Camera & Accessories Search

Monday, July 27, 2009

Digital Camera Accessories: Select Them Like A Pro

By Sylvia Howard

Capturing a moment is best done with a digital camera in this time and age, but besides the apparatus you also need to know if you need any accessories, and how to choose them. You may be a digital photography fan or just an occasional user, but in both cases you will be able to tell the story of a moment that cannot be brought back.

Digital photography allows you to touch many lives through images of beauty and art which will be able to take and to keep in electronic format. People who are very good at it have started out with this as a hobby but some even managed to turn it into a profession!

Digital camera accessories are also not limited to high-end SLR cameras, as there is a wide set of extras that will help you improve your technique and that will allow you to take better pictures even if you own a humble compact digital camera.

Although the variety of camera accessories is great, some are more exotic and meant mainly for pros. But certain accessories are of great use to everyone. Here are the most common ones:

The first probable investment for your digital camera will probably be the camera bag, which is where you place all the equipment that you need when you are location shooting but also when you are traveling, and it would also serve as your basic case where all your photography equipment is stored and protected. It is also one of the most inexpensive accessories that you may ever buy and add to this is that they enable you carry and protect the expensive equipment that you carry around.

Camera bags are available in several specifications, from the simple hold-all to the specialized compartmented SLR backpack. You can of course carry your camera in any kind of bag, but a padded, purpose-made item is a wise buy.

Of all the digital camera accessories, perhaps the camera tripod of the most useful - it reduces camera shake and therefore the likelihood of a blurred picture, especially in low light conditions, and allows you to take pics from unusual angles. Tripods may seem bulky at first, but bear in mind that a great majority of tripods are either foldable or retractable and should be able to fit in most of the medium size to larger camera bags.

Don't forget to check if your camera screws onto the tripod when acquiring a new one, or you will have to buy another!

The next most useful kind of digital camera accessories are probably those who prolong your picture-taking. Both extra batteries and storage cards fall into these categories. Batteries allow you to take pictures for longer without recharging the camera and are fundamental in faraway locales, while extra storage cards are great for sports photography, when you will need to take a whole lot of pictures.

About the Author:

Digital Camera Buying Tips

By Scott Morgan

Camera shopping and don't know which one to get? You are not alone as many people often wonder what the best brand of camera is. Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have an electronics isle with hundreds of cameras to choose from, but don't let price determine your decision as there are many other factors to a good digital camera.

Before the digital camera boom, there were only a few camera brands that were successful. Now there are thousands of imported brands that tout cheap prices and great features. The question we have for these new companies is if they have truly passed the test of time.

Although there has been a big digital camera boom, there is still something to be said of the brands that have been around for a while. Even though there are tons of brands, many of them are made with cheap materials to lower the cost. This in turn will lower the quality of lenses and other camera materials.

What makes these brands better than the competition? Canon and Nikon use high quality materials and even just holding one of these brands compared to another cheaper brand is like light and day. Canon and Nikon cameras are often heavier and don't have the "cheap" feel of the other brands. They also are masters at capturing color and shadows as they produce the best camera lenses in the world.

Resolution and color capture should be the biggest things that determine if a camera is high quality or not. Nikon and Canon are masters of this as you can see with picture comparisons of other camera brands.

Although the prices are higher, you will be way more satisfied with a digital SLR camera made by Nikon or Canon. These cameras will last a lot longer without breaking, and will produce the high quality pictures that will last a life time.

About the Author:

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Lomo Fisheye Camera - Goodbye Digital, Hello Film! Try This Fun Camera For Cool Effects

By Clayton Printemps

One of my favorite cameras is the Lomo Fisheye camera. I've been a huge fan of Lomography for years and this is one of those cameras that really made an impression on me. It's the type of camera that a lot people don't understand, that's for sure. It's made out of plastic and looks like it could break at any moment. Plus, it smells curiously like vanilla when you open it. What type of camera does that?

