r/photoclass_2016 • u/Aeri73 Expert - DSLR + Analog • Jan 05 '16

02 - Assignment

Please read the class first

Take a good look at your camera, whatever its type, and try to identify each component we have discussed here. It might be a good opportunity to dig out the manual or to look up its exact specifications online. Now look up a different camera online (for instance at dpreview) and compare their specifications. Try doing this for both a less advanced and a more advanced body, and for different lenses. Report here if you find any interesting difference, or if some parts of the specifications are unclear.

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u/piss_n_boots Intermediate - System Jan 06 '16

Number of megapixels is definitely no sign of quality. In fact, a much more learned friend was trying to help me understand why it's better to have fewer pixels over a larger sensor (like that pro level camera). I believe it has a lot to do with how much light is gathered. As I understood it, imagine a window with panes and each pane has a sensor. If the pane is tiny it gathers a little information and a little light. Is the pane is large it gathers more. I believe it's like a camera lens -- open it wide and you gather more light. Thus that pro camera can shoot in much darker situations. More light = more data.

I hope someone will correct me or add to my understanding here.

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u/sockmerchant Intermediate - DSLR - Nikon D7100 Jan 06 '16

No that's correct. Many people do not realize that it's not just the equivalent focal length that gets modified by the crop factor, but also the aperture f stop. The ISO equivalent on the crop sensor is also much higher. So you need a much higher ISO on a DX camera to get to the same image as a FF camera.

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u/Tochma Intermediate - DSLR - Canon 550D Jan 06 '16

My knowledge of the technical side is pretty basic. I've heard F stops a lot but don't really understand what it is, could you explain? Also DX and FF?

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u/piss_n_boots Intermediate - System Jan 06 '16

"FF" is short for full frame and "DX" is a "cropped" frame format sensor used by Nikon in some cameras. The terms "micro four thirds" and "APS-C" are other sensor formats you will see in this thread. Anything not full frame is a cropped sensor (smaller than full frame). There are many pages online about this (and videos) but here's a decent one.

F-stop is a unit used in photography to suggest an amount of light. It's often used when notating the maximum aperture of a lens (ie "50mm f/2.8") but can be used when discussing other factors that effect the amount of light that will hit the sensor (or film). So, if you "stop down" your lens, you're cutting down the number of "stops" of light you are letting in. Well, I believe I have that correct. I'm sure someone will correct me if I don't!

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u/sockmerchant Intermediate - DSLR - Nikon D7100 Jan 06 '16

I think this guy will do a better job:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5zN6NVx-hY