Best Digital SLR Camera - 3 Tips for Choosing A Digital SLR Camera

Let's face it; digital SLR cameras are not one of the cheapest things to buy. So it's important that you buy the one that suits your needs precisely. You can read reviews and check out the prices on all the different makes and models to help you decide. That's one of the easiest ways to choose the best digital camera to suit your needs.

Here are 3 tips to help you choose the best SLR camera.
Tip #1 - Shop Around. Prices vary both online and offline. So once you have an idea of which camera you want, have a good look around your local stores and also online. There are always sales available and you could save yourself a lot of money by just shopping around.
Tip #2 - Read Reviews. Most online stores like Amazon publish the reviews of people who buy the items. So you can read through the reviews of all the different types of digital SLR cameras and see what people think of them. They rate them and remark on what they think. If you find a model that has hundreds of positive reviews, then it's a good sign that the camera will deliver on quality and value.
Tip #3 - Stick To The Best. When it comes to electronics it is often best to stick to the well known brands. Canon and Nikon are the 2 leading brands when it comes to digital SLR cameras. They make some of the highest quality cameras money can buy. The quality of the photos and images are outstanding from both brands. So just because a certain brand might be cheaper, if you stick to well known brands you won't fail in buying quality electronic items.
The Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera is a widely popular model with more than 200 reviews on Amazon. It is available for around the $700 price mark but the quality of the images and video it produces is second to none. It has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and a large 3 inch monitor on the back of the camera. There's also a built in flash that enables quality picture taking even in dim light conditions.
Choosing the best digital SLR camera for your needs is simply a matter of deciding exactly what requirements you have and how much you can afford to spend. Then check out the available models in your price range and read the reviews. That will give you all the knowledge you need to make your decision.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Digital-SLR-Camera---3-Tips-for-Choosing-A-Digital-SLR-Camera

The Best Nikon SLR Cameras

Nikon have a long and successful history in producing both excellent cameras and lenses, but what was probably a defining moment in their history was the introduction of the F range of cameras in 1959 and in particular, the F2 in 1971, which became the dream camera to own. It quickly became the camera of choice by most professionals, with its ruggedness and exquisite attention to detail.

Then in 1982 came the amazing FM2 with a titanium shutter and a flash sync speed of a 250th of a second, and with the addition of an MD12 drive, it could achieve 3.5 frames per second. Although this was a totally manual camera it was the top choice of photojournalists around the world in its day and pretty much set the bar for other manufacturers.
But back to the future. Nikon have a great range of D SLR cameras to choose from and selecting from the range is obviously influenced by many factors including your needs and budget. However, one camera is emerging as having the makings of a classic that will withstand the test of time and the high speed rate of technological advance. Nikon has announced the D7000, a new feature-packed DSLR aimed at enthusiasts. For the technically minded, it incorporates a 16.2 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor. It will sit above Nikon's D90 for the foreseeable future, but in many ways it's more feature-rich than the company's D300s semi-professional DSLR.
The brand new sensor has been coupled with Nikon's new Expeed 2 processor to enable high-speed continuous shooting at six frames per second at sensitivities ranging from ISO 100 to 6400, expandable to an incredible 25600. It also enables the camera to support full HD video recording at 1080p24. The video mode is the same as the one Nikon added to the entry-level D3100, so it includes full-time auto focus, a feature lacking in the D90. All this is housed inside a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body that's not much bigger than the D90. On the rear it has a 921,000-dot 3in LCD, and there's support for twin SDXC cards.
If you want to forget all the technical mumbo jumbo, just pick up and use a D7000 for a while and you'll be hooked. It's lightweight, fast and refined, produces images of extraordinary quality and handles better than any Nikon D SLR, regardless of price. This camera is destined to be one of the greats.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Best-Nikon-SLR-Cameras

Best SLR Camera Guide

So you're looking for the best SLR camera for you. If you're looking for advice on the internet then chances are you're a beginner or early intermediate photographer. Congratulations on deciding to pick up photography! It's a rich, rewarding hobby if you spend the time researching, learning, and taking thousands of practice shots.

The first step in your journey as a photographer is purchasing a camera. At this stage, the most important thing is to find a camera that you can grow with. You're going to want to focus on dSLR cameras (or "digital SLR") because of their incredible flexibility. This is a relatively recent development. Within the past few years dSLRs have started coming with enough automatic functionality that a beginner can still use it.
Before purchasing an SLR camera you'll want to teach yourself about the important factors that differentiate dSLRs. Some of these features include: ISO, megapixels, sensor size, metering, image stabilization, flash, and movie mode. There are many resources available on the internet that will help you learn about these elements that will go into your search for the best SLR camera. Make sure that you understand these things completely before you rush into a purchase of a dSLR camera because it is crucial to select a quality piece of equipment. Beyond that, you want to make sure you're picking an SLR camera that works best for you. For this reason, you should never purchase a camera before you've held it in your hands and taken a few test photos. You may be wondering how you can do this if you were planning on buying an SLR camera over the internet. My suggestion would be to visit your nearest digital electronics store and testing out the models you are thinking about buying.
There is general consensus among photographers about the best SLR camera brands. When it comes to the top of the heap, the winners are Canon and Nikon. There are probably some photographers that have their own favorite model of Olympus, Pentax, Kodak, or some other brand, but Canon and Nikon consistently churn out the best.
Also keep in mind that some SLR cameras are sold as a "body only." This means that your camera will come without a lens, so you'll have to purchase a lens separately. If the box (or website) says "kit" on it, that means you will be given one or two lenses to start with. As a beginner, the lens you receive is important. Do your research to make sure you're getting a quality piece that has some versatility. Once you become a serious photographer you'll start accumulating a big collection of lenses, but for now make sure that you have something that has some flexibility

http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-SLR-Camera-Guide

Top 5 Best Practises When Choosing SLR Cameras For Beginners

Trying your best to decide from a wide range of digital SLR cameras for beginners that would be the most suitable for you can be the most daunting decision you've ever made. However, with the easy availability of free and unbiased information that one can get on-line these days make this task as painless as possible for those looking to start on photography as a hobby or even as a profession.

The following are the 4 basic rules that one can follow when considering which SLR camera to choose from:

1. One of the very first things that people consider before making any purchase is how much one can afford to spend. Having a sensible budget is crucial and although is tough to stay within the allotted amount but is often times necessary. In this case, your budget would need to cover not only your digital SLR camera but also some other basic accessories as well, such as lenses or even a carrying case for your camera.
2. Most SLR cameras for beginners also have what is called a "kit", which means one would be buying the chosen digital camera and a lens. If however, you've already did a thorough research on lenses and have decided to buy your lens separately; it would be wise to also consider lens quality in this case. For the beginner, it's best to first start with just optical zoom lenses, which allow for a wide variety of shots, such as portraits, telephoto, landscape or even low light photography. The different zoom ratios in optical lenses can range from between 3x to 18x or even beyond. 3x is what one would normally find in most of the standard point and shoot models.
3. This rule is somewhat general and depends on your commitment level to photography itself. One of the main reasons why point and shoot make up a vast majority of cameras that the everyday people will use is the relatively inexpensive price and also ease of use. SLR cameras meanwhile although come with a higher price tag and require separate lenses, will always offer higher quality photos.
4. Depending on your preferred choice of photography type as well, some photographers have mixed opinions on how much mega-pixel that one should opt for when shopping. These days, mega-pixel counts range anywhere from 3 upwards to as high as 20 in higher priced digital SLR cameras. A general rule of thumb that I personally used was 10 mega-pixels as an acceptable photo "quality" that I wanted to have in my shots.
5. Although doing prior research and learning as much as you can about the camera of your choice is always a good thing, nothing beats the feeling of actually being able to hold one physically in your hands and testing it out. Reviews, opinions and technical details may seem good when you did your research, it may not feel right or the results may not be what you're hoping for when trying out the actual thing.