You Can Get Super Close

If you've never used a Fisheye lens before, you're missing out! It's one of the few camera lenses other than a Macro lens that lets you get super close to whatever you're going to take a picture of. Take advantage of this! If you're out taking pictures of your friends, get in close like you're about to give them a big fat wet kiss. You can't be shy when using this camera if you want the best shots. Plus, The Lomo Fisheye allows you to get close enough to make conversation with whomever you want!

The Camera That WIll Change The Way You Think

Plain old digital cameras take all the fun out of photography. Most people don't go crazy with them to see all the amazing possibilities that photography opens up to them. With the Lomo Fisheye camera, you can make your first step into seeing like the rock star photographers that you love so much. Everything you see in the world will be completely different when put through this lens. Because of the unique way it captures images, you can twist, spin, and do whatever you want with the camera to see what you can produce. Never stop experimenting

Mind Blowing Effects With The Simple Cross Process

Have you ever heard of cross processing? It's one of those awesome techniques photographers use when they want more punch to their photos. Well, you can do the same with a Lomo Fisheye camera too. All you need to do is buy some slide film, take a bunch of photos, and then get the film developed in regular C-41 chemicals. When the pictures come out, you'll be surprised what happens!

I've got a bonus tip for you. When you've finished shooting a roll through your Lomo Fisheye camera, you want to rewind it and then take the film and fun it through another camera. Try the LC-A or one of my all time favorites, the Olympus XA (one of the best cameras you'll ever find!) and see what happens. You'll get double exposures that look like an abstract masterpiece - all from your favorite things!

About the Author:

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Start Your Own Photography Business

By Dan Feildman

Do you love taking pictures? Are you considering making some money out of it? Starting a business out of photography is relatively easy, as long as you have the right equipment.

If you already own the proper equipment starting your own business will require little money. A photography business is even something you can do from your own home.

You can probably find a small space in your house or a room dedicated for your business. That will serve as your "office" space.

With the advent of digital SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras, you don't even need a dark room to develop the pictures you have taken. All you need is a personal computer with above average specifications and photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.

There may be additional photography equipment needed if you want to make your hobby your business. You will obviously want your photos to stand out in order to attract clients. A few items you may want to purchase include additional lenses and a variety of filters in order to produce sharp, clear photos as well as some special effects.

Starting with a few of them will do, then just gradually increase them as your business progresses. You don't even have to make this a full time business right away, especially if you don't have a client base yet. Doing this part time would be sufficient enough while in the start up stage.

Even if you only do this on your free time, make sure you are still dedicated and serious. You won't be able to get enough clients to sustain yourself if you don't take this business seriously.

One of the first items you will want to take care of are the legal issues. You will want to decide upon a name and perhaps a logo, for marketing purposes as well as to be able to operate legally. Once you have registered your business with your local tax office you will be able to issue receipts and, of course, file taxes.

Also, it would be good to write a business plan. Having one will help you identify your goal for your business and keep focused with this goal. This way, you will know if the business that you start up is worth all your time and effort.

You will want to sketch out your plans for marketing and ideas for how you can increase business. You can change this business plan in the future, what you write now is not necessarily put in stone. If you are looking for outside funding for your business the business plan is essential.

When planning your business plan be sure to include your business objectives. The objectives are important because they help you stay focused on the goals you have for your business. You also want to include how you plan to market your business, what advertising you intend to do. You will want to include pricing information so be prepared to have all the information planned out. Again, the business plan is something that can be changed over time.

When looking for clients begin with friends and relatives. You may want to offer some services at reduced cost in the beginning, when you are trying to get the word out. Hopefully the quality of your work will speak for itself and word of mouth will bring in more customers.

Soon your schedule will be so busy that you will be able to do this full time. Having a solid business plan, and sticking to it, is the key to success. Word of mouth and a good marketing plan will keep you going for many years. Advertise locally and you will see your business grow by leaps and bounds.

Finding new clients will not be difficult. For most people photographs are treasured memories. You can also tap into the corporate market as they rely heavily on photos to market their products.

Starting a photography business may be easy to do but it should be taken seriously. For anyone who wants to make serious money, dedication is important. You should also be responsible for all your actions. After all, wouldn't it be nice to earn decent income with something you love doing?

