All Questions
17
votes
7answers
2k views
What should I look for when shopping for my first DSLR?
I am thinking of buying a digital SLR camera. What things should I be looking for?
27
votes
11answers
2k views
Are there disadvantages to a prosumer camera for a beginner, aside from cost?
I basically decided on a whim (from reading this site, talking to some friends, and always admiring great photos) that I want to get into photography.
Are there disadvantages to starting out with a ...
28
votes
4answers
5k views
What is “angle of view” in photography?
I read on the Lens Buying Guide @ neocamera:
Focal-length determines the angle-of-view seen through a lens for a
given sensor-size. With a full-frame sensor a lens gives the same
angle-of-view ...
51
votes
8answers
2k views
How much do lens lineups vary across DSLR platforms?
I was reading this question and recalled how often I hear the advice "choose your lenses and then choose the body that matches" in the context of deciding on a camera platform ...
80
votes
6answers
9k views
What is the “exposure triangle”?
What is the exposure triangle? How do the "sides" affect my photographs?
32
votes
4answers
2k views
What exactly determines depth of field?
There's several questions here about the definition of depth of field, about focal length, and about subject distance. And of course there's the basic how does aperture affect my photographs. And ...
31
votes
10answers
2k views
What is the relationship between focal length and crop factor?
I'm reading that a 50mm lens is recommended as a first prime lens for DSLR owners as it's supposed to give a 'natural' perspective, but when used on (most) DSLRs, the view is cropped, as if you were ...
96
votes
3answers
16k views
What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean?
Then looking at a lens name there is a lot of acronyms in the name describing it's features (often specific to the manufacturer).
Examples, Nikon:
Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm VR f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon ...
62
votes
7answers
18k views
When do the differences between APS-C and full frame sensors matter, and why?
I'm trying to decide on a higher-end digital SLR, and I'm down to choosing between an APS-C model and a full-frame model.
I understand that the sensors are of different sizes, and as such have an ...
29
votes
7answers
6k views
What is aperture, and how does it affect my photographs?
How does aperture affect my photographs?
Why should I care about the aperture with which a photo was taken?
44
votes
4answers
8k views
How do I generate high quality prints with an ink jet printer?
Creating high-quality photo prints using an ink jet printer is no trivial matter. Depending on the tonal range and color depth desired and the expected viewing platform, how you approach printing may ...
32
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the “Rule of Thirds”?
Please can someone explain the "Rule of Thirds"?
What is it?
What does it tell me?
Why is it important?
What can I do with it?
17
votes
4answers
2k views
Does my crop sensor camera actually turn my lenses into a longer focal length?
So, I mount a 200mm lens on my Canon 450D. It effectively becomes a 320mm lens. Is this the equivalent of 320mm on a full frame camera? That is, from what I've figured out I get an equivalent field of ...
74
votes
4answers
3k views
What is “ISO” on a digital camera?
What is "ISO" in general, and how is the scale defined?
How does the ISO scale for film speed differ from ISO sensitivity as used in digital cameras?
Is lower ISO always better?
29
votes
15answers
4k views
How can I maximise that “blurry background, sharp subject” (bokeh) effect?
I know that it occurs when there's a shallow depth of field, but what are the various ways I can increase this effect in my photos when I'm taking them?
Note that I'm not asking how to use an ...
61
votes
16answers
5k views
Where can I find reviews of lenses?
Always check reviews when deciding to buy a lens. There are so many factors beyond what is written in the name.
Note that in general, comparing between mounts is not a good idea. (Even comparing ...
13
votes
6answers
1k views
Can a smaller sensor's “crop factor” be used to calculate the exact increase in depth of field?
If APS-C and similar crop-sensor digital cameras have a focal length multiplying effect such that a 50mm lens has an apparent focal length closer to the field of view of an 80mm on a full frame ...
166
votes
11answers
22k views
Good examples of RAW's advantages over JPEG?
I'm curious to see some real examples of where simply capturing the same photo in RAW (and being processed by someone who can do it justice) has significantly improved the photo at the end of the ...
32
votes
6answers
3k views
What is a “diffraction limit”?
I've seen the term used, but what is a "diffraction limit", when should I worry about it, and what undesirable effects are a result of it ?
35
votes
12answers
6k views
Is there any significant difference between Nikon and Canon?
I'm considering purchasing a DSLR for the first time here in the next couple of months. The two "big boys" seem to be Canon and Nikon. I've looked at both companies, and I can't really see significant ...
30
votes
12answers
4k views
How can I take shallow depth of field photos with a point-and-shoot camera?
I have a compact digital camera, and in macro mode I can manage to achieve a blurred background, if the background is far enough away. Can this be done when taking non-macro pictures, and if not, is ...
82
votes
6answers
6k views
What is bokeh, exactly?
I understand that "bokeh" refers to out-of-focus areas of an image — but there is obviously more to it than that. What does the term mean exactly? How well is bokeh really understood? Is it purely ...
29
votes
10answers
8k views
How can I get dramatic shallow DOF with a kit lens?
I'm currently using an entry-level DSLR with 18-55mm lens and having great trouble trying to creating a blurred background effect in my photos. Now matter what aperture or shutter speed I choose, I'm ...
38
votes
2answers
12k views
What does f-stop mean?
What does f-stop mean? Is it the same thing when people say "2 stops" for example?
40
votes
8answers
18k views
What is the 'Golden Ratio' and why is it better than the 'Rule of Thirds?'
Somebody recently told me that I will be able to compose more pleasing pictures if I use the Golden Ratio instead of the Rule of Thirds, and that the Rule of Thirds was an inferior way to compose ...
