Photographic Equipment

Below are the major pieces of equipment you will need to become a great photographer.

The Camera
There are five principle types of cameras, the Single Lens Reflex (SLR), the Point and Shoot (P&S), the Digital Camera, the Medium Format Camera (120 mm) and the large Format Camera. You can get a comparison of these cameras on the camera chart . Confused about what camera to buy Click Here!

The Lens
Lenses come in two connecting types, screw mounts and bayonet. Screw mounts are the older of the two and are not generally used today. They connect to the camera much like a light bulb. Bayonets on the other hand attach by matching the red dot of the camera with the red dot on the lens. Insert the lens in the opening and turn it gently to the right until you hear a click and feel a resistance on the lens. There are five principle types of lenses, macro, normal, wide angle, zoom and telephoto. See the lens chart to get a brief description of each. The sources below will give you an even more in-depth view of these devices

The Flash
Flashes come as part of most point and shoot cameras. It is just a matter of pushing the button and up it pops. Remember that they are very limited, so don't expect a great deal from them. They can cause red eye and also a washing away of the colors under close shooting. Some SLRs come with built in flashes as well as hot shoe. There are three types of flashes manual, automatic and dedicated. You can get a description of the three types of flashes in the guide and in the sites below.

The Light Meter
There are two principle forms of light meters, the in camera and the hand held. They can either set the proper exposure controls for you or give you the information you need for proper light controls. Click here for an explanation.

Tripod
The tripod is used to stabilize your camera for low light situations and for self portraits. It is also utilized for pictures that require slow shutter speeds. Click here for Tips on Buying a Tripod

Parts of a Camera

Film Advance Lever-Moves the film to the next frame. Some cameras have automatic advance.

Shutter Release-Button use to take the photo.

Selector Dial-Controls cameras shutter speed.

Viewfinder-This is the eye piece through which the picture is composed. In the SLR you look through the lens, while in a P&S you see through a glass eye piece.

Timer-This lever postpones the shutter release.

Rewind-This knob returns the film back into its canister. Many cameras have an automatic rewind.

Lock-This locks the compensation. It is used for changing the ISO setting to compensate for extremes like snow and water glare.

Strap Holder-Holds the camera strap to the camera.

Lens-Through this device the image passes into the camera and on to the film.

F/stop-Controls the width of the apertures opening.

PC connector-This is used to plug into your camera other flashes and strobes.

LCD Panels-This shows the many settings, and number of pictures remaining.

Flash-Many cameras have a built in flash, they pop up when a button is pushed next to it. In most SLR they are located at the top of the camera. In P&S they are to the side of the lens, in the corner opposite of the viewfinder.

Red Eye Reduction Button-This sends out a number of short bursts of light that eliminates red eye.

Over Ride/Mode Switch-Used to change the numerous modes (i.e. TV, Av, P, Dep, etc.).

Depth of Field Preview-Allows the photographer to see front and back depth of field focus.

Battery Cap-Opens and closes the compartment to the battery.

Hot Shoe Mount-Attaches the flash to the camera.

Tripod Mount-Located at the bottom of the camera, this is used to attach the camera to a tripod.

Lens Release-Unlocks the lens so that a new lens can be added.

Back Release button-Opens the back for film insertion and removal.

Film Release Button-Push this button to remove the film.