About the Author:

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Spy Pen Unmasked

By Jonathon Little

Most people have seen some version of the spy pen in action, most probably in the latest spy film as one of the many gadgets wielded by the top spy. They look like ordinary every day pens but secretly contain a tiny camera designed to record all the events unfolding around them.

Eager to examine the quality of cover this little gadget has we decided to launch a small field experiment and see just how many can guess its real cause. Our results were most shocking and so we thought we would share them with you. This is what we found,

Our first step in the experiment was to gather around 30 people and have them take it in turns to examine and write with the device. This placed the spy pen out of its comfort zone already but having people examine it closely and in detail. What we found most fascinating was that people immediately began testing its function as a pen and looking for nothing out of the ordinary. Not a single person passed it back aware of any recording taking place.

The camera was recording during this first step and we recorded each of them examining the pen in great deal. Roughly a third even looked directly at the camera and although we believe they saw it, presumed it was just a feature on the pen.

We then became aware that the reason people didn't notice it is because, well simply put, this is what the spy pen is designed to do. It's meant to hide in plain site. So we took our test to the next level. Unscrewing the spy pen we brought into plain site the USB plug attachment contained on the lower part of the camera section of the pen.

To our amazement out of roughly 40 people we handed the spy pen to only 2 people believed it to be anything more than a every day pen that contained a run of the mill memory stick you see in everyday life. People generally thought this was a brilliant idea and asked where to get one.

The two that were suspicious of its real intentions stated they heard of similar devices before, the fact that we were getting people to look at it alerted them it was something more than we were letting on. They both stated that if they had seen it lying about they wouldn't have questions its normal usage.

This test is a brilliant example of what a good disguise spy pens have. People are very eager to accept the most rational and simplistic answer to a question or object. Even when its cover was 50% blown people accepted another more rational reason. With cover like this the spy pen has many years of covert surveillance left.

About the Author:

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Mitigate Vandalism to Your Outdoor Security Camera

By John Wolfe

The reason you need an outdoor security camera is to deter criminal and hostile activity. The surveillance equipment in the area to be monitor will no doubt be at risk of destructive behavior and while we cannot prevent it absolutely, there are things we can do to mitigate the risk. There are four main considerations to protect your outdoor security camera from vandalism.

The first consideration is the camera itself, or the housing that the camera will be in. How the camera is mounted will play a big role as well as the placement of the camera. One of the most reliable ways is to install an intelligent video alarm on the camera itself.

The material of the casing makes a difference since metal provides better vandal protection than a plastic casing. Another big factor is the shape of the housing or the camera. A traditional fixed camera that protrudes from a wall or ceiling is easier to attack than something that is more discrete such as a dome shaped housing or camera.

A housing or camera that is mounted flush with the wall is much safer than something mounted on the surface of a wall or ceiling. When flush in the wall, the only part left sticking out is the transparent covering. It is also important that the cables are protected and that depends on the mounting. Ideally we want to pull the cables through the wall or ceiling directly behind the camera. If that is not possible, use a metal conduit tube to protect cables from attack.

Camera placement is also an important factor in deterring vandalism. By placing a camera out of reach on high walls or in the ceiling, many spur-of-the-moment attacks can be prevented. The downside may be the angle of view, which to some extent can be compensated by selecting a different lens.

Installing alarms is a more costly but very effective measure. It can alert operators if there is some level of tampering on the camera. This prevents redirection or obscured viewing from going unnoticed. Active tampering alarm features are very useful in a large installation with many cameras and keeping track to make sure all the cameras are working properly can get complicated. This way someone will be alerted if one of your outdoor security cameras aren't working as it should.

About the Author:

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Best Underwater Video Cameras: What to Consider Before Buying

By James Brown

The best underwater video cameras are perhaps hard to find. Much more different companies showcase their products claiming its the best over their other competitors. True enough, who wouldnt claim that. As a result, we the consumers are like the judge deciding on which video camera to purchase alongside with a variety of commercials and gadget advertisements.

So which is considered the best underwater video camera in the market today? Should we buy this kind because of its persuading advertisement? What basically should we consider even before buying a camera?