39
votes
6answers
21k views
Can the sun damage the camera sensor? Under what conditions?
I want to experiment taking photos where the sun appears. I'm afraid of what might happen if I take one with a narrower angle (where sun would be bigger). Can the lens act as a magnifying glass and ...
47
votes
17answers
2k views
What are the first few photography books someone should read?
The books that helped me most initially were the Bryan Peterson books and more recently the Joe McNally books.
Both of these working photographers give a lot of honest and helpful examples. These ...
43
votes
4answers
9k views
What is the best way to micro-adjust a lens?
I have a Canon 7D with a 50mm f/1.4 lens, and I think the auto-focus of the lens is off. How can I test and adjust this reliably?
Will this approach work with all of my lenses? If I had a different ...
19
votes
7answers
2k views
What are good resources for a beginning photographer?
What are good resources (tutorials/books/videos/etc) for a beginning photographer?
Keep in mind that this is for a beginning photographer, who has recently moved from a point-and-shoot to an ...
34
votes
14answers
5k views
Which tools are good for creating panoramas/stitching multiple photos?
Can anyone recommend some good tools for creating panoramas from multiple photos.
(Free and commercial)
Personally I use either Windows and Ubuntu, but I'm not fussy, suggestions for other platforms ...
36
votes
4answers
1k views
What should I pay attention to when choosing a tripod?
I am a novice in photography and my current camera (Sony alpha 230 kit) which I recently have bought is the first DSLR of mine. Soon I'd like to buy a tripod for it.
Please advise me what should I ...
18
votes
5answers
26k views
How do I convert lens mm to optical zoom times?
What is the rule to convert the 'mm' notation to the 'optical zoom' notation? I searched a bit and found this one:
optical zoom = maximum focal length / minimum focal length
For example a 18-55mm ...
36
votes
7answers
3k views
Are there reasons to use colour filters with digital cameras?
Digital photos can have colour filters applied after the fact by software, so are there any good reasons to use colour filters with a digital camera? As I understand it, the main reason for them ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
46
votes
14answers
5k views
How does one focus for landscape photos in very dark conditions?
Tonight I tried my best to take some night landscapes in the darkest of dark conditions. Hoping for an epic composition of the Milky Way and a landmark.
Of course, none of my glass could auto focus ...
39
votes
5answers
1k views
What should I look for in a monitor for photo processing?
What aspects should one keep in mind when choosing monitor for photo processing? What about color gamut, panel types, input types, requirements for video card, different gammas, refresh rate, angle of ...
21
votes
4answers
21k views
Is there a general formula for image size vs. print size?
What size images do I need for common print sizes, such as wallet size, 8x10, and 16x20? Is there a general formula?
How could that size change if, for example, a 16x20 was printed on canvas rather ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
What are neutral density filters and how do I use them to create long exposures in daylight?
I've seen a few related posts on the site but nothing specifically on this point:
I'd like to be able to take long exposure photos during daylight (like the examples in this Flickr group). I'm told ...
38
votes
11answers
13k views
What tools are available for RAW image processing in Linux?
I have been taking photographs with RAW format.
What tools are available for working with RAW under Linux?
36
votes
5answers
3k views
When best to use Multi-Zone/Matrix, Spot, or Center-Weight?
What are Multi-Zone/Matrix metering, Center-Weighted metering, and Spot metering? What about Partial?
Is there a good rule of thumb, or a few pointers, on when best to use each metering mode?
19
votes
2answers
1k views
What is noise in a digital photograph?
What kinds of effects are present in digital images that are referred to as "noise"?
What are the different sources of noise?
What causes each type of noise?
What are the characteristics of the ...
22
votes
11answers
1k views
What are considerations when choosing a DSLR brand?
Realizing that:
no single brand or camera model is perfect,
most DSLRs are "good enough" for most situations
there is no single right answer to which camera should be purchased
...what are some ...
50
votes
10answers
3k views
Are there any downsides to using a good-quality UV filter?
Are there any real downsides to using a UV filter?
I know that a poor quality UV filter can effect image quality ... but, assuming I use a good quality UV filter, will that actually be an issue? Is ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
Why is the depth-of-field preview in the optical viewfinder of my Canon 500D inaccurate?
I have noticed that in my Canon 500D, the depth-of-field preview in the optical viewfinder is inaccurate with large aperture settings.
If I press the DoF preview button, there is very little ...
22
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I know what speed card to get for my camera?
Cameras rarely specify exactly what speed cards you should be using in them - I just checked the manual for my DSLR, and all it says is to use an SDHD card, and a "high speed" card should be used for ...
28
votes
4answers
5k views
What does it mean for a photograph to be “high key”?
As I learned the term, a high-key image is one where the shadows are effectively eliminated, and the mid-tone detail pushed into brighter zones. My question is simple: is this an accurate definition, ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
Do megapixels matter with modern sensor technology?
Are more megapixels good?
Are more megapixels bad?
Do more megapixels increase detail? Do they make my images sharper? On the other side, is there a point that is too much? Do megapixels cause ...
29
votes
8answers
4k views
Why do people recommend 50mm or other prime lenses as starting lenses for learning photography?
I've seen quite a few people recommend the 50mm prime lenses, in particular the sub-$100 50mm/f1.8, as a starting lens for photographers (especially because they're likely to be using cameras with ...
25
votes
9answers
13k views
What is the difference between EF and EF-S lenses?
This is specific to Canon, but what is the difference between EF and EF-S lenses?
26
votes
10answers
4k views
Which focal-length lens is usually used for portrait photography, and why?
What focal length or range of focal lengths are usually used for portraits?
What is used by professionals? Why would one select a certain focal length? What are the advantages and disadvantages of ...
