for special color effects and emulation of fluorescent and incandescent lighting, robust locking flash shoe, and autofocus assist light.
Seamless Functionality Within Nikon’s Total Imaging System
The SB-800 offers 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash function with Nikon’s F5, F100, N80 and N75 35mm film SLR cameras and offers Matrix Balanced Fill-Flash with the N65 35mm film SLR camera. The SB-800 also provides D-TTL performance with Nikon digital SLR cameras including the D1x, D1H, D1, and D100. With the new D2H digital SLR camera, the speedlight offers advanced i-TTL control. The D2H is also fully compatible with all DX-series Nikon speedlights, including the SB-80DX, SB-50DX and SB-28DX. The SB-800 speedlight will be available at Nikon authorized dealer locations in the fourth quarter of 2003.
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21 Sep 08 Find a Nice Digital Camera
Author: Komang Setiabudi
Where are you going today? Are you going alone or together with your friends or family? Don’t forget to bring your camera. Don’t leave home without your camera. A lot of unique thing happen in the street. You can capture anything with your camera.
What is your camera? Do you still have your grandfather’s camera? Many people still use SLR (single lens reflection) cameras. A SLR camera is great because you can create photography art. A professional photographer will use both digital and analog camera.
If you go to the city and enter the camera shops, there are not many conventional cameras available now. Most people are preferred to use a compact digital camera. A digital camera is slim, full with features and easy to use. You don’t have to bring a big size camera and film wherever you want to take some pictures.
When you need to buy a digital camera you must think about the price, brand, features, picture quality, mega pixel, services and guarantee, etc. You can choose many brands such as Kodak, Canon, Pentax, Panasonic Lumix, Leica, Casio, Nikon, Sanyo, Samsung, Sony, and other brand. A digital camera starts from 1.3 mega pixels and above 10 mega pixels. You can get a good quality picture from 4 or more mega pixel resolutions. Don’t buy a digital camera below the 4 mega pixels because the picture quality is not so good when you print your photo. Recently, Canon PowerShot, Casio Exilim, Sony Cyber-shot, Panasonic Lumix and other Chinese brand Mikona camera promote 12.1 Megapixel digital cameras. Wow…
The latest digital camera also equipped with face detection technology, high sensitive ISO, anti shake, anti blur, auto focus, internal editing, and other high tech features. Also you can connect your digital camera to view full HDTV 1080p for better images. You don’t have to buy a separate video camera if you are a traveler because a compact size digital camera also equipped with a capability to make a movie. It’s incredible.
Before you make a decision please consider the feature of the camera. Don’t forget to check the brochure and browse the information in the Internet. Make sure that the lenses size, zoom, and flash light, battery life, etc. fits your needs. Ask the shop owner about bonus if you choose a particular brand. Sometime they give some bonuses such as external memory or soft case. Most digital camera also include video capture capability, but make sure that you can make a video or movie with sound or audio. Video without audio is not complete. It’s a great idea if you purchase a digital camera in a promotion season. Digital cameras are now available for both professional photographers and amateur enthusiasts. A professional digital camera is expensive and the size it’s bigger than the compact size digital camera.
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21 Sep 08 Finding A Digital Camera Online
Author: David Faulkner
The great international market bazaar known as the Internet has rapidly made inroads on the territory of traditional brick and mortar retailers, and has in fact become the preferred shopping venue for millions of consumers. The Internet allows people to shop a their convenience from the comfort of their homes without spending money on gas and time fighting traffic.
Internet shopping also allows consumers to comparison shop online, reviewing the features of different items and finding the best prices. While there are, of course, things that should not be purchased online like perishable foods or live animals, it would be very hard to run a search for a non-perishable item an not find someone, somewhere ., who is selling it on their website.
Concerns About Shopping Online
Electronic items are especially in demand for online purchase, and many thousands of people have bought or considered buying a digital camera online. While the chances of getting scammed when purchasing a high-end item like a digital camera online do exist, they are probably greater than the chances of being cheated by a regular store or by purchasing a camera through the classifieds.
