Hunting and outdoor photography go hand-in-hand since many of us want to re-live cherished moments in the field and to have others live vicariously through our stories and photos. I am constantly “ramping up” my photographic “arsenal” and have graduated to a digital “Single-Lens Reflex” camera with a brand new zoom lens (let’s hear it for Christmas gifts!).
To get more insight into wildlife photography, I turned to my neighbour, wildlife biologist Dr. Jim Irwin. Irwin and his wife Candy operate Riding Mountain Guest Ranch south of Riding Mountain National Park. Irwin spends many days in the field since the guest ranch specializes in wildlife viewing and wildlife photography.
“A good wildlife photographer needs the same skills as a hunter,” Irwin explained. “You need to know the art of concealment, be aware of wind direction, and have quick reflexes. But a wildlife photographer also needs to understand the characteristics of light itself. As a general rule the “soft light” found on cloudy days or in mornings and evenings is better than bright sunshine.”
Most people are familiar with simple digital cameras but Irwin notes that serious outdoor photography really demands a “Single Lens Reflex” or SLR camera. SLR’s have been around for years; indeed my first camera, purchased in 1970, was a Mamiya SLR. SLR simply means that what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what you will be taking a picture of; nothing more nothing less.
“An even more important advantage of a modern digital SLR over a “traditional” point and shoot digital is that there is no delay between when you take the photograph and when the shutter trips,” explained Irwin. “In the field you simply cannot afford that delay when you are taking action shots of flying birds, for example.”
Irwin also noted that modern digital SLRs can take up to 12 frames per second for the more expensive ones but 3-7 per second can be taken with even the moderately priced models. “Don’t spare the stock” was an old saying back in the days of film photography which meant that when you had a unique picture-taking opportunity you took as many shots as you could in the hopes of getting one real gem. That of course was expensive due to the cost of developing film. Well, those days are gone forever since taking as many digital photos as you want is essentially free. You can skim through the set, delete the poor photos, and keep the gems. So, “fire away” is the general rule when taking pictures these days.
Irwin noted that even a moderately priced digital SLR can take very high quality photographs. This is important since many hunters want to print or magnify their treasured photos for permanent keepsakes.
In terms of camera types, there are many digital SLR systems in the $400-600 price range but of course the sky in the limit after that. In my own case I use a Canon EOS with a 55-250 zoom lens. I expect that this outfit will last many years but I have a sneaking suspicion that I may be in for more photographic investments as time goes on.
Obviously, I have barely scratched the surface of what modern digital photography is all about. But great photos should be a part of a great hunt. A good information source regarding reviews of all brands of digital cameras is the website www.dpreview.com . Happy shooting!

The digital revolution is the conversion of analog information, which is represented by a gradually fluctuating wave, representing bits of digital information. This change in technology has revolutionized both visual and auditory information in the form of cameras, televisions and MP3 players. While SLR cameras was based on a chemical process for transferring an image on film, all digitalDigital cameras have their own built-in computer that records images electronically. It is essentially a digital camera capable of understanding a form of computer that collects data in bits and bytes. Every part of the image is divided into “pixels”, which is a contraction of picture element. When you check the display of colors are arranged in rows and columns, separated into thousands of tiny squares of color. They are so small that they appear to be related, but if it spreadsin these places are very separate. All these places are the smallest point that can be displayed by a monitor, and combined together to see the image over.

Because of the huge difference in how the two types of cameras, as he has in mind, many people, a lot of confusion about what kind of camera was purchased. Also, there are three types of cameras SLRD. Reflex conventional forms, because it was necessary to have the space for the film, andBeam, can not SLRD cameras on these restrictions.

The bottom end of the market for digital cameras are “point and shoot,” admits SLRF equivalent is known as “idiot-proof.” They have low resolutions 3000000-4000000 million pixels. At the next level, the camera is proconsumer usually with a resolution of 4-5 million pixels. The upper end of the market, the resolution is of 6-12 million pixels. The greater the number of pixels of resolutionthe better the resulting image quality.

