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You Can Repair Your Canon SD Series Lens Barrier Covers Yourself!

Many people have asked about repairing their front covers/flaps on their Canon PowerShot SD series cameras, so I’ve written up some instructions. The barrier kit on most Canon PowerShot SD series cameras is a little tricky but not impossible to replace yourself. You will need patience, a good eye and a steady hand as well as a small screwdriver. We use dental picks, they work great!

To get things started, turn on the camera to extend the lens and then open the battery door and remove the battery so that the lens stays out. This allows you to easily work on the lens barrier assembly.

First the part we need is the ‘barrel drive ring’, it’s the ring with the small piece that sticks down into the lens. Most cameras have a drive ring, but some do not. If you don’t see one in your kit then your camera does not need one. Make sure it rotates slightly once it has been inserted, otherwise it’s not in properly and can jam the lens.

Next are the springs and flaps. Put one spring on each of the flaps, there are little tabs to hold them on. They are TINY, they are hard to hold and if you drop it… lets just say DON’T drop it on the carpet, ok? If you do lose some springs, we have them available on their own in our store for you to purchase.

Carefully put the cover or ‘flap’ in the hole with the spring pointing towards the post where the other end will connect, and then with something with a tiny and pointy tip (we use dental picks!) gently grab the loop of the spring and stick it on its post.

If you do this with the lens covers or ‘flaps’ in the open position they will stay in place once you get them properly seated. If everything pops off, just start again. Do not stretch out the springs as they must remain tight or nothing will work properly.

Then gently put on the barrier cover, it’s a flat plastic ring. The tabs on the outer barrier cover match up with small slots in the lens housing and it will lock into place. Be gentle, don’t force anything too hard or you will break it and the parts will not hold it place.

Now you may test your repair prowess! Now we put the battery in and while crossing our fingers, turn the camera on! Is it working? Did it go flying across the room with a cute little *SPROING!* and all the parts flew across the room? I hope not, but you’re not alone I’ve been there too.

Once it’s working nicely …you’re almost done with your first camera repair!

Next put the dual sided tape on the barrier cover. VERY IMPORTANT: Peel the tape off the yellow backing paper but DO NOT remove the paper from the side that is cut to match the shape of the tape!! Removing the small paper part will cause the tape to fold up on itself and stick together. Bye bye tape!

The tabs of the tape fold over the edges, if they stick out the lens cover will not fit properly and can jam up the lens. Line up the tape tabs, starting at the 11 o’clock position and then fold down the tabs and press them in.

Now put on your chrome or black lens cap, line up the cap with the small indentation at the bottom, you’ll see how it goes on easily.

Fire up the camera again and admire your handywork! Congratulations you now know more about Canon camera repair than the Geek Squad, and they told you it would be two hundred dollars and take 3-4 weeks to repair. Whatever Geek Squad… Whatever.

Hmm… I think I’m seeing the beginning of something big here; truely affordable Canon digital camera repair

How to Care For Your Digital Camera

The continuing development of digital camera technology offers near limitless choices for the professional and amateur alike when looking to achieve the best photographs possible. There is a wide array of camera options ranging from compact digital cameras to large DSLRs. Each type and class has its own strengths and limitations therefore making the task of shopping for cameras complicated. Camera preference will come down to the features and specifications that the individual desires, there is no one camera that will please everyone.

The best digital cameras will of course cost thousands of dollars due to advanced features and controls. The current leading digital camera brands include Canon, Nikon and Sony.

The two most important and expensive parts of the camera are the lens and the LCD screen. These parts should be regularly cleaned and maintained. These sensitive components such as a camera LCD screen should never be bumped or have a battery put against it inside the camera case; you don’t want to have to pay for a digital camera LCD screen repair It is also important to invest in good quality lens cleaning equipment such as a good lens brush, a lens blower and lens cloth. A lens blower can help remove dust and dirt, while a cleaning solution and cloth can remove debris that the blower cannot. Another important reminder is to protect the cameras lens by always putting on the lens cover when the camera is not in use.

Be sure to store your digital camera properly when not in use. It is recommended that the camera be stored in a cool and dry space. Always keep the camera out of the sun and from cold temperature. Digital camera batteries should also be taken out when the camera is not in use. And just as a precaution, magnets of any kind should be kept away from the camera body and definately the memory card.

Besides just the camera itself, you should also remember to take care of your accessories such as memory cards. As these accessories are small, they should always be handled with utmost care. It should not be taken out while in the process of transferring images from the camera. It should be stored appropriately to prevent misplacement and ensure safety.

Taking care of your most prized digital camera is imperative to make certain that they will last for a very long time. You should look for overall brand reliability before making your purchase, and Canon has a great rating; but this does not mean that the camera won’t suffer from normal wear and tear just from normal use. As much as possible, to avoid having to find a Canon camera repair shop you need to protect it from impact damage, water exposure, sand and dust and extreme tempertures.

