Archive for November, 2006

The Ideal Kept Secrets Of Digital Photography

By Dane J Stanton\r\n\r\nIt\’s incredible how far digital photography has come in the last decade! When the technology first came out many photographers were very skeptical and they believed that it was going to destroy the world of photography forever and they were scared that everyone was going to be able to become a photographer and remove any kind of professionalism associated with this art form. We all know this isn\’t the case and in fact digital photography has done more for the world of photography than anything else in history.\r\n\r\nWhat we\’ve come to realize is that digital photography and print photography have been split into two different categories and that neither of the two are better than each other. Going back to that belief that many photographers had about digital photography ruining any form of professionalism, this is of course not the case. There are several professional digital photographers who do incredible work and use this piece of technology to its fullest extent.\r\n\r\nSo How Do I Get Involved In Digital Photography?\r\n\r\nWell it\’s so simple, all you have to do is go out and purchase a digital camera and begin shooting! No but seriously though, there are some things you\’ve to know first but they are pretty basic. First of all you\’re going to need to get a camera with a decent lens. Fortunately most professional cameras come digitally nowadays so you shouldn\’t have any problem finding one. The benefit of having a camera with a great lens is that you\’ll have the capability to focus on different things in your shots. This is the real art of photography, being able to show something that stands out and has meaning. That meaning you will of course have to find and explain yourself through your photos.\r\n\r\nBenefits of Digital Photography\r\n\r\nThere are several benefits of digital photography but perhaps the most obvious is that you will have the ability to see what you\’ve taken and choose whether or not it is worth keeping or discarding. The second benefit is that you can also upload your photos onto your personal so you can edit and change them around. There are several different pieces of pic editing software out there that allow you to do breathtaking things.\r\n\r\nIf you are just deciding to begin digital photography now, then you have started at the right time as we\’ll only begin to see more and more advancements in this form of technology in the future which of course we\’ll have the privilege of first trying and testing. Good luck!\r\n\r\nIf you want to learn more about photography including free information, reviews and much more, or you want to join our free weekly newsletter then please visit – photography courses  (Recommended) or for more free articles all about photography visit Photography Blog\r\n\r\nArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_J_Stanton

Digital Camera Batteries – stay juiced up for your ideal photos

Understanding Digital Camera Batteries\r\nBy Jill Kane\r\n\r\nYou need batteries to power your digital camera otherwise you will not be able to use it. Most digital cameras use\r\nthe standard-sized AA batteries which are reasonably priced and easily available anywhere. However, you must\r\ninvest in rechargeable batteries as digital cameras tend to use a lot of power and you might find that your\r\nbatteries are dead after a few shots. A lot of people especially when they\’re sightseeing tend to leave their\r\ncameras on. This, too tends to drain the battery.\r\n\r\nThere are different kinds of batteries available for digital cameras this day. The regular alkaline batteries are all right\r\nto use in an emergency but not on a regular basis. They just do not have the power to last for more than a couple of  shots. When they\’re recharged, the power you get from them is even less. Digital cameras need batteries that\r\ncan cope with the high amounts of energy they need, especially when you use the flash.\r\n\r\nThe most popular batteries for digital cameras are the rechargeable NiMH or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. They\r\ndon\’t cost much and are definitely better than the standard ones you get. They could give you up to one hundred\r\nshots if you\’re careful with how you use your camera, switching it off when you do not need it. Of course, if you\’re into more than just the aim-and-click photos, you must be prepared for the charge going fast, especially if you use the flash or you adjust the focus and zoom a lot. Yet another advantage is that these are environment-friendly as they are non-toxic.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to charging these batteries, make sure you have a good, reliable charger.\r\nRemember that batteries can get overcharged so look out for one that has an automatic switching-off when the\r\nbatteries are fully charged. Always charge all the batteries your camera needs to be powered at one go – whether\r\ntwo or three or four. This way, they\’re all equally charged when you put them in.\r\n\r\nSome digital cameras have to use lithium-ion batteries. The advantage of these, though they are more high-priced, is that you can store them and they don\’t lose their charge. You can use them for twice as long as the NiMH\r\nbatteries. Most manufacturers give you a lithium-ion charger when you buy your camera. If they do not, just make sure you buy one as then they come as accessories.\r\n\r\nYou digital camera is only as good as the shots you get. If you chance upon a one-in-a-million view and your batteries are dead, it\’s a waste of a view and the waste of a camera. Your batteries, no matter how good, are only good if they\’re well-charged. So invest in a good battery charger. One in which you can control the time of charging so your batteries don\’t get overcharged. Once you have your batteries and charger in place, the world is yours, literally, through your viewfinder!\r\n\r\nFor more information on Batteries for Digital Cameras or the Advantages of Digital Photography visit http://www.Digital-Photography-Help.com\r\n\r\nArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Kane

Digital Cameras – is there one in your home yet?