The easy availability of SLR cameras for beginners in short would not only allow one to learn more about digital photography but also take those shots that you've never been able to get with using point and shoot cameras. For those just starting to learn the basics of photography, these entry level models provide just the right amount of features while at the same time give better quality shooting results.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-5-Best-Practises-When-Choosing-SLR-Cameras-For-Beginners

Best Digital SLR Camera 2011

How to Choose the Best SLR Camera in 2011?
Bumping up to a digital SLR camera is a great idea for 2011. The DSLR camera field is crowded with competitors. That makes 2011 a great year to buy a camera. Which DSLR is the best?
If this is your first camera, be aware, there is a learning curve to mastering dslr photography. Make sure you get some instruction on using your camera. You can find great videos on YouTube and Amazon has some great books. The best slr camera for 2011 isn't always the most expensive. Nor does it have the highest mega-pixels.

You can read all the camera magazines you want and look at statistics for camera sales. But bottom line, the best-selling DSLR cameras for 2011 are the ones selling on Amazon. These are the cameras the people want.
1.Nikon D3100 14.2MP Easy Nikon Guide Mode and 1080p video.
2. Nikon D7000 16.2MP High Speed 6 frames per second continuous shooting up to 100 shots. Great for action shots.
3. Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP External microphone socket for recording great video sound.
4. Canon EOS 60D 18 MP Great step up camera if you're graduating from a Rebel.
5. Nikon D90 12.3MP The D90 viewfinder is among the best in it's price range.
6. Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP The little sister to the T1i. Great if you are price conscious.
7. Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Most affordable Canon. Lowest mega-pixels in the group. If you aren't making prints larger than 8 x 10, this is more than enough camera.
These are the best-selling cameras. What kind of photographer are you? Are you just moving up to the digital slrs? Are you budget conscious? Then take a look at the Nikon D3100 and the Canon Rebel XS. Are you going to use a lot of video? Then check out the Canon Rebel T2i. Are you looking for the best digital slr camera for 2011? Looking to step up your photography? Then you might want to look at the more technologically advanced cameras. Take a look at the Nikon D7000 or the Canon 60D.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Digital-SLR-Camera-2011

Canon T3 Review - The Best DSLR For Beginners

Canon has just recently launched the EOS Rebel T3 as its latest entry-level D-SLR contender. Even though this dslr camera is on the lower-end as far as price and features, it has all of the options and flexibility an enthusiastic photographer might want to break out of the boredom of point-and-shoot and cell phone cameras.
For an entry-level DSLR unit, one can already create so much with a 12 megapixel resolution. Photos are crisp, clear, and vividly taken using the CMOS sensor and the Canon DIGIC 4 imaging processor. Its APS-C sensor can reach up to ISO 6400 sensitivity.

One can easily review taken shots using the bright 2.7-inch TFT (thin film transistor) LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels and a viewing angle of 170°, plus continuous shooting is also possible at only 3 frames per second. It is one of the fastest cameras available today.
Aside from being fast, clear, and compact, the Canon T3 can also shoot 720p HD videos at great capacities. After playback, it is notable to see that videos appear pristine and vivid due to the HD recording capability. You can add videos to your Facebook or work on your HD DSLR video short, and this certainly one of the great feature on this camera. HD video can be taken immediately through the EOS Rebel T3 camera's intuitive operation and layout.
Aside from the photo and video capture capacities of the Canon T3, it proves much more than just a basic entry-level camera. It has a viewfinder that makes precise stills shooting, plus basic functions like the Basic+, Creative Auto, and Quick Shooting enables picture taking a hassle-free experience. The T3 also has built-in image options for those who want a dash of extra in their photos. Plus, it also presents several ways to directly access settings like the ISO, white balance and AF area.
Ultimately, the Canon T3 looks to offer a great choice for both novices and enthusiast users on a budget. It offers a variety of functions, features and options on top of the amazing photo and video quality the T3 is capable of producing. Who says DSLRs need to be expensive and for the serious photographers only? The T3 is not only affordable and worth the price, but it also makes a compact, fun, and amazing DSLR for both picture-happy and aspiring amateur individuals. The Canon T3 is certainly the best choice for amateur photographers looking to step up to their first SLR.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Canon-T3-Review---The-Best-DSLR-For-Beginners

What Is the Best DSLR Camera for Beginners?

Are you a beginner to the DSLR video craze that seemed to have taken over the video industry overnight? Are you a beginner to video production all together, but are interested in owning a DSLR camera? Maybe you have been filming professionally for years, but are wanting to stay current by switching over to DSLR video. No matter what your background may be, I'm sure, at some point, you were asking, "what is the best DSLR camera for beginners?"

It is without question that Canon has been the leader in the DSLR video community for the past few years. They have engineered their current DSLR models for easy video integration. Not only is it easy, but it produces true 1080p HD video that is far superior to any HD camcorder on the market.

Canon Rebel T2i

With that said, you should really aim to stay within the Canon company, especially if this is your first DSLR. Out of their complete DSLR product line, I would have to say, hands down, that their Rebel T2i is the best DSLR camera for beginners. It is an amazing DSLR camera with video quality equal to that of it's bigger sister, the Canon 7D. The reason I named the Rebel T2i as the best DSLR camera for beginners is because of its price. You can buy this camera for less than $700! I don't know how experienced you are with buying professional video equipment, but you can't hardly buy anything worth using for under $700 in today's society when it comes to cameras.

The big sister, the Canon 7D, is a great camera, probably the best, for creating high quality 1080p HD video. However, they are more expensive at around $1,500. You can always start off with a Rebel T2i to get the feel of using a, well let's face it, photography camera for video recording. It is smaller than normal HD or HDV camcorders and the lenses on the front create an uneven weight distribution. This makes it harder to use these cameras for hand held purposes. So start with a Rebel T2i, get the feel of it, learn the shooting style, and create beautiful HD video. Then you can sell it, or keep it as a second camera, and buy the Canon 7D to give you a heavier, more durable camera (magnesium alloy) and a slightly higher ISO (12800). To be honest, those are the only two major differences between the two and for half the price, the Rebel T2i is definitely the best DSLR camera for beginners.

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Is-the-Best-DSLR-Camera-for-Beginners?

Snap Up the Best Camera Phone

If you want to take excellent pictures then get a separate device such as a digital camera, but if you want just good pictures to share with friends then give careful thought to the best camera phone for you. The best camera phone may not necessarily be the best phone though. Here are five to think about.

There is the stylish Nokia N73 that has a huge 3.2 mega pixel camera which subtly hides behind a protective sliding shutter on the back of the phone. It successfully takes sharp and clear photos with no evidence of the usual blurring that happen on most Nokia phones. Another useful feature it has is an impressive twenty times digital zoom. To top it all off the device is easy to use, has a shutter switch and LED flash to take nighttime shots and closer pictures.

Next we have Sony Ericsson W710iof which reviewers have found the camera quality passable. When tested with indoor photos the resulting photos were disappointing as they were blurry and fuzzy, the outdoor shots were of a similar quality level. They were taken in dull and quite cloudy conditions with little light, the camera was disturbed by the wind movement and in some of the test pictures it was apparent that some of the catkins were fuzzy. However photos taken indoors in a brightly lit room were much better quality. The phone itself was easy to use and had other interesting features.

