Cameraworld - Frequently Asked Questions

Buyers Guide - How do I choose?
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Buyers Guide - How do I choose?

Helps you choose the best product for your needs

Digital SLR
Lens
Compact Digital Camera
Flashgun
Binoculars
Bags & Cases
Spotting Scopes
Camcorders
Tripods

DIGITAL SLR

Digital SLR's...not as mind blowing as you might think!

The choice seems a little bewildering but can soon be whittled down.

1. Are you, or the intended user, starting a new and exciting hobby or an experienced photographer wanting to extend your possibilities?

2. Decide on your budget taking into account the lens. It&rsquos often better to choose a less expensive body and a better lens, whether for a faster aperture or bigger range.

3. Do you want a compact DSLR for traveling, a larger model for bigger hands or a metal alloy camera for durability?

4. How many megapixels, with a choice now ranging from 6MP to 24MP? On an APS-C size chip, favoured by the majority of DSLRs, 6MP will still produce good results and 10-12MP will be excellent. Full frame sensors range from 12MP to 24MP. A 12MP sensor, such as the Nikon FX, has larger pixels with more space between and will give sharp, detailed results especially in low light. 24MP will give sharper results in good light, noticeable in very large prints.

5. What size sensor? Ranging from the Panasonic G1 with Micro Four Thirds to Full Frame (similar to 35mm). Basically, the larger you want to make the prints, the larger the sensor you need. The smallest will still give excellent results but most people will be happiest with the mid sized APS-C format. The larger, full frame cameras are for the super serious.

6. What are the key features you require? DSLRs have all that most photographers will need and more, but there may be certain specifications that are particularly beneficial to the type of photography you enjoy. For example:

Weather sealing for extreme conditions
Live preview. Ideal for macro work and for reviewing 100 of the image
Body image stabilization. This means that any lens you attach will be automatically stabilised so will save you spending money on lenses with vibration reduction. Ideal for low light and long distance
Dust reduction. Useful if frequently changing lenses in dusty environments
Movie mode. A couple of the latest DSLRs now offer this feature

Which make?

Do you already have brand loyalty or are you starting from afresh? Here is a brief guide but feel free to call us for help or, better still, pop in and have a chat and a try.

Canon

Has an excellent reputation for offering high specifications and superb, proven quality plus a huge range of lenses and accessories.

Nikon

An aspirational brand for budding professionals and experienced photographers. Nikon DSLRs are solidly built with features developed by photographers.

Sony

A newcomer with the pedigree of Minolta cameras and Carl Zeiss lenses, Sony is aiming for the top and producing some amazing cameras to get there.

Olympus

Long established leaders in compact SLRs. The Four Thirds sensor continues this tradition with advanced features in small, lightweight bodies with excellent lenses.

Panasonic

Working with Olympus and Leica, Panasonic are using the new Micro Four Thirds format to produce the new G1. If you want the smallest DSLR, this is it!

What else to budget for?

Memory Cards

Shooting RAW? Out on location? You can never have enough storage capacity with today&rsquos pixel hungry DSLRs. We&rsquove got a good range of high performance, competitively priced cards from brand leader SanDisk.

Filters

After memory cards a protective filter is the most important accessory for your DSLR outfit. Every lens should have one!

Camera Bags

You have got to keep your kit somewhere - modern camera bags are both stylish and practical. Protects you gear from the elements, makes it more comfortable to carry and has plenty of

pockets for cards, batteries, etc.

Lens/Sensor Cleaning

Keep your camera kit in tip-top condition. Lens cloths, Blower brushes, Lenspens & Sensor Cleaners - the potentials for perking up your pictures are endless.

Extra Lenses

You have invested in a new DLSR and one of the main reasons for buying it was the ability to change lenses. Go on, get creative with some extra optics!

LENS

All life is captured through a lens

Lenses are an essential part of your equipment. Without them, you can't take any pictures. However, they can be split in to a series of categories which will help you decide what new lens you want to buy.

ULTRA WIDE ANGLE ZOOM

Used for landscapes, situations where you cannot get far enough away from the subject, such as indoors, or large buildings, group shots and distorted effects when used to close up, great fun. These usually start from 8, 10, or 12mm.

STANDARD ZOOM

You will probably already have this with the camera but, if you want a replacement, you could always improve it with a higher quality one with a faster f2.8 aperture. This really will make a huge difference to the sharpness and allow you to use it in lower light situations.

SUPER ZOOM

Another lens that would replace the standard zoom. They are extremely convenient and, again, generally offer better quality than the standard zoom supplied. Their range is usually 18-200mm, 18-250mm or even 18-270mm, so they cover from wide angle right through to telephoto -one lens for all. If they are to go on to a Nikon or Canon it would be a very good idea to choose a lens with image stabilisation (Sigma OS or Tamron VC) because it will be much easier to achieve a sharp image.

MACRO

Want to get in really close? Popular subjects include insects or plants but the possibilities are endless with the only the imagination as the limit. Some zoom lenses say they have macro but they really only focus a bit closer and are no substitute for a true 1:1 Macro lens. Macros are prime (non zoom) lenses so they offer higher quality and double up as excellent portrait lenses as well. They range from 35mm to 100mm and beyond. The bigger the number, the further away from the subject you can be. Generally, 60mm to 100mm is ideal for a digital SLR.

TELEPHOTO ZOOM

This is the most popular second lens to get after the standard. It allows you to bring the subject close by varying degrees. The bigger the last number, the closer the subject gets. These lenses are ideal for wildlife, sport or candid photography but, again, the possibilities are endless. There is usually a matched telephoto to the standard zoom that came with the camera, generally up to 200mm, and this would make a simple and excellent gift idea. These lenses are generally quite compact as well. The next range is up to 300mm. These are not usually much more expensive but larger. Then there are super telephoto zooms up to 400mm or even 500mm but they are much more expensive, larger and heavier.

These are the five most popular additional lenses, but there is even more choice if they are not suitable, such as fixed wide angle and fixed telephoto lenses. Still confused? Just call or visit us for help. You will then see how easy it is to choose the right lens.

LENS ACCESSORIES

There are a few important add-on accessories for lenses that make ideal gifts for others to give. These are relatively inexpensive but are worthwhile.

FILTERS

Protection

The most important addition. These do what they say on the tin and keep the front of the lens safe from scratches.

Also protects plus improves the picture when ultra violet is high, for example by the sea or up mountains.

Circular polarising

This filter has been the biggest noticeable effect, especially in bright sunlight, and cannot be recreated as effectively with software. It reduced glare, so intensifies colour on anything reflective such as water, glass, grass and foliage, sand, or even concrete - and you can see the effect immediately through the viewfinder. More importantly, it brings back the blue in the sky which is often lost.

Grey ND Graduate

These darken the sky and even out the exposure. Very popular for digital cameras as this cannot easily be recreated afterwards. These are varying degrees in depending on the situation and the effect you want to create. We do a set of five by Cokin which makes an excellent gift.