Internet retailers, like traditional ones, live and die with their customer base, and if they cannot get repeat business, will be doomed. Being conned when you purchase you digital camera online guarantees you will not be a return customer, and also guarantees bad publicity for the seller.
People buy digital cameras for different reasons; environmentally conscious consumers like them because there are no polluting chemicals involved in the production of digital photos. Others like them because they allow instant viewing of a photograph, and because there are digital camera software photos which can turn even the most amateur photographers into a budding Ansel Adams.
If you’re considering buying a digital camera online, you can feel good both about doing you small part to protect the environment, and about owning a technology which appears to be the future of amateur photography. While your digital camera online purchase may not get you the superlative quality photographs that professional photographers create with traditional cameras and darkrooms, it will get you started, and the digital camera technology is improving by leaps and bounds.
What To Look For In A Digital Camera
When shopping for your digital camera on line, research its storage capacity and pixilation; the greater its pixelation number, the better the sharpness and detailing of your photos will be. But the price you pay for a digital camera online will increase as its pixelation does.
The number of photos your digital camera can store is determined by its storage capacity; however, you can always purchase extra storage capacity by getting an additional flash card, just like you can buy extra memory for your personal computer. The very first digital cameras could hold up to thirty photos, making them competitive with 36-picture rolls of 35mm photographic film.
Today, however, even digital cameras priced in the medium range will store a hundred of more photographs. Once you’ve settled on ho much pixilation and storage capacity you need, and found the camera website offering it at the best price, you should be ready to buy your digital cameral online!
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21 Sep 08 Ten Points to Remember When Buying a Digital Camera
Author: Ernie Delgado
Professional photographers know exactly what they’re looking for when they purchase a digital camera. Years of experience and fine tuning digital cameras every day makes the choice clear for them. For the rest of us, a new camera purchase can be a daunting experience. I know when I first got into digital cameras the technology seemed a little intimidating- but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a short guide with ten things to look for when, as an amateur photographer, you’re ready to replace that antique sitting on the top shelf of the closet.
1. Resolution – When digital cameras first came out, it was all about the megapixels. There was a wide variety of sizes (and prices) available- however, now most of even the smallest digital cameras are 5 megapixels, which is more than adequate for your typical 4×6 vacation photos and the occasional 8×10. The time to go larger is when you want to regularly create larger pictures- or you want to be able to zoom in on areas of specific detail and print those. The compromise you must make for those larger pictures is more space used on your memory card, so if you get a higher megapixel camera, make sure to pick some extra cards.
2. Exposure control – For most amateurs, aperture size and shutter speeds are a mystery. What should I use when? The manufacturers have addressed this with scene preset modes. Picking the correct mode allows you to select the proper settings of, for example, a close-up by simply clicking ‘Macro Mode’ instead of manually configuring the camera. If you’re interested in digital cameras as a hobby, manual configuration options are something you should look for.
3. Zooms –There are two types of zoom available, optical zoom and digital. The one you should really pay attention to is optical zoom- pictures using optical zoom are sharper. Also understand that when the camera is using the higher magnification settings, it will be more vulnerable to shaking, so you may want to pick up a tripod if you’ll be using that zoom most of the time.
4. Size – Take a little time to think about what you’re going to be using your camera for. There’s always a tradeoff between size and functionality- here’s a quick summary:
a. Ultra Compact – small, light pocket sized cameras. Some may have fewer features.
b.Compact- fit in a modest camera case, great for point and shoot pictures.
c. Advanced- more functionality here along with more size. Typically we see buttons for modes as opposed to menus (which saves having to navigate), better zooms, and they also accept accessories (lenses, filters, etc.)
d. Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) – Heavy and large, these offer the best functionality; typically professionals and serious photographers use them.
5. Weight – Hand in hand with size is camera weight. Generally speaking, more features equals more weight, so think carefully about what you really need. A small, light camera with fewer features is a better choice if you want to take it everywhere and get lots of pictures, as opposed to a heavy monster you dread having to lug and only use once in a while.
