|
|
DEPTH OF FIELD BUTTON
Many SLR cameras have this button. Pressing it causes the lens aperture
to close down to whatever f-number you've selected on the lens. Using
a small aperture (big f-number) increases the depth offield, or amount
of distance in front of and behind the point where the lens is focused.
By pressing in the depth of field control and stopping the lens down to
the shooting aperture, you can see in the viewfinder if objects in the
foreground or background will be sharp. If you want the subject to stand
out from an out-of-focus background, use a wide aperture to reduce the
depth of field. If it is important for a large area to be sharp (such
as a group of people, some closer to the camera than others), then a smaller
aperture will enhance the focus depth.
PC CORD OUTLET
On a 35mm SLR or a medium format camera, the PC outlet has nothing to
do with a computer. It is a terminal where a flash cord can be plugged
for off-camera flash photography. A PC cord from a studio flash on a light
stand or a handle-mounted flash will cause the flash to fire when the
shutter is released, but there is no coupling of any auto-exposure features,
so the camera exposure must be set manually. Why is this terminal called
PC? Because it was developed by the makers of Prontor and Compur shutters
in Germany. The advent of the PC terminal served as a de facto standard
used by most camera makers from that point on.
"B" SHUTTER SPEED SETTING
On the scale or dial of shutter speeds there are various numbers, then
a letter B. Why? It stands for "Bulb", a relic of years long ago when
camera shutters were commonly tripped by pressing on a rubber air bulb
that was connected to the shutter with thin tubing. This B setting means
the shutter is open for as long as you have the release button pressed.
(Or have it tripped with a cable release or remote control cord.) Long
exposures at night, with the shutter open for many seconds or even minutes
produce interesting and unpredictable photos. For example, passing car
lights register as streaks of white or red, moonlit landscapes take on
an unusual glow, floodlit buildings stand out prominently in the darkness.
LENS HOOD
What can a hollow tube stuck on the end of your lens possibly do to improve
picture quality? Plenty. Just as the bill on a cap and the visor on your
car's windshield help block out extraneous light for better visibility,
a lens hood does the same thing for your camera. Use it indoors and out
to block not just direct light, but also indirect light reflecting off
walls and other surfaces that will reduce the contrast and lessen the
picture's impact. But when using an SLR's built-in flash and a long lens,
a hood may cause a shadow when shooting close-up, so check your lens instructions
for additional information.
CHANGES AT
WWW.PORTERS.COM
Our Web Store continues to expand and improve. We've recently made two
changes, the first being the addition of a
Used
Photo Equipment Department. Whether you're looking
for a way to save money on reliable photo equipment or want an accessory
for the seasoned camera outfit you've enjoyed for some time, our Web Store
used equipment department is the place to shop. Every item is ranked on
five-step condition scale, so you'll know what to expect when your purchase
arrives. Each item includes our 15-day trial period. We've added an
Express Order Form
to the home page of our Web site. If you have our catalog and know
which item(s) you want to order, the Express Order Form is a secure way
to type in the data for your order without searching for each item in
the Web Store. It doesn't calculate the shipping costs or total up the
order like the Web Store, but it does provide our catalog shoppers a quick
way to submit an order. |
