History of SLR Cameras

This is the first pentaprism camera for eye-level viewing, the 1949 German Contax S.

SLR, or single lens reflex, cameras use a single mirror to allow the viewer to look through the camera to see what he will shoot. Prior to this, all cameras had two paths to the lens, one to the film, the other positioned above, called a twin lens reflex camera (TLR). The viewfinder and the optical lens cannot share the same path and so the film lens intersects with the viewing lens somewhere in front of the camera.

Most SLR cameras use a pentaprism to solve this inconvenience of not being able to take pictures of things far away. The pentaprism reflects the image twice, which allows the viewer to see the image without inversion.

Prior to this technology, SLR’s came with a waist-high focusing screen. The first modern SLR camera was the Duflex in 1947. Canon SLR cameras first entered the market in the 1950’s.

Today Canon SLR cameras come digital and they allow you to see what it is you’re about to shoot on an LCD screen. If you want to shop digital cameras, Canon SLR cameras are an excellent option. For others, come to www.photo4less.com to view Nikon cameras and other makes and models.

Next Time You Shop Digital Cameras, Get a Battery Grip

When you shop digital cameras, there are tons of tempting accessories to indulge in. A camera bag is a necessity, as you want to keep your new piece of machinery safe and sound. Lenses are a pricey add-on, but a must for anyone looking for variety in their shots. Filters, as we mentioned last week, are great for getting really varied, creative shots no matter what the lighting situation is like. Tripods are optimal for steady shots and portraits, but many can do without them because they’re a little heavy to lug around and aren’t really a necessity for the average photographer. Something that many people overlook when they shop digital cameras is a battery grip.

You don’t have to be a professional to benefit from a battery grip. The main benefit is more power and longer battery life. Two batteries mean you have to recharge half as much. Another benefit is the second shutter release button and setting dial, which can make portrait shooting a lot easier. Battery grips do add quite a bit of bulk to your camera. The weight can be a disadvantage if you’re not looking to carry around extra weight, but for some, it makes taking steady shots easier. The added weight really makes the camera sit in your hand allowing you to control any unwanted shake easier than you would with a lighter camera.

Filters for Nikon Cameras

Filters have an incredibly important effect on your images and are absolutely necessary if you’re looking to have a more creative range in your photography. Even though Photoshop is around to do just about anything we want to our photos, if you are serious about photography, filters are a must, even for digital SLR Nikon Cameras.

It was Ansel Adams who said that human perception and the photographic processes are completely different. So with that said, its imperative that photographers use filtration in their photography to create a truly creative image. Filters are great because they allow you to reflect your imagination, as opposed to a simply Xeroxing reality as you see it. Filters are also handy for your Nikon cameras when you’re in an area with bad lighting and need to compensate.

Grad neutral density and Polarizing filters are a necessity because the results you get from using these simply cannot be duplicated, even with Photoshop. Polarizing filters are used to select which light rays go into your lens. They are handy for removing unwanted reflections and saturate colors providing better contrast. Color conversion filters are also great for producing a warmer tone for images by balancing daylight and artificial lighting.

The Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 Available Now at Photo4Less.com!

The new Micro Four Thirds cameras introduced a whole new shooting experience to photography enthusiasts all over the world. The connivance of having a small bodied camera with the capabilities of a DSLR is truly groundbreaking and the possibilities are endless. Cameras like the innovative Olympus E-P1 created such a stir and excitement that is hardly seen anymore. It’s retro design and superior images bring the fun back into digital photography and the results are amazing indeed.

But they say that if you want to make the most out of your Micro 4/3 camera, there is one, must-have lens on the market – the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7. This gorgeous pancake lens produces excellent, Leica like results, and a super shallow depth of field. The Lumix 20mm focal length is equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm film camera and comprised of seven (!) lenses that are masterfully arranged in five groups.

Read the full review here

This magnificent Lumix 20mm lens got rave reviews all over. DPReview.com concluded that this is a “highly recommended” lens, “a winning combination of small size, high all-round image quality and excellent low-light capability”. Steve Huff of Steve Huff photos remarked that “The Panasonic 20 1.7 is a lens I can easily recommend” and the only problem with this lens is that it’s sold out everywhere.

Steve Huff Photo

This lens sells out like hot cakes and hits crazy price marks on Ebay and such.
Well, luckily, Photo4Less has the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f 1.7 lens available, in stock, right now, for an amazing price of $399. So if you’re looking to take your Micro 4/3 photography to a new level and get a truly unique fast lens with low light capabilities and shallow depth of field – then head on to www.Photo4Less.com today and get yourself the Panasonic Lumix 20mm.

Shopping for Nikon Cameras? Nikon D40 is the Camera of Your Dreams

Years ago, if you wanted to take professional grade photos, it usually meant you were doomed to lug extremely heavy and extremely expensive equipment around everywhere. But those days are over thanks to amazing advances in the digital camera world.

Many Nikon cameras offer the same professional results, with less equipment at more modest prices.

Specifically, the Nikon D40 offers tons of features that make it a great option for those looking into DSLR for the first time, and has enough going for it that even the experienced photographer can find it extremely useful.