We consumers have these questioning dilemmas before purchasing anything. And basically its a good thing to do prior to buying. If you are in this doubt cloud, let me enlighten you with some tips and facts that I think might help you evaluate things before beaming up to your nearest gadget store.

Tip #1: ALL IN ONE OR HOUSED. There are video cameras that need to be housed by a waterproof exterior before plunging it on the water. But with the aid of technology, there are also others that are water ready and can withstand varying depths and even temperature. If you already have an existing video camera it would be practical enough to check if a waterproof housing is ready. This would help you save a few bucks on your end and you can also maximize the use of your current gadget. On the other hand, if you dont have one, then gauge if you want to buy an underwater camera or a camera with its waterproof housing. Weigh its advantages and disadvantages then decide.

Tip #2: WEIGH THE USE OF THE VIDEO CAMERA. The use of the video camera is for you to decide. If you already quantified how you will make use of it then the functionalities follow and you can filter out the brands. If you are just planning to buy a camera for the sake of video recordings while snorkelling perhaps, then Panasonic and Sanyo camcorders is suitable for this. They have recording hours that can last up to five hours. If you decide on rather a pro recording experience alongside with the video quality then Sea Viewer is perfect for the task. Thus you need to weigh because alongside the functionalities is the gadgets price. The more superior it is the more expensive it will be.

Tip #3: CHECK THE VIDEO CAMERAS BUILT IN UTILITIES. Video cameras with the different manufacturers offer multitude of functionalities that are unique on their end. There are some brands that offer this utility that cant be found with the other video camcorders. When you already identified the use of the gadget, then check if the functionalities suit the purpose. For instance, if you have plans to go on scuba diving and explore the undersea several depths below carrying a Panasonic video camera would be of no use since it only allows up to five feet.

Tip #4: CHECK, REVIEW AND COMPARE. Video cameras with the different companies offering such somehow have quite the same built in default functions. They only have a handful of edge over the other competitions. Thus, if you already have that camcorder in mind, it would be very helpful to check on its reviews and some user ratings and comments. This will not only help you assess how good or bad the product is but will also give you an overview on the things to expect once you already purchase it. Being contemptuous is fine as long as you get your moneys worth. In addition, compare the brand towards the other brands and evaluate if this one is way better than the next and vice versa.

I hope the simple steps stated above can help you assess on what underwater video camera to acquire. After all, the best underwater cameras would be the ones that you always use to capture lasting and memories that are priceless.

About the Author:

Accessories For Your Camera

By Chris Drake

If you own a digital camera, then you know you need to own digital camera accessories. Much like a film camera, the accessories you have for your camera can enhance your pictures. But there are other parts you may not think of as accessories for your digital camera.

You have memory cards, readers, batteries as well as plug in cords, tripods, flash, lenses, and more. And every piece can be vital to your project, no matter how big or small. The more you have, the more you can play with, but that doesnt mean that more is better.

Memory cards are important digital camera accessories. The more memory you have, the more pictures you can take. Or maybe you can have a higher quality picture. A photograph taken with a 10MP resolution will take up more space than one taken in a 5.1 MP resolution.

A bigger card will help you store more pictures. Card readers can help you transfer your pictures from the memory card to your computer, even if you dont have the cords or wires needed to do that. Batteries are vital, as most digital cameras suck the life out of regular batteries, so getting the best batteries for your camera is important.

Then you have digital camera accessories that you may have used with your film camera. Tripods, to hold your camera still, are a very important tool to the professional photographer that specializes in portraits. Different flash bulbs for different situations can make or break the photo.

There are different kinds of lenses, some where you can zoom in on someones nose thats 500 feet away! You also have filters, shades, and other accessories that can come in handy when you try to take a picture at Little Joeys birthday party or while sitting at your local sporting event.

Getting the right digital camera accessories for your camera can differ from person to person. For example, a single man in his mid-30s may be happy with a point and shoot camera with a digital zoom, satisfied with the pictures he gets.