If you notice any damage or malfunction to any part then it is important to find someone who can affordably provide you with reliable camera repair services. Remember that your camera cost a lot of money and it certainly pays to take good care of it.

The Use Of Lenses In Photography

Just having a camera is not going to get you the best pictures.With the right digital photography lessons, most of us who are amateurs in taking photos for the art world, can elevate our photography skills to a new height.  Lenses are important especially when you settle on a medium you will train in.  Most photographers choose one area of photography to specialize in.There is a standard 35-80mm lens along with telephoto and panoramic lenses among the many types that are available.

 

Most digital cameras have a 35- 80 mm lens, even the point and shoot type.Most of the time you get a standard lens when you purchase a camera casing.  All lenses are interchangeable.  You do have to stick with the same brand of lenses as your camera and make sure the diameter is the same.  The diameter of most lenses is the same as long as you keep to the same brand.  The 35- 80 mm lens tells you the extent of reach.  While you can take photographs several miles away with a standard lens you will not have the distinction of features in the print that you need.  The standard lens is great for close up shots, such as flowers, spider webs, people, and pets.  To gain more defined picture miles away you need a larger lens.

 

There are many telephoto zoom lenses in photography.  One is the 75- 300 mm lens.  While this is not as massive as other telephoto lenses you may see a professional walking around with it is a great step up for mountain and wildlife photography when your quarry is some distance away.It is best to have a stabilizer with the lens especially when you begin to move from the 35mm into something larger.Even if your hand moves a little bit, a stabilizer will help you hold the camera steady to get a clear shot.  When you move into the world of the telephoto lens you can by accessories to help with angles and light.

 

Photography in the world of panorama is another way to take spectacular landscape photos.Especially with a digital camera, a panoramic lens will allow us to widen the photograph.  If there is a mountain range or glacier that you wish to get the whole picture without pasting them together in Photoshop the panoramic lens is the best way to go.  I’m sure you have seen landscapes with a panoramic view and wished you could have that option.You can use a panoramic lens that will widen the photograph even with film cameras.

 

All three lenses are just the icebergs on the use of lenses in photography.  Whether you are an amateur photographer or a budding professional you will want to maximize your photo taking skills.A tripod will be the next piece of equipment you will want to purchase because it will help you stabilize a camera with a larger lens even more.Tripods work great for portrait photography as they are pretty simple and lightweight pieces of equipment.  All mediums in photography require moderate to top of the line camera equipment to produce a photograph with quality.  Photography also relies on the photographer’s skill and eye.  Lenses are just a small part of the photography world when you start to study the art.  If you have any questions on lenses the best places to find answers are your local photography shop.

 

Which Digital Camera Should I Buy?

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Which digital camera is best for me is the first question that we all ask ourselves when we are first considering to invest in a digital camera. What kinds of photos are you hoping to take?

Knowing what your needs are and what types of photographs you wish to take will narrow your choices down considerable. There are a variety of types of cameras, not to mention manufacturers, on the market today for you to choose from.

Some of the cameras include the AF SLR Series, Digital Compacts, Film Compacts, Direct Vision, and so forth. You can purchase cameras today with camcorders built-in for small movie projects, or cameras that include a phone. What more could you ask for in a camera?

At a formal time we discussed film and digital compact cameras, as well as the AF SLR series, today we are going to discuss the Direct Vision Cams along with a few other models. If you are off to the amateur division photography scene then you may want to look at the line of direct vision cameras offered by Leica. These cameras offer high quality pictures with very little noise.

Most photographers use the 35mm camera and Rangefinders have a wonderful one that includes great features. This model or its like has a variety of features including the viewfinder, battery compartment, self-timer, rangefinder, rewind crank, rewind button, lens, PC socket, film speed dial, and so on.

The rangefinder works by restoring the viewfinders center image which overlays in the camera. Self-timers are obviously handy for instructing the camera at what time is proper to go off. Some only have a few seconds to time a picture.

Many of the direct vision cameras have hot-shoes, shutter speed dial, wind-on levers, frame counters, and shutter release buttons. Some cameras are more optional than others for the pros in the field of digital photography.

More options include Mega-Pixel Camcorders, Large Formatting Cams, Instant Cams, Imaging Phones, and Hasselblad XPans 2, etc. If you plan on purchasing a camera phone you need to understand that the included camera is not necessarily the best for photography even though you should be able to transfer your photos to your computer. This is ideal at what time you are out in the field snapping shots and need those files on a computer pronto. Bluetooth phones are one of the most popular phones on the market today.

Mega-pixel camcorders are perfect for creating web pages and home movies. Unfortunately these produce lower quality videos which takes them out of the running for creating high productions. It is still quite handy for making movies and playing them back. It’s sort of like an Ipod, yet you have a cam built in.