As with any new technology there are pros and cons for both types of cameras, and it will take decades to replace the digital SLR cameras, if they ever do, the more likely that a reflex cameras for use in a specialized market will maintained. It is also fair to say that the quality of digital cameras improved enormously over the past ten years, and the price has been drastically reduced.

An important factorDetermine the choice of camera is weight. Typically SLTD camera is half as heavy as the counterparty SLR. The point and shoot is fully automatic, just like their counterpart the idiot-proof that give the photographer more creative control. Have earned their stripes, on those occasions it would be a missed opportunity, with a reflex camera. The center of the family of digital cameras represent the fastest-growing demand for new camerasthey represent the ease of digital, with a high degree of creative control. You can print even larger, as well as the function of focus through the lens.

The higher resolution of the list of best digital cameras offer the same wider exposure controls and the ability to integrate different lenses, which means offering the best features of analog photography using digital photography. The recent development of digital cameras Digital wasThe development of a standard image sensor in a ratio of 4:3. Since the image sensor has a standard size and shape, to mount lenses can be identical. This means that you put more than one type of camera, and ultimately cheaper to produce, how they can be produced in higher volumes. Canon lenses for SLR film only fit Canon cameras, but now disappearing. In the future, to complement the growing confusion, there are a variety of objectives from different manufacturers to fitThe camera, competition between manufacturers of quality lenses lenses should mean better and less expensive. One factor that can not be assessed if the scanning “forgets is that the quality of the lens is still of paramount importance, is still better, cheaper body and lenses are of superior quality.

Another important factor is that digital image sensors are smaller than images of the film, which means that the lens can be correspondingly smaller and lighter. UntilDevelopment of systems of 4:3, digital cameras used conventional lenses.

Selecting the type of digital camera that is as complex as buying a car, is a matter of personal choice, from what is for them, and the amount of money available to dictate.

Fortunately, there is a lot of help in this respect already available on the internet for you to research. Imaging resources you will find a large database dealing with individual camera models, theGuest also scanners and printers. It includes a member forum to assess individual comments relating to claims against the manufacturer. To test the cameras by make and price there are Canon, Fuji, Kodak, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus and Sony.

One of the biggest disadvantages of using the digital film, is that the print quality from the printer of a personal computer was produced less than satisfactory.

This obstacle was overcome by the development of linePrint centers. To load the film to them via e-mail and print the images and will be sent by post, together with a professional standard. Kodak Gallery offers you the opportunity to have the best images and printed, and then share your album via your computer, which means that the scanner is not necessary to be personal.

Digital Compacts

One of the biggest advantages to digital compacts is the cost. Another thing to consider when buying a DSLR is that you will need to purchase at least one lens for your camera especially if you want to take distant photographs. Digital compacts always come with a built in lens and sometimes even come with a zoom.

If you have an optical zoom on your digital compact, you can get some good quality telephoto shots too. An Optical zoom is always better than digital zoom because a digital zoom works like cropping and takes away pixels. The more you zoom with a digital zoom the lower the image quality. Unlike regular zooms, an optical zoom maintains the quality of your picture.

Some compacts will take such high quality images that many a pro will use one when they don’t want to carry all of their DSLR gear. The quality of the photograph is largely dependent upon the photographer’s skill.

While digital compacts don’t have as many megapixels as DSLRs, with only 5 megapixels, you can produce an 8×10 print of the type of quality you’d be proud to frame and hang on your wall.

Finally, learning the digital photography basics of a compact is far easier then learning how to use a DSLR to its full advantage.

Digital Single Lens Reflexes (DSLRs)

A Digital SLR is the digital version of a single lens reflex camera or SLR. You can call a DSLR a single lens reflex camera but you can’t call an SLR a digital camera. With the release of cameras like the Canon Rebel and other moderately priced DSLRs, more photography enthusiasts are enjoying the benefits of using a DSLR.

The big advantage of the DSLR is its creativity and versatility.

For example, by adding a long telephoto lenses, you can capture a close up of an osprey at the top of a towering pine tree or a child at the soccer goal post when you’re at the other end of the field. With a DSLR, you can find all kinds of accessories to suit almost any photographer’s need.