6. Batteries –Basically batteries come in two formats, proprietary battery packs, and then there are cameras that accept AA batteries. If you get a camera with the proprietary pack, it’s worth it to purchase another one as backup, because invariably you’ll want to take a picture and the battery will die. I recommend getting a camera that allows you to use AA batteries- if you need to buy a set in pinch you can, and you also have the flexibility of buying rechargeables and using them again and again.
7. Speed- When you are ready to purchase, be sure to check out the lag on button press. If you want to photograph things in motion (kids, pets, sports, etc) it can be very frustrating to try to snap that perfect picture and have the image captured 5 seconds later after the moment has passed. Some cameras offer continuous shutter mode, which allows you to snap pictures in sequence. For most amateurs 5 frames per second is adequate.
8. Manual Focus – part of the beauty of digital cameras is most of them take care of focusing for you. In some situations you may want the ability to manually focus to bring out detail.
9. Low Light Modes – Some cameras have auxiliary lights to help focus or even night vision mode. If you’re going to be taking pictures at night, it’s worth the money to add this to your checklist.
10. Accessories- Most people focus exclusively on the camera, and the accessories are an afterthought. Depending on where you buy your camera, you may be able to get a package deal that includes things you would have to buy anyway, like a case, memory cards, extra batteries and the like. If you buy your camera in a camera store don’t be afraid to negotiate, many will give you a better price or throw in extras like photography lessons.
When you buy a digital camera there’s no need to be intimidated, just do some research online and have an idea of what you want to do with your camera, create a list of important points, and then buy with confidence.
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20 Sep 08 The Magic Behind Digital Camera
Author: Harry Rockwell
A digital camera, as opposed to a film or videotape camera, uses an electronic sensor to transform images (or video) into electronic data. Modern digital cameras are typically multifunctional and the same device can take photographs, video, and/or sound.
In 2005, digital cameras are starting to push traditional film cameras out of many markets. Shrinking device sizes have recently allowed miniaturized digital cameras to be included in multifunctional devices, such as cell phones and PDAs.
Classification
Digital cameras can be classified into several groups:
* Professional video cameras such as those used in television and movie production. These typically have multiple images sensors (one per color) to enhance resolution and color gamut. Professional video cameras usually do not have a built-in VCR or microphone.
* Camcorders used by amateurs. These are a combination of camera and VCR to create an all-in-one production unit. They generally include a microphone to record sound, and feature a small LCD to watch the video during filming and playback.
Still cameras
Digital still cameras are generally characterized by the use of flash memory and USB or Fire Wire for storage and transfer.
Most have a rear LCD for reviewing photographs. They are rated in mega pixels; that is, the product of their maximum resolution dimensions. The actual transfers to a host computer are commonly carried out using the USB mass storage device class (so that the camera appear as a drive) or using the Picture Transfer Protocol and its derivatives.
All use a CCD (for Charged Coupled Device) which is a chip comprised of a grid of phototransistors to sense the light intensities across the plane of focus of the camera lens.
There has recently been some application of a second kind of chip, called a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and this chip is often differentiated from a CCD proper in that it uses less power and a different kind of light sensing material, however the differences are highly technical and many manufacturers still consider the CMOS chip a charged coupled device. For our purposes, a chip sensor is a CCD.
* Standard Digital Cameras: This encompasses most digital cameras. They are characterized by great ease in operation and easy focusing; this design allows for limited motion picture capability. They have an extended depth of field.
This allows objects at multiple depths to be in focus simultaneously, which accounts for much of their ease of focusing. It is also part of the reason professional photographers find their images flat or artificial-looking. They excel in landscape photography and casual use.
* Digital SLRs typically have a sensor nine times larger than that of a standard digital camera, and are targeted at professional photographers and enthusiasts. They resemble ordinary professional cameras in most ways, with replaceable flash and lens components, which give the user maximum control over light, focus and depth of field.
