SLR Digital Cameras

The single lens reflex (SLR) design, in which the lens that projects the image for recording is the same as that used to view and focus the subject, is the most versatile available. With digital cameras, however, there are now two different types of SLR. In the focusing-screen type (the most common) you look through an eyepiece to view the image on a focusing screen. The advantage here is that no power is consumed. In the second type you look through an eyepiece but what you see is a magnified LCD. As this is not an optical view, but depends on a sensor sending signals to the LCD screen, it consumes power.

If it is important that you view the actual image, you will need the more professional digital cameras such as the Canon D60, Nikon Dl series, Fuji S2, and the sturdy Kodak professional SLRs.

Another distinction between SLR digitals is whether or not the lens is interchangeable. The less-expensive SLRs do not feature interchange-ability, but their zoom lenses may accept accessory lenses. These are screwed into the front to extend both wide-angle and telephoto coverage.

For the type of performance required by sports photographers, photojournalists, and the like, three features of digital SLRs to consider are burst-rate, capacity, and latent period. The first is a measure of how many shots the electronics will allow you to take in rapid succession: a burst-rate of 3 fps (frames per second) is regarded as a minimum. The capacity indicates how many pictures can be taken before the camera needs to stop and process the information. This is follows by a latent period in which images are written to the memory card, which can take a minute or more. Needless to say, film-based cameras have an advantage here, as some can shoot 36 frames in less than five seconds. The film-based latent period is, of course, the time needed to change films.

Steve J. Wilson is living in the United States and is a freelance writer since 2006, in digital photography related topics. If you are interested in some useful Digital Photography Class, than you are in the right place.

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