My Movies Time

Archive for May, 2011

The FujiFilm FinePix A610 was announced in early 2007. Much ado was made about this camera, because it combined for the first time Fuji’s proprietary Super CCD HR sensor and Real Photo Processor. This dual technology means cleaner pictures with more detail – something digital camera enthusiasts are always looking for. And the camera’s affordable price tag is another major selling point. It exceeds most people’s performance expectations for a $130 digital camera.

The FujiFilm FinePix A610 is a 6.1 megapixel camera with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 400. It has a 3x optical zoom. Most impressively, the Fujifilm FinePix A610 features a dual memory card slot which accepts both Fujifilm’s xD-Picture Card and Secure Digital (SD) card format. The FujiFilm FinePix A610 is powered by two AA batteries. It comes with 10MB of internal memory, allowing photographers to take and store pictures without a memory card. Customers appreciate this camera’s ease of use. It has a highly touted intuitive button layout, as well as easy-to-navigate access menus.

In fact, this digital camera seems to have been designed with beginners in mind. Fourteen scene positions and multiple picture settings make this camera a great choice for new photographers. Its generous 2.5 inch LCD is coated with an anti-glare protector that lets users preview their pictures even in bright light. Fuji has added a “new baby” setting that captures the true color of newborns’ flesh tones. New parents, traditionally a camera-happy lot, can really appreciate this feature. Soccer moms and dads will love the sports setting which reduces the blur in action shots.

Customer reviews of the FujiFilm FinePix A610 are mixed, but mostly positive. The user-friendly design of the buttons and menus is widely praised. The picture quality, however, has been brought into question. Some users complain that pictures come out looking a bit oversaturated. Others have observed that indoor pictures come out a little too dark. The camera seems to perform best when used for outdoor photography.

Also, the camera’s video quality doesn’t seem to be on par with other cameras in the same price range. The FujiFilm FinePix A610 captures movies in QVGA at a rate of thirty frames per second, without sound. This doesn’t keep the camera from receiving high marks in other areas, but many of its peers produce higher resolution video with sound included.

The bottom line is that the FujiFilm PinePix A610 is a nice camera for beginners. It has easy-to-use buttons, menus, and settings. But for the best quality pictures and videos, you might do well to look elsewhere.

This digital camera retails for about $130 US, and can be found online or at any major electronics store.

The Canon EOS 40D is a 10 megapixel SLR digital camera that saw a lot of hype prior to its release. According to users who have bought this camera, it lives up to the hype – and then some. Its DIGIC III image processor and large 3 inch LCD make it a favorite among casual photographers and professionals alike.

Users have nothing but lavish praise for this camera. The Canon EOS 40D consistently gets 5-star ratings and plenty of glowing reviews from owners. Some laud the camera’s impressive light sensitivity and its hefty size. The camera feels substantial, not like something fragile that might break with rough treatment. With the EFS 17-85 IS in place, the camera weighs in at two and a half pounds! But it does fit into the photographer’s hands naturally, and handles very well.

Professional action photographers use this camera for outdoor work and enjoy its sharpness and color identity. The camera even cleans itself every time it is turned off, thanks to an automatic sensor cleaning feature.

Some users feel that the Canon EOS 40D is more suited to advanced camera users. The sheer number of features can be intimidating. Customers recommend a lot of patience and exploration, or even the purchase of special training DVDs to help new photographers learn the ins and outs of the 40D.

Here are just a few of the Canon EOS 40D’s many features:

* 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
* DIGIC III Image Processor
* RAW, JPEG File Format
* Canon EF/EF-S Lens Mount
* Auto and Manual Focus
* Auto and Manual Exposure
* ISO 100-1600 (3200 Enhanced)
* 3.0-inch LCD
* Compact Flash Memory
* Lithium-ion Battery
* USB Cable
* Video Cable
* Neck Strap
* Battery Charger

The Canon EOS 40D is an SLR professional grade digital camera with image resolutions of 3888 x 2592,  2816 x 1880, and 1936 x 1288. It has a minimum shutter speed of 30 seconds, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds. Pictures can be snapped rapid-fire for excellent action shots. The EOS 40D does up to 75 images in burst mode. Its exposure controls include Auto, Manual, Daylight / Sunny (Preset), Cloudy (Preset), Fluorescent (Preset), Tungsten (Preset), Shade (Preset), and Flash (Preset).

A few critics voice disappointment that the camera kit doesn’t come with a lens hood as would be expected from a camera of this caliber. But complaints are few and far between. The Canon EOS 40D would be a great gift for a photography student, journalist, or anyone who is ready to move away from point-and-shoots. This is a real camera for real photographers.

The Canon EOS 40D retails for about $1,200 US.

There are many places you can learn photography, but what is the right place for you?  Sure there are online schools and courses, but they won’t give you the hands on information you need.  You need other students and the teacher’s eye to become a better photographer.  The online classes do have their uses for instance giving you the basic information to study.  It can be difficult to choose the right school.  Some require recommendation while others are apart of colleges.

The information you wish to glean from a photography class will make part of the decision for you.  For instance in a college setting that does not specialize in photography will offer the basic levels, but may not offer you an internship with a professional photographer in your field.  If you are looking for photography as a hobby these basic level classes will often give you the information you need to produce pictures you can be proud of.

Specialized schools as with any others will allow for more information on a specific topic.  Most specialized schools will allow you to work with a professional to learn the specifics of your profession as well as expand your knowledge. This helps you learn quicker and learn more about the techniques used in photography while having hands on experience.

The best way to choose a photography school is to decide what you want from your photography.  Once you have decided that you can move on to finding out how to apply.  Some photography schools are part of a studio and allow for anyone to sign up for a class.  Other schools require you to attend a college or university first for basic photography and intern before you go on to the specialized school.

Searching online will lead you to the schools available in your area and across the country.  You will be able to find the application as well as descriptions of every class they offer.  The sites will also list the qualifications you have to attend the school and what classes you will need to take to become a photographer. Although the experience you receive from a classroom is better, online classes teach you what you need to know.

Some classes that you will need to will be in lighting, composition, and other basics.  Depending on your field you will then need to branch out in studying ways to capture the subject.  Like portrait photography you will need to understand angles, light, balances, and how to elicit the reactions you need from the subject.  Digital photography is the new way to take photographs and there are a few different techniques to learn from the older manual cameras.

Photography schools can help you become more adapt at taking photographs.  You may decide you need a little help to step up from being the point and shoot type to a more complicated camera or you might decide there is a career for you.  There are many types of schools for you and online sources will help you find it.  Online photography classes can be helpful for you learning techniques, but you will still want other people to help you find your eye for art.  If you have worked with manual cameras in the past chances are you will want to take a digital photography course when you switch.

To touch on one more type of school we need to delve into underwater photography.  Most colleges and other photography schools associated with studios do not specialize in underwater photography.  It is often best to seek out a dive school for a basic course.  You might decide to delve further and find an underwater photography school. Underwater photography has always been a unique and interesting hobby or profession. Seeing the results of your work is like nothing else one can imagine. When you look at the color and the amazing views, you will understand underwater photography more.