Understanding SLR and DSLR Cameras: Components and Differences, Lecture notes of Photography

Download Understanding SLR and DSLR Cameras: Components and Differences and more Lecture notes Photography in PDF only on Docsity! Introduction to Photography Page | 1 Topic 4 - The SLR Learning Outcomes This class focuses on SLRs and DSLRs. We will be going through an overview of what happens within an SLR and comparing it to other types of cameras. By the end of this video you will have a better understanding of the inner workings of an SLR and be able to label a diagram of the various parts within a camera. Let us begin by taking a detailed look at the structure of an SLR. 1. Lens elements: This is simply an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a photographic camera body and a lens where light enters the camera. 2. Reflex Mirror: This is a diagonal line which acts as a mirror that redirects the light that comes in from the lens up towards the viewfinder which basically bends the light into your eyes so you can see the scene. Introduction to Photography Page | 2 3. Reflex Mirror: This is a diagonal line which acts as a mirror that redirects the light that comes in from the lens up towards the viewfinder which basically bends the light into your eyes so you can see the scene. 4. Shutter: The shutter opens, light is collected and falls on film/ sensor (DSLR). 5. Film/ sensor: This affects the characteristics of camera and how photos will look. 6. Focusing screen: Light is reflected here and it was more important back in the film days before the advent of autofocus. 7. Condenser lens: This helps to funnel the light into the Pentaprism. 8. Pentaprism: This optical glass reflects the light around and into your eye piece. 9. Eye Piece: This is what you look into to see the scene. Introduction to Photography Page | 5 The Mirrors Within Let us look at the mirrors within the camera: The mirror in front of the sensor needs to move up and out of the way to expose the sensor. There is also a secondary mirror behind the primary mirror. The Primary Mirror is responsible for sending light to the pentaprism and into the viewfinder. It is slightly transparent, meaning that light goes through. The Secondary Mirror reflects light down which allows us to get exposure or to do autofocus. Below this box of mirrors are sensors that the camera uses to determine metering to properly capture exposure and autofocus. Introduction to Photography Page | 6 The DSLR So, what is a DSLR if all of that refers to an SLR? We have already said that an SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. The D represents Digital. These DSLR cameras will always have a viewfinder or a Liquid Crystal Display, which is also called a LCD screen. Sometimes these cameras have both a viewfinder and a LCD screen. Introduction to Photography Page | 7 They will also have a Shutter Button which is used to take the photograph. This is also called the Exposure Button.