They are also bulkier and more expensive than their casual-use oriented counterparts. They are superb for portraiture and artistic photography because they can be customized for various applications with a comprehensive range of exchangeable lenses.
Professional modular digital camera systems
High-end digital camera backs used by professionals are usually separate devices from the camera bodies which they are used with. (This is because most of the large- and medium-format camera systems in professional use at the time that digital capture overtook film as the professional’s medium of choice were modular in nature, i.e. the camera body had multiple lenses, viewfinders, winders and backs available for use with it to fit different needs.)
Since the first backs were introduced there have been three main methods of “capturing” the image, each based on the hardware configuration of the particular back.
The first method is often called “Single Shot,” in reference to the number of times the camera’s sensor is exposed to the light passing through the camera lens.
Single Shot capture systems use either one CCD with a Bayer filter stamped onto it or three separate CCDs (one each for the primary additive colors Red, Green and Blue) which are exposed to the same image via a beam splitter.
The second method is referred to as “Multi-Shot” because the sensor is exposed to the image in a sequence of three or more openings of the lens aperture. There are several methods of application of the multi-shot technique.
The most common originally was to use a single CCD with three filters (once again red, green and blue) passed in front of the sensor in sequence to obtain the additive color information.
Another multiple shot method utilized a single CCD with a Bayer filter but actually moved the physical location of the sensor chip on the focus plane of the lens to “stitch” together a higher resolution image than the CCD would allow otherwise. A third version combined the two methods without stamping a Bayer filter onto the chip.
The third method is called “Scan” because the sensor moves across the focus plane much like the sensor of a desktop scanner.
These CCDs are usually referred to as “sticks” rather than “chips” because they utilize only a single row of pixels (more properly “photosites”) which are again “stamped” with the Bayer filter.
The choice of method for a given capture is of course determined largely by the subject matter. It is usually inappropriate to attempt to capture a subject which moves (like people or objects in motion) with anything but a single shot system.
However, the higher color fidelity and larger file sizes and resolutions available with multi-shot and scan-backs make them attractive for commercial photographers working with stationary subjects and large-format photographs.
Webcams
* Webcams are digital cameras attached to computers, used for video conferencing or other purposes. Webcams can capture full-motion video as well, and some models include microphones or zoom ability.
These devices range in price from very inexpensive to expensive higher-end models; many complex webcams have a servo-controlled base capable of tracking facial motion with the help of software.
Interpolation
Image color or resolution interpolation is used unless the camera uses a beam splitter single-shot approach, three-filter multi-shot approach, or Foveon X3 sensor.
The software specific to the camera interprets the information from the sensor to obtain a full color image. This is because in digital images, each pixel must have three values for luminous intensity, one each for the red, green, and blue channels. A normal sensor element cannot simultaneously record these three values.
The Bayer filter pattern is typically used. A Bayer filter pattern is a 2×2 pattern of light filters, with green ones at opposite corners and red and blue elsewhere.
The high proportion of green takes advantage of properties of the human visual system, which is determines brightness mostly from green and is far more sensitive to brightness than to hue or saturation.
Sometimes a 4-color filter pattern is used, often involving 2 different hues of green. This provides a wider color gamut, but requires a slightly more complicated interpolation process.
The luminous intensity color values not captured for each pixel can be interpolated (or guessed at) from the values of adjacent pixels which represent the color being calculated.
In some cases, extra resolution is interpolated into the image by shifting photosites off of a standard grid pattern so that photosites are adjacent to each other at 45 degree angles, and all three values are interpolated for “virtual” photosites which fall into the spaces at 90 degree angles from the actual photosites.
Connectivity
Many digital cameras can connect directly to a computer to transfer data. USB is the most widely used method, though some have a Fire wire port.
Integration
Some devices, like mobile phones integrates digital cameras. Mobile phone cameras are much more sold than standalone digital ones.