Neutral Density (ND) or Light Control

Important because you definitely cannot recreate the effect afterwards. ND filters give you more control over the exposure time and are particularly useful for taking water shots, making the flow much smoother.

Special effects

Less important but fun. These days you can do a lot in software after the event but it is easier and often more interesting to see the effect immediately as you take the photograph.

OTHER IDEAS

Lens cloth

A microfibre cloth is inexpensive but vital. You can also use them on your glasses or DVDs/CDs.

LensPen

These are GREAT and make a perfect little present LensPen have patented a dry carbon method of cleaning the lens and it is simply the most effective method. Well worth having a look!

Lens cleaning fluid

Only really needed if you get the lens glass very dirty.

Lens hood

Some lenses come with these as standard but, if not, they are very worthwhile. They shade the lens from sunlight and make a huge difference to the quality of the photograph when the sun is in front of you. They also give further protection for the lens.

Blow brush

Before you wipe the lens you need to make sure there’s is no grit on it. An important little accessory to keep in your gadget bag.

COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA

How to choose the right camera for you

Photography is the perfect hobby in our unbiased opinion! The perfect combination art and technology, it is also one of the few hobbies that is important in everyday life, recording family and holidays, etc. It can be taken to any level, inexpensive or loadsamoney, simple snaps or life changing.

Photography has always been fun but now, with the coming of digital, it has opened up a whole new world and is booming as never before. You can keep your works of art on your computer or store them on CD. Much better, you can have a framed picture for your wall in canvas or many other superb finishes or you can create a PhotoBook to treasure. The possibilities are endless. So a digital camera can simply enhance your everyday life or be the start of a new hobby that will lead to endless fun and be totally absorbing for the rest of your life. What is certain is that a digital camera is always a wonderful present and more gratefully received than a pair of socks.

A digital camera can be enjoyed instantly and will provide pleasure and laughter all day long.

Choosing a digital compact camera

Too many cameras! How do you choose one over another? Well, it&rsquos really not as complicated as it looks and that&rsquos what we&rsquore here for.

So here are some top tips:

1. Decide on your budget.

2. Decide on the most important features you require.

Image stabilization appears on many cameras now and is a very useful feature
High sensitivity (ISO) combined with the latest image processor result in better low light photos
Face recognition is now very advanced on some models and can make a big difference for portraits
Some models also take high quality movies so, if this is important to you, check for this feature

3. Do you want a camera that is ultra compact and slips in your pocket? Do you want a powerful zoom? Do you want an optical viewfinder? Does it need to be tough and waterproof?

4. Is the camera to be used to record your life or is it to be used to produce art as part of you hobby?

5. Do you want the classic silver look, a professional black look or be more adventurous with a fun colour?

6. Don’t get too hung up on how many megapixels (MP). ALL modern digital cameras have enough to produce superb results. Only if you want to make very large prints or regularly crop photos do you need above 8MP

7. Though all the cameras we have picked for you are excellent, pick a brand that you feel comfortable with

8. Probably the most important factor when picking a certain model, is to one you like the look of. If you are choosing it as a present think, about what the receiver will like.

FLASHGUN

Investing in an independent lighting source is a crucial step if you are looking to take your photography to the next level. Whether looking at an external flashgun or one that attaches via a hotshoe, you have two considerations: the distance they illuminate, and their physical size and weight.

The former is usually illustrated by the Guide Number (GN). Broadly speaking, the higher this number is, the greater the distance a flashgun can illuminate, or the more flexibility you have when it comes to settings at the same distance.

In terms of the latter, only you can decide the size of unit but if you often carry a number of accessories it's worth considering that a flashgun with less features, that is lighter and smaller can be more useful than a powerful one that you have to leave at home.

It may seem an obvious point, but before spending any money, make sure any flash or flashgun you're looking at is actually compatible with your camera.

BINOCULARS

Get closer....

Whether its for bird watching, looking at ships on the sea, or just for general interest, there is always something for everyone. But it can be a little confusing as to what is different between each one. Hopefully, this well help you.

Numbers

Nearly all binoculars have two numbers written on them: 8x25, 10x26, 12x42, etc. The first number is magnification - the higher the number, the bigger an objet will appear in the binoculars. 7x means an object will appear seven times closer. The second number of your binoculars is know as the OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER. This is the size of the lens through which the image/light enters the binoculars. So 7x50 with have a 7x magnification and a lens diameter of 50mm. The larger the lens size, the brighter the image you see. This is most important at night or in twilight when every bit of light coming through the lens counts.

Field of View

This describes how wide an area you can see through the binoculars. Usually measured in degrees, the lower number means the more you will see.

Coating

Before it reaches your eyes, light can be reflected to 16 times through a set of additional lens in you binoculars. If your lenses are not coated, then each time light is reflected, so of it will be lost. Imagine shining a touch at something in the garden at night, but through your window. The first thing that happens is that the light hits the window and you see the reflection of that light, this is before you can see whats happening outside.

Coating Optics - some surfaces, but not all, are coated
Fully coated - all air-to-glass surfaces are coated, but probably not any plastic surfaces.
Multi-Coated - some surfaces, but not all, have different layers of coatings making the viewing shaper.
Fully Multi-Coated - all surfaces throughout the binoculars are multi-coated.

Why pay more?

Apart from the coatings, there are many other things that effect the sharpness of the image and the ability to define colours. The quality of the glass used for the prisms can vary enormeously and the accuracy of the mounting is also an important factor. The build quality also makes a difference, both in the accuracy of the optics/prisms location and the smoothness of operation. The better the build and design, the greater the pleasure in use.

The better the binocular the less the colour fringing. This is the prismatic effect at the edge of the optics that shows up as colours at the join between light and dark. It can be annoying, in particular, when looking at trees etc against a bright sky background so that, if this is what you intend to do, it is worth spending more to reduce it to a minimum.

For birdwatching it is particularly important that the colours are correct for identification purposes. The higher levels of coatings and quality of glass on the better binoculars will make a big difference to your viewing pleasure here and false economy may make them unusable in this most enjoyable of hobbies. That's why birdwatchers generally have the best binoculars. After all, it's all you need and they will last you a lifetime if looked after. The better the binocular the easier it is to see those camouflaged birds amoungst the folliage too.

Binoculars are a pleasure to own and have NO running costs. Once you have purchased them they will give you many, many years of good service. So, it's worth spending as much as you can as you will benefit each time you use them. ENJOY!

Do you want them Waterproof?

Waterproof binoculars are also known as nitrogen-filled. If neither term is printed on the casing, then the binoculars are probably not waterproof. These are designed for marine use, fishing, water sports, and can be submerged in water without the risk of internal fogging/misting.

Roof or Porro Prism?

