All Questions
6,173
questions
30
votes
6
answers
22k
views
Can I use lens brand X on interchangeable lens camera brand Y?
I've got some lenses of brand X, but I've just got a new camera of brand Y. How can I tell if it's possible to use my lenses on my camera? I accept that I may lose a lot of automatic functionality ...
- 21.8k
156
votes
10
answers
61k
views
What is the "exposure triangle"?
What is the exposure triangle? How do the "sides" affect my photographs?
- 12.4k
34
votes
8
answers
40k
views
Why are my photos not crisp?
I use a Canon EOS Rebel T3i (600D) with the kit lens. I have experimented a lot with different settings and modes, but I feel like I have wasted many good shots that could have looked amazing, if only ...
- 467
67
votes
9
answers
9k
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?
- 955
88
votes
6
answers
45k
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 ...
- 7,884
47
votes
11
answers
12k
views
What is crop factor and how does it relate to focal length?
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 ...
- 1,200
69
votes
5
answers
11k
views
What exactly determines depth of field?
There are 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 ...
- 143k
199
votes
15
answers
134k
views
What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean?
When looking at a lens name, there are a lot acronyms describing its features (often specific to the manufacturer).
Examples, Nikon:
Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm VR f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon AF-I 600mm f/4D ...
21
votes
4
answers
8k
views
RAW files store 3 colors per pixel, or only one?
Ken Rockwell says that camera makers consider the individual R/G/B sensors when they talk about megapixels. So the image below would be a 6x6 pixel camera, not 3x3 as you would imagine.
If that's ...
- 475
54
votes
7
answers
191k
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 ...
Roger Pate
18
votes
6
answers
4k
views
What do I need to consider to choose between dSLR, mirrorless, or a compact as my first "serious" camera?
I am thinking of buying a camera to learn photography. Most of the time I'll be shooting portraits and landscapes. But I am not sure where I should start. Most of my friends tell me that I should get ...
- 361
11
votes
2
answers
8k
views
How do I diagnose the source of blurry photos?
Probably a novice question, but how do I correctly diagnose from a photo for what reason that camera wasn't able to focus properly? Or tell if the image was blurry for some reason other than incorrect ...
- 422
23
votes
6
answers
15k
views
When should I upgrade my camera body?
As the question says, when should I upgrade my camera body? In particular, if I have a low- to mid-range body (A DSLR such as a Nikon D3200 or Nikon D5100, or Canon SL1 or T5, or a mirrorless camera ...
- 12.5k
57
votes
9
answers
144k
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?
- 2,087
21
votes
4
answers
7k
views
What features should one look for when selecting a flash?
I have been thinking of getting a flash to improve my low light photography (particularly indoors). However, there seem to be a number of different models available at similar price points (budget of ...
- 4,645
45
votes
12
answers
42k
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 ...
- 535
80
votes
6
answers
61k
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 ...
- 70.6k
44
votes
12
answers
7k
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 ...
- 3,149
129
votes
7
answers
19k
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?
- 143k
40
votes
7
answers
22k
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 ...
- 1,403
25
votes
9
answers
7k
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 camera,...
- 3,837
309
votes
16
answers
62k
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 ...
- 9,752
69
votes
7
answers
24k
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 ?
- 26.5k
31
votes
3
answers
65k
views
Why do RAW images look worse than JPEGs in editing programs?
I've found that when you load a RAW image into an editing program such as Lightroom/Aperture, the image is usually worse than if you just took the image as JPEG. Now I understand that the camera does ...
- 3,288
123
votes
9
answers
52k
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 ...
- 2,404
57
votes
7
answers
28k
views
Why are Red, Green, and Blue the primary colors of light?
Colors don't have to be a mixture of red, green, and blue because visible light can be any wavelengths in the 390nm-700nm range. Do primary colors really exist in the real world? Or did we select red, ...
- 1,283
12
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Why do Full Frame lenses and crop body lenses exhibit the same crop factor when used on a crop body camera?
I have a Canon 7D, which has a crop factor of 1.6x.
When using a Canon EF-S lens I get the focal length stated on the lens, when using a Canon EF lens I get the focal length times 1.6 when used on ...
- 427
20
votes
4
answers
7k
views
What are the Yongnuo flash naming conventions?
I'm trying to get an idea of which Yongnuo flash will fit my requirements. I'd like to have a flash to pair with my SB-900 with TTL support for use both on and off camera (Nikon CLS-compatible). My ...