Digital cameras need memory to store data. The higher one goes in pixel size, the more memory will be needed. Cameras use a removable memory card to store data, but the cheapest and smallest cameras may simply use fixed internal memory instead. Some cameras come with inbuilt memory as well.
Autonomous devices
An autonomous device, such as a PictBridge printer, operates without need of a computer. The camera connects to the printer, which then downloads and prints its images. Some DVD recorders and television sets can read memory cards too.
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20 Sep 08 Making the Most of Digital Camera Memory Cards
Author: John Pawlett
Digital cameras are revolutionizing the world of home and professional photography, but they are married to memory cards just as traditional cameras are married to film. Making the best use of memory cards can have a very big impact on your enjoyment of digital photography. Choosing the right memory card for the job can be as important as choosing the right film for a traditional camera.
If you are new to digital cameras, the digital camera memory cards are the most important parts of any digital camera, without which they may not work at all. So if you are handling a digital camera or planning a purchase, you must know more about the memory cards used in these cameras.
Something many new digital camera owners find counter-intuitive is that bigger is not always better with a digital memory card. The actual response speed of your digital camera can depend greatly on the memory card it is using. The speed that your camera writes new pictures to the digital memory card is partially dependant on the transfer speed of the digital camera but is also dependant on factors in the memory card itself.
Memory cards that have buffers can take the data into a faster type of memory and then transfer the data from there to the slower flash memory which provides the main storage of almost all digital camera memory cards. Some digital camera provide their own buffer memory to allow you to take your next picture while the previous picture is being transferred to the memory card.
When you delete an image from the memory card of your digital camera, the flash memory is reconfigured because of special issues having to do with how this memory stores data. Normally this is an issue that you don’t have to worry about at all. However, if you have a very large memory card and delete an image, you may experience a several minute delay while house cleaning is performed on the memory card. Because of this, do not delete images while you are taking pictures.
Instead wait until you are at home, your hotel or in the car before reviewing your pictures and deleting the ones you don’t want. Smaller cards take less time for this house cleaning so many experienced digital camera owners will choose to have more than one medium sized memory card instead of one very large one.
Now the question arises-how many memory cards are enough for your camera? On an average basis, you must have at least two memory cards for your digital camera. That is, if you are using it in a normal and average fashion.
Most professional photographers choose to carry about four to six memory cards. This helps them shoot smoothly and constantly. If they run out of memory, they just take the loaded card out and insert the fresh one. Because memory cards can malfunction (just like traditional film canisters, but not as often), you should choose to have at least two memory cards at all times.
By having at least two cards, you can work with one and keep the other in reserve for emergency. Having at least one extra memory card for your digital camera will also ensure that you have the backup protection needed if you run out of space on your first card or in the possible event of the first card malfunctioning.
The next important issue is how to take proper care of these memory cards. The memory cards may seem like some small and fragile piece of technology, but they are actually fairly sturdy. The flash memory is encased in a stiff plastic shell which can withstand normal wear and handling. At one end of the memory card is either a set of little holes or copper strips. These are the sensitive part of the card. Any voltage source or a large jolt of static could corrupt the memory and probably cause permanent damage to the card. When the card is not in your camera, it is best to keep it stored in a protective case or in your camera case. Putting it in your pocket could cause a short (from your keys perhaps) or dirty the electrical contracts.
There have been instances where the users have misbehaved greatly with them and the memory cards have yet survived and continued to function correctly. But, this does not mean that one should not care for them.
When it is time to transfer your data from the memory card to your PC, it is best to have a memory card reader, or have a PC with a built-in reader. The data cables provided with most digital cameras are very slow compared to the speed of a direct reader and it is often easier to review, copy and delete images from a memory card when using a reader instead of through the data cable connection.
When traveling, X-Rays have never been shown to corrupt the data on, or damage, a digital camera memory card. The memory card is also not magnetic in nature so the motors in the X-Ray machine’s conveyor belt should not be able to cause any harm either.
