Camera types – which is best?

So far, we have examined the core components present in one form or another in each camera system - to aim, concentrate, and monitor the depth of field and exposure.

Different types of cameras deal with these tasks in different ways, so how do you decide which is the right one?

None of the cameras are perfect. Some are extremely versatile, but something of a trade-off, not suitable for a single type of photography.

Others are specialized tools that allow you to approach a narrow range of tasks in ways that no other equipment can.

Modern small-format cameras are in-house highly sophisticated, requiring less photographic skills to obtain acceptable snapshots.

Most mid-size and large cameras have fewer automated aids so you need to understand the photographic principles more thoroughly to make these cameras work successfully.

Another aspect to take into account is the rapid improvement in digital camera performance.

However, since they retain most of the necessary optics and mechanisms in motion picture cameras, the arguments for and against the various camera models raised here are largely common.

Many photographers find handheld cameras much easier to use than some of the top-of-the-range digital versions which have very complex installation procedures with many details to fix in menu settings before taking pictures.

Wherever possible, try to gain hands-on experience with the four main types of cameras (cameras, compact cameras, dual and single lens reflexes).

Compare convenience, robustness, and trustworthiness with image quality.

Decide which type of camera controls are right for you, and determine if the size and proportions of a particular camera's image are best suited to your work.

Large, medium, or small format?

• The bigger the format, the better your final image will be - better definition, tonality, and grading of less granular colors. The 4 5 format, for instance, has about 13 times the surface area of the regular 35mm format; you can make magnifications at 16 20inch before the image quality becomes worse than a magnification at only 4 6 inches from 35mm. When you print large exhibitions, these differences are very visible.

• Photographs taken with small format cameras have a greater depth of field than photographs taken with large and medium format cameras, even if they are enlarged to the same size. In other words, you can fire at a much larger opening and always obtain the same depth of field.

• The bigger the camera, the more physically it interferes with you and your subject. A small camera gives you greater freedom of view, is more mobile and much faster to set up and use, and allows you to take pictures in succession faster. Note however that the slower configuration and shooting rate of large format cameras, are cited as a benefit by some users as they help them make more ‘considered' images; It should also be noted that a large format camera is often taken more seriously than a 35mm camera and when you photograph people, this can be a huge benefit. People often associate the 35mm camera with the photojournalist or paparazzi photographer, which can create problems for the photographer.

• Smaller cameras often have "faster" lenses, in other words, larger maximum openings. Among other benefits, the brighter image allows photography at portable shutter speeds in subdued lighting. 35mm camera systems also offer a much more extensive range of lenses and accessories; Where there are equivalent items for medium and large-size packages, they are much more costly. There are relatively few medium-format zooms for instance.

• Some light-sensitive films are only designed for wide-format cameras. Having foil film holders allows you to switch between films easily, and you can process images individually. However, a camera kit in a small format facilitates the shooting and processing of a great number of images. 35mm is perfect for doing projection slides.

• Large format cameras offer a wide variety of "camera moves" for image control.

• The bigger the film size, the more expensive the magnifiers and digital film scanners are.