This relates the design of the binoculars and can be split in to two sections:

ROOF PRISM tends to be more compact, making it useful for walking tours, holidays or even for children to use.
PORRO PRISM binoculars offer a good image quality at a lower cost. The extra large prisms pass more light and the greater seperation between front optics give a more 3D image.

To tell the difference is not as difficult as you might think. A Porro Prism design looks like traditional binoculars where the eyepiece and the lens are not aligned, whilst roof prisms are. The eyepiece and the lens are all in one tube.

BAGS & CASES

Would like a carrier bag with your bag?

We are asked this everytime. And there is no right answer. The reason being is that people have different requirements and tastes. The righht bag can add hugely to the general enjoyment of your hobby a bag that is comfortable to carry, looks good and handles well.

Ask yourself the following questions:

How do you want to carry your bag? You can choose from a traditional backpack or shoulder bag. Backpacks can either havwe a full harness or be a sling style or even both. The full harness is more comfortable if you are carrying a lot of equipment for any period of time but the sligns are easier to access your equipment without taking the bag off.
What do you want to put in it? Do you want to keep it as small as possible or do you want to allow the space to expand your system in the future?
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want it waterproof or water resistant? If you intend to be out in all kind of weather conditions, you might want a bag with an all weather cover, but that will limit your choice.
Do you want to carry your equipment onboard a plane? Make sure you choose one that fits the regulation size of your carrier.

SPOTTING SCOPES

Choosing a Spotting Scope

As with binoculars, there are a number of optical and design stand standards to keep in mind when you're considering buying a spotting scope.

Spotting scopes are ideally suited for such activities as long distance birdwatching and nature study, telephotography, scenic observing, long distance microscopy, beginners&rsquo astronomy and surveillance.

As an example, binoculars are best for close-up birding, but for distant birds, a spotting scope makes a marked difference. Scopes allow you to distinguish marks on distant objects like a red kite that cannot be seen with binoculars. And at closer ranges, you&rsquoll admire intricate plumage details you never saw before.

Astronomy telescopes are much more powerful, but usually do not gather enough light for observing and are not robust enough for use in the field.

Magnification

A spotting scope is a compact telescope designed primarily for terrestrial observing and is used in applications which require magnifications beyond the range of a typical binocular usually with a magnification power between 15x and 250x. Ideally, the objective lens should be at least 60 mm in diameter to provide a bright image.

To change magnification, scopes have interchangeable fixed-length eyepieces or a single zoom eyepiece.

With a spotting scope the observer can start with a low power magnification (eyepiece or the lowest setting on a zoom eyepiece e.g. in the 20x to 30x range). Once you&rsquove spotted the target you can then switch to a higher power.

Eyepieces have a bayonet fixing for a quick change and scopes have good focusing techniques to adjust the target. As an example the best all-round eyepiece for a birding scope is 20x to 30x.

Zoom lenses

Zoom lenses change magnification power from 20x to as high as 60x with a single, simple adjustment. Like binoculars though, scopes suffer from less light, narrower field of view, and more vibration as magnification increases.

Nowadays, many mid-priced scopes have excellent zoom lenses giving sharpness and clear image indistinguishable from that at low magnification.

The best policy if you are a nature observe is to but the highest-quality scope you can afford.

The old scopes with a zoom lens showed an the image which was too dark to see much detail as you move toward 60x, and viewing at dawn or dusk or poor light was frustrating.

Glass quality

Top spotting scope lenses are made with fluorite-coated, HD (high density), or ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. The difference in brightness and image clarity between these high-quality scopes and those made by the same manufacturers using standard glass is particularly noticeable in low-light viewing conditions and at high power.

Light-gathering capacity

The larger the objective lens at the end the end of the scope the brighter the images because a large lens gathers more light. It also makes the binoculars heavier, this is why weight is included in Specifications and you should consider it before buying a scope.

Focusing

In spotting scopes, there are two methods for focusing. A grip around the scope barrel can be turned for rapid focusing or a knob which is turned and is slower but can be more accurate.

Tripod

You may not want to use one but serious spotters always have a tripod and reap the many rewards from it. Images will be more stable in outdoor conditions. You will often return to the same spot for observing and a scope supported on a tripod is all set and ready to go when your target arrives. So get a mid-weight tripod with as few leg adjustments as possible and a flip-lock design for a secure mount.

Straight-through or 45° angled Scope

Advantages of an angled telescope are that the observer is in a more relaxed position when looking through the scope and the tripod can be set at a lower position making it easier for tall and short people.

So if you are taking friends or children with you to observe, a straight-through scope and no tripod ends up like a pass-the-parcel game.

Eye Relief

The distance between the eye lens and the point where the pupil is positioned for full field of view and varies from eyepiece to eyepiece. Check that this within the right length if you wear spectacles so you can obtain the full field of view

TRIPODS

How many legs?

Three usually works out best. Two would be silly because if you let go, it will fall over and four is less convenient on uneven ground. Once thats decided, its down to size and weight. Everybody wants a rock stead, eye level tripod that folds up in to a small pocket. Unfortunately, this has not yet been designed.

Perhaps this will help.

What are you going to put on it? Its no good buying a small and lightweight tripod to hold a professional camera and lens on it. At the same time, a large tripod is likely to be left at home and be no good at all. Choose the largest tripod you are willing to carry. Carbon fibre tripods offer the lightest choice for stability
How are you going to carry it? Do you want to fit it in to your camera bag or just put it in the back of the car?
How much do you want to spend. A well made tripod will last a long time and give good service.
3-Way head, ball head or action head? A 3-Ways head is the most popular in the UK for general and pinpoint photography, but a ball head is more practical for landscapes, macro and portraits. If action photography is your thing, you can't beat an action grip head.

FAQs @ CameraWorld Shops

What time are you open

For our London Store:

Monday – Friday 9am - 6pm

Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday 10am - 3pm

For our Chelmsford Store:

Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm

Sunday 10am - 3pm

Can I park my car near your shop?

Unfortunately, there is no parking facilities directly outside our stores. However, you can collect large items by car from the rear of our Chelmsford Store.

The nearest off street parking facility to our London store is NCP, 45-46 Berners Street, W1T 3NE. Its only 5 minutes walk from the car park to the shop.

For Chelmsford, since the shop is part of the High Chelmer Shopping Centre, there are numerous car parks within walking distance of the shop. The nearest is a on Market Road

Please note that CameraWorld cannot take responsibility for the loss or damage of your vehicle when you leave it in these car parks.

General Questions

Some of the questions we get asked commonly about making a camera buying decision!

Can I reclaim my VAT?
How long does it take to deliver my order?
Is everything on your website available at your shop?
How many pictures does my memory card hold
What is refurbished stock?
Do you have a Twitter or Facebook page?
Do you offer part exchange or cash buy?
Do you sell film?
Do you offer Interest-Free/Credit agreements?
Is the website secure and how can I pay?
Will you price match another retailer?
My order has not arrived yet. What do I do?

CAN I RECLAIM MY VAT?