Armed with knowledge comes the power to benefit from that knowledge. If you have learned something new about digital memory cards, hopefully you will benefit by enjoying your digital camera more and finding more opportunities to take great pictures.
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20 Sep 08 Digital Camera: the Future of Cameras
Author: Nicholas Tan
Basically a digital camera is a deice use to capture pictures without the use of films. Unlike the conventional camera, the digital camera does not rely on mechanical and chemical processes. It has a built in computer and records the images it captures in an electronic form. Having and operating one does not even require the use of electricity.
Since the images that a digital camera captures is in electronic form, it is a language recognized by computers. This language is called pixels, tiny colored dots represented by ones and zeros that make up the picture that you just took. Just like any conventional cameras, a digital camera is furnished with a series of lenses that focus the light and creates the image that you want to capture. The difference here is then; a conventional camera focuses its light on a film while a digital camera focuses the light into a semiconductor device that electronically records the light. Remember the built in computer, it comes in here and breaks this information to digital data resulting to all the features of the digital camera.
Another feature of the digital camera is that it has a sensor that converts light into electrical charges. A charge coupled device or CCD is an image sensor that is found in a digital camera. While other low-end digital camera use complementary metal oxide semiconductor or CMOS as an image device, it can still become better and more famous in the future but most engineers are do not believe that it can replace the CCD for higher-end digital cameras.
A collection of tiny diodes, the CCD gathers electrons when they are struck by photons or the light particles. Each diode or photosite is sensitive to light, meaning that the brighter the light, the number of the electrons gathering will be larger
The price of a digital camera nowadays have been depreciating, one of the main reasons of this is because of the introduction of CMOS image sensors, this is because CMOS sensors are less expensive and are easier to manufacture than CCD sensors. A CCD and CMOS sensor works the same way at first, by converting the light electrical charges into photosites. Simply putting it, is to think that a digital camera works in such a way as thinking that the millions of tiny solar cells, each of which forms a part of the whole image. Both CCD and CMOS do this task using different methods.
When shopping for the best digital camera, take note of these key features.
Image quality. Check the resolution of the camera. The higher the resolution, the more thou will be able to enlarge your picture without the grainy or the out-of-focus effect that we all want to avoid.
Lens. Choose a digital camera with better digital zoom. The digital zoom of the camera will enable you take the pixels from the image sensor and incorporate them to make an image.
Power. Always opt for rechargeable batteries, they can always come in handy, plus you don’t waste as much money on the disposable ones.
Options. So you can brag to your friends how good a photographer or artist you are. Or choose the one that gives options that best cater to your lifestyle, so you won’t ever whine how you never get the right pictures.
Memory. If you’re a photo freak, be sure that you have enough memory in your camera to take all the wacky, freaky, funny and just about any photo you can. Think 512MB if you’re a photo junkie and takes pictures of just about anything.
Computer Interface. Always make sure that it is compatible with your PC, laptop, palmtop or whatever your local picture printer software is, you don’t want to go running around the whole state or the country looking for a computer that’s compatible with your digital camera, wont you?!
Physical. If you are going to be bringing it everywhere, choose a handy and portable digital camera. This way, it won’t always feel as heavy and bulky as those cameras that you see professional photographers are always dragging on their neck. Don’t they ever get tired of that?!
These are just the basic things you have to look for in a digital camera when you buy one. A digital camera is so great that it is quickly replacing all conventional cameras in the market, with all its technology and portability, truly the digital camera is the future of cameras.
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19 Sep 08 How to Compare Digital Camera Features
Author: Muna wa Wanjiru
When we are ready to buy a digital camera we need to look at various facts. These facts will help us to compare digital camera features and eventually decide which digital camera we wish to buy. As there are many features that can be present in the various digital cameras you will need to isolate the main points and features of interest to you.
By narrowing this field of comparison we can look for only the items that will help us take great looking photographs. Among these items to be compared can be the amount of pixels that are offered in each type of digital camera.
To compare digital camera features like this you should have access to a buyer’s guide that will inform you about the amount of pixels that can be found in a digital camera. The amount of pixels will normally mean that your photograph quality will be very good.
