Photo Blog : 2008 : June

Optical vs. Digital Zoom: What You Need to Know

Posted by Calista Chandler Jun 25, 2008

One of the most important things to understand when shopping for a digital point-and-shoot camera is the difference between optical and digital zoom. Some camera manufacturers label their cameras with the total zoom (digital x optical), but the two should not be combined because they are very different in terms of the kind of image quality they produce.

Optical Zoom – Pros

Optical zoom is achieved by moving the glass elements within the lens to enlarge the image. This is the same as the zoom on a film camera, or a digital SLR (single-lens-reflex camera) with interchangeable lenses. Image quality is not lost with optical zoom, so the higher the optical zoom rating your camera has, the farther away from your subject you can be and still capture a high quality image.

Digital Zoom – Cons

Digital zoom, on the other hand, does negatively affect the quality of your images. In reality, digital zoom isn’t zoom at all, but a simulation. When you use digital zoom your camera is enlarging a portion of your image to achieve an effect similar to optical zoom. It crops the area of the image that you’re not ‘zooming in’ on, and then digitally enlarges what remains to fit your screen. This results in lower quality image, and is exactly the same as what can be achieved in any photo editing software.

Avoid Digital Zoom Pitfalls

Most digital point and shoot cameras come with some measure of digital zoom, but it’s important to note that not all cameras give you control over it. Look for a camera that lets you disable the digital zoom, or at least lets you know when you are using it. If you are going to crop your images in editing software anyway, digital zoom might be a useful timesaving tool, but keep in mind that unlike full quality images that you crop on your computer, once you shoot an image with digital zoom you are stuck with it. There is no going back to the higher quality version.

The bottom line is that it is safe to ignore digital zoom when considering cameras with various zoom configurations. Optical zoom is what really matters, so investing in a camera with a higher optical zoom rating will give you higher quality images, and more versatility when you shoot.

1 Comments 0 References Permalink Tags: digital_zoom, optical_zoom, resolution, crop

Keep Your Camera Safe While Traveling

Posted by Calista Chandler Jun 8, 2008

Nothing ruins a good vacation like having your camera and all your pictures stolen. While some destinations are notorious for their clever and resourceful thieves, some tourists also make it easy for them by underestimating the risk of having their camera stolen or by thinking it won’t happen to them ...

… until it does happen to them.

So how can you keep your prized electronics safe?

Don’t pack your camera equipment (or any other valuables) in your checked luggage. A Google search for “camera stolen from luggage” reveals hundreds of stories of cameras disappearing while bags were in the hands of the airlines. (In fact, two TravelMuse staffers had personal items lifted from their luggage within days of each other during the holidays.) When you get your airline ticket read the fine print on the back. Most tickets have a disclaimer that releases the airline and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from any responsibility. If possible put your camera and other valuables in your carry-on bag.

Use common sense. Never leave your camera unattended, even for a minute, and don’t assume that your hotel room is safe, no matter the quality of the hotel you’re staying in.

Avoid carrying a brand name camera bag. It announces that you’ve got valuable gear, and that is exactly what thieves are on the lookout for. Choose a bag that looks generic instead, and if it has a brand name logo on it, cover it with a patch or pin of some kind.

Consider bags with concealed zippers. The Lowepro Flipside has a zipper that is accessible only from the back, making it impossible for thieves to open when you’re wearing it. It’s also a good idea to wear your backpack against your chest where you can see it when in crowded situations.

Be aware that some thieves work in teams. One will create a distraction while another grabs your camera right out from under your nose by cutting the shoulder strap of your purse or bag or slashing the material and letting your valuables drop out. Common places to watch out for this scam: subways, but terminals, crowds.

There are now camera bags and straps on the market that protect against ‘slash and grab’ thefts. Pacsafe bags are equipped with steel mesh hidden in every panel, making them impossible to slash. Combined with similarly slash-proof shoulder straps, tamperproof zippers and anchor clips that allow you to securely attach the bag to a stationary object, these bags can provide a lot of peace of mind.

With a little bit of preparation and planning you can greatly reduce the chances of having your camera stolen, making your vacation much more relaxing.

2 Comments 0 References Permalink Tags: camera_security, safety, stolen, pacsafe, lowepro

Understanding Lens Flare

Posted by Calista Chandler Jun 3, 2008

If you’ve spent much time behind a camera you’ve probably seen what is called lens flare show up on your images. It often appears as polygonal shapes of various sizes and color sprayed across your image. Other times it’s a series of bright streaks or a more generalized spray of light that lowers image contrast and obscures details. Lens flare isn’t always bad, sometimes it can be used artistically to enhance a photo, but it’s definitely something every photographer should understand.

Photo by frischmilch

Almost every camera lens is made up of multiple pieces of glass, called elements. Lens flare is caused by light that reflects off the surfaces of the glass elements rather than passing through them to the sensor or film. It can appear in images that contain a very bright light source, like the sun, some artificial lights or the full moon. Even if the image does not contain the light source, flare can be created if bright lights are just outside the frame and are able to directly hit the front glass element. Camera companies have come up with many different kinds of anti-reflective coatings designed to reduce flare, but none can eliminate it completely.

Here are a few tips to avoid lens flare flare ups:

1. Use a lens hood—an opaque, non-reflective cone that attaches to the end of your lens and extends out to block side light from hitting the front element. Many lenses come with hoods that are designed for the specifications of the lens. But if you are shopping for a hood for a lens that you already own, be sure to try it out at all different focal lengths to ensure that it isn’t visible through your viewfinder, otherwise it will show up in your images.
2. Invest in high quality UV filters. Low quality filters, with inferior coatings, could make the problem worse.
3. Keep lens flare in mind when composing your images. Shoot with your back to bright light sources in the area whenever possible. Otherwise, slight adjustments in composition can make a big difference. Try placing objects within your shot so that they at least partially block the light from hitting your lens. Holding your hand next to the lens to shield it also can work.

Lens flare isn’t something that every photographer tries to avoid. It all depends on what kind of look you are aiming for in your photography. In fact, there is a filter in Photoshop that allows you to add lens flare into your images—just in case you weren’t able to shoot directly into the sun!