VAT Reclaim (VAT 407) scheme

We are happy to welcome new customers from around the world, and we do operate a visitors VAT Reclaim (VAT 407) scheme. However, completed VAT forms cannot be supplied with mail order or internet sales. We are able to supply a form in store for purchases over £100 made in our branches. We supply this form free of charge, but all claims are subject to a £8 administration charge. You will also need to bring your passport. Once we have completed the form, declare your goods at Customs check point who will stamp the claim form. There will be a red post box just after the Customs desk for you to post back your form. We will then process this and issue you with cheque which will be sent to your home address.

Information for Travellers

Non EC Visitors

If you are a visitor to the United Kingdom (UK) and your normal place of residence is OUTSIDE the EC, you may be able to get a refund of the VAT paid on certain goods that you buy whilst shopping.

Entitled EC Residents

If you are an EC resident who intends to leave the EC for a period of at least 12 months, you may be able to get a refund of the VAT paid on certain goods that you buy.

Students and Migrant Workers

If you are a non-EC resident who is studying or working in the UK, and you intend to leave the EC for a period of at least 12 months, you may be able to get a refund of the VAT paid on certain goods that you buy.

General

The goods must be exported from the European Community by the last day of the third month following that in which they were purchased. Customs officials may ask to see evidence of your entitlement to use the scheme.

If the goods are brought back into the EC at any time they must be declared to the Customs Authority in the Member State of importation unless they are within the duty or tax free baggage allowance of that Menber State.

For full details: Call the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DELIVER MY ORDER?

Orders placed before 2pm Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) are dispatched the same day. Any orders with a £2.99 P&P charge is delivered via First Class Royal Mail and may take a few days. All other orders are dealt with via courier, Interlink Express.

The delivery is usually next working day, between 9am-5pm. To receive your order, you will need to sign for the parcel. However, geographical restrictions may mean that the delivery time is extended to a few days. European delivery is 3-5 working days. All orders will recieve a tracking number available from 5pm the day of dispatch. For more information, please check our delivery section on the top bar.

There are occasions when we will not deliver to an alternative address. The reason for this change is usually due to the high value of an order. We want to be sure that it is going to the card registered/home address, and that you, no one else, receives your goods.

IS EVERYTHING ON YOUR WEBSITE AVAILABLE AT YOUR SHOP?

Our website is not linked to our stock system yet. We hope to achieve this in the future. It is, therefore, always advisable to call us first to check availability.

We hold over 3000 different lines of stock on our site. Unfortunately, it is not always possible for us to hold everything in stock. There are times when we do sell out quickly. Our stock levels for either store are not reflected on the website, with the exception of Used Equipment.

We always suggest contacting one of our stores before making your purchase, especially if it is a gift and time is of the essence. If you do order something with us, and it is out of stock, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternatives, estimated time of delivery and your options.

HOW MANY PICTURES DOES MY MEMORY CARD HOLD

Each camera stores images in a different way. However, for the majority of JPEG and TIFF/RAW files, the following chart gives a good indication:

WHAT IS REFURBISHED STOCK?

‘Refurbished’ is just a generic term used to describe something that can’t quite be sold as brand new. In most cases it’s just an item that has been returned after a change of mind, maybe after stern words from their better half when they got home. Usually the only sign is a slightly marked box.

They may have a small fault that is then rectified.

Whatever the reason, these items are then individually checked to a standard that is actually higher than new, supplied with all original accessories and guaranteed. They’re really just like a new one about 5 minutes after you’ve bought it – just like when you buy a car with delivery mileage! But, for the lucky buyers it means BIG SAVINGS!

There are several reasons why an item is labelled "Refurbished". These include:

The item has previously been returned to the manufacturer under a refund/exchange policy once returned the item is inspected and repackaged like new.
The item's box or packaging was damaged whilst in transit to a retailer the retailer returned the item to the manufacturer who in turn inspected the item and repackaged it.
The item had a minor fault and was returned to the manufacturer for repair. The defective part was replaced, fully tested and then repackaged like new.
The item was returned because it had a cosmetic mark on its body.
The item was a demonstration unit and was returned to the manufacturer to be refurbished these units are inspected, tested and repackaged.
The item's box was opened. The item was then returned to the manufacturer, tested and repackaged.
The item is brand new but returned by a retailer as an "overstocked" item.

It is impossible to know the history of each item, but for whatever reason the unit has been labelled "Refurbished". It is inspected & serviced by the manufacturer or their agents, then tested and repackaged to meet original product specifications. With refurbished stock, if there is an item that you have ordered and it is not available, then your order will be cancelled and all monies refunded. This is because manufacturers will approach us to sell the goods.

All refurbished items are guaranteed for 6 months unless otherwise stated.

DO YOU HAVE A TWITTER OR FACEBOOK PAGE?

Yes, we do. You can follow us on both. Our name in Twitter is CameraWorldUK, or page details are www.twitter.com/CameraWorldUK and our page on Facebook is www.facebook.com/cameraworld Our pages are regularly loaded with information and give you the latest news and offers. There is also the chance for you to upload you favourite images to our Facebook page to show us what you can do with your camera. Along with this, there is a discussion page for you to ask an open question about your camera or photogragphic technique.

DO YOU OFFER PART EXCHANGE OR CASH BUY?

Yes we do!

We are happy to take in a variety of used digital and film cameras that are of a very high condition. We have an up to date Used Equipment section on our site which shows the stock from both stores. With a large an expanding range of products on the market, now is the perfect time to sell your equipment. If you are not in travelling distance of our stores, its not a problem. We can quote you over the phone or via email for your items. We can even arrange a collection from you at a time thats easy for you.

DO YOU SELL FILM?

Both 35mm film and medium format film is making a big comeback. Along with our growing interest from used equipment sales as well as students and enthusiasts, we have increased our range of film. Please feel to check our film section for more information

DO YOU OFFER INTEREST-FREE/CREDIT AGREEMENTS?

We don't, sorry!

Interest free credit costs us money and we work on very low margins so that we can offer everyone the very best deals. If we offered interest free credit we would have to build the cost into the selling price and it would cost all our customers more.

IS THE WEBSITE SECURE AND HOW CAN I PAY?

At CameraWorld we take your online security very seriously. Our site uses high-level 128 bit encryption technology, the most advanced security software currently available for online transactions. Rest assured that we take the privacy and security of your personal and payment details very seriously. If you have any problems we are always here to help.

This security software encrypts all of your personal information including your credit card number, name and address, ensuring that nothing can be read as it travels over the internet.

CameraWorld prides itself on taking fraudulent transactions very seriously. We have an independent fraud check that will check all details before proceeding the order. To help ensure total security, we may decide, dependant on the value of an order, to send an order to a home address instead of the requested alternative address. In those cases, we will contact you as soon as possible.

Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode
For even greater confidence in shopping with CameraWorld, we have adopted the Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode fraud prevention service schemes often referred to as 3D-Secure. These services help enhance your existing card account against unauthorised use. We encourage our customers to sign up to these service schemes. In order to do so you must register with the bank or other organistaion that issued the card.

If your card fails the 3D-Secure authentication, we may not be able to accept your order, depsite you receiving payment approval. In this instance, we will contact you to discuss options.

Once you have registered and created your own personal password with the card issuer you will be automatically be prompted in the checkout to provide this password each time you shop with us.

CameraWorld does not have access to your Verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode passwords.

Payment Options

All orders must be paid for using a UK registered credit / debit card.

We offer various ways for you too pay online including Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Switch and Solo:

For orders outside the UK but within the EU, please call 0044 207 636 5005. We will confirm availability and delivery costs. For overseas EU orders we accept BACS bank transfer for payment only.

Our BACS details are:

Lloyds TSB

Guildford Branch

Sort Code 30-93-74

Account No. 03374223.

WILL YOU PRICE MATCH ANOTHER RETAILER?

We are keen on our prices and always try to get you the best price. We do attempt to price match against UK mainland retailers who do not grey import goods (import them from another country). If you would like to check whether we will match another retailer, please call on 0844 264 0664 during our opening hours. When you call please be ready with the quote from the other retailer. We will also need to know their web address (if applicable), their delivery costs and whether or not they have the item in stock.

MY ORDER HAS NOT ARRIVED YET. WHAT DO I DO?

Your order will either have been sent out via Royal Mail or via our courier partner, Interlink Express/DPD.

If your order was sent via Royal Mail, if could still be en-route to you. It would have been sent in a white "Jiffy bag" that would have fitted through your letter box. Please give them time. However, if after a week nothing has arrived, contact us either by phone or email.

If your order was sent via Interlink Express, then we will be able to track the items sent. However, there are occasions when the delivery will be delayed for reasons beyond our control, such as snow storms, flooding, vehicle breaking down, etc. If this is the case, aso often happens, your order will take priority for the first delivery the following day. If you still haven't received your order, then please get in contact with us. You are able to track your order through the Interlink website. Upon the morning of delivery, a message will be sent to your phone (both mobile and landline) which will give you the reference number to your parcel. If you miss this call or the text, just call us for the consignment number.

If you have placed an order from the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Islands, Northern Scotland or Scilly Isles, then your order is going to be a few days regardless due to flight or sailing arrangements (Isle of Wight can still receive next working day delivery subject to shipping times and route availability).

If you have placed an order for EU delivery, we quote 3-5 working days for delivery. If your order hasn't arrived in that time, please email us, or call us on 004420 7636 5005, and we will let you know as soon as possible. Again, international deliveries are also subject to conditions beyond our control such as snow, rain, storms, or such as more recently, volcanic activity. We will deliver as soon as is possible.

Service & Returns

My item has developed a fault. What do I do?
Do you copy videos to DVD/Blue-Ray?
What is a blown/dead pixel?
Do you offer a repair service?
My memory card has an error on it/I have lost my pictures. What do I do?
Can you clean digital SLR sensors?
I left my camera to be repaired. Where is it?
Returning software, memory cards and film
I’ve got an issue with my copy of Adobe Photoshop. Who do I call
What is/is not covered under the manufacturers warranty?

MY ITEM HAS DEVELOPED A FAULT. WHAT DO I DO?

If your product develops a fault then all you need to do is return it to us and we will repair it in line with your statutory rights. In all cases we reserve the right to inspect the product to verify the fault.
Sorry, but this guarantee excludes items whose faults have been caused by customer neglect, misuse, accidental damage or fair wear and tear.

You will be required to provide the relevant store with reasonable proof of purchase (being either a receipt or deposit receipt).

All products returned as faulty will be checked by CameraWorld and if found to have no fault may be returned to you. CameraWorld reserves the right to charge for the return of any products found to be without fault.

DO YOU COPY VIDEOS TO DVD/BLUE-RAY?

Yes, we do. We, along with our partners at IC Video, can copy VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, 16mm, SVHS, Video 8, Mini DV, DV, Micro MV, Hi8, Digi8, Slides (35mm mounted only), Images, and Video from Memory Card to either DVD or Blue-Ray.

When transferring to DVD, we put footage on to DVD-R which may cause some issues depending on your player. Minimum charge is £23, but please call for details on 01245 255510. Tape repairs are also available. Prices will vary according to length of footage and type of format you want footage transferred to.

WHAT IS A BLOWN/DEAD PIXEL?

Within each digital camera there is a sensor. The sensor is may up of pixels. The greater the number of pixels, the larger image size and more detail you can get. These are counted in either thousands or millions.

If you are looking at the screen on a camera and there is a single red/blue/green dot, this is usually a blown pixel. However, something like this is normal and is accepted through the normal tolerance of the camera's wear and tear. It is not something that will be repaired under a warranty because most, if not all manufacturers will class it as normal wear and tear.

However, when you look at the image on a larger screen and you see the same result, this means that it is something that is on the sensor. This will be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty and will be sent directly to them. Usually, they will replace the sensor (not the camera), and return it to you.

DO YOU OFFER A REPAIR SERVICE?

Yes we do. However we do not do repairs in either of our stores. All repairs are sent back to either the manufacturer or to an authorised repair agent. If the product has been damaged in anyway, even within its manufacturer's warranty, there will be a £25 Chargeable estimate.

This will quote for the estimate cost of repair. Should you agree to meet that cost, the £25 will be deducted from your total bill. If you refuse the estimate but decide to purchase a new camera, the £25 will be deducted from your bill. Repair times do vary from one company to another.

There are also seasonal variations. Please contact us for more information.

MY MEMORY CARD HAS AN ERROR ON IT/I HAVE LOST MY PICTURES. WHAT DO I DO?

In both cases, its not the end of the world. If you have an error message relating to your card, there is probably a corrupted file that is blocking the images going on the camera. The initial solution is to format the card. However, by doing this, you will erase every photo on the card. CameraWorld offers a recovery service where we will try to recover any and all lost images, even those that have been deleted. The cost of this service is £30 which includes backing up the files on to a series of DVDs or CDs. In some cases, there is nothing that can be done to the card. If this is the case, then it is worth contacting the manufacturer directly.

If you have deleted images or formatted your card by mistake, do not use that card again until a recovery has been done on it.

If you format the card, and then continue to take photos, you are effectively writing over any chance of being able to perform a recovery. Some cards are supplied with recovery software, but this is usually limited to specific cards. We cannot promise to get all your images back, as it is never that easy, but we do as much as we can to get those important images and moments back to you.

Currently, we cannot recover promise to recover any video files stored on a memory card, although if we can, we will.

CAN YOU CLEAN DIGITAL SLR SENSORS?

Yes we do. Both of our stores offer sensor cleaning for those customers who are unsure or nervous about doing it themselves. Please contact us for service prices If you are unable to visit either of our stores, check our ion of sensor cleaning products available online.