Meanwhile a 22-year old mother of one may live for the flexibility, control, and professionalism the full service digital camera has to offer. Its a matter of picking what you want for your camera, and making that camera an extension of yourself as opposed to having it be a tool that you dont know how to really take advantage of.

About the Author:

Monday, July 6, 2009

Best Underwater Video Cameras: What to Consider Before Buying

By James Brown

Finding the best underwater video cameras in the market can be as gruelling as picking the right outfits in your closet. Oceans, seas and lakes are great venues to capture memories; and in some aspect, these are also the places where great and wonderful occasions are housed and done.

Thus if you have plans to purchase an underwater video camera, there are some things that needs to be taken into consideration. Perhaps these are a few dilemma questions you have in mind right now. Is there such a thing as best underwater video cameras? Do I need to spend more just to have one for myself?

We consumers have these questioning dilemmas before purchasing anything. And basically its a good thing to do prior to buying. If you are in this doubt cloud, let me enlighten you with some tips and facts that I think might help you evaluate things before beaming up to your nearest gadget store.

Tip #1: DECIDE WHETHER TO BUY A VIDEO CAMERA OR A SEPARATE HOUSING. There are video cameras that can stand alone under and above water. Whereas, there are also a variety that you can simply concentrate on buying a waterproof exterior instead of the gadget itself. Thus, if you already have an existing video camera then I recommend you search if a possible housing would be made available. But if you are still considering buying an underwater video camera, then I suggest you look for trusted camera brands that can withstand the water even without a faade in place. To name a few would be the Olympus SW Series, Sanyo and Canon.

Tip #2: WEIGH THE USE OF THE VIDEO CAMERA. The use of the video camera is for you to decide. If you already quantified how you will make use of it then the functionalities follow and you can filter out the brands. If you are just planning to buy a camera for the sake of video recordings while snorkelling perhaps, then Panasonic and Sanyo camcorders is suitable for this. They have recording hours that can last up to five hours. If you decide on rather a pro recording experience alongside with the video quality then Sea Viewer is perfect for the task. Thus you need to weigh because alongside the functionalities is the gadgets price. The more superior it is the more expensive it will be.

Tip #3: CHECK THE VIDEO CAMERAS BUILT IN UTILITIES. Video cameras with the different manufacturers offer multitude of functionalities that are unique on their end. There are some brands that offer this utility that cant be found with the other video camcorders. When you already identified the use of the gadget, then check if the functionalities suit the purpose. For instance, if you have plans to go on scuba diving and explore the undersea several depths below carrying a Panasonic video camera would be of no use since it only allows up to five feet.

Tip #4: CHECK, REVIEW AND COMPARE. Video cameras with the different companies offering such somehow have quite the same built in default functions. They only have a handful of edge over the other competitions. Thus, if you already have that camcorder in mind, it would be very helpful to check on its reviews and some user ratings and comments. This will not only help you assess how good or bad the product is but will also give you an overview on the things to expect once you already purchase it. Being contemptuous is fine as long as you get your moneys worth. In addition, compare the brand towards the other brands and evaluate if this one is way better than the next and vice versa.

So try these helpful tips and maybe you can set your mind on what camera you would really like and need. Perhaps the best underwater cameras so far are the ones that you chose for yourself, perform the functions you like and need with the convenience you deserve. Thus, before you decide to purchase one, make sure you have your own standards ready.

About the Author:

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Digital Photography With Memory Cards

By Sylvia Howard

Digital cameras may not need film like in olden times anymore, but the amount of pictures that you can store is still a fundamental facet. And as most digital cameras have a picture capacity which is less than a single analogue film, you will have to get a storage card as the first accessory equipment.

After having bought the first one, you should consider investing in one or more extra memory cards. These cards are an extremely portable accessory and the price of storage is decreasing quickly, and you will be able to do much more with your digital camera if you have the possibility to take lots of pictures between stops to a PC where you can store your pictures.

If you are about to take a vacation in remote places where you will be unable to transfer the images, and with no shops readily available in the vicinity, you will quickly appreciate the freedom of not having to ration your pictures.

In fact not having to think twice every time that you press the shutter will turn you into a bolder photographer. You will find that several risky pictures and framings give great results, which is why digital camera memory cards will make you a more experienced and ultimately better photographer.