10 Reasons A Digital Camera Is Your Best Purchase\r\nBy Jimmy Wilson\r\n\r\nChoosing a digital camera to capture those all illusive moments should be a well thought out buy. Selecting a digital camera is by far your best choice. A digital camera can enhance your treasured snapshots by allowing you to make changes and improve your clarity. There are at least 10 reasons to select digital:\r\n\r\n1. A digital camera stores your images in pixels that make for better resolution of your pictures.\r\n\r\n2. Having the ability to delete bad snapshots without having to pay for bad pics.\r\n\r\n3. Digital cameras allow you to enhance the images before printing, this adds more user control over the end results of your photos.\r\n\r\n4. The obvious is no film to buy, you are always locked and loaded for that perfect picture taking moment. There\’s nothing more frustrating when you want to snap a picture that just want wait and you\’re out of film.\r\n\r\n5. Instant viewing of the picture you want to see immediately after taking it. Nothing is more satisfying than to be able to see your picture taking handiwork, immediately after taking it.\r\n\r\n6. Digital cameras come in different pixel counts. The higher the pixel count the greater the clarity or resolution your photos will turn out. Higher is definitely superior and worth the investment.\r\n\r\n7. No need to squint through a hole the size of a straw, digital cameras with an LCD screen on the back is perfect for all occasions and saves the strain on your eyes.\r\n\r\n8. Digital cameras are pc compatible which allows you to store, print, or enhance from your favorite Photoshop or Image program on your personal, before printing.\r\n\r\n9. Having a camera picture storage capacity with over one hundred images is more than enough for a single event regardless of your snap-happiness.\r\n\r\n10. You can snap up your pictures, upload to your pc in minutes, go on the internet and move them to a local Walgreens or local pic developing shop with online service and you can have professional pics, you\’ve taken, then available for pick-up within one hour. What more could you asked from a digital camera. Go Digital!\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to choosing a digital camera, there are still a wide range of options, so visit a reputable camera outlet before making your selection. Don\’t purchase on price alone, some options are well worth the investment. A digital camera is a well thought out investment when you consider the pictures you capture are priceless. Ask about rechargeable batteries also, having an upper hand on battery life and control will avoid the \’dead battery\’ syndrome.\r\n\r\nFor more detailed articles about digital cameras visit our camera site:\r\n\r\nhttp://wealthsmith.com/digital-camera-articles.htm\r\n\r\nJim is an online entrepreneur that has a sense of knowing what topics are most important to consumers and he enjoys sharing his findings that benefit his readers. This day he has some great insights on digital cameras:

Digital Images Printed for the Holidays

\r\n

\r\nROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 16 — As people look for the perfect holiday card to send and gift to give this season, it’s often the easy pic that touches people’s heart the most. More than half of consumers prefer receiving personalized photo greeting cards, with 84 percent saving those cards from family and friends, according to a survey conducted by Eastman Kodak Company. Also, more than one-third of consumers consider a personalized pic calendar the ideal “gift from the heart.”\r\n\r\nRecipients treasure photographs because they create connections and preserve memories. More than 90 percent of people believe that sharing experiences through photographs helps them bond with others. A almost identical amount feel that it’s important to take photographs to remind their kids of their youth. This, combined with the fact that more than three-quarters of people wishing that they\’d pictures of family members from when they were younger, prove that photographs are truly the gift that keeps on giving.\r\n\r\n“Making printed pictures, cards and pic gifts part of your holiday plan this year will delight your friends and family,” stated Diane McCue, general manager of Paper and Output, Film and Photofinishing Systems Group and vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. “Personalized photo cards and gifts keep friends and families up-to-date and share your current adventures, major milestones, such as a new baby or wedding, or group gatherings. Digital printing allows you to add your personal creativity to your photos to create a gift that is uniquely you. It also creates a keepsake that recipients will save and treasure.”\r\n\r\nWith a variety of services in the market that use real KODAK paper, consumers can find an easy-to-use service that not only creates beautiful, high quality gifts and cards, but also fits into their busy lifestyles.\r\n\r\nTo create personalized cards and gifts, Kodak offers the following tips:\r\n

\r\n
1. Check the holiday post office schedule and determine how much time you\’ve to get cards and gifts mailed and what shape and size envelopes require additional postage. Visit www.usps.com and search for delivery schedules.

\r\n

2. Consider some of your favorite events this past year. Perhaps it was a family vacation or the introduction of a new member to the family. Choose a picture that captures that moment and build your holiday greeting card around that exciting time.

\r\n

3. Gather family photos from different events throughout the year and create a personalized calendar, highlighting birthdays, anniversaries, wedding and other special events. You can create multiple duplicates and give them to all family members to like throughout the upcoming year.

\r\n

4. Select a photo printing service that matches your lifestyle. If you run errands on the weekend, drop your film, existing prints, or digital camera memory card off at your local retailer and tap their in-store photo experts to create something while you shop. Or if you prefer to do things on the web, use a service like the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery (www.kodakgallery.com) to create your cards and personalized gifts. In some cases, you can upload pictures to your local drug store site, selected the gifts you’d like to create and pick them up in the store a few days later.

\r\n

5. Look for the Kodak logo, at the store, on the internet, and on your prints. KODAK prints provide rich detail, vibrant colors and the high quality that makes these cards and gifts keepsakes.

\r\n

\r\nsource: Kodak\r\n\r\n

Sony Camcorders going hand in hand with web video

Sony’s U.S. camcorder business is getting a boost from the growing popularity of video websites, such as YouTubeâ„¢, MySpaceâ„¢ and Grouperâ„¢.More than 35 percent of U.S. adult World wide web users – approximately 48 million – have posted video on the web this year, according to the May 2006 Pew World wide web and American Life Project, which points to the popularity of user-generated content on the Web.\r\n\r\n“Video has finally taken its rightful place alongside of still images on the World wide web,” said Linda Vuolo, marketing director for camcorders at Sony Electronics. “People are now capturing video more frequently in their everyday lives, and this is good news for the camcorder business.”\r\n\r\nAccording to the latest market research from The NPD Group, the hard disk drive camcorder category has grown 347 percent in the United States since last September. Sony started selling hard disk drive camcorders just six months ago, and has already grabbed 60 percent of this market in unit share. Sony also leads the total U.S. camcorder industry with 50 percent dollar market share for all camcorder sales as of November.\r\n\r\nNPD Intellect predicts continued growth in the hard disk drive camcorder category in the next five years.\r\n\r\n\”People like hard disk drive camcorders because of their long recording times and nearly effortless transfer of footage to Computers,” said Stephen C. Baker, NPD’s vice president of industry analysis. “We can only see an upward trend for this category.\r\n\r\n            Sony views its current success in the category wholly based on the strength of its new product line.\r\n\r\n“We carefully studied customers’ desires and concerns about hard disk drive camcorders before entering the category, such as good data protection, and developed hard disk drive Handycam® products that would appeal to them,” Vuolo stated. “Although it is difficult to say how much increased World wide web usage has impacted our sales, it’s undeniable that our PC-friendly hard disk drive camcorders have helped us take the lead in sales and help grow the market.”\r\n\r\nStarting at about $600, the Sony® hard disk drive Handycam camcorder line includes five models, with such varying features as 60GB of hard disk drive storage, 1080i high-definition recording, HDD Smart Protection to safeguard against data loss, and Dolby ® Digital 5.1 channel surround recording.\r\n\r\nsource: Sony

Tips For Buying Your New Digital Video Camera

by Beverly KaneChoosing which digital video camera to buy can seem mind boggling with those hard to understand specifications. In most cases the specifications are not all vital but they have the ability to help you narrow your choices. More often than not, cost is the…

Nikon N50 digital camera review

by Courtney Tuttle\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe N50 is professional style digital made by Nikon.The camera is in the digital 35mm range, and is one of the most used cameras this day. It has an auto focus with a manual option, and has center matrix metering. The N50 has a total of 35 lens options, allowing user to customize shots and adapt zoom possibility.\r\nEase of use The Nikon N50 was designed specifically to be simple to use. You can manually change settings to get the exact photo you want, or you can hand it to a kid, allowing it to focus and set itself. The N50 makes taking digitals easy.\r\nDurability The N50 has been selling for nearly ten years with minimal changes. This fact tells all, Nikon made a long lasting winner when they designed the N50. The camera is rugged and continues to perform over time.\r\nPicture Quality The camera continues to take great shots! If you take a look in some digital camera forums, you\’ll quickly see that many have ten year old N50s. They continue to praise the quality of pics that they have been able to take. Shots are properly focused each time using the auto focus, the feature is finely tuned and performs exceptionally.\r\nShutter Speed The N50 is a basic camera. There are cameras out there with a much higher shutter speed, and so if you need a really fast shutter, this might not be the camera for you. Nikon has an upgraded model that will take care of you there, the Nikon D200. The speed of this shutter is plenty for most.\r\nOverall Since the N50 wont be on the market for too much longer, the internet has been flooded with people selling new and used N50 models. I advocate it to all beginning photo amateurs. Although the N50 is functional and takes great shots, I wouldnt advocate it to camera professionals. The lack of features and slow shutter speed impose limitations I cant deal with. If youre a beginner, its all youll need.\r\nCourtney Tuttle nikon cameras\r\nnikon digital cameras

New digital camera lens from Sigma released

\r\n

\r\n

\r\n

\r\n

Â

\r\n Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM lens. \r\n\r\n \r\n Minimum focusing distance of 100cm, maximum magnification of 1:3.5. \r\n The super multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghost. \r\n ELD and SLD lenses for correction of aberrations. \r\n HSM ensures a quiet and high-speed AF. \r\n \r\n Massive aperture zoom lens designed specially for digital SLR cameras with close-up capability. \r\nSigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM lens. This huge aperture telephoto zoom lens has a minimum focusing distance of 100cm (39.4\”) throughout the entire zoom range. It is very convenient for close-up photography. This lens uses two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glasses and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glasses for utmost correction against chromatic aberrations. This lens’ super multi layer lens coating reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming systems. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, ensuring convenient handling. When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 98-280mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively.

\r\n 

New Pentax Digtal SLR Camera – K10D debuts

PENTAX ANNOUNCES K10D DIGITAL SLR WITH TEN MEGAPIXELS, SHAKE REDUCTION AND WEATHER-RESISTANT BODY GOLDEN, CO. PENTAX Imaging Company announced today the PENTAX K10D digital SLR camera with 10.2 effective megapixels and a host of advanced technologies including…

It will be harder to return gifts this year, including that digital camera

Shoppers might be in for some nasty surprises the day after Christmas as stores implement increasingly complicated and restrictive return policies, including checking a “blacklist” of “serial returners” prior to a refund, or by imposing unexpected restocking fees.\r\n\r\nBoston (PRWEB) December 19, 2005 — Shoppers may be in for some nasty surprises the day after Christmas as stores implement increasingly complicated and restrictive return policies, including checking a “blacklist” of “serial returners” prior to a refund, or by imposing unexpected restocking fees.\r\n\r\nSome retailers including KB Toys, Sports Authority, Express, and some Staples stores use a personal database by The Return Exchange of Irvine, CA to track customer returns. (Home Depot, Wal-mart, Barnes & Noble, and others reportedly use their own proprietary systems.) Typically, stores swipe the shopper’s driver’s license when a return is being made, and if the store’s return limit is exceeded, the customer’s tendered return is denied. Most stores’ posted policies don\’t warn shoppers of a cap on frequent returns.\r\n\r\nOther stores are using increasingly strict but conventional means to curb returns. Items such as personal, digital cameras, and opened goods may be subject to limited return rights, restocking fees, shortened return periods, or no refunds at all.\r\n\r\nFor example:\r\n\r\n- In October, Sears became the first major department store to introduce a broad 15% restocking fee on choose home appliances, electronics, home improvements, household goods, lawn and garden equipment, and automotive items not returned unused with full packaging. In two stores checked, the new policy appears mainly on 6” by 6” signs in tiny print, and on the back of sales receipts. Some checkouts have old or missing signs. This inconspicuous disclosure may not comply with say posting requirements.\r\n\r\n- Circuit City has a restocking fee on certain open items, but neither the specific fee nor the product categories are disclosed on store signs or on the sales receipt. Both direct shoppers to circuitcity.com for details. Also, their primary posted sign uses small white type on a yellow background, making it illegible for many people.\r\n\r\n- OfficeMax will not accept returns of opened digital cameras, software, etc., unless defective. Non-returnable categories vary on the internet versus in-store.\r\n\r\n- JC Penney requires special occasion dresses to be returned with the “return tag” still in place. (This thwarts shoppers from “renting” dresses for one-time wearing.)\r\n\r\n- Amazon deducts 20-50% for certain returns after 30 days. SmartBargains.com will keep any goods returned twice after 30 days, and provide no credit for such items. Buy.com’s “Easy Returns” policy is over 1400 words; its holiday policy posted late.\r\n\r\n- OfficeDepot.com only offers identical exchanges on laptops, digital cameras, PDAs, projectors, and handheld personal returned within 14 days.\r\n\r\n- Ideal Purchase requires personal to be returned within 14 days instead of 30, they\’re excluded from their holiday policy, and certain items have a 15% restocking fee.\r\n\r\n- Target offers no returns without a receipt, but will search their system for one.\r\n\r\n“There might be many unhappy returns this year if consumers are slapped with unexpected restocking fees, or find themselves erroneously placed on a returns blacklist,” said Edgar Dworsky, Founder of Consumer World®, the Internet\’s largest public service consumer resource guide ( http://www.consumerworld.org ). “There is also no excuse for retailers to fail to clearly and fully disclose their return policies to shoppers in advance.”\r\n\r\nSome retailers relax their regular return deadlines at holiday time by extending the return period into January. Remarkably, in Consumer World’s spot check of in-store return policy signage, some stores failed to post the terms of their holiday policies. Nonetheless, some chains with generous regular or extended holiday return deadlines include:\r\n\r\n- Amazon.com: January 31 (for most items shipped 11/01 through 12/31)\r\n\r\n- Best Buy: January 8 (for camcorders, digital cameras, printers, monitors, projectors, radar detectors); Jan. 24 (all other items purchased since Nov. 1 except computers)\r\n\r\n- Purchase.com: January 31 (for items bought 11/01 through 12/31, certain exclusions apply)\r\n\r\n- Circuit City: January 25 most items (in stores, unspecified restocking fee on unspecified products)\r\n\r\n- Costco: No deadline (except 6 months for computers)\r\n\r\n- Kohl’s: No deadline (with receipt)\r\n\r\n- OfficeMax: 14 days after Christmas\r\n\r\n- Staples: No deadline for office supplies. (January 7 for tech. and furniture purchased since Nov. 25)\r\n\r\n- TJ Maxx/Marshall\’S: January 7 (for buys Oct. 30 – Dec. 7)\r\n\r\n- Target: 90 days from buy (15% restocking fee on portable electronics, digital cameras, camcorders; specially marked clearance items only qualify for current sale price)\r\n\r\n- Toys R Us: 90 days (45 days for unopened electronics, video products)\r\n\r\n- Wal-mart: 90 days most items (other items: 15 days (PCs), 30 (cameras), or 45 (PC accessories.))\r\n\r\nConsumer rights vary from say to state with respect to product returns. Generally speaking, a store can set up any return policy it wants, whether it is \”all sales final\”, \”merchandise credit only\”, or \”all returns in 30 days\”. Most says require the policy to be clearly disclosed to the buyer prior to purchase, usually by means of a sign. Some says do not consider a disclosure that only appears on the sales receipt to meet this requirement. It isn\’t unreasonable, however, to require customers to provide a sales slip or gift receipt to establish where and when the item was purchased, and at what price.\r\n\r\nTips for Hassle-free Returns:\r\nhttp://www.consumerworld.org/pages/returns.htm\r\n\r\n- To improve your chances of getting a full refund, provide a sales slip or gift receipt, and return the item in new condition, unopened, and with all original packaging material. Returns without a receipt are subject to the retailer\’s posted return policy, which might result in receiving only a merchandise credit for the lowest price the item has sold for in recent weeks, or possibly no refund or exchange at all.\r\n\r\n- If the item to be returned is defective, some says such as Massachusetts, require the store to give the consumer his/her choice of one of the three \”R\’s\”: repair, replacement or refund, irrespective of the store\’s posted return policy.\r\n\r\n- Consumers who have a problem returning a gift, should first contact the store manager or customer service department of the retailer. If a satisfactory resolution is not obtained, then a complaint can be filed with the say Attorney General\’s office or local consumer bureau.\r\n\r\nConsumer World®, launched in 1995, is a public service, non-commercial consumer resource guide with over 2000 links to everything \”consumer\” on the Internet. Edgar Dworsky, the founder of Consumer World, is a former Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection and Anti-trust Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General\’s Office.

Getting the ideal deal on a digital camera

by Malcolm Silberman\r\n\r\nThere\’s a nice fluid market for both new and after market digital cameras on eBay. Digital Camera usage has grown enormously over the past few years. Technology has reduced the old film and developing nearly to the archives. Quality cameras ranging in price from well under $500 to over $2000 are available. Professionals, amateur hobbyists and regular households all seem to be acquiring cameras, often more than one per household. The question becomes how can I acquire a digital camera at the ideal possible price?\r\n\r\n\r\nWith a large volume of most models being traded everyday, this is the ideal efficient market. One can study the dynamics of this micro-market and determine some useful buying rules. With a little more information than the rest of the marketplace, one can nearly certainly make some intelligent buying opportunities. This article focuses on how to identify these gaps and often buy digital cameras for 20-40% below retail.\r\n\r\n\r\nThis article should be read together with my longer piece and a web site, which produces the information required to identify buying nuggets. Find the links and URLs to these two sites at the bottom of this article. The niche site focuses specifically and only on data from the digital camera market.\r\n\r\n\r\nMost information on eBay focuses on the selling element, i.e. how to sell your stuff. I have tended to specialize on the buying end and trying to identify market opportunities and price in-efficiencies to really capture excellent deals. To do this we need to understand the dynamics of the eBay market place. Like any other market it is supply demand driven, and like a huge flee-market if a buyer has knowledge of how many items are for sale at what prices and how many other buyers are in the market, then that buyer can capture the upper hand. Lets focus a little more on supply.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe eBay supply dynamic is a little different in that supply of an item must be seen at a point in time. In other words, because auctions end at different times, one needs to grasp the number of auctions ending in close proximity for the same item. This gives you a feel for the supply of items or in our case cameras. What makes this interesting is that this day there could be a massive amount of auctions ending for a particular model, but next week there could be very few. This is one element driving the price.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe demand side is slightly more complex and hidden from the average eBay buyer. This is where that the internet site I refer to at the bottom has some useful data. Demand in eBay terms is measured (by sellers) as a number of factors – how many people view my auction, how many people ask questions, how many people place me on their watch page, and how many people actually bid. Obviously as we progress down this list the data become more reliable as an indication of demand. Page views are not easy to obtain, even though some sellers place a publicly viewable counter on their auction pages. Questions and watchers are available to sellers, and the special web site mentioned below will expose this information. Number of bids is available for all to see.\r\n\r\n\r\nNow if we happened to produce a graph as the auction progresses of the changes in the number of questions, watchers and bids one can easily see how the demand is changing as time progresses. Typically if questions are high and watchers are high, but bids are low, this may indicate some confusion and a possible purchase opportunity. If watchers are very high and climbing, but bids are low, this can point to a last minute bidding war, and a stay out indicator.\r\n\r\n\r\nArmed with this information and also a swift summary of other similar auctions ending soon, plus a swift feel for the skill set of the seller and the current highest bidder, once can see a picture very different from the average eBay buyer. Soon the trained eye will observe some nice buying opportunities. For the professional or amateur photographer this will soon bring in a number of digital camera buys that are quite a bit cheaper that retail. For example it is quite possible to find gems at 20-40% of retail prices. Lets face it, most digital cameras perform perfectly years after acquisition. Digital electronics seldom degrade over time, so the aftermarket such as eBay is the idea place to purchase cameras affordably.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArticle by Malcolm Silberman and Education Specialist trained by eBay, for a more lengthily discussion of this topic visit http://bargainsfrom.us/how-to-buy- digital-cameras-at-a-discount-both-new-or-used and to see Camera auctions with this value added data visit http://digital-camera .bargainsfrom.us email him at digital-cameraATmacsilber.com\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Popular Photography & Imaging announces the ideal photography products in the Annual Buyer's Guide

The P.O.P. [Photography's Outstanding Product] Awards Highlight 25 Best Photography Products in Time for the Holiday SeasonIn the annual Buyer's Guide issue of Popular Photography & Imaging, on newsstands November 21, 25 winners of the best photography…

Getting started with digital cameras

If you are not sure quite where to start with digital cameras and digital imaging then step inside and learn more. We tour you through the main features of the digital camera, how many mega pixels you need or don’t need, the various options available when uploading images to a PC, storage media options, printing out your pictures and manipulating them on your computer to enhance them.\r\n\r\nDigital Cameras.\r\nDigital cameras open up a whole host of exciting new avenues for both creative photographers and anyone who wants to have fun with a camera. With this type of photography the final print isn\’t the be all and end all. It may even be that you decide to rarely even print your pictures. So rather than just having slides or prints made of your pictures you can:\r\n\r\nLoad the images onto a personal.\r\nView them through your television.\r\nSend them round the world via Email.\r\nPost them on the World wide web.\r\nChange them through widely available image manipulation software packages.\r\nSome cameras even grant you to take Clip Motion images for your mobile phone.\r\nOr simply store them in your own photographic library.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Digital Cameras – a look at what is in store

Digital cameras have a range of features that you will nearly certainly already recognize, such as zoom lenses and automatic flash. The method of storing the image though is entirely different. When you take a picture light is captured by the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) and stored as a matrix of red, blue and green colored squares. These squares are known as pixels.\r\n\r\nEntry Level Digitals – Under 1 Mega pixel.\r\nEntry-level cameras contain a grid of 640�480 pixels. These cameras are fine for looking at pictures on a computer, but the quality of a printed image is poor once the picture is enlarged to a standard 4x6in. It is getting harder to find cameras under a mega pixel as the cost of higher resolution digital cameras continues to fall.\r\n\r\nSmall Prints – 1 Mega pixel.\r\nStep up to a mega pixel camera and you\’ll find a grid containing upwards of 1152�864 pixels. Theses cameras allow you to produce a good quality, 4x6inch print with a pic realistic printer (see below for further details). Prices of digital cameras have dropped in the last year and you can expect to pay around £100 for a 1 mega pixel camera.\r\n\r\nGetting Larger. – 2 Mega pixels.\r\nFurther up the scale are the 2-mega pixels digital cameras. Standard 2 mega pixel cameras will give you good 8�11 pictures. Obviously any 4�6 or 5�7 prints should be more or less pin sharp with two mega pixels.\r\n\r\nGetting Bigger and Enhanced Quality. – 3 Mega pixels.\r\nOnce you reach the 3 mega pixel bracket the quality of print is normally excellent up to 8�11. The cameras often offer a number of features associated with 35mm SLR cameras and manual override of the automatic settings are more common, allowing you greater artistic control as you get to know your camera and want to experiment a tiny.\r\n\r\nLatest Models. – 4, 5 and 6 Mega pixels.\r\nLately we\’ve seen the introduction of 4, 5 and now even 6 mega pixel digital cameras. Image quality is exceptional and prints beyond 8�11 are available. Cameras in this range come equipped with the latest say of the art features. Some of the benefits at this level are: Increased standard storage capacity but be aware that a single high resolution image at this level could consume 16mb of storage. Optical lenses generally around 5 times. Burst mode. This is the capability to shoot more than one image for just one click of the camera. Typically around 3 frames per second for six frames. Greater aperture range. A greater range of ISO settings. Historically digital cameras have performed less than perfectly in darker settings. The greater range of ISO settings gives a huge improvement.\r\n\r\nDigital SLRs.\r\nIf you have a very large wallet or take you digital photography very seriously then there are a small number of Digital SLRs to tempt you. The cost from around $1500 upwards so selection is not to be taken lightly.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Digital Cameras Features – what can you do with your camera

Since their inception digital cameras have evolved at an astounding rate. Image quality has improved beyond compare and the feature sets are expanding nearly by the day. A quick feature guide is included below; obviously you need to take into account what is important to you when buying your camera, as no camera will have all of the features.\r\n\r\nSize\r\nThere\’s no doubt about it, digital cameras are shrinking. Cameras are now available that you can slip inside a pocket. In fact some digital cameras are roughly the size of a credit card.\r\n\r\nMovies\r\nYes you can shoot movies with most digital cameras. Some cameras now offer the capability to shoot movies that are only limited in duration by the size of the memory card. Be careful when you\’re buying. If a movie mode is important to then the key areas to look out for are duration, resolution and whether or not they have sound with them as well.\r\n\r\nLCD Screens\r\nJust about every digital camera comes with an LCD screen. This gives you the capability to \”see\” the picture before and just after you take it. Most cameras have an LCD screen of at least 1.5\”. Obviously some of the tiny cameras struggle to fit that size of LCD screen in.\r\n\r\nWeb Cams\r\nSome cameras, such as the are being marketed for their properties as a web cam.\r\n\r\nRotating Lenses and Self-Timers\r\nA novel feature is the rotating lens. This allows you to take photos at angles and can come in handy if you wish to take a self-portrait. Be aware some cameras that offer a rotating lens only cover 90 or 180 degrees.\r\n\r\nHotshoe for Flash\r\nAn important feature for serious photography as the capacity of built in flash is limited.\r\n\r\nDPOF\r\nDigital Print Order Format. This gives the ability to choose images and quantities for printing in-camera. This information can then be used during a print run.\r\n\r\nPanoramic Mode\r\nAs it states, the capability to take panoramic views.\r\n\r\nDate and Time Stamp\r\nLogs when the picture was taken.\r\n\r\nLens Types\r\nSome digital cameras will offer both optical and digital zoom abilities. Optical zoom works the same way as a traditional zoom lens, whereas digital zoom acts more like a picture enlargement. Therefore optical zoom provides superior quality images.\r\n\r\nResolution Modes\r\nYour camera will grant you to take pictures at different resolutions. The higher the resolution selected the better the quality of picture. The trade off is that the lower the resolution the smaller the image. Therefore at low resolution a camera can hold more images before its storage becomes full.\r\n\r\nInfo-Lithium Battery\r\nDigital Cameras are notoriously heavy users of batteries. Look out for cameras that offer the much longer lasting Info-Lithium batteries.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Digital Cameras Storage – memory cards come in many sizes

Rather than using film in the way a traditional camera does a digital camera stores images on memory cards. Images can then be transferred from the memory card to a personal. When buying a digital camera it is important to consider the type of memory card it uses. Images from digital cameras are stored on memory cards and there are a number of different types available. Normally a digital camera will be able to use only one type of memory card, so if you\’re buying additional cards take care to ensure it is the type that your camera uses. If you already own a digital camera and you\’re planning to upgrade to a new one there are obvious advantages in buying one that grants you to use the memory cards you already have.\r\n\r\nMemory cards can have different storage capacities. You\’ll hear of cards with capacities ranging from 8 megabytes up to 2 gigabytes. If you find this jargon confusing then try to look on it in a similar way to being able to purchase traditional film with differing numbers of exposures. The more exposures a film has the more shots you can take before you need to change the film. The greater the number of megabytes a memory card can store the more shots you can take before the card becomes full.\r\n\r\nMemory card capacity is increasing all the time, but it is still advisable to perform some housekeeping of images that you do not wish to keep so that the cards don\’t fill up too rapidly. That\’s one of the beauties of digital cameras. If you take a picture that you do not like the look of it is simple to delete it, freeing up the space on the memory card, and try again. After you have transferred the images from a card to a personal you can clear down the memory card completely.\r\n\r\nThe amount of space a picture will take up depends on the number of pixels your camera has and the resolution that you choose to take the picture with. In a nutshell the greater the number of pixels your camera has and the higher the resolution you use, the more space the picture will take up on the card. Today\’s flagship models of 5 mega pixels can use up 16mb of storage with a single shot if it is taken using the highest resolution.\r\n\r\nRunning through the different types of cards the best known is Compact Flash. You\’ll find that the majority of digital cameras use Compact Flash cards. They\’re very simple to get hold of and the largest available cards now hold up to 2 gigabytes of images. At the lower end of the market you will find cards that will store 16 or 32 megabytes.\r\n\r\nA number of the latest Olympus and Fuji digital cameras now use tiny xD Picture Cards. The latest versions can hold up to 512 megabytes of images.\r\n\r\nXD Picture Cards have taken over in many ways from Smart Media cards. These have been around longer than any other memory card, but limitations with the technology have meant that the maximum capacity of the Smart Media card has been unable to progress beyond 128 megabytes. This has led to Smart Media getting left behind and being replaced by the xd Picture Card.\r\n\r\nAnother addition to the memory card field is the Secure Digital card. These also have a capacity of 512 megabytes.\r\n\r\nAlso available are Memory Sticks, Multi Media Cards and more the IBM Micro Drive. The Micro Drive offers storage capacity of up to 1GB.\r\n\r\nOne question I\’m often asked by serious photographers or people going on a long holiday is what they should do whilst they are away. How should they store images? One of the best solutions I can recommend is that you take with you a portable hard drive. One of the most popular is the Image Tank. You can upload up to 40 gigabytes of data to these, ready to transfer to a computer on your return.\r\n\r\nDo not get too worried about all the different types of memory cards on the market. As far as digital cameras go they all do the same job and nine times out of ten the camera you purchase will dictate the type of card you use. When you buy your digital camera make sure a good sized memory card is included in the deal. Don\’t be afraid to haggle and get the best deal you can.\r\n\r\nIf you are looking for additional memory cards then it pays to shop around. Check out prices here.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Today\’s Digital Cameras – Transferring Images to your Computer

The photos themselves are then stored within the camera\’s memory and the next step is to transfer them to a computer. Originally the only way to transfer images to a computer was via a cable link between the camera and the computer\’s serial port.\r\n\r\nCables are normally supplied with cameras together with software that can be loaded onto a personal that grants the transfer to take place. This method has two main drawbacks. First the rate of transfer is very slow and secondly the number of photos that could be stored in the camera at any given time was limited.\r\n\r\nNow there are two standard methods for transferring the images that are far better to the original solution. The simplest and fastest method is by using a cable connect your camera to your personal USB port. Then using software provided with the camera, a few mouse clicks later and the photos are loaded. In fact to make the loading even more straight forward, a series of USB card readers are now available.\r\n\r\nNot all computers have USB functionality and if this is the case then you\’ll need to use a card reader. These are also attached to the personal. Again all you have to do is load the card into the reader and upload the pictures.\r\n\r\nIf you need to purchase a card reader make sure you purchase a reader that is compatible with the storage media that you are using. Although there are some readers that will read more than one type of card you need to ensure, for example, that if you use Smart Media cards then you will need a Smart Media reader.\r\n\r\nIf you\’ve a more basic model camera, then the pictures may be in the camera\’s built-in memory (rather than on a storage card), you can only download them to the personal via serial cable–which as we said at the top can be pretty slow can be pretty slow. Therefore we advocate that you include this as one of the key points in making decision as to what camera to purchase.\r\n\r\nCard readers are available at around $15.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Getting Great Images From Your Digital Cameras – Printing

The way in which we produce prints from digital cameras is changing and there are now more options open to you then there were before. Originally printing was seen as relatively unimportant as digital cameras were sold on the basis that everyone would be happy enough to simply store photos on CDs and to send them to family and friends via email.\r\n\r\nAs the market develops an increasing number of companies are offering printing services and it is now nearly as easy for you to have prints produced from pics taken on a digital camera as it is from a roll of film.\r\n\r\nHome Printing\r\nOne of the many advantages of digital cameras is that it is easy to create your own prints at home. To get the best results you will need a special type of printer, a pic realistic one. These are inkjet printers that are specially set up to optimize the printing of photographs. They have the ability to still be used for normal printing purposes such as printing letters. You can pick up a printer for under £100, but as with most things the more you pay the superior the quality you get.\r\n\r\nTo get the best results you will also need to use special pic paper. The cost of the paper varies so it is difficult to give an accurate figure, but it might be worth budgeting for around 30p per sheet of A4 size paper. A lot depends on the quantity of paper you buy and the brand of paper. One further advantage is that you can control the number of prints that you wish to make at anytime. For example if you wish to make a single print or reprint you can whereas a retailer may well have a minimum print quantity.\r\n\r\nYou can also buy smaller papers such as 6�4\” or 7�5\”. These are not quite so simple to get hold and even though they are cheaper than A4 paper there is not that much difference in price.\r\n\r\nIf you\’re looking to create the perfect print then it is also worth looking at dye sublimation printers. These are more high-priced than inkjets, but produce a superior quality print.\r\n\r\nYou might notice that some digital cameras are described as Pict Bridge compatible. This means that you can connect the camera directly to a printer without using a computer. The printer itself also has to be Pict Bridge compatible. A cable should be supplied with a Pict Bridge compatible digital camera. You then control the photos that you want to be printed through the camera\’s menu system.\r\n\r\nPrinting in the High Street\r\nThis is the largest growth area with regard to digital printing. Nearly all camera shops offer a printing service now. Other shops that have traditionally provided a printing service, such as chemists are also now offering digital printing services.\r\n\r\nMost outlets grant you to take your chosen images in on either a memory card or on a CD. They will do the rest for you. In some cases \”one hour printing\” is available. The norm is around two days.\r\n\r\nWorld wide web Services\r\nThere are a number of web sites that offer printing services. The way that the majority of these services work is that you visit the site and download a piece of software. Once it is loaded on to your PC you\’re able to upload your chosen images to the Internet together with your delivery address. Your prints are then sent back to you through the post.\r\n\r\nUploading a number of large images to be printed can be a time consuming job, especially if you don\’t have a Broadband Internet connection.\r\n\r\nYour photographs are usually returned to you about a week later.\r\n\r\nUseful links include:\r\nBonusprint\r\nAgfa\r\nOfoto (Kodak)\r\n\r\nMail Order\r\nMail Order printing works in a very similar way to Internet Services. The difference being that you choose the images that you want printed and download them to a CD. You then post the CD to the mail order company. Again the prints are returned to you through the post after about seven days.\r\n\r\nCost of Third Celebration Printing\r\nWhichever service you select anticipate to pay between 10p and 15p for a basic print. Obviously more massive prints will cost more with 8�10\” costing over $1.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Digital Cameras – Image Manipulation – making them look great