Features:
• Superior image quality.
Like most Nikon Cameras, you can anticipate fantastic quality photos. Stunningly sharp images and vivid color can be expected with the D40 thanks to its 6.1 megapixel Nikon DX format CCD imaging sensor and exclusive Nikon image processing center.
• Lightweight.
The D40 is a mere 16 ounces! Out of all the Nikon cameras, it’s the smallest to date.
• Fast start up with instant shutter response.
The D40 shoots up to 2.5 frames per second making it easier to capture those special moments instantly.
• 2.5 inch color LCD monitor with in-camera photo editing.
The larger screen makes playing back your images easier on the eyes and the in-camera editing allows you to nip problems like red-eye in the bud, without the need for a computer.

Nikon Cameras vs. Canon SLR Cameras

These two companies are the leading competitors in cameras. If you’re looking to get serious with photography, these are your best options. But which one is better? Let’s take a look.
In terms of functionality and features, Canon SLR cameras and Nikon cameras are about the same. To really isolate the differences between these two cameras, we can begin by examining lenses. Nikon’s lenses are not backwards compatible with older Nikon cameras while Canon’s are.

As a result, autofocus will not work if you use a different lens on Nikon cameras, which can be a pain. So here, your choice comes down to how you plan to use your camera in the future, whether it be upgrading eventually, or just expanding your collection of lenses as you move further into photography. If you will eventually buy a new camera and a new lens, it doesn’t matter which one you choose. However, if you want to keep your lenses and the ability to autofocus, Canon slr cameras are more compatible with older and third party lenses.

On the other hand, Nikon has done a lot of work to ensure that when you take a picture with a flash you get the results you want. Their “Creative Lighting System” is featured on more professional styles and is worth noting if you want to get serious about your photography.

Ultimately, these competitors are reliable and have been in the camera business for years. A lot of people boil their choice down to brand loyalty. But if you’re just buying your first camera, it’s important to do your research before you choose a side.

Should I Use A Case For My Nikon Cameras?

I’m a messy person. Ask my mom... Really. I can never keep things in one place. I lost 7 cell phones and 5 iPods. So to be honest, when I went to shop digital cameras, I knew that I was going to spend in the high hundreds for a cool new DSLR, so I also decided that this is definitely something I would want to take good care of.

So I bought myself a small carrier case that I take when I go to local places and I a larger carrier case for all my memory cards, tripods and lenses when I go on a big trip. The main point is to keep your Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras safe. Sure, it's a convenience as well, but it’s mainly used to keep all of your equipment in one place and your camera safe from breaking, getting lost, getting bumped around, getting scratched and possibly getting stolen.

So yes, if your camera means a lot to you, like mine does me, then you will definitely want to use a case. These cases come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, types of materials, etc. My local case is just a simple fabric imposed case with a lot of cushion around it. My travel case is like Kevlar! You could shoot that case and my camera wouldn't be wounded!

If you’re planning to shop digital cameras, Nikon cameras or Canon SLR Cameras then visit www.Photo4Less.com today!

How Can I Take Better Photos at Night with My Nikon Cameras?

We've all seen beautiful night photographs — those works of art that capture the stars or city lights. However, if you're just getting started, replicating these effects on your own can be difficult. Here are some tips to help improve your night photography:

• At night, it's all about exposure. It doesn't matter if you are using Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras, any model will come with an exposure option. Exposure controls the amount of light that enters the camera, so a longer exposure time (or shutter speed) means a brighter picture.
• Next, you need to know when to use a flash — or a flashlight. A flash is useful for lighting up everything in the immediate area of the camera, while a flashlight (held by a friend, ideally) can spotlight a specific area.
• Since light is such a big deal, another tool to consider is a lens hood. This reduces lens flares by blocking light from sources outside the frame of your photo.

But beyond these specifics, remember that at its heart photography is all about trial and error. You've got a digital camera after all — why not use up a few frames experimenting?

3 Free Photo Sharing Sites You Must Check Out After You Shop Digital Cameras

Whether you’re a Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras enthusiast, a point and shooter, or you rock your first Mickey Mouse wind-up camera from grade school, you probably are more than happy to show off your photos to anyone with pair of working eyes. If you can’t find anyone to exhibit your masterpieces to, there’s a special place where millions of strangers are more than willing to check them out—The almighty Internet! Here are 3 photo sharing sites that could work for you.

Flickr

Flickr is awesome. In terms of features, functionality, and its massive popularity, it is the top photo sharing site on the web to date. The only downside is the storage capacity limits for free accounts, but for a small price you can upgrade. Unlimited storage is only $30 a year!

Zooomrr

Zooomrr is like Flickr’s equally cool sister, that doesn’t get nearly as much attention. Although feature-rich and has no storage limit for free accounts, it still hasn’t caught on with the cool kids as strongly as Flickr has, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

Picasa

Picasa, part of the Google brand, is another photo sharing that hasn’t quite caught up to Flickr in terms of popularity but has really great features like robust photo sharing, an incredible photo search engine, and 1GB of free photo storage. Not a bad deal at all.