Another advantage to the DSLR is its ability to take crisp, focused sports and other action shots in places with low light where flash isn’t allowed. The larger sensor on a DSLR allows you to do this; whereas with a compact, if you set the ISO high enough to take the shot in the dim light, it would have digital noise (sort of a multi colored grain). If you’re taking still shots, it’s not an issue. The problem with Sports Mode in a low light setting is that the shutter must close quickly so there is just not enough light to hit the image sensor even with a large aperture setting. The only way this can be compensated for is with a flash or a higher ISO setting.

However, you can get rid of most digital noise by using photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop.

Another advantage of using a DSLR is that you can use an external flash instead of always having to use natural light.

DSLRs have more megapixels than the best of the digital compacts, meaning you can take and print in high quality really big pictures, like posters and large prints for framing. And lastly, digital cameras are slower to take pictures than film cameras but DSLRs are much faster than digital compacts.

Although the digital photography basics do start with selecting a camera, the quality of your images will largely depend upon how you use your camera. So no matter what type of camera you have or will be buying, it pays to practice.

Recently, the technology has evolved to such an extent that Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras are a great alternative for serious amateurs or professionals. You actually now get more ‘bang for your buck’ in that optically the lenses are equivalent and as there are less moving parts in digital cameras, you are sure to get fewer problems.

DSLR cameras have a different imaging mechanism. Whilst the viewfinder is similar to traditional cameras (optical viewfinder with shuttered mirror), exposure is completely different. Standard SLR cameras rely on mechanical or electric shutters which only allow light in during the exposure cycle, DSLR cameras use a light-sensitive sensor to capture the image. Light actually comes in all the time, but the sensor only becomes ‘active’ during the exposure cycle.

Most digital cameras have a LCD on the back of the camera to activate of change the camera’s settings or features. You can now also use the LCD to compose the shots. Non digital cameras don’t have a LCD and you will need to use the optical viewfinder to compose the photograph.

In summary, gives the best of both worlds. All the features of SLR photography, which made it so popular such as precision imaging and the ability to interchange lenses. Plus additional benefits only available on digital cameras such as immediate viewing of photographs and the ability to capture literally thousands of photographs without ‘changing spools’.

That said, Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras may not be for you. These are the key questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a DSLR:

* How much can I afford to spend? It?s true that Digital cameras offer good value, but as everyone is making the switch to digital, you can usually find excellent traditional SLR cameras auctioned off on ebay for a fraction of their true value.

* Do I really need digital technology? The key benefit of digital technology is the ability to immediately see your photo. This is important if you’re are a freelance news photographer, but not that relevant if you specialize in still-life shots in a studio setting

* Do I really need interchangeable lenses. If not, consider a high quality non-reflex digital camera. These cameras offer all the digital advantages but come without the high price tag.

This 10x high-zoom ratio, ultra telephoto zoom lens differs from its predecessor with the incorporation of Sigma’s original Optical Stabilization (OS) function, which offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Only Sigma has made it possible for Pentax and Sony shooters to utilize an anti-shake system in either the lens or the camera body. The compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder for all mounts, which makes accurate focusing fast and easy.

This versatile lens is ideal for landscape and wildlife photography, but also boasts a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at the focal length of 200mm, which allows photographers to focus close on small objects like flowers. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG or 2x EX DG APO tele converters produce a 70-700mm F6.3-8 or a 100-1000mm F9-12.6 MF zoom lens, respectively.

“This lens has historically been a favorite with nature and wildlife photographers because the zoom range covers everything from close-up shots of flowers to far off images of animals and landscapes,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “That popularity will surely grow with the addition of our unique, Optical Stabilization function.”

The 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM incorporates Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), ensuring quiet and high-speed auto focus, as well as full-time manual focus capability. Its four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration and the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost, and ensures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range.

This lens is equipped with a petal-type hood to block out extraneous light and the filter size of this lens is 95mm. A supplied step-down ring enables digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor to use an 86mm filter.

Now I just need to wait for the Nikon mounted one!

I am going to do a more comprehensive review of it after I have played with it a bit.  For now, I am just super excited to have my own camera.

Nikon D80