Then there is the LG Fusic with a built in 1.3-mega pixel camera that has a flash. The camera is nothing special and it takes a couple of seconds to prepare itself. It was easy to use in terms of saving images and using the device (to adjust it) and the phone allows the user to send, delete, upload, print and use the picture on the computer for editing etc. The photo quality was standard and there were lots of adjustment options to get the best picture.

A final camera phone to consider is the Motorola SLVR L7c that had very disappointing VGA camera. It is only a one mega pixel camera which these days is very low indeed and really is the bare minimum, especially to a phone of which is being marketed so heavily. It only takes photos in three different resolutions. (640x480, 320x240, and 160x120), but at least it offers the choice of options for editing including quality settings, brightness that can be adjusted, white balance settings, a self timer, a zoom of 8x, three diverse color effects, three choices of fun frames and a choice of 6 different shutter sounds, including the silent option.

So which is the best camera phone for you? Test the ones mentioned here but be sure to know what your requirements are in order of importance to you and happy snapping.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cameras [http://www.choosingacamera.info/snap-up-the-best-camera-phone] visit Choosing A Camera [http://www.choosingacamera.info] for current articles and discussions.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Snap-Up-the-Best-Camera-Phone

Learn How a Monitoring Home Alarm Company Works

If you're looking for a home alarm company to help you improve your home security, make sure you first know now how these companies work. This article will help you familiarize yourself with the methods currently used by security companies in keeping your home safe and secure.

When you decide on a security service, a alarm systems will have to be installed in your home first. Usually, someone from the company will be the one to install the system. This system is especially designed to work with the alarm company in case of an emergency or intrusion. If you happen to have a security system already installed in your home, this system may be reset so that it is able to work with the monitoring center.

When your alarm is triggered, the system will immediately let the company know. The company will have staff in a call center who will receive alarm notifications. Notifications are automatically sent based on the installation and setting up of your system. Usually, your alarm dials the company's call center through your telephone line, although these days alerts can also be sent through a cellular network.

A home alarm company can do so much more these days than receive alerts triggered by your alarm system. They may also respond to other types of notifications including low battery alerts and damaged sensors. When such alerts are triggered, the monitoring company usually contact the homeowner who is registered and inform them of the technical problems. Other people may also be contacted, such as those responsible for installing the alarm system.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-How-a-Monitoring-Home-Alarm-Company-Works

How to View 360 Degrees With a Single Business MegaPixel IP Security Camera

In the interest of providing better quality video coverage with less security cameras, Arecont Vision released their AV8360 8.0 MegaPixel SurroundVision IP Security camera. This camera provides a full panoramic 360 degree view all the way around the camera. These AV8360 cameras can be mounted inside or outside of your business, and provide full coverage from a single camera. The high definition 6400x1200 total resolution video provides great quality video that can even be used for forensic zoom in after the fact.

This Arecont Vision AV8360 camera has 4 x 2.0 MegaPixel image sensors built-in with 8mm megapixel lenses, providing 6400 x 1200 total resolution around the entire 360 degree viewable area. No other security camera provides this total 360 degree coverage with the same high definition 8.0 MegaPixel video quality. Traditional "fish-eye" style cameras can provide close to 180 degree coverage, but the picture quality is extremely distorted so it is difficult to even tell what you are viewing. The AV8360 camera has broken these traditional stereotypes for security cameras, providing a full 360 degree view from a single camera without the "fish-eye" camera view. The image from each of this camera's image sensors appears in a separate viewport, without requiring separate IP camera licenses for each camera.

The AV8360 Arecont Vision camera can also be mounted outside using an optional ceiling pendant mount bracket or wall mount bracket which can also be equipped with a heater and blower to protect the camera from the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. These cameras have become very popular for parking lots, gas stations and other outdoor areas where it is difficult to provide good coverage without requiring many different cameras.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-View-360-Degrees-With-a-Single-Business-MegaPixel-IP-Security-Camera

Convert Your Magnified Images to Crisp Photos and Seamless Videos With a USB Microscope

While you might have been extremely excited after viewing a magnified image of various bacteria or any other object under the lens of your microscope, you might not have been able to share your findings with others. Well, times have now changed and in this digital era, you can easily convert your magnified images to crisp photos and seamless videos with a USB microscope and happily share your findings with your friends, colleagues, students, and the rest of the world.

USB microscopes range from traditional-looking microscopes to portable and slim handheld ones that are more suited to on-site inspection that can point out microscopic flaws in various materials such as metals, plastics, etc or even inspect watermarks on fake currency notes. The traditional looking USB microscope however, has inbuilt cameras that can easily be fitted on the tri-nocular lens located on the top of the microscope so as to display photos as well store them on your computer with the help of easy-to-use software. You can also record videos as well as use them for training purposes or even show them to patients or clients based on your use for such microscopes.
While your traditional microscope could have offered 400 x magnification, these USB microscopes offer magnification levels that could stretch up to 1600x although you might lose some of the sharpness if the camera resolution is not very high. You can opt for camera resolutions that range from around 1.3 to 5 mega pixels although higher resolutions will provide sharper images even at very high magnification levels. If your magnifying needs are special and do not require looking through monocular or binocular eyepieces fitted on the microscope then there are models that only contain a camera that simply displays the object on the slide on to a connected computer monitor or Television. You should however, make sure that the short-listed USB microscope that you plan to buy is made as per the highest standards of manufacturing and safety such as ISO 9001 or similar standards based on your country.
Whether you are a doctor that requires a sturdy and professional microscope, or a laboratory technician that needs to analyze several samples each day, or a technical expert that needs to study various materials including printed circuit boards, or an avid medical student that wants to learn using the perfect microscope, or even a trainer that wants to teach students in a wonderfully visual way that is also very simple, you will surely find a matching USB microscope model to cater to your specific needs. The best part about these microscopes is that you can store images and videos that can be displayed later or even dispatched to different corners of the world by simply attaching them to your email. Although prices of USB microscopes are slightly higher as compared to traditional microscopes, the features and capabilities of these wonderful magnifying machines makes them totally worth every dollar that you pay even as you understand the microscopic world in a much better way.
Microscopes have certainly changed in features even though some models might outwardly still look the same. You should surely shift over to using a USB microscope that allows you to view, click, record, and send images to your computer in an extremely simple and cost-effective manner. In addition to seeking out such microscopes in regular stores, you should also explore the internet to end up with the best possible deal to convert all your magnified visual images into digital form.

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Convert-Your-Magnified-Images-to-Crisp-Photos-and-Seamless-Videos-With-a-USB-Microscope

Why Digital Cameras Have Changed Wedding Photography

Wedding photographers are nowadays increasingly using digital cameras. Even the amateur snappers, the wedding guests, are increasingly making use of the modern technology. So why have digital cameras changed wedding photography?

Couples now want a permanent record of their wedding day and are willing to spend a lot of hard cash on their wedding album. In order to do that they hire wedding photographers and these professionals are making ever greater use of digital cameras.

The reason for the digital revolution in wedding photography is quite simple - its ease of use. The need for a dark room to develop prints has been eradicated with digital photography, and photos can be edited to become the beautiful pictures which will adorn the album. Digital cameras also overcome the problem of focusing, allowing the possibility of a spontaneous shot. Also the flexibility of digital photography means that the problem of changes in lighting can be overcome more easily.

