How Does a Camera Work?

Lens Basics Lenses don't have fun names, but rather are labeled like this:  18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 . That designation tells you a lot, but doesn't mean much if you don't know a few terms.  IS = image stabilization - an electro mechanical system in the lens that counteracts camera shake. USM = Ultrasonic Motor - refers to the focusing motor in the lens. USM lenses focus faster. Zoom Lenses vs. Prime Lenses Zooming Lens  A zoom lens does what you might expect: it zooms in and out, allowing you to magnify your subject. A prime lens can't zoom. If you want to move closer or farther away with a prime, you move your legs rather than turning a zoom ring on the barrel (i.e. the body) of the lens. Why would anyone prefer a prime to a zoom? Primes are often cheaper, offer sharper results, have wider apertures (which means they can take in more light, thus performing better in low light situations), and generally handle their specific function ...

A  digital single-lens reflex camera  (also called a  digital SLR  or  DSLR ) is a  digital camera  that combines the optics and the mechanisms of a  single-lens reflex camera  with a  digital imaging sensor , as opposed to  photographic film .  The reflex design scheme is the primary difference between a DSLR and other digital cameras.  In the reflex design, light travels through the lens, then to a mirror that alternates to send the image to either the  viewfinder  or the image sensor.  The traditional alternative would be to have a viewfinder with its own lens, hence the term "single lens" for this design. By using only one lens, the viewfinder of a DSLR presents an image that will not differ substantially from what is captured by the  camera's sensor .  A DSLR differs from non-reflex single-lens digital cameras in that the viewfinder presents a direct optical view through the lens, ra...

A   single-lens reflex camera  ( SLR ) is a  camera  that typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex" from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured.  With  twin lens reflex  and  rangefinder cameras , the viewed image could be significantly different from the final image. When the shutter button is pressed on a mechanical SLR, the mirror flips out of the light path, allowing light to pass through to the light receptor and the image to be captured. Who created the SLR camera? Thomas Sutton The photographic single-lens reflex camera (SLR) was invented in 1861 by Thomas Sutton, a photography author and camera inventor who ran a photography related company together with Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evrard on Jersey. Only a few of his SLR's were made. Louis Désiré Blanquart-Evr...

A good quality camera lens is essential for capturing sharp, detailed photos. There are dozens available, to suit every subject and budget. There are many things that determine the quality of your photography, and one of the most important is the lenses you use. A good camera lens will capture sharp photos with plenty of detail and contrast, while a poor one can leave your images looking dull and blurry. When shopping for lenses, it's important to consider the types of subject you intend to shoot, the likely lighting conditions, and of course your budget. There is no single lens that is perfect for every situation, so you'll need to balance the pros and cons of the various options and pick the best compromise. This guide will help you make these important decisions so that you can find a camera lens which suits all of your needs, both artistic and practical. FOCAL LENGTH The most important factor in any camera lens is its focal length. This determines which type ...