You can also compare digital camera features to see if a digital camera is suited for the amateur photographer, semi-serious photographer, the serious amateur who is looking to better their photographic craft or even professional photographers.
The various information that you can find about digital cameras will let you see what different features are present in a certain digital camera. You will also see when you are looking to compare digital camera features of two or three digital cameras, if these digital cameras have the ability to turn your pictures into sepia, black and white, or soft focus pictures with the use of filters.
As you compare digital camera features it is necessary to see what types of shooting modes are present in the digital cameras that you want. There should be indications about the focusing and flash capabilities of different digital cameras like Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta and even Pentac digital cameras.
These different types of information that you can find, will help you to compare digital camera features that are of a technical nature. There are other sources of information like photography magazines that will let you compare digital features that allow you to take photographs with special effects.
These effects can be how a zoom feature works to give you an unexpected shot from a totally new angle or the way that you can change the focus of a picture by cropping the surrounding areas of your subject.
To take great looking pictures it also helps to have a digital camera that provides you with many different helpful features. The many different sources that you can use like photography magazines, internet articles, and even digital camera buyer’s guides will allow you to compare digital camera features.
This way you can select the best type of digital camera that is suited for your needs. To compare digital camera features you need all of these different sources. This way you have a wide choice of digital cameras to look at.
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19 Sep 08 Digital Camera Basic Information
Author: Roberto Sedycias
A digital camera is an electronic gadget that can capture photographs and then store them. Instead of employing photographic films like the traditional cameras or using magnetic tapes to record images in an analog format like in video cameras, a digital camera stores photographs in an electronic way in a digital format. Nowadays we also get modern and multifunctional compact digital cameras that can record and store sound and video apart from pictures.
Digital cameras have become a rage everywhere in the world. They are amongst the top items of must-have lists of every home. Not only much more technically advanced with better features than their older versions, digital cameras are also very handy and practical. They come in a wide range and variety to suit everyone`s tastes and budget.
Apart from having a better picture quality, the most obvious advantage of digital cameras over the conventional ones is that you can click and store as many pictures as you want without worrying about wasting the film roll. After you have transferred the pictures to your computer, you can easily keep those you want, discard others, print some and may even edit the not so flattering ones. This clearly gives you a lot of options and choices as you can change the background of photograph edit brightness and contrast and make other changes according to your whims.
Digital cameras can be of various types. The first in the category is the video camera which is mainly used to record moving images. Then you have digital still camera or live preview cameras. These cameras are usually of two types, compact and bridge. Compact digital camera has small zooms and is characterized by easy focusing and easy operation. They usually have a built in flash. Bridge digital cameras have super zoom lenses and are capable of taking good images.
Then we have digital single lens reflex cameras with a mirror and reflex system, digital rangefinders which is nothing but a camera that has a rangefinder and the professional modular digital camera system that is a very professional camera with different modular parts like grips, winders etc to suit different purposes. These types of cameras are usually used for commercial purposes in studios as they are quite big and bulky.
With a wide variety of digital cameras available in the market, it is obvious to get confused as to which will be the best-buy amongst them. However you need to understand that each camera has its unique function and specialty and you need to check out each one to determine your pick. As for example, if your purchased camera is going to be a gift then you need to know which type of digital camera will be suitable for the person. For instance, teens will obviously like cameras that are funky and cool, while mums will be delighted to get cameras that will allow easy image sharing for family pictures.
Before buying a digital camera it is important that you get your basic information right so that you can get the best deal. There are lots of factors that you need to consider like the resolution of the photograph and the size of camera. Another important consideration is the Digital Camera Storage or Memory Cards. Semi-professional photographers would also like to consider having a decent Digital Camera Zoom.
Last but not the least, after you get your brand new digital camera then learn about the basics of its maintenance and operation. Get acquainted with its various features; learn how to share your images with friends and family and steps to take to troubleshoot your camera.
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