On the downside it has meant that amateurs are increasingly seeing themselves as proficient photographers. This has led to some couples deciding that the expense of a professional wedding photographer is not necessary, but this is a false economy. While some amateur or hobby photographers are quite proficient, they can never match the quality or standard of work reached by a professional wedding day photographer.

Taking digital photos at random is not the way to produce pictures fit to adorn a wedding day album. A professional photographer will have met up with the couple ahead of the wedding day to discuss the type of pictures to be taken. That will include a favourite location where the soon-to-be married couple may want to pose for a shot.

The couple will also discuss the type of pictures to be taken, whether posed, informal or a mixture of both. The discussion will also be a two-way event with the photographer listening to what the couple want while using his professional experience to make his own suggestions. He will also be able to show the kind of albums that the final photographs will be displayed in, something which the enthusiastic amateur will not be able to do.

The advent of digital cameras have certainly changed wedding photography forever. A guest with even a relatively inexpensive digital camera will be able to take decent pictures during the ceremony and at the reception. But if a couple want photographs and a beautiful album to enable them to remember the wonderful day forever, they should still hire a professional wedding photographer.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Digital-Cameras-Have-Changed-Wedding-Photography

What Accessories Do I Need For My Nikon Cameras?

Honestly, I don't think it matters what cameras you are buying — whether you're looking at Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras, you still are going to need the same types of accessories when you shop digital cameras online. These accessories are manufactured to make your life that much easier when taking photographs, and this is true for amateurs and professionals alike. I think most people can take a good picture, but if you want to take a great picture, there are things out there that can help you do so!

Let's begin with the camera itself. This is going to depend on what you can handle and what you want to use the camera for. If you are a professional photographer, for example, you need something like a large format camera. On the other hand, if you are just starting out, you should be satisfied with a simpler SLR like the Canon SLR cameras or Nikon cameras. Not only are these great cameras to use and buy, but they have super names behind them as well. Nikon and Canon are actually the top two bestselling camera brands in the world. Price also might be a factor as well. Usually with a compact, you can expect to pay between $50 and $100, or more. For an SLR, you could spend anything from $150 to $1,000 depending on the features.

After you get the camera you want, now it's time to look at accessories. I would really suggest getting yourself a camera bag or camera case — this is especially good if you plan on taking your camera with you everywhere you go and you want to keep it safe. Even though your camera will come with a lens cover, it's still a good idea to store your camera when not in use, as there are other parts of the camera that can get ruined from dust.

Next, you should take a look at tripods. These are great if you plan on doing a lot of still photography and you don't want the picture to come out blurry. When a photo is taken and even a small amount of movement comes from your body, the picture is always going to come out blurry. It doesn't matter if you have the noise reducer on or off or the macro on or off. The camera can only do so much for you! Tripods are three legged stands that you place your camera on and lock into place. Then, the camera is safely secure and you can take photos without causing blurriness. There are also newer tripods with two legs and four legs as well, and they come in various brands, colors, designs and types of materials. A few brands you should be looking at are Slik, Gitzo, and Manfrotto.

Next in line, you need to figure out if the lens that came with your Nikon cameras or Canon SLR cameras is the only lens you're going to need. Again, I think this depends on the user, not the camera itself. If you plan on taking a lot of photos and you want to do things like wide-lens, panoramic and macro shots, your camera might have these options, but buying a lens dedicated to these types of photos is key. Of course, compacts won't have interchangeable lenses. Only medium format SLR and large format cameras do.

Last, if you plan on printing these photos out, you will need a photo printer. A lot of the good and popular name brands out there like HP and Sony have printers that are specifically designed for printing photos, so they are another option to consider when you shop digital cameras.

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Accessories-Do-I-Need-For-My-Nikon-Cameras?

7 Reasons to Pay a Professional Photographer

There are many good reasons to employ a professional photographer to capture your wedding, event or special occasion rather than relying on a friend or relative to do so, even if they have a sophisticated camera.

Here are just seven of them:

1. Time

Time is a key ingredient in producing good images and when you pay a professional photographer, one thing you can almost be certain of is that you will get more of their time than you would from a friend or relative. The photographer will, before the photo shoot, spend time at a pre-shoot, meeting or client interview, visit the location if he or she does not already know it, and then in final preparation take time to select, clean and check the equipment needed. After the shoot the professional photographer will take the time to check, help you choose, process and then present your images. At the end of this process, the discerning photographer will take the time to ensure the client is happy with the finished result.

Like good do-it-yourself, consistently good photography relies on good preparation. Hence the professional photographer will have taken considerable time of many years to perfect their:-

2. Craftsmanship

It is often tempting to think of photography as a simple skill. After all, anyone can take a photograph, right? This maybe true and sure enough, with automatic cameras that handle the focusing of the lens and exposure settings for you, even the most inexperienced person will be able to take good photographs.

A professional photographer will not rely on a camera's automatic settings to take the photographs unless they know the conditions are favourable to using them, and even then they are most likely to use one of the camera's automatic semi-automatic modes. Why is this important? Simply because automatic cameras can easily assess the amount of light being reflected by a scene and set their own exposure, but the camera doesn't really know how much how bright the scene should be, hence a camera can produce a lighter image when photographing a dark scene and a darker image when photographing a light scene. The averaging that the camera uses can easily lead to subjects being underexposed or overexposed.

The cameras metering will be adequate for most situations, but consider a bride in a white dress set against a dark church setting. The camera on automatic settings will average the scene and generate an exposure that does not allow for the fact the church setting is darker than normal. This results in the detail on the brides dress being over exposed and therefore not visible in the final pictures.

This is why I say, choosing a friend or relative to take pictures of a special occasion or an important event is a gamble. And that's without mentioning image composition or lighting technique! An area where the difference between inexperienced and professional photographers is even more significant.

3. Equipment

A consumer dSLR camera - good enough in it's own right for a hobbyist, not built for a demanding professional. It is often said, when taking good photographs, that the most important thing is the person taking the pictures. After all, a good understanding of photography and a good level of creativity are the main assets when consistently creating good photographs. That is not to say, however, that the equipment a photographer uses is unimportant. In fact, when hiring a professional photographer, some peace of mind should surely come with the fact that they have the right kit to get the job done, even in the most adverse conditions.

Professional cameras and professional lenses are manufactured to higher standards than their consumer counterparts. This not only means they deliver better results, especially in low light conditions, but it also means they are more resilient to an every day work load. Professional photographers will carry a wider range of equipment in order to create a wider range of images in a wider range of conditions. They will also know how to better maintain their equipment in order that it should remain in optimum condition such that image quality is never compromised.

4. Reliability

Discussing professional photography equipment leads nicely onto reliability. This on one hand means having dependable equipment and on the other contingency plans for transport to a venue and illness.

When discussing reliability, we are skirting around a small minefield when it comes to asking a friend or relative to photograph your wedding, celebration, event or special occasion. The professional photographer would not entertain the idea of turning up at a wedding without at least one spare camera. In fact he or she will shoot continually throughout the day with two cameras and still have a third one with them in their luggage. Professional photographers will have a range of spare lenses so that they can continue to take the pictures you would expect in the case of their standard zoom developing a fault. This is one of the reasons I carry a set of prime lenses in varying focal lengths, although I rarely use them. Professional photographers will carry a significant number of spare batteries, spare flash guns, even a large number of spare memory cards. There's not use filling one large memory card over the course of a day's shooting only to find it has been corrupted by the end of the day. Professional photographers will regularly switch to a freshly formatted memory card at each key point during an event in order avoid this scenario. Professional photographers will ensure that they backup the pictures they have taken at the earliest opportunity so that they can always be recovered in the event of a failure or corruption. Many photographers will also keep those images archived resiliently for many years after an event, allowing the replacement of photo products supplied to clients if it becomes necessary.