Thanks to memory cards you will be able to use advanced features, such as digital camera settings that automatically take several pictures with different exposures every time that you press the shutter, without worrying about finding yourself without photo storage.

You will generally end up taking a higher volume of pictures and therefore having more shots from which to select the best ones. Will it make a difference for you if you are in a remote location for an extended period and are limited to 20 pictures a day, or to 200?

Also, it could happen to you to forget to delete or transfer the contents of the memory to another device like and to find yourself with a full memory when you most need it. Having extra digital storage capacity could mean the difference between taking that wonderful picture and missing out on a priceless moment.

One note of caution though. When buying digital camera storage cards, make sure that you get the right make, because not all memory cards are compatible with any kind of camera brand.

You will find digital camera storage cards with 32 gigabytes or more, but don't put all your eggs in one basket by buying a single one, spread your storage across several memory cards for security, should one card fail.

If you get the recommended digital camera storage cards, you should also consider buying a memory card reader, which makes transfer very easy, whether to a computer or directly to a digital photo printer.

About the Author:

Friday, July 3, 2009

What Are The Advantages To A Helmet Camera And Why Are They Needed For Water Sports Fans?

By Mike Brooks

Tiny point of view cameras which can be attached to a helmet have become a bit of a fad during the last 2 years. These helmet cameras, as they are also nicknamed, are utilized by all sports aficionados right from skydivers to mountain bikers, mountain climbers to ATV riders.

But what actually is a hat camera?

Sometimes called a pov camera, it is a tiny video camcorder designed specially for shooting typically outdoor sports action sequences and other recordings. Confusion sets in as these camcorders go by so many names. All POV cams are attached to the helmets of outdoor sports enthusiasts and thus are also called hat cameras. These helmet cams make use of wide angle lenses which facilitate shooting "in your face" action videos. Since these cameras are hooked up to the helmets, the audience is able to see and feel immersed from the perspective of the main character. Point-of-view or POV camera technology has recently been introduced by many action sports fans and they have also made their way into many job interrelated uses for trainers, security personel, firemen and even a lot of police tactical forces.

These helmet cams are especially created so that they can be fast mounted or taken away from the helmets. This resulting exceptional hands free perspective makes it especially useful to skydivers, cyclists, and motorbike aficionados as they can easily begin recording wonderful videos without need to jeopardize their lives by taking their hands off their sports equipment.

One may begin to think if these POV cams could endure all sorts of natural rough environments. Since these cameras were designed with a "tank tough" purpose in mind, they have been designed to be water resistant, shock resistant, and tough in order that they remain fully functional throughout the user's exploits. Spelunkers will not need to fret about wobbly rubble hitting their point of view cameras, while due to the fact that these cameras are water resistant there should be no need for apprehension about outdoor elemental damage for most sports fans.

Numerous brands of helmet cameras are totally waterproof. Waterproof helmet cams are designed for water based action such as surfing, diving and wind surfing. There is even a brand of HD snorkeling goggle video cameras.

As for cycling fans, their previous "helmet cameras" consisted of full sized camcorders fixed to the helmet which never allowed an ample viewing experience for the audience. But, the latest created point of view cameras are built to resist not only the abuse of vibration but also any kind of mud or water marks that it is expected to come across.

These helmet cams are usually fitted either straight onto the forehead of the helmet or to the side; depending upon the user's preference. As soon as a user switches on the camera, the lens activates and captures the scenery with automatic contrast, white balance and other aspects. This data is then transmitted automatically to the video-recording unit which then records the scenery. This footage will carry on till the battery dies or the removable memory card is completely full.

Considering the fact that these kinds of POV cams are light weight, tiny and are very robust, they come with very flexible price points. These prices stretch from approximately $100 on the low point whereas mid price units are approximately $350 and high end models like the Vio Pov 1.5 go for about $650. Therefore these video cameras are accessible for anyone's financial plan. It would not matter if you are a pro or non-professional sports aficionado. A helmet cam is indeed meant for you!

About the Author: