Thursday, January 24, 2008

Installing An Outdoor Security Camera


Installing An Outdoor Security Camera 
One of the most important considerations for outdoor security cameras is the power source. Quite often, building codes don't require many outdoor, electrical connections, which means that if you require an outdoor security camera you're going to have to deal with that situation. In most cases, there are power sources in the garage that can be utilized for this purpose with a simple bit of concealed wiring. However, if your home or apartment does not have a convenient power source, you may have to create one where you intend the camera equipment to be placed.

Once you've solved the power requirements for your outdoor security cameras, you have to do some research on the best equipment for the geographical area that you live in. The system has to be protected from the weather and that means a different system will function best in Tucson, Arizona where the summer temperatures quite often reach and sometimes exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and another system will be used in Maine where winter weather 
can drive temperatures down as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. 

One system could never function all year around, twenty-four hours a day without being designed especially for the weather.

An additional consideration for outside security cameras is the light source. All cameras require adequate light to properly photograph a subject and video cameras are no exception. This ability to use light is measured as a lux rating. The lower the lux rating of a camera, the less light it needs to deliver a useable image. If you intend to mount your camera in a spot with little or no available light you have to get the lowest lux rated camera you can find that will allow you to see the person in front of the camera. 

If this is not possible you have to provide a light source either near or actually on the camera. Finally, if you are not able to provide additional light, you may want to consider infra-red cameras that can deliver a decent enough image in the absence of light.. 

We strive to provide only quality articles, so if there is a specific topic related to camera that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.

And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our sony camera website.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Finding your next digital camera


Finding your next digital camera
By: Dawson

These days digital camera is becoming an essential household electronics appliance. How do you judge the quality of a digital camera? This is not an easy question to answer given the wide range of digital cameras available in the market today. Each camera comes with its own individual features like image resolution, storage capacity, lens power etc. So, what should the buyer look for in the camera?

1. Image Quality
Image quality and trueness of colors need to be studied carefully. In fact, one should spend considerable time looking at images generated by different cameras before taking a decision. These images should not be the retouched images but fresh shoots.

2. Resolution
Resolution is another major requirement. The quality of a camera is directly proportional to the resolution of the images. For example, a 3 megapixels (MP) camera outputs images that are anywhere from 1 to 2 MB in size while a 7 MP camera outputs images that are 4 to 5 MB in size. If you are a professional photographer then you should go for high pixel cameras; beginners can look at low or mid-end cameras.

3. Weight
You should also not forget the camera weight. A large and heavier camera is difficult to carry. It is also more difficult to keep it still when shooting. You should therefore select a camera that you can focus with ease.

4. Capacity
The number of images a camera can take before you download them on to your computer may not be a problem if you are shooting near your computer. Of course, it does matter if you are shooting outdoors in that case you should choose a camera that will store enough images. You should therefore go for large memory cards or several small memory cards. This will allow you the luxury of long photo shoots.

5. Lens Quality
Mid range cameras have a single lens with or without zoom facility. For shooting objects from a close range (around less than 1.5 feet) choose a camera with a macro option. High-end cameras, that are basically 35mm. SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras, come with changeable lenses but can cost quite a lot. They are more useful for professional photographers. Beginners need not burn money on them.

CaretoTrade is a website where anyone can buy, sell and trade digital cameras with people from all over the world. There is a huge selection of different types of digital cameras. The idea is that one person’s unwanted digital camera could be another’s ideal birthday gift. Classified advertising on the website is completely free of charge so why not try listing your unwanted digital camera today? Not only can you barter on cameras, digital cameras and other imaging equipment and accessories but also health and beauty products, flyer miles, tools and hardware, and real estate and cars, which apparently are just a few of the most widely used categories.

Article Source: http://www.ApprovedArticles.com

10 Steps To Buying A Digital Camera You Must Know


10 Steps To Buying A Digital Camera You Must Know
You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You want to get it in your hands quickly so you can begin to enjoy it. Are you going to go to the store right now and pick one out? Wrong! You must have some basic knowledge and know-how prior to entering into the world of salesmen and digital cameras! Here are the steps to buying the digital camera that is right for you.1. Know your budget. Yes, you have to do the number crunching this time. No sense in getting your hopes up for a high powered digital camera you can't afford.

Do not be afraid to tell the salesman straight away what your budget is either. Don't waste your time looking for cameras that don't fit this budget.2. Know what you want to use the camera for. Is this for a professional or to take pictures of your kids? Will it be used mostly indoors, outdoors, or both? Knowing this information can help narrow down your search as well.3. Needs versus desires.

Okay so just about everyone wants the digital camera that is loaded with features and added bonuses. But, is it really what you need? Cutting down all these extras will help you cut the extra costs as well. But, don't skimp either. Take some time to check out several of the available digital cameras in your price range. Know what to expect for your money.4.

Do your research. Trust me, once you walk into that saleroom, chances are you are going to want to lay your hands on a camera and leave with it. But, this is not a smart choice. You need to either decide not to do this until you have checked out several places or you can do the smarter thing. That is doing your research online from home, far away from the store itself.

Just keep going from site to site to determine what are the basic cameras available in your price range. Who is offering the most bang for your buck?5. LCD screen or not? Most of us want to be able to preview the image we are going to take using the LCD screen. But, it is a costly addition to the camera. Consider whether it is right for you or not.6.

Memory Cards. Will you need to purchase a memory card for your digital camera as well or will one be provided. How many should you buy depends on how much you will use the camera in between downloading them. How much memory will be on the cards for the camera you plan to purchase?7. Pixels and Resolution.

Just, what is all that about? The better quality cameras which have higher pixels and resolution provide a clearer picture with much more detail then others. Again, compare the different models once you are at the store. Which model, in your budget range, has the best picture? Or, which camera has the best picture for what you are willing or able to spend. Test them out prior to purchasing to see the difference here.8. Is the camera compatible with your computer? This is very important here since this is how most people download and even print off their pictures! This is usually not a problem unless you own an older computer.9.

Ease of use. Purchasing a digital camera is supposed to make your life easier, right? Make sure you are choosing one you can understand how to use and one that is simple to use. When you want to take a picture, you usually don't have 5 minutes to figure it out.10. Cost of features over name brand. Our last comment has to do with name brands.

Surely, you know that just because a name brand sticker is on an item it is not a way to tell if it is the best model out there. Compare the features and items listed above to find the best camera available to you, not the label.Putting all of this together can produce a great digital camera that suits your needs, your budget, and even your desires. Now, that you have an idea of what to look for, go ahead, run to your retailer with the best deal and get the digital camera you have been waiting for!.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Nikon New Digital Camera A Hit With Consumers


Nikon New Digital Camera A Hit With Consumers 
Since the Nikon D50 won the Editor's Choice award from PC Mag in August, the votes have been coming in from consumers. Almost one for one, they are giving this SLR Digital Camera an excellent rating.In a random search of 10 well-known sites sharing customer reviews of photographic equipment, including digital cameras, 8 out of 10 rated the Nikon D50 5 out of 5 or ‘excellent'. Most customers commented on excellent picture quality, ease of use, and comprehensive features.The D50's 6.1 Effective Megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD Image Sensor delivers vivid color and sharp detail with high resolution for great pictures and enlargements. High-quality Nikkor Optics include the new ultracompact and lightweight AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens with a 3x focal length range of 18-55mm (35mm equivalent of 27-82.5mm). This lens was designed specifically for Nikon DX format SLRs.The Lexar Media 1GB 80x CompactFlash (CF) JumpShot Professional Series Memory Card with Write Acceleration (WA) Technology is capable of sustained write speeds of 12 mb per second, making the 80X CompactFlash a top choice among professional photographers.The new Nikon D50 offers seamless compatibility with Nikon's extensive family of high-performance AF Nikkor lenses, as well as the expanding family of DX Nikkor lenses, providing superb color reproduction, razor-sharp image clarity and fast and accurate autofocus performance.For a great deal on this great camera, Samy's Camera offers a special Nikon D50 Camera Kit at terrific savings. 

The kit includes the new Nikon D50 SLR digital camera with the ultra-compact AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens, along with a Lexar 1GB 80x Compact Flash memory card for only $799.95 (after manufacturer's $40 rebate).Samy's Camera is your source for Nikon products and all your digital photography needs. Whether you are amateur or pro, Samy's Camera carries a full line of digital cameras, digital SLRs and lenses as well as a wide selection of digital camera accessories..

Thursday, January 3, 2008

How To Buy A Digital Camera


How To Buy A Digital Camera 
Are buying your first digital camera? Well, you must be confused by the bewildering range of models out there. How do you know which model will suit your needs? To make things worse, digital cameras do not come cheap. Choosing a bad camera will easily cost you a few hundred dollars.In fact, buying a digital camera need not be a difficult task. I'll highlight the key considerations you need to think through before making that purchase decision. Always, always remember to consider these factors when buying a digital camera:
Battery Life
Number of Megapixels
Zoom Lens
Exposure Control
User Controls
Battery LifeThis has got to be one of the most overlooked features in digital cameras. 

I know many people who go for the latest and greatest digital cameras which are short in the battery life department. If you want to take good photos, your camera needs to powered for extended periods of time. I've found that cost and battery life don't go together - many cheap cameras have good battery life, while some high-end models drain your battery really fast. Make sure you choose a camera that has good battery life.Number of MegapixelsThe megapixel rating of a digital camera determines how much fine detail you can capture in your shots. Typically, the number of megapixels can range around from 2 megapixels to 8 megapixels. 

How do you decide how many megapixels you need? As a rule of thumb, if you're only interested in taking small snapshots to send via email or for posting on the Web, you won't need more than 2-megapixels. If you want large print outs of your gorgeous photographs, then you'll probably want to get 5-megapixel cameras and above.Zoom LensYou'll definitely want a camera with decent optical zoom. Now the keyword here is optical zoom (as opposed to digital zoom). Optical zoom physically moves the camera lenses to zoom in on a subject. Digital zoom, however, digitally averages and magnifies the image within the camera's microchip - resulting in poor picture quality. 

Many manufacturers' advertisements talk about digital zoom instead of optical zoom - so do be careful when choosing. I'd recommend getting at least 3x optical zoom in any camera you buy.Exposure ControlThe ability to control exposure settings such as shutter speed and lens opening is critical to professional photographers. Cheaper digital cameras only allow you to shoot photos in automatic mode - just press the shutter release and voila, your picture is taken. More advanced users prefer to tweak the shutter speed and aperture to capture fast moving objects or blur the image background. Choose a camera with good exposure control if you foresee yourself taking on photography as a serious hobby.User ControlsIf you are getting a point-and-shoot camera, make sure you find one that's easy to use. 

User controls to set resolution, macro mode, flash and exposure should be within easy reach. Of course, if you're a serious photography buff who wants to take the time to tweak all sorts of manual settings, then this many not be so critical. I prefer to try out the camera first in the store - play with the controls and get comfortable with them. Only then will you know whether it's comfortable enough for you.ConclusionWell, I do hope this article has helped you understand what factors to consider when buying a digital camera. A general piece of advice I can give is - if you're a total newbie, don't go for the latest digital SLR. 

It may be tempting to get that Nikon D70 right from the start, but I'd reckon its much better to start off with a cheaper camera first. Learn, experiment and build up your digital photography skills. Once you're more skilled, then proceed to upgrade to a better camera. Good luck and happy shopping!.