In planning their arrival for an event or shooting engagement, conscientious professional photographers will go the extra mile to ensure they arrive on time, setting off the day before if the engagement is a considerable distance away from their base. If a photographer experiences a sudden illness or bereavement when due to attend a special event such as a wedding, they will often have a network of photography contacts they can call upon in order to provide contingency. These contacts will often be with which your photographer has an arrangement making sure, as far as possible, that your special event is still covered and neither quality nor service level are compromised.

5. Responsibility

Working in the capacity of 'official' photographer at an event like a wedding is quite a responsibility and, to an inexperienced person, can be quite nerve-wrecking. If the inexperienced photographer is not in the least slightly anxious, then it is possible they don't realise the responsibility they have. There are many key moments throughout the day, running right from the bridal preparations through to the first dance at the evening reception. The photographer has to be on hand, poised and ready to capture all of these images with the correct settings already dialed into the camera. He or she has to remain fully alert throughout the entire day; when one eye is peering through the view finder, the other eye has to remain attentive to everything else that is going on in and around the scene in order to ensure that any unscheduled defining moments of the day are not missed.

The professional photographer is aware the wedding day, for the couple getting married is both busy and emotional and often the pictures taken reveal the day to them through the eyes of an observer, allowing them to notice key details they were not able to see themselves. The same goes for the best man, the ushers, the brides maids and the immediate family of both the bride and groom who all have their part to play.

The friend or relative asked to take pictures actually sacrifices their invitation to attend the wedding as a guest because their day will be spent undertaking what is, if executed properly, very demanding work.

The same is true of many other events and special occasions. Often the hosts will spend a considerable sum on hiring and decorating a venue, putting money behind the bar and also providing refreshments in order to give all the attendees an enjoyable time. If you have invested to make an event special, why not consider paying a professional to record the occasion providing you with something unique to treasure it by?

6. Perspective & Presentation

Quite often the family friend or relative put in the position of "professional photographer" will simply pass the pictures onto the the hosts or guests of honour at any given special event just as images on a CD. Contrarily, a professional will be able to offer a range of finished products ranging from Photo-DVDs featuring high resolution slide shows to large scale canvasses going via complete luxury albums and photo frames designed to preserve a prints quality over a long period of time.

In fact, the experienced photographer will be able to recommend products based on their experience, steering you away from suppliers who are unreliable either quality or service wise. If you have requested an album, the photographer will be thinking about the album design even prior to the event framing shots that will complement each other when they appear on the same spread and arranging the photos so that they tell the casual observer a story.
If the special event is a christening or a wedding celebration, the photographer knows that the photo products have to stand the test of time in order to still be presentable in thirty, forty or even fifty years time. For that reason too many photographers will go for post-processing and presentation which truly is timeless, subject of course to consultation with the clients.

There is no substitute for that experience a photographer gains when putting products together and the difference it makes shooting with them in mind. Better still, the photographer will be re-telling the story of your day through the eyes of an impartial observer.

7. Protection

If it all goes wrong, what protection do you have? Professional photographers should not be operating without insurance. At the very least they should have third party liability cover so if there is an accident in which an injury or worse is sustained because of a photographer's actions, for example a guest tripping over a tripod leg, their is suitable recourse for the injured party. This is not to say that photography is dangerous (it usually isn't) and it's not to say that photographers are careless, but it is never the less an important thing to have that peace of mind. Further more, the proprietors of many venues will insist that anyone working on behalf of their client has adequate third party liability insurance.

The second type of insurance a photographer should have is professional indemnity insurance. This type of insurance provides protection to the photographer in case of a client suing them as a result of a failure to meet professional obligations.

Finally, a professional photographer will have drafted up a set of terms and conditions making it clear on what basis he or she is working for you.The should also layout the photographer's obligations to the client and also the clients obligations to the photographer. It is important to know exactly what you are getting when you instruct someone to take photographs for you, irrespective of whether you are paying them. If a photographer fails to to fulfill their obligation, the terms and conditions can be of immense value in any potential litigation. Finally, if any electronic image files are to change hands, you will know in advance what you can and can't do with them in-terms of copyright and rights to reproduction.

In Conclusion

When considering whether or not to hire a professional to capture your special occasion, there are many many good reasons to do so. If your budget will not stretch to it, then go ahead and ask a friend, relative to take pictures. However if you can afford a professional, it's important to understand what you get in return for the fee to pay. And that should be something which enhances the experience and the memory of your special occasion, both in the preparation, the event itself and finally in terms of receiving something afterwards that is striking and enduring by which to remember the occasion.

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Reasons-to-Pay-a-Professional-Photographer

What Services Do Professional Photographers Provide?

Professional photographers offer more services than you think. While you can take pictures in your back yard with your digital camera, a professional photographer can do much more for you.

When working with a professional photographer they can give you the most beautiful photography. First of all, they have professional equipment. The equipment really does it all. The camera is able to shoot at a much higher resolution than a digital camera. That means, that there are more pixels so the photo can be blown up to larger sizes and still be extremely clear. Also, a professional photographer will have professional lighting. Lighting can be hard to achieve with a lamp at home. A photographer will have many stands, trollies, light boxes and different light bulbs to use to make your photos look great. The placement of the lights is very important too. They can light anything to enhance the natural beauty of it in an instant.

Professional photographers also have skill. They know what angles to use to make the picture look the best and most exciting it can look without going overboard. They also have a good eye for framing.

Aside from the equipment and skill they also know great locations. Most photographers will have their own studio with back-drops, dressing room, make-up artists and more but will also have some beautiful hidden locations they picked out to make the most beautiful photos with the most beautiful backgrounds.

When they are done taking the pictures they also will edit them. Most photographers are skilled in computer editing programs to enhance the contrast, lighting, framing and everything else in the picture. When there are people in the photo the photographers can clear up any blemishes on the skin or even erase hair out of the face and put a nice filter on it to smooth out skin tone. Photographers usually use editing programs on all of the photos that you decide you want to buy because it takes a while to edit them perfectly.

You have to remember that these people have gone to school for their profession. That means they know all the tricks, they are qualified and they have lots of experience in making pictures and making them look the best they can look. They should be passionate about their job and invite you to do a re-shoot if you are not satisfied with the first one. Hopefully they will be good enough that you wouldn't even think about doing a reshoot.

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Services-Do-Professional-Photographers-Provide?

The WiFi Plant Hidden Camera - The Ultimate Spy Camera for Home

So you want to protect your home from burglars? Maybe you want to watch your babysitter or nanny to make sure they are taking good care of your child. Perhaps you simply want to see what's going on at home when you aren't there, or maybe you even want to catch a cheating spouse. The ultimate hidden spy camera is now available for you to do just that! What's even better is that it's hidden in an item that is in almost every home - a plant!

With all of the hidden cameras on the market, it's hard to know what's good, what's crap, and where everything else in between falls. Luckily, there is a brand of hidden cameras that sets itself apart from all the rest: SleuthGear. SleuthGear hidden cameras are made right here in America (none of this outsourcing to China or Honk Kong).

Set up of this hidden camera is pretty easy. There's the plant camera which you have to place somewhere in your house or apartment. Like all wireless-streaming cameras, it runs off AC power, so close to a wall is the ideal location. The second part of the setup is connecting the USB receiver to your computer. This is what will "receive" the video signal, record it to your PC, and stream it live over the internet so you can log in and see what's happening when you aren't there.

Popular Features:

    Remote Internet View - Watch what's happening at home (or wherever you place the Wifi Plant Hidden Camera) while you are on the road. You can log in from any internet browser to see exactly what's happening.
    Motion-Activated Recording - Record only when there's action, so you don't capture hours of nothing.
    High Quality Video - Record at high quality video, not low-res web-camera quality that many cheaper cameras record at.
    No Wireless Interference - This all digital plant hidden camera is the "next generation" of wireless streaming. Older analog cameras were subject to wireless interference that made the video signal filled with static and noise. But with this digital signal, you get high-quality video.
    Secure and Encrypted Video - Another benefit of a digital wireless video is that no one can "tap in" and see your video stream. Cheap analog wireless cameras would allow anyone with a receiver to "grab" your signal out of the air and see what you see, but not with this digital wireless camera!

Summary:
No matter if you are a concerned parent, suspicious spouse, or just someone who wants to protect their home, a digital wireless plant hidden camera might be just what you're looking for! With the ability to remotely watch your video from anywhere in the world, even from your iPhone, this plant camera is quickly becoming one of the most popular hidden camera models.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-WiFi-Plant-Hidden-Camera---The-Ultimate-Spy-Camera-for-Home

No Time To Scout? Trail Cameras, The Need Is Obvious

Trail cameras have come a long way and are a must have for today's hunter. With the hurried up world we are living in finding time to spend in the woods scouting has taken a back burner. We all know that we should be spending quality time checking game movement in our favorite part of the woods, but who has that time? With work schedules, family activities and the unexpected always popping up we tend to procrastinate until it's too late. Hunting season is upon us and we haven't got a clue as to where we should be setting up for the best opportunity to bag that trophy.

Whether you are a seasoned hunter or just starting out in the exciting world of hunting, a trail camera will play an important part in your preparation for opening day. It doesn't matter if you are managing your property for trophy hunting or you are looking to fill your freezer for the long winter ahead. Knowing the sex, size, and age of the game you are pursuing makes the decision process easier for any hunter.

Today's trail cameras make scouting and tracking game movement easier than ever. With the options offered on trail cameras you will be able to tell the day, what time of day, and even what moon phase we are in when the game passes by the camera. The infrared technology enables these cameras to take exceptionally high quality pictures at night. The use of LED lighting ensures high quality non-glaring images. Many cameras now have video capability with audio to enhance your scouting. All digital cameras come with SD memory card and picture taking delays from 1 second to 60 minutes. Motion sensors that can detect movement up to 50 ft away. Battery life has improved with many cameras having one year picture taking capability. Some higher end cameras allow for remote checking with purchase of a wireless package. Others stamp GPS coordinates on every image to give you the exact location.

With so many manufactures and options where does the hunter start when it comes to picking out the right camera that fits their needs? The information on the internet is outstanding. Manufactures will have all of their cameras along with options available on each camera list on their web site. Comparing cameras from several manufactures will help narrow down your choices. Once you have the camera you want in mind then you can shop around for the best price on that camera.

http://ezinearticles.com/?No-Time-To-Scout?-Trail-Cameras,-The-Need-Is-Obvious

Capture Images in a Perfect Way With Samsung Digital Camera

Samsung digital camera is the best choice of many professional photographers when it comes to click wonders. Intuitive interfaces, smart guidance and automated features in Samsung digicams help boost your inner photographer irrespective of any expertise. The various digital camera models in Samsung offer you light weight point and shoot feature that delivers the image quality in comparison to the DSLR cameras.

Capture great moments with the help of perfect portrait system and auto scene recognition in Samsung digicams. Face detection, smile shutter, dual image stabilization and beauty shot are some other features that can be availed in the Samsung cameras. The Samsung NV3 digital camera comes with 7.2 megapixels, 5 times the digital zoom and 3 times the optical zoom features. This camera model has a 2 and a half inch screen ideal for viewing. Other surprising digital cameras offered by Samsung include GX-10 that has 10.2 megapixels and S1050 that has 10.1 megapixels. Although these cameras have a bit larger bodies but they offer a great picture quality.

Samsung digital camera is built with high resolution that helps you capture less blurred and sharper pictures. Good resolution depends on the number of megapixels offered in the camera. You also get huge memory cards with Samsung cameras to store plenty of images. The cameras not only provide users with internal memory but also give them additional slot for memory card.

Samsung digimax with the face detection feature has the ability to memorize around 20 faces and automatically adjusts the exposure and focus of the camera. The camera also allows you to find pictures in its smart album instead of viewing each picture. Digital camera has brought photography on fingertips with extremely easy and user friendly features.

You can find Samsung digimax in both optical and digital zoom feature. The optical zoom in digital cameras offers you the maximum zoom a lens can support at the highest resolution. If your camera has the 4X zoom option, it means that you can zoom it up to 4 times the size of the image with keeping the picture quality perfect.

Although Samsung cameras offer you 2.5 or 3-inch LCD screen, but they make sure that these features do not eat your battery soon. These digicams are built in with rechargeable batteries, as these are both energy and cost efficient. Charge them before you set out for shooting, and you can carry on capturing for long hours.

Enjoy the rich experience of photography with the innovative range and collection of Samsung Cameras.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Capture-Images-in-a-Perfect-Way-With-Samsung-Digital-Camera

Samsung Digital Cameras Problems

There are a few recorded Samsung digital cameras problems such as the batteries. The battery life on some cameras seems to be very limited. On most cameras, you could use the rechargeable batteries to prolong the life of the batteries. If you are taking hundreds of pictures, you want to have batteries that can last for longer than fifty or so pictures. For Samsung, the only problems seem to be the batteries. That is exceptional for a digital camera manufacturer. If you read reviews of the cameras before buying, keep in mind that some of the following problems could possibly be user error more so than a camera flaw.

Some Samsung digital camera problems have been poor picture quality in outdoor light. It could be possible that the camera settings are not correct. The camera has a grainy look to the picture in full size. The megapixels you have may cause this problem. That is why you should look for something with higher resolution for clearer pictures in full size. If you buy a camera with 6.0 megapixels and enlarge the picture to a poster size, you are not going to have a good picture. You need something higher in megapixels.

Samsung digital camera problems also arise because users do not know how to use the cameras. There are features on the cameras that do need to be understood in order to take quality pictures. If the user is not familiar with the different settings and functions, you could take some less than appealing pictures. You should always read the reviews of different cameras and see what users are saying. You can use the reviews to compare different cameras and see if the problems reported for one are reported for another digital camera. This will help you choose the best camera.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Samsung-Digital-Cameras-Problems

Samsung Digital Cameras Reviews

When you are reading Samsung digital camera reviews, you will see that many users report pros and cons about each camera. The specifications are another thing to consider when looking for the right camera. The Samsung S1050 and the NV7 have good reviews. The S1050 has 10.1 megapixels with five times digital and optical zoom and a three-inch viewing screen. This is a nice camera with many functions and features. The NV7 is a sporty compact camera with 7.2 megapixels and five times digital zoom, seven times optical zoom and a two and a half inch viewing screen. Both cameras provide quality images.

Samsung digital cameras reviews for the NV10 and the NV15 are favorable. The NV15 is very thin and offers 10.1 megapixels, five time digital zoom, three times optical zoom and a two and a half inch viewing screen. The NV10 is a 10.1 megapixel camera with the same zoom and viewing screen as the NV15. The thin bodies make these cameras easy to use and compact enough to fit in a shirt pocket. The picture quality is superior on both cameras. Before deciding on either camera, you should compare all the functions and features before deciding which camera has what you need.

The Samsung digital cameras reviews for other cameras are just as favorable. It seems that the Samsung lines of digital cameras are made durable and have very few problems with picture quality or breakdowns. You will want to check the battery life of all cameras before deciding on which camera to buy. You may have to use rechargeable batteries in the cameras so you can shoot more than fifty pictures on one battery charge. You will find that many of the cameras are comparable to other makes of cameras in features, functions and picture quality, but a little cheaper.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Samsung-Digital-Cameras-Reviews

Red-light cameras return to use in N.J.

The red-light cameras are back in action.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation on Wednesday told 21 towns they could resume issuing tickets based on information from red-light cameras at 65 intersections.

Tickets also can be issued for violations recorded since June 19, when the red-light camera program was suspended in those towns, the department said. The cameras were operating during the last month, but towns had not been permitted to issue tickets while lights and cameras were inspected.

Cameras at intersections in Cherry Hill, Glassboro, Stratford, Monroe, and 17 other New Jersey communities have been tested and found to be properly calibrated, the department said.
"Drivers are now on notice: If you go through a red light, or you fail to come to a complete stop before making a right turn on red, you will be ticketed," Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn said Wednesday.

Cherry Hill has a backlog of 3,276 red-light violations awaiting review by police officers, deputy solicitor Erin Gill said.

If officers determine the violations, recorded by cameras at Springdale Road and Route 70, are valid, "those motorists will receive tickets," Gill said.

"As Gov. Christie said last night, 'If you don't go through red lights, you have nothing to worry about,' " Cahn said. " 'It's when you go through the intersection when it's red that you have two problems. The first for sure is you're going to get a ticket. The potential is that you could kill yourself or somebody else.' "

The 21 towns were ordered last month to analyze their lights, cameras, and traffic speeds by Aug. 1 to certify that the yellow phase was long enough to meet the standards of the red-light camera pilot program.

The program requires the yellow phase of the light to be at least one second long for every 10 m.p.h. of the prevailing speed of approaching vehicles.

So, if at least 85 percent of cars are going 45 m.p.h., the yellow must be 4.5 seconds long.

After engineers' inspections, "in each case, the results have confirmed that the duration of a yellow light at the authorized intersection meets the minimum duration as required by the legislation," NJDot said Wednesday.

Red-light cameras have been controversial - and lucrative - since New Jersey started the pilot program in 2009 to test their effectiveness in reducing crashes and injuries in 25 municipalities.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-27/news/32870379_1_red-light-cameras-cameras-at-nine-intersections-intersections-in-six-municipalities

Samsung Digital Camera Suggestions

When you are looking for Samsung digital camera suggestions, you should look at the Samsung NV3, which is a compact digital camera with very few bad reviews. It seems that this camera has stood up to the challenge of being considered the perfect camera. The price is ideal for under two hundred dollars. The camera has had a one complaint about the battery life, but that could be corrected with rechargeable batteries, which last longer than the regular AA alkaline batteries. This camera has 7.2 megapixels with five times digital zoom and three times optical zoom. The two and a half inch viewing screen is ideal.

The Samsung digital camera suggestions include the GX-10 with 10.2 megapixels and the S1050 with 10.1 megapixels. The bodies are a bit larger than most compact cameras, but the picture quality is perfect. The other digital camera is the camera for under one hundred dollars. The S630 has a two and a half inch viewing screen with five times digital zoom and three times optical zoom. The 6.0 megapixels is a little low, but the picture quality is still good. This camera is very thin and compact for easy traveling.

Just a few more Samsung digital camera suggestions are the super thin Samsung NV15 with 10.1 megapixels and the Samsung i85 with 8.2 megapixels. Samsung has many different cameras with different resolutions to choose. Depending on your needs, you can find a great camera with few problems with picture quality. The majority of the Samsung digital cameras use the SDHC memory cards.

If you are looking for a SLR camera, the Samsung GX-1L is a nice camera as well as the Digimax GX-1L digital camera. You will find that Samsung has a camera for beginners as well as professionals. The cameras do give quality pictures and a true compact solution.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Samsung-Digital-Camera-Suggestions

Red Light Camera Locations - Get Them on GPS

Every day, more American Motorists are being attacked by so called 'red light cameras'. These 'robotic traffic cops' are going up all over the country in the name of 'security'. But in reality, they serve a classic political agenda: to increase revenue. And we're growing very tired of it.

Red light cameras currently have many problems. These include activating too soon after a red light appears, taking pictures of the wrong car, taking pictures of the right car with the wrong driver - and sending them a ticket anyway, and miscalculating speed. These problems only become exasperated during high traffic - a time when they are supposed to be 'most effective'.

Then there is the fact that these electronic monitoring devices represent a startling loss of freedom. The most obvious of which is our privacy. Although some would argue as to your right for privacy, the fact is it has been a fundamental human freedom throughout history. Without privacy, abusive powers can act against you with almost no means for retaliation. Devices like these red light cameras, speed cameras, and others are a total violation of personal privacy. And the very idea of them causes further subordination in our population to abusive government power.

How to See Red Light Cameras on Your GPS Navigation!

While this problem results from the misuse of technology, it also offers the solution. Using almost any popular automotive GPS unit, you can see ahead of time nearly every red light camera, speed trap camera, and other electronic traffic intervention devices. By downloading a regularly updated map, you will be alerted in advance as you approach red light cameras, speed traps, and more. Then not only can you beat unfair speeding tickets, but you gain a 'true' sense of safety by knowing what lies ahead. Not the false kind which comes at the cost of your freedom..

He who would trade liberty for some temporary security deserves neither and will lose both.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Red-Light-Camera-Locations---Get-Them-on-GPS

Red Light Camera Applications: Do They Really Work?

Are you trying to avoid a speeding ticket? Guess what: now there's an app for you. Believe it or not, cutting edge mobile phone technology is now helping drivers like you avoid getting tickets from red light cameras and speed cameras.

Whether or not you believe that red light cameras actually do make roads safer or whether you think they're just an unfair money grabber, you probably do not want to be the one who gets a ticket!

Now, you can keep track of the locations of speed cameras in your town and city. You can be alerted to their presence in time to slow down and avoid a hefty fine. This is good news, isn't it?

The way the technology works is that satellites are accessed by your GPS or smartphone to alert you to red light cameras, mobile speed traps, and police checkpoints.

How Smart Is Your Smart Phone?

One popular app is the Phantom Alert app. Drivers say this is extremely successful and has helped them avoid fines and tickets. In one real-life test, a driver reports that as she was coming up to a red light camera, the Phantom Alert app warned her to reduce her speed. This is exactly the kind of help you need when you're driving along not paying attention.

In the same test, speed cameras were also successfully spotted and the driver was able to slow down in time. Wow!

Being Good Neighbors

Some of this kind of technology relies on drivers to enter information about the locations of red light cameras and speed traps on an ongoing basis. The more drivers share info, the better the apps will be. The more accurate the information will be and the more likely it is that you will avoid paying fines and save money. So think of yourself as a good neighbor to other drivers.

How Do Police Feel About Apps that Help You Avoid Speeding Cameras?

Of course it depends on who you talk to, but many police officers do not see a concern with drivers like you using smart phone technology to avoid tickets. It is not illegal. And the point is, someone using a speed camera detector is obviously going to slow down in dangerous areas, or stop for a red light where they might otherwise not have. This makes this roads safer for everyone. Most good cops do not want to give you a ticket; they want to keep you safe and help everyone follow traffic laws!

Just be sure you are not looking at your smartphone or GPS all the time and getting distracted. The point is to be less distracted not more! There are lots of different kinds of speed camera detectors so make sure you choose one that lets you keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Red-Light-Camera-Applications:-Do-They-Really-Work?

Avoiding Red Light Camera Traps

Did you know the red light camera traps set up to catch people running red lights are privatized?

That's right! Private security companies!

The cities who use these cameras profit a small percentage of the security companies revenue from the tickets you and I receive, with the bulk of the fine remaining with the security company!

If you have watched the news lately you would have seen cities like Baltimore being investigated for slowing down the yellow light in order to get people to run the red light, and collect a portion of the ticket that will be issued!

It's obvious that in these hard economic times, even big cities will find a way to stick it to us when we least expect it.

In order to combat these unfair practices, some companies have developed license plate photo blocker sprays.

The spray acts like the multi colored cars you see on the road today. When they are coming at you, they are one color, as they pass they become many colors.

This is due to the molecular make up of the paint.

Photo blocker sprays work in much the same manner. When a camera tries to take a picture from an angle above your vehicle, all it see's is a white flash!

There's even more good news for people who don't like sprays but want to avoid red light camera traps.

Other companies have developed license plate covers that are clear, but again cannot be photographed from an angle because the molecular structure of the plastic cover is altered in much the same way as the sprays are.

And in related news, the fight for avoiding police speed traps has taken a turn for those states that have anti radar laws.

New downloads for your GPS systems allow the user to see police radar traps. Some up to 10 miles in advance.

And these are Legal in all states!

Garmin, Tom Tom, Magellian and many other GPS systems all have the interface already provided to accept the download.

Personally, I don't believe private security companies should profit from our misdemeanor traffic offenses.

I think this will lead to higher and higher ticket fines and when the government see's their profit share, they will probably privatize speeding tickets too.

Imagine being pulled over by a fat guy wearing a beard, driving a Toyota, walking up to your car with his shirt untucked...handing you a ticket for traveling 1 mile over the speed limit!

Join the fight to prevent privatization of police issues in your state.

Vote against any politician who see's red light camera traps as a good thing and write your congressman to voice your opposition.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Avoiding-Red-Light-Camera-Traps

Red Light Camera Ticket

What If You Can't Stop on Red

Do the Red Light Cameras that more and more cities are putting in service really reduce preventable collisions, or are they just a money magnet for the cities and for the companies that install them?

Do the cameras really keep the community safe, or is it just a receipt for disaster causing more rear end accidents?

Cities say that red light running is a dangerous and costly problem. They cite that most people run red lights because they are in a hurry, when in fact they only save seconds. And that the red light runner also puts his life and the safety of others at risk. These cites say their objective is to change driver's behaviors to keep the community and our kids safe by reducing preventable collisions at red light intersections.

Owners of vehicles photographed running red lights at intersections where cameras are installed will receive a Notice of Violation and will be subject to a fine of $75 and up to $350 depending on where you receive the ticket, the west coast seem to have the higher fines.

Red light cameras are going up all over the U.S., and hundreds of motorists are getting citations in the mail each month for running red lights, but something that enforcement is not saying is that a significant number minor accidents increase as people slam on their brakes. This is consistent around the country when cameras are installed.

One company, Redflex, is helping to dole out about 4,000 traffic citations per day, or just under 1.5 million per year. The company's cut per ticket varies by city, but in its hometown, Scottsdale, Redflex pockets about $40 from each $180 red-light fine on average. Redflex has 600 cameras in 87 cities in six states. Roughly 200 more will be installed this year. It has 60 cameras in Chicago. More than 40 percent of all traffic cameras installed in the U.S. are Redflex. Redflex had $26 million in revenue last year, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing companies within an industry whose growth potential it believes is staggering. The industry could some day become a $3 billion juggernaut, Redflex recently told analysts.

This is typical of the revenue being made by these companies, and we are the ones footing the bill. I believe that red light and speed enforcement needs to be addressed but in most cases it's a little fuzzy about what is safety and what is just plain a money making scheme. Some cities are going as far as to cut the red light timing by as much as a second to give more tickets, and the public is at risk in these types of situations due to increased rear end collisions.

My advise is with red light camera locations growing at 25% a year, don't take a chance. Make sure you stop at the lights, there is enough time to do so in most cases, but if it appears that stopping may cause an accident be prepared to get a ticket. If you do under these circumstances have all the facts to take with you to court.

I know from experience as I got one of those letters in the mail recently, along with the typical $100.00 ticket that I am fighting in court the end of November. In the photo ticket that I received it was a clear morning in September at 8:30 am and it looks like midnight with no lights on. You can barely see my vehicle in the photo and you can't see the red light to tell what color it even was, they did however have a clear photo of my license plate. you can see the actual ticket I received and a photo of my plate at my web site below along with some tips on tickets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Red-Light-Camera-Ticket

Aerial Photography Using RC Helicopters

Over the last year the use of remote control helicopters for aerial photography applications has taken a massive leap forward into the mainstream. This is mainly due to more exposure in the press and thus more people knowing what is possible. The basic technology has actually been available for a while now, although recently it has become cheaper, more reliable and with a few new innovations, much safer.

So how can you go about getting your own aerial photography rig in the air? There are three main elements to consider:

* The helicopter airframe you wish to use.
* The camera gimbal, control and viewing system.
* Stabilisation and autopilot technology.

The best way to decide what remote controlled helicopter to use for your aerial photography project is to first decide what camera or camera weight you would like to use. If you decide to go for a budget option with a small point-and-shoot, then you can get away with a smaller helicopter to lift the weight. However if you want to go all out with DSLR aerial photography, then you will need a larger helicopter, at least a 600-class to lift the required weight. Stick with electric motors the benefits being less vibration and noise. The helicopter should be of a good build quality, being able to endure heavy lifting, and then modified to your requirements, the Align and Maxi Joker series are a popular choice.

Once you have a helicopter ready to go, make sure you can fly it comfortably. Then you can look at the best way to mount your camera system - in front or under slung. Both will work better in different situations, however I prefer a front mounted system, as this is easier to isolate from vibration, and allows a better angle for filming. The weight can easily be offset by mounting the batteries below the tail. Vibration isolation is very important; it is most certainly worth buying a more expensive mount that does a better job of this. Control can be achieved through a second radio system (and a second operator is recommended). Controlling pan, tilt, roll, shutter and many other functions is possible as well as video down links so you can see and frame you shots from the ground.

Flight stabilisation for remote controlled helicopters has moved forward very quickly recently, with great new innovations as well as military UAV technology making its way into the commercial market. I would recommend at least a basic system, as it will provide a much more stable platform to shoot from. If you are an experienced pilot, this will be enough. However if your budget can accommodate the outlay, there are autopilot systems capable of flying your aerial photography helicopter with no manual input via pre-programmed GPS waypoints. Safety is also a great benefit of these systems, from holding the helicopter stable if communication is lost, to returning it to its take-off point automatically with the more advanced systems.

A final word must be said about insurance and permission to conduct aerial work within the UK. So far as I know there is no equipment cover available for small unmanned aerial photography vehicles in the UK, there is however cover available for public liability and professional indemnity, both of which I recommend taking out. Finally the Civil Aviation Authority requires that any aerial work carried out in the UK has permission from them to do so. They are considered the leading body in this field and thus many other countries are following their approach.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Aerial-Photography-Using-RC-Helicopters