Instant cameras are obviously not a choice for photographers, unless you have a quickie in mind. Many are familiar with the old Polaroid camera which was, at one time, one of the most popular cameras on the market. Polaroid had several models which were used by professional photographers as there was no photo developing costs. This was the primary reason I used the Polaroid. Today Fuji has an Instax camera which has taken the place of Polaroid.

Hasselblad has a 35mm camera that is popular. The cam originated from Fuji lines, and would switch easily to a panoramic mode of shot. Hasselblad is an incredible camera and puts you in mind of old-modern technology cameras, since it does more than its history defines. Well, now we have reviewed a variety of cameras, several accessories to enhance cameras, I guess now it is time to decide which camera is best suited for your needs.

Will you want high or low resolution photos? What are your plans for the photos? Will you want larger or smaller prints? Is it your desire to become a professional photographer or will you be happy to stay in the amateur arena?

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Digital Photo Frames – Replacing Photo Albums?

It’s not impossible that photo albums may soon be a thing of the past in the future thanks to digital photo frames. Personally, I think it’s unlikely that traditional photo frames will disappear anytime soon – they will always have a place – but, given the functionality of digital frames I could well imagine bulky photo albums being phased out relatively quickly.

Digital picture frames are now a standard, mass market, consumer product. They are no longer considered to be a high technology gadget and, given the huge number of sales in 2008 (which show no sign of slowing in 2009 by the way), this type of frame is now present in many homes.

The technology is fascinating for many of course, but the thing that will probably appeal to the majority of people, be they technophiles or technophobes, is the additonal functionality offerd by digital frames. Some things are expected – nobody is going to buy a frame that doesn’t have a good display with a sharp image and clear colours which are a true reflection of the object in the picture. The desired size of the frame will very much be a matter of taste and will vary from individual to individual. At the moment, the most widely selected frame size is 7″ or 8″. That’s an ideal size for a desk or mantlepiece and will suit most people. Bigger sizes are certainly available if you have the notion and the money.

The key points that may persuade users to opt for a digital photo frame rather than either a standard frame or a photo album are the facts that digital frames can store large numbers of photos and that no cost or resource is required to print physical copies of the photographs.

Digital photo frames can store thousands of photos on a variety of electronic memory devices – some frames have their own internal memory, but for those that don’t, cheap memory cards can be used as the storage medium. The photos stored in this manner can be automatically cycled through to display a slide show with preset timings between different images – or the picture on display can be set in static mode and then changed manually.

This ability to store many more photographs than even the very largest traditional bound album is a big selling point. No more grubbing around in the loft or searching through old carboard boxes hunting for that photo you’ve just remembered about.

Storing the images electronically is another big benefit. It means that there is no need to pay processing charges, or to cover the printing costs for your photo collection in order to either view it yourself or to have it on display for your family, friends and colleagues.

People will probably still have their “favourite” photographs and will most likely continue to print out hard copies of a select few of these in future. It seems improbable that conventional photo frames will disappear completely. However, given the ease of electronic storage and the other advantages offerd by digital frames, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to suppose that the days of conventional albums may be numbered.

Tricks to Taking Better Candid Photos

Taking pictures of people go into two categories.  They are either portraits or candids.

Portraits are the shots when your subjects are in poses.  While the candids are usually when your subject is doing something natural.

I would like to focus on taking shots that are candid.  There is an art to this form of photography and if you follow these few steps, you will be pleased with your work.  This is from my experience as a San Diego Photographer.

First off you don’t want to get in the way.Of course most of the candid shots will be people minding their own business, but the secret to taking a great photo is to make sure they don’t know of you taking the shot.

Because a lot of times, if they happen to notice you, the essence of capturing that unguarded shot will be gone.  So try hard to make sure they are unaware of the camera. 

Another consideration is the setting or the environment.  When you are taking a candid shot, the setting plays a vital role.You want the candid photo to be able to capture the subject in their setting as natural as possible.It’s that setting
whether is is their house, their work, or the street they are on, will tell a story about your subject’s life.  This is especially important if you are going to be taking shots as a Wedding Photographer San Diego.

A third thing to consider or do is anticipating behavior. An important part to being able to take candid photos of people who are acting naturally is to know what your subject will do next in a situation.

This will help you if you are trying to catch something in particular because it will allow you to be prepared rather than miss the shot.Knowing how they are going to act in a given situation and then capturing it is all about anticipation.

Finally, look for those events that cause a person’s expressions to be expressed.  Because after all, when taking these types of shots, that is the main thing you want to capture in these candid shots is emotion.

Take a look at what your subject is doing and think about whether or not it’s a moment that will express an emotion.Such as impatience shown in an expression at a stoplight.Or a joyful emotion displayed at an event.Every second in time is an opportunity to capture a moment of beautiful emotion.Being ready for those types of moments helps you capture that moment in time to tell that story.

Taking candid shots is definitely an art form.Especially if you really want your candid photos to tell a story. Following these few simple steps will help you be on the road of capturing as many storytelling moments as possible as a photographer.