I LEFT MY CAMERA TO BE REPAIRED. WHERE IS IT?

In most cases, the time taken to repair a camera can vary from two to five weeks. If it is deemed to be a minor repair, then it shouldn't take too long. However, there may be times when the repair agent is awaiting parts to complete a repair. In this instance, we will contact you as soon as possible to inform you of any delay. Such a delay may mean a re-estimate. Again, we will inform you immediately. We will not have forgotten about your product being sent away. It does take some time though, especially during specific times of the year such as the run up to summer and pre/post Christmas.

RETURNING SOFTWARE, MEMORY CARDS AND FILM

Software, memory cards, DVDs, and Pre-recorded videotapes can only be accepted if still sealed. This policy is to avoid any potential breach of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act CDPA 1988.

All opened software is exempt from return under the terms of the distance Selling Regulations SI2334/2000.

In every aspect of error or assistance with Adobe Photoshop Elements or Lightroom programs, customers are advised to contact Adobe directly on 0207 365 0735 Mon-Fri. 9am - 5pm or 0800 328 4536 24Hour

Staff from Adobe will make arrangements directly with you. However, it might be that there is an issue with the specification of your computer and it not being compatible for the software. Please check before purchasing.

With memory cards, DVDs, and light-sesnitive film customers are advised to contact us via sales@cameraworld.co.uk or the respective manufacturer for further advice.

I’VE GOT AN ISSUE WITH MY COPY OF ADOBE PHOTOSHOP. WHO DO I CALL?

In every aspect of error with this program, customers are advised to contact Adobe directly on 0207 365 0735. Staff from Adobe will make arrangements directly with you.

However, it might be that there is an issue with the specification of your computer and it not being compatible for the software. CameraWorld Ltd act as agents on behalf of Adobe and are not held directly responsible for faults.

WHAT IS/IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY?

Your product is covered under a manufacturers warranty for a minimum of one year from the date of purchase. If during this period of guarantee the product proves defective due to improper material, poor workmanship, mechanical failure or electrical failure an authorised service agent will, without charge for labour and parts, repair the product.

This warranty will not cover: - necessary maintenance and repair or replacement of parts due to due to normal wear and tear. - modifications to upgrade the product from it's normal purpose as described in user manuals, transport costs and all risks of transport relating directly or indirectly to the warranty of the products. - any damage resulting from modifications or adjustments which may be made to the product.

The warranty will not be applicable in the case of: - damage caused by misuse including but not limited to failure to use the product for it's normal purpose or according to the user instructions on the proper use and maintenance, and to installation and use of the product inconsistent with the safety standards in force in the country where it is used. - damage caused by accidents including but not limited to lighting, water, fire, misuse or neglect. - alteration, defacing illegibility or removal of the model or serial number on the product. - damage resulting from repairs or adjustments which have been conducted by unauthorised service organisations or persons. - damage in any system into which the product is incorporated or with which it used.

This warranty is only provided upon presentation of the completed warranty card and original invoice or purchase receipt indicating the date of purchase, product type and dealers name, together with the product. Manufacturers reserves the right to refuse free-of-charge warranty service if the above documents cannot be presented or the information contained in it is incomplete or illegible.

Your statutory rights are not affected

Video Technology

What is AVCHD
What is Frame Rate
Are there any well known examples of DLSRs being used for video
Is there a difference between Full Frame and a smaller sensor
What is HD Video

WHAT IS AVCHD

AVCHD Advanced Video Coding High Definition is a format for the recording and playback of high definition video.

Developed jointly by Sony and Panasonic, the format was announced in 2006 primarily for use in high definition consumer camcorders. AVCHD is a file-based format and does not use magnetic tape. Instead, video can be recorded onto DVD discs, hard disk drives, non-removable solid-state memory and removable flash memory such as Secure Digital and Memory Stick cards.

WHAT IS FRAME RATE

Frame rate, or frame frequency, is the frequency rate at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames.

There are currently three main frame rate standards in the TV and movie-making business: 24p, 25p, and 30p. However there are many variations on these as well as newer emerging standards.

ARE THERE ANY WELL KNOWN EXAMPLES OF DLSRS BEING USED FOR VIDEO

Yes - The Canon EOS 5D Mk II has been embraced by the independent film community for its low light sensitivity, potential for shallow depth of field compared to cameras with smaller sensors, interchangeable lens selection, and relatively low cost. In March 2010, Canon released firmware version 2.0.4 for the 5D Mark II, adding 24p framerate and manual audio recording, making the camera an attractive option for low-budget, independent filmmaking. The Canon EOS 5D Mk II has been used mostly for video production, with two exceptions&mdashSensory Perception and A Beautiful Belly.

Notable film and television productions which used the Canon EOS 5D Mk II include in order of release:

The opening title sequence for the 35th season of NBCs Saturday Night Live, first broadcast on 26 September 2009. The camera, alongside the Canon EOS 7D, was used due to its size, which allowed covert shooting on the streets of New York City, and depth of field capabilities, making it a suitable substitute for the series usual 35mm film.
The House episode "Help Me", broadcast by Fox on 17 May 2010, was shot entirely on the Canon EOS 5D Mk II, replacing the dramas usual 35mm film format.
All of the seventh season of House was also recorded with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
The BBC Two comedy series Shelfstackers, first broadcast on 4 September 2010, is the first BBC programme to use the camera. The corporation had initially refused its use due to "lack of quality" but were persuaded otherwise by the series director. All six episodes of the series were shot on the camera for a total budget of £160,000.
The Road to Coronation Street, broadcast by BBC Four on 16 September 2010, is the first UK television drama to be shot on the Canon EOS 5D Mk II. The dramas director of photography was impressed and plans to use the camera on the seventh series of the BBC One drama Hustle.
Korean mini-series Jungle Fish 2, broadcast by KBS, was shot entirely in Canon EOS 5D Mk II. It is the first Korean drama to do so.
The YouTube channel Watchlistentell shoots their videos of indie music using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
Turkish tv-series Behzat Ç. broadcast by Star Tv, is still going on and shooting entirely in Canon EOS 5D Mk II.
The music video for Playing God by the band Paramore was shot entirely with the 5D Mark Il.
According to the BBC, the Canon EOS 7D and the Canon EOS 5D Mk II was used in the filming of TV adaptation of Sherlock
Black Swan, The Avengers/Avengers Assemble used the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS 7D and Canon L Series lenses in numerous scenes

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FULL FRAME AND A SMALLER SENSOR

A full-frame digital SLR is a digital single-lens reflex camera DSLR fitted with an image sensor that is the same size as a 35 mm 36×24 mm film frame.

