Anatomy of an interchangeable-lens camera
Let’s learn camera with our instruction. As
you will see, there are more similarities than differences between DSLR and CSC
Whether you are using DSLR or CSC camera, you’re having
an incredible strong equipment. Your camera is packed with advanced technology
that is designed to provide perfect picture for most shooting situations, as
well as high-definition video.
CSC and DSLR have many features but they are designed for
easy using as possible, with some models is easier to use than the others. It
means with so many things are provided, you are easy to be confused about some
functions, or ignore the useful features that can help your life easier or help
you create more beautiful images. This is where we can help.
We chose a famous Canon DSLR and Panasonic CSC to
illustrate our guide but the information is applicable to most models.
Did you know?
With the camera is set up in single-shot AF mode and
single frame advance, press the shutter button to take pictures first and then
just drop it halfway will lock the AF and exposure settings for the next image.
The main controls
- Shutter button.
Shutter button has two-stage action - press it halfway to activate the AF
system (autofocus) and light metering and press it fully to get exposure.
Did you know? If
you leave the camera open for a few minutes and it fell into standby mode for
battery saving, tap the shutter button to open it again. Noted that many
cameras have a custom function that can set the shutter button with AF lock,
exposure, or both not.
- Built-in
flash. It is present on most cameras. However, some high-end DSLR
and some CSC lacks this utility, just provide via hotshoe. Flash coverage
is usually good for an average wide angle lens and the subject in a few
meters distance. Auto mode is good for portrait in weak light standard,
but there are numerous flash modes is provided to allow more creative
possibilities, including slow sync (slow sync) and rear-curtain sync
(rear-curtain sync).
- Flash-up button.
Click this button to open the built-in flash, if the camera has. Although
some cameras automatically upgrade flash as needed in the total automatic
mode, you have to activate it manually if you want to use it in manual
exposure mode or semi-automatically.
Did you know? On
a DSLR and compact system, you can press and hold the flash-up button to access
additional flash mode, instead of using the menu system. On most models, a
separate flash mode button controls 4 directions are used to do this.
- AF lighting.
In weak light, camera can struggle to focus appropriately. AF lighting,
which is contained in the flash that added in or in front of the camera
body, making a flash stream or a light to help the autofocus lock on the
object.
- Lens release button.
Pressing this button allows the lens remove.
Did you know?
Nikon lenses are removed in the opposite direction with most other brands.
- AF/M.
This button located on the lens or camera body, which is used to set the
focus to manual or automatic.
- Self-timer lamp. This
is a visual indicator lights on the countdown timer.
- Microphone.
It is used to record audio while filming. It can also be used on some
cameras to record audio notes for pictures.
9. Preview
the depth of field. Has been popular on the film
SLR cameras, it closes the shutter of lens to the selected aperture, allows you
to preview the depth of field in the viewfinder. However, this makes viewfinder
image dark, makes it difficult to use, especially with small apertures.
Electronic viewfinder increase brightness while using the preview depth of field
feature, which is an advantage over optical viewfinder.
Did you know?
Canon users can use this function with LiveView, which allow the depth of field
access easily on the LCD screen than the viewfinder.
- The main dial. Perhaps
this is the most important control on the camera, as it is used to set the
exposure mode. Some have a central locking system, but most are not, so
before shooting, make sure it has not been pushed into the mode which you
do not want
Did you know?
Many professional and semi-professional DSLR users than dial button to set the
exposure mode.
- Hotshoe mount.
It allows you to mount the camera flashgun. They provide more power and
features, and give you more scope to take flash pictures. You can also add
other accessories, such as control unit for synchronizing multiple flash
settings and telephoto. The central junction starts flash, while others
are used to transmit information.
- Did you know?
Unusual design of Sony hotshoe based on Minolta Dynax hotshoe, which was
introduced in 1988.
- On/off button.
You can open shortcuts by using this switch. If you turn it “on”, the
camera will turn off after 5 minutes not using.
- Display.
Your camera uses exposure default on its screen. Press the display button
to change format, bring histogram or completely screen off.
- ISO.
ISO Index shows the sensor sensitivity with light, the same as different
film speeds in the past. Small ISO index has lower sensitivity, but offers
better photo quality. Once you increase the ISO index, number of
"noise" increases, due to the loss of quality (mainly in terms
of color reproduction and sharpness), which is most obvious at ISO speed
800 and higher .
- Input disc. It
is usually located near the shutter button or near the place to put the
thumb behind camera. It is used to change variables such as shutter speed
or aperture.
Sensor plane marker. This marker shows
where the sensor is.