So you\’ve taken the picture and loaded it on to your Personal computer. You would be happy with it but…… Whereas with traditional photography once you received the prints back from the developers there was nothing that you could do to put things right, with some image manipulation software almost nothing is beyond you. You can let your creative talents run wild.\r\n\r\nIf you have an image that appears washed out or too light or dark in certain areas than a good image manipulation software kit will soon be putting it right for you. Try out commands to correct the colour balance, or enhance the shadows and highlights of the picture. On top of that there are a whole series of special effects to try and packages also optimise your photos for posting on the web. These software packages follow traditional photo studio techniques for correcting blemishes and wrong exposures. Irritating problems, like red eye, can also be corrected. With a tiny bit of trial and error and perhaps the aid of a training manual you can soon become a master craftsman in the studio.\r\n\r\nIt is very easy to get an image taken on a digital camera into the image manipulation software ready to be worked on. With some packages you can connect your digital camera to the personal and open images from there.\r\n\r\nOnce the image is loaded there are lots of different things you can do with it. When you are first starting out you might wish to crop the photograph, rotate it or resize it. These are all straightforward tasks. If the colour doesn\’t look quite how you would care about it to there are normally automatic colour correction features. Once you build your confidence a little you might wish to move onto reducing red eye, retouching certain areas of the image and cloning different areas of the photograph. As you progress there are a whole host of manipulation tools at your disposal. Colour and exposure correction tools can really improve the overall quality of the image. Many of the tools also grant you to work closely on selected areas of the picture.\r\n\r\nOther features grant you to superimpose text on the photograph, send it directly via email and to optimize images for displaying on the Internet.\r\n\r\nThe market leader in image manipulation software is Adobe. Adobe flagship package is Adobe Photoshop. This is an extremely versatile package that grants you to do just about anything you want to do to an image. In fact if you are just starting out then you might find this package a little overwhelming with all it\’s features. If this is the case then Adobe also offer a more slim line package Adobe Photoshop Elements (around £70). Another package that certainly merits consideration is Paint Shop Pro 7 (around £95).\r\n\r\nBefore you dash out and buy some image editing software, most digital cameras arrive with some bundled software. Check this out before deciding if you need to buy a dedicated software package.\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Our Suggested Digital Cameras and where to find your ideal price.

I have split the suggested digital cameras section into three areas. First of all there are simple to use digital cameras. These are most likely to appeal to people who would use or consider buying a traditional 35mm compact or point and shoot camera. These cameras do just about everything for you. They make all the key decisions as to the lighting and exposure of the picture. All you\’ve to do is turn the camera on and start taking pictures. If all you want from a camera is to be able to take pictures of weddings, holiday snaps, family get togethers etc. then these will nearly certainly be right for you. It doesn\’t mean that you cannot purchase one with more features, but it is apt to cost a fair bit more.\r\n\r\nThe next section covers digital cameras that are suitable for people who are looking for a level of creative control over their photography. Although all the cameras here can be operated fully automatically they also allow you a degree of control over the exposure settings.\r\n\r\nFinally there are models that are aimed at either professional photographers or very serious amateurs. These cameras offer interchangeable lenses and a whole host of controls that you would expect to find on advanced SLR 35mm film cameras.\r\n\r\nTo get full details for any of the cameras listed below just click on the camera name.\r\n\r\nEasy to use Digital Cameras.\r\nThe four cameras that I recommend in this section are the Canon Powershot A70, the Sony DSC P-72, the Fuji Finepix s3000 and the Fuji Finepix A205. They\’re all very easy to use. Switch them on and they are ready to shoot. All are well made and offer very good value for money. They all also produce high quality photos. At the end of the day it doesn\’t matter how simple it is to operate the camera if it cannot take a decent photograph then it is not any use to anyone.\r\n\r\nOf the four the Fuji Finepix A205 is aimed at people who are looking for a no fuss, straightforward digital camera. It has larger than standard buttons and has been designed especially for anyone who is a little unsure about going digital. The Fuji Finepix S3000 only just scrapes into the easy to use section. It\’s true that you can just switch it on and begin taking pictures, but it also offers some good manual controls for anyone who would at least like to try experimenting a little bit.\r\n\r\nMid Range Digital Cameras.\r\nThe four candidates here are the Minolta S414, the Canon EOS 300D, the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and the Olympus C-5060. Again they all take excellent photos and their feature sets give the level of control to keep just about everyone happy. The Canon EOS 300D is one of the most exciting digital cameras so far. It is the first Digital SLR to be launched at a price that\’ll appeal to enthusiasts rather than just professional photographers.\r\n\r\nProfessional Digital Cameras.\r\nThe cameras in this selection all accept a range of interchangeable lenses. These are the top of the range cameras and produce the highest quality images. Not surprisingly the number of pixels and therefore the quality of prints that are available from these cameras surpass everything else. The four camera that should be considered are the Canon EOS 10D, the Canon EOS 1DS, the Fuji S2 Pro and the Nikon D2H.\r\n\r\nWhen you\’re buying a digital camera there are one or two additional factors that you should take into account. Firstly it is unlikely that the amount of memory that the camera comes with will be anywhere near enough for you. Therefore it is a good idea to shop around for a deal that will give you extra memory at a reasonable price. Secondly digital cameras still quickly consume batteries despite a number of technological advances. It is worthwhile including in your budget the cost of rechargeable batteries and a recharger. Some digital cameras already come with these. If your doesn\’t again it is well worth find a deal where this is throw in at a good price.\r\n\r\n

\r\n