In cinematography, full frame refers to the use of the full film gate at maximum width and height for 35 mm film cameras. It is sometimes also referred to as silent aperture, full gate, or a number of other similar word combinations. It is the original gate size pioneered by William Dickson and Thomas Edison in 1892. Full frame is generally used by all 4-perf films, whether silent, standard 35 Academy ratio width, or Super 35. The introduction of Academy ratio in 1932 required that the lens mount needed to be shifted slightly horizontally to re-center the lens at the new center of frame however, the gate size did not change as the extra negative information would be cropped out by lab processes in post-production. 4-perf Super 35 is nearly identical to the original full frame standard, although the lens mount requires vertical re-centering when common topline extraction is used. It should also be noted that hard mattes for all common ratios exist and either replace the film gate itself or are inserted within it. However, these are usually not used in the event that any reframing needs to be done.

Technical Notes on Full Frame Video

as per 35 mm film, except:

aspect ratio: 4:3
camera aperture: 0.980" by 0.735"
projection aperture silent: 0.931" by 0.698"

Advanced Photo System type-C APS-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System "classic" size negatives. These negatives were 25.1 × 16.7 mm and had an aspect ratio 3:2.

Sensors meeting these approximate dimensions are used in many digital single-lens reflex cameras, in addition to a few large-sensored live-preview digital cameras and a few digital rangefinders. Such sensors exist in many different variants depending on the manufacturer and camera model. All APS-C variants are considerably smaller than 35 mm standard film which measures 36×24 mm. Sensor sizes range from 20.7×13.8 mm to 28.7×19.1 mm. Each variant results in a slightly different angle of view from lenses at the same focal length and overall a much narrower angle of view compared to 35 mm film.

A crop factor sometimes referred to as a "focal length multiplier", even though the actual focal length is the same can be used to calculate the 35 mm equivalent focal length from the actual focal length. The most common multiplier ratios:

1.6× Canon EOS 7D, 500D T1i, Canon EOS 550D T2i, 60D, 50D, 1000D, 40D, 400D, 30D, 450D, 20Da, 350D, 20D, 300D, 10D, D60, D30
1.54× Pentax K20D, Pentax K-7
1.53× Pentax *istD, Pentax *istDs, Pentax *istDs2, Pentax *istDL, Pentax *istDL2, Pentax K100D, Pentax K100D Super, Pentax K10D, Pentax K200D
1.52× all Nikon DSLR cameras except the full-frame D3, D3s, D3x and D700 all Fuji, Sony except for the full-frame &alpha 850, &alpha 900
1.3× Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 1D Mark III , 1D Mark II and Mark II N, EOS-1D

WHAT IS HD VIDEO

High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition SD video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels 720p or 1,920×1,080 pixels 1080i/1080p.

High definition video prerecorded and broadcast is defined threefold, by:

The number of lines in the vertical display resolution. High-definition television HDTV resolution is 1,080 or 720 lines. In contrast, regular digital television DTV is 480 lines upon which NTSC is based, 480 visible scanlines out of 525 or 576 lines upon which PAL/SECAM are based, 576 visible scanlines out of 625. However, since HD is broadcast digitally, its introduction sometimes coincides with the introduction of DTV. Additionally, current DVD quality is not high-definition, although the high-definition disc systems Blu-ray Disc and the defunct HD DVD are.
The scanning system: progressive scanning p or interlaced scanning i. Progressive scanning redraws an image frame all of its lines when refreshing each image. Interlaced scanning draws the image field every other line or "odd numbered" lines during the first image refresh operation, and then draws the remaining "even numbered" lines during a second refreshing. Interlaced scanning yields greater image resolution if subject is not moving, but loses up to half of the resolution and suffers "combing" artifacts when subject is moving.
The number of frames or fields per second. The 720p60 format is 1,280 × 720 pixels, progressive encoding with 60 frames per second 60 Hz. The 1080i50 format is 1920 × 1080 pixels, interlaced encoding with 50 fields per second. Two interlaced fields formulate a single frame, because the two fields of one frame are temporally shifted. Frame pulldown and segmented frames are special techniques that allow transmitting full frames by means of interlaced video stream.

For commercial naming of the product, either the frame rate or the field rate is ped e.g., a "1080i camera" label indicates only the image resolution. Often, the rate is inferred from the con, usually assumed to be either 50 or 60, except for 1080p, which denotes 1080p24, 1080p25, and 1080p30, but also 1080p50 and 1080p60.

A frame or field rate can also be specified without a resolution. For example 24p means 24 progressive scan frames per second and 50i means 25 interlaced frames per second, consisting of 50 interlaced fields per second. Most HDTV systems support some standard resolutions and frame or field rates. The most common are noted below. High-definition signals require a high-definition television or computer monitor in order to be viewed. High-definition video has an aspect ratio of 16:9 1.78:1. The aspect ratio of regular widescreen film shot today is typically 1.85:1 or 2.39:1 sometimes traditionally quoted at 2.35:1. Standard-definition television SDTV has a 4:3 1.33:1 aspect ratio, although in recent years many broadcasters have transmitted programs "squeezed" horizontally in 16:9 anamorphic format, in hopes that the viewer has a 16:9 set which stretches the image out to normal-looking proportions, or a set which "squishes" the image vertically to present a "letterbox" view of the image, again with correct proportions.

Glossary Of Terms & Manufacturers Contacts

GLOSSARY A-E

AE Lock: The Automatic Exposure Lock holds the exposure settings (aperture, shutter) over a series of images. Panoramic stitches require locking exposure.

AF Servo (AI Servo): This keeps the focus on a moving subject. AF Servo is useful for sports and wildlife photography.

Aliasing: Refers to the stair stepping (jaggies) of diagonal edges in images when the resolution is too low.

Anti Aliasing: Technique to reduce Aliasing by softening of aliased edges through blending and averaging of pixel values. The resulting image will look smoother and more natural.

Aperture: The size of the lens opening that determines the amount of light hitting the sensor. F-Stops are a measure for Aperture. The aperture affects Exposure and Depth of Field.

Aperture priority: In Aperture Priority mode, you will the aperture and the camera will determine the correct shutter speed for the available light. The shutter speed will also depend on ISO Sensitivity. To control Depth of Field use this mode.

Artifact: These are unwanted image abnormalities like Chromatic Aberrations, Blooming, Moire, Noise, JPG Compression and others.

Aspect Ratio: This is the relationship of horizontal to vertical dimensions of images.

Autofocus: The camera will automatically focus on subjects in the image. Depending on the focus points, some subjects might not be &ldquoseen&rdquo by the focus system.

Barrel distortion: This will cause images to look inflated near the centre of each corner (like an old CRT TV). It usually occurs on wide-angle lenses and at the wide end of the zoom.

Bit: Bits represent digital data in computers. Digital Images are made of bits. The Bit Depth refers to the amount of bits used for each pixel. A bit depth corresponds to 2^ (Bit Depth) levels (e.g. 16.7 Million for 24-bit).

Blooming: When overexposed pixels affect adjacent pixels, we call this blooming. Please see my tutorial on how to fix Blooming for night scenes in Photoshop.