If you’re feeling left out because you don’t have a digital camera, don’t worry--you can shop digital cameras like Nikon cameras, Canon SLR cameras and more at Photo4less.com

Can I Match Up Any Lens For My Nikon Cameras?

When you originally bought your digital camera, it probably came with interchangeable lenses. One of the lenses was probably already on the body of the camera and you might have luckily received a second lens included with the price. If you started doing your photography, and you've taken a few courses, and you've done some research, you might begin to notice that there is an array of lenses available to you. These lenses are superb for different kinds of photography such as wide lens, panoramic, macro, etc.

But, can you really use Nikon cameras lens with a Canon slr cameras or visa versa? Sadly, I would love to say yes, but this just isn't the case! If you don't want to run into any compatibility problems, it's a really good idea to match up your lens manufacturer with your camera manufacturer. Unless you get an adapter but that’s a different story altogether. So if you have something like Canon SLR cameras and you find a really cheap Olympus Macro lens you really have been wanting to buy - don't do it!

Pay the few bucks more and get the right lens for the right camera. There are a few brands out there that supposedly work with various brands of cameras, but I'm still not sure I would trust it when I shop digital cameras and lenses!

Do I Have To Catalog And Organize My Photos?

Even the laziest person will become addicted to archiving, cataloging and organizing their photos. It's just something that you will feel like you HAVE to do. It's not something you always need to do, no. But if you take a lot of photos with your Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras (digital), travel a lot, use a lot of different pieces of equipment or cameras, or you sell photography for a living, this is going to be an important aspect! There is one main thing you can do in order to organize and stay organized. Since no one expects you to buy a new laptop or a new drive for every single subject, you can instead look into getting cataloging software.

This is a program you can install right on your computer or HDD drive and every single time you "upload" photos to your drive you can set the photo(s) in a specific format, file, and name. You can even archive these photos so that they stay in the old folders rather than upfront with the new ones. I've heard some really cool and some really scary archiving stories from photographers. This is simply a MUST do, especially when selling photographs. One guy I talked who said he had a very large portfolio on his site - could be compared to one of those stock images sites.

He had a client contact him about one photo in particular of an African Safari he went on, with a particular type of animal in the background, particular sun, trees, etc. Something that simply couldn't be copied EVER again. The client offered $10,000 for the photo. Guess what? He never archived it, hence he never saved it as "important", hence it got deleted when he was doing spring cleaning. So the guy didn't get the $10k, and the client didn't walk away with a nifty new picture. If you are selling - you should be archiving!

This is all about utilizing organizational skills and what is available out there in terms of helping just about anyone become and stay organized. Find the photos you need, at the time you want, with a simple click of a button or search! Shop digital cameras now to find some of the hottest cameras on the market!

What Is The Point Of Camera Accessories?

If you are just getting into digital photography this actually is a very valid question! Isn't photography all about the camera? Why do you need all this other stuff? Well frankly, it's all about convenience, quality (making the photo better) and functionality. For something like Nikon cameras you might be able to buy a compact camera, but you also might want to buy an accessory like a strap or pouch. This is merely used as a semi-stylish way to keep your camera safely with you by your side so you can use it whenever you want.

On the other hand, for something like Canon SLR cameras you are going to have a LARGE array of accessories. To name a few you have pouches, bags, flashes, lenses, hoods and caps, tripods, lighting equipment, software, books, and so much more! Something like lighting equipment is all about taking a quality photo, whereas with something like software and books it's all about educating yourself on how your camera works, how you can take great pictures or even how to make money with photography.

As for bags and pouches, this is like the compacts in that it's a mere convenience to be out some place and have your camera with you in case you want to shoot something! I always take my Nikon cameras with me everywhere - I find that when I don't, it’s like not taking your umbrella with you - it always rains! There is always an opportunity for a superb picture and by utilizing accessories such as some of the options above for your Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras, you won't miss a beat! Shop digital cameras and accessories now and find your "umbrella" in the rain. Have fun!

How To Pick Out The Right Camera That is Perfect For YOU!

There is an array of cameras available on the market these days as well as different types as well. If you are the type of person that doesn't like to fuss with a lot of buttons and unneeded crap, a compact camera is going to be perfect for you. These are sleek little beauties that can "point and shoot" quite easily, they can also fit into your back pocket or your purse. These also take fine pictures, though some people might not agree. My father has a compact that he bought 2 years ago, and it's amazingly clear.

The photos look like they were taken on a $5,000 piece of equipment, when really it was only $200 - 2 years ago. If you like to figure things out, don't mind a lot of direction and buttons - something like Canon SLR cameras or Nikon cameras may be the way to go for you. These are a little more confusing, take as little more time to figure out, and can end up taking some amazing photos. They are also a little more on the bulky side and probably won't fit into your Gucci purse.

The Canon SLR cameras and Nikon SLR cameras are great for the person that want to get more into the professional side of photography and doesn't necessarily just want to shoot of a few shots at parties and functions. You can shop digital cameras right on our website and find the best option for your lifestyle, needs and price!