Digital Film
A digital camera uses a special card containing “flash memory” to store your pictures. The more capacity in the card, the more pictures it can hold. The pictures can be deleted if not satisfactory and the card can be re-used once the pictures are downloaded.
Printing from Digital Film
Your digital camera stores photos on a flash card. The photos can be loaded into your computer and printed out at home or the card can be professionally printed at a digital minilab, at prices comparable with regular processing.
Batteries for digital cameras
All digital cameras depend on strong batteries. Some are supplied with special rechargeable batteries whilst others use general batteries. Nickel-metal hydride or lithium ion batteries are recommended due to their high capacity and long life.
Resolution in digital photos
A digital picture is made up of thousands of dots of colour (picture elements or pixels). The more pixels, the sharper the image and the greater sized print that may be obtained from it. To produce a standard photo requires at least one million pixels (One Megapixel)
Information storage
A digital camera card has a capacity to store photos measured in Megabytes. Storage types are Compact Flash, Smart Media, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, floppy disk and more. The cards can be reused after downloading the photos to your computer.
Downloading digital photos
Once your camera card is full you download it for long term storage. This can be to your computer via a cord or card reader or straight to a CD at a digital minilab. Special digital albums can be used to store and display photos, especially during prolonged travelling.
Power saving with digital cameras
To save your battery power you can connect your camera to an AC adaptor for prolonged desk or studio use. Using a card reader shortens the download time and preserves the battery. Using the viewfinder instead of the screen is also useful.
Photos to print or email
The final use of a photo determines the necessary resolution. To email, you need a small file size and low resolution photo. To print a good quality image at A4 size requires from 3MB to 7MB or information. There is no difference on the computer screen of these two varying resolutions.
Restoration of old slides
Using new digital scanning techniques, it is possible the correct both the faded colours of an old slide and the dust, scratches and mould that may have effected it. What used to take many hours by hand can now be accomplished in minutes at minimal cost. The slides can then be printed or stored on CD-ROM.
Restoration of prints
Old damaged prints can be restored be new scanning techniques. The image is then saved usually to disk and prints can be made. No tampering occurs with the original print. For severely damaged prints ensure an estimate is given as the labour cost can be considerable.
Long term storage of digital photos
Camera cards are generally downloaded to a computer. The pictures are stored in folders and then burnt onto a CD-ROM for cheap long term storage. Copies can be made of CD’s for other family members.
Taking digital holiday photos
A long trip may see your camera card fill with no access to your computer. A digital Album stores around 20Gb to 80Gb and runs on batteries. Photo stores offer a download service to burn the photos to CD a clear the card.
Optical and digital zoom
Zoom on digital cameras can be misleading. “Optical” zoom means the lens moves and the quality is the same across the range. “Digital” zoom just enlarges the centre part of the image and the quality of the image deteriorates as more zoom is used.
Using screen or viewfinder
The viewfinder conserves battery power and is able to be used in bright sunlight. A screen may be hard to see, uses extra power but has the advantage of allowing the photographer to preview and review the picture (and delete it if not wanted).
Internal or external memory
Internal memory is built into the camera, always there but may fill up. Generally needs a cord for slow download. External memory is a card or disk that can be removed and a spare card used if travelling or taking many photos.
Flash Memory:
The various types of external memory available are known as “flash “ memory. The main types are Compact Flash Cards, Secure Digital, XD and Memory Stick. These are available in sizes from 1GB up to 32GB depending on the type of card. The higher the capacity, the more photos will fit on the card.