- 763
48
votes
9
answers
31k
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 ...
- 2,937
45
votes
7
answers
15k
views
Is there a sane reason why ¹⁄₁₂₅ is not, instead, exactly half of ¹⁄₆₀?
Here are some common shutter speeds you will find on most DSLR cameras:
1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000
As you move from left to right, or as you increase the shutter ...
- 941
100
votes
4
answers
18k
views
What does an unprocessed RAW file look like?
I know people use fancy software like Lightroom or Darktable to post-process their RAW files. But what if I don't? What does the file look like, just, y'know, RAW?
- 143k
101
votes
8
answers
146k
views
Can the sun damage the camera sensor? Under what conditions?
I want to experiment taking photos in which 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 ...
- 3,231
10
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Blown out blue/red light making photos look out of focus
I've only recently started taking photos and got into shooting concerts in a small venue that has neither a pit, nor proper lighting. All they use is some kind of simple LED array.
The thing is ...
- 103
43
votes
9
answers
132k
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?
- 2,291
13
votes
4
answers
9k
views
What is the relationship between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed?
I know digital cameras have ISO options, and that ISO is the camera's sensitivity to light, but if you set higher ISO then you can get a noisy image. I also know there are two other camera options, ...
- 159
84
votes
11
answers
7k
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 (Nikon/Canon/Pentax/Sony,...
- 11k
48
votes
20
answers
17k
views
How can I maximize the "blurry background, sharp subject" (bokeh) effect?
I know that this effect occurs when there's a shallow depth of field.
My question is, what are the various ways I can increase this effect in my photos when I'm taking them?
Note that I'm not ...
- 2,052
17
votes
4
answers
7k
views
What is the difference between perspective distortion and barrel or pincushion distortion?
I've heard of:
perspective distortion
barrel distortion
pincushion distortion
mustache distortion
What are these different types of distortion, and how do they relate? What causes them, and can they ...
- 143k
81
votes
7
answers
502k
views
How do I convert lens focal length (mm) to x-times optical zoom?
What is the rule to convert the 'mm' notation to the 'optical zoom' notation? I searched a bit and found this one:
...
- 2,216
34
votes
8
answers
31k
views
Is there any practical difference between saving at 300ppi or 72ppi?
I often see statements in discussions about web displayed image quality that go something like this: "I only upload pictures at 72 dpi and 1200 pixels on the long edge, so if someone copies and prints ...
- 175k
30
votes
6
answers
14k
views
Is there a difference between taking a far shot on a 50mm lens and a close shot on a 35mm lens?
I am looking for a prime lens to pick up, and I'm wondering if there is any difference between 35mm and 50mm in terms of the end product if I just stand back more with the 50mm. I use the Sony a6000 ...
- 397
18
votes
5
answers
39k
views
Why prefer the 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses vs 18-200mm?
There seems to be a preference for to have the
18 mm - 55 mm
55 mm - 250 mm
lenses, but no mention of why they're better than a single 18-200mm. Could someone please explain why the two separate ...
- 581
70
votes
14
answers
15k
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 ...
- 3,340
27
votes
3
answers
8k
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 ...
- 8,910
20
votes
7
answers
65k
views
Why do images get "corrupted"?
I have had my Nikon D40 for a while, and some of the pictures are coming out distorted.
Two examples are below:
So my questions are:
How do I fix them after the fact? - i.e. after they have been ...
- 303
53
votes
8
answers
11k
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 ...
- 143k
43
votes
3
answers
13k
views
What does it really mean that telephoto lenses "flatten" scenes?
This is another perspective distortion question. I understand that perspective distortion is primarily a function of capture and viewing distance, but I am still working on fully understanding the ...
- 615
39
votes
15
answers
11k
views
What is the best way to clean the sensor on a interchangeable lens camera (mirrorless or digital SLR)?
I've got a couple of spots of dust on the sensor of my Canon 20D. A rocket blower isn't shifting them, and I'm ridiculously scared of some of the more direct methods for cleaning sensors — what ...
- 16k
14
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Lots of noise in my hockey pictures. What am I doing wrong?
I often take pictures of hockey players but they have a lot of noise and look very bad. I guess my lens doesn't have a big enough aperture, but I'd like to know what I could do to take better shots. I ...
- 243
57
votes
5
answers
24k
views
What methods can be used to micro-adjust autofocus of a camera body to a particular 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 ...
- 2,013
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