Burst Rate: During Burst, the Camera will take multiple shots after each other, as fast as it can. The Burst Rate is measured in frames per second (fps). The maximum number of pictures that can be taken during a burst mainly depends on the available camera memory and memory card speed.

CCD: Charge Coupled Device. Usually refers to an array of CCD cells used as a Sensor in Digital Cameras.

Chromatic aberration: As the lens focuses different wavelengths slightly differently, Chromatic Aberration occurs. One example is the purple fringing you often find around edges (e.g. leafs before a bright sky)

CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. This refers to the technology in which today&rsquos digital chips are fabricated. The technology is suitable for integration of image sensors together with digital processing units.

Colour Space: A colour space is attached to an image to determine how the image is represented (tutorial on colour profiles)

Colour Calibration: This is the process of matching the colour of two or more devices through software and/or hardware (tutorial on Colour Calibration)

Colorimeter: A device for measuring and calibrating colour devices.

Compact Flash (CF): Compact Flash is a removable storage card format. It has the largest physical size of all competing memory card formats. Most digital SLR cameras use this format.

Digital (Signal) Processor (DSP): The DSP is a digital microchip that has been designed for special tasks (signal processing). In Digital Camera Systems, the DSP is handling all the image processing required.

Digital Zoom: Do not use this feature! Forget that you ever heard of this, seriously. This is nothing more than In-Camera Crop.

Depth of Field (DOF): DOF refers to the areas behind and in front of the main focal plane that are still sharp. DOF is thus highly subjective and depends on the final print size and viewing distance. A small aperture (large f-stop number) generally increases Depth of Field. More about Depth of Field is found in this Tutorial about DOF and HFD.

DPI (Dots per Inch): A unit used to describe the resolution of scanners or output devices and also images (although PPI would be more accurate in this case).

Dynamic Range: Dynamic range is the ratio between the largest possible signal a sensor can output before it saturates to the lowest possible signal it can measure.

Effective Number of Pixels: Sensors have more pixels then are used for creating an image, since the data needs to be processed (e.g. bayer, anti-aliasing &hellip). Most of these algorithms require information of neighbour pixels. The DSP crops the image and the resulting smaller image has the Effective Number of Pixels.

EXIF: The Exchangeable Image File header contains information about the image, the camera, location, date and time and camera settings.

Exposure: Exposure refers to the amount of light a sensor receives. It can be influenced by the aperture and shutter speed.

Exposure Compensation: This will use the cameras automatic exposure, but it will allow the photographer to increase or decrease the exposure by a certain amount, set by the exposure compensation value.

GLOSSARY E-P

Firmware: The camera system consists of hardware and software. The software that runs the internal microprocessors is the firmware. It can be d to fix bugs or add new features. Sometimes this is used to hack in new features

Focal Length: The focal length is a measurement (in millimetres) that determines how far from the lens the focal point (on the sensor) is. It will determine your field of view (wide angle, telephoto).

F-stop: Apertures are marked in f-stops, the larger the f-stop the smaller the aperture. Common numbers are: 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, and 32. Large and expensive lenses can achieve smaller numbers.

Histogram: Histograms represent brightness distribution in digital images. They are important to evaluate correct exposure. The height (y-axis) represents the amount of pixels and the x-axis represents the brightness value.

Image Stabilization: Image stabilization helps you taking handheld shots that would otherwise require a tripod by compensating for small and fast movements (shaking). It is especially useful on long lenses in less than ideal lighting.

Interpolation: Interpolation is a method of generating information from neighbouring elements. It can be used when increasing images, where new pixels are interpolated or during the Bayer Interpolation to generate colour information (from the RGGB matrix).

JPEG: This is the most common digital image file format. It is compatible with virtually all image editing programs and camera hardware. It offers a good compression and decent quality. Although there are rivalling formats, the widespread use of JPEG will make it very hard for them.

Lag Time: This is the time from pressing the shutter release until the camera takes the picture. A shorter lag time is desirable, especially for action photography.

LCD Screen (Liquid Crystal Display): Colour LCDs have become a standard in Digital Cameras. They provide instant feedback and can display information such as histograms.

Macro: Macro photography is the ability to capture a subject at very close distance. Usually the size of the subject is at least 1:1 on the sensor (in 35mm terms).

Memory Card: Removable Storage used in Digital Cameras.

Memory Stick: This is a Memory Card developed by Sony.

Noise: Statistical variations that are inherent to the sensor system cause Noise. Noise is always present, but higher sensitivities and smaller sensors (used in cheaper and smaller cameras) usually generate more noise.

Pincushion Distortion: This is the opposite effect to barrel distortion. It causes images to be pinched at the centre. Usually this occurs at the telephoto range of a zoom lens.

Pixel: Digital pictures consist of pixels, the smallest units. Each pixel has a colour that can be represented by 8 or 16 bit or as a floating-point number (32bit HDR).

PPI: PPI=Pixels per Inch. This is often confused with DPI. Colour printers use several dots to create a single pixel. This looks good on the specification of the printer, but it also confuses. PPI can be used to describe the actual Pixels per Inch of a Print.

GLOSSARY P-Z

RAW: A RAW is the image in its raw form, as it comes from the sensor. By processing RAW files on the computer instead of using the in-camera function, more degrees of freedom are available.

Secure Digital: This is one of the smallest Memory Card formats (besides XD).

Sensitivity (ISO): A higher sensitivity can be used to trade off low light performance for Noise. The sensitivity in terms of ISO standards has been introduced to imitate those of Film.

Sensor: The sensor s photons (light particles) into electrons (electrical charge). More photons (brighter) generate more charge. Colour filters placed in front of the sensor elements encode the colour information, as the light sensitive elements are not colour ive.

Sharpening: This is the process of increasing the edge contrast of an image. It does not increase detail, but only create the appearance of a sharper image.

Shutter Priority: In this mode, the photographer s the shutter speed and lets the camera decide the correct aperture for the pre-determined ISO speed. This is used to blur water or freeze action in sports photography.

SLR: When you look through the viewfinder of a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera, you will look through the lens itself via mirrors and/or prisms. This has certain advantages preferred by many photographers.

Viewfinder: The viewfinder is the &ldquoeye-piece&rdquo that you look through to compose your shot.

Vignetting: Small long lenses can experience vignetting, which darkens the corners of the image. The barrel of the lens is responsible for this effect. In other words, the image circle your lens can project is too small for the sensor.

Zoom: Making an image larger (zooming in) or smaller. Zooming effectively lets you decide how much of a scene you wish to include in your picture.

MANUFACTURERS A-D

Acme Made

0845 2500 790

www.daymen.co.uk

Adobe

Technical Support: 0207 365 0735

www.adobe.com/uk/

B W

0870 444 6561

www.bpluswfilters.co.uk

Blue Crane

01707 643953 (RK Photographic)