More About Digital Photography

Forrest M. Mims III

In a recent editorial in The Citizen Scientist, I wrote that, " The digital camera is the citizen scientist's most versatile instrument." ("The Citizen Scientist's Most Versatile Instrument," 10 March 2006.)

That was two months ago, and since then I continue to find new and scientifically significant applications for digital cameras.

Among the most important developments in digital camera technology has been the arrival of high quality single-lens reflex (SLR) digital cameras. Recently a professional photographer used one of these cameras to photograph some electronic circuits that I have kept since the earliest days of the personal computer era. The photographs, which were made in a studio, were stunning likenesses.

While film still has a significant resolution advantage over digital, for many practical purposes that makes no difference. That's because the resolution of computer monitors and printing presses is also limited. Thus, film does not necessarily have an advantage over a 10 or 12 megapixel digital image when the image is printed in a magazine at 760 dots per cm (300 dots per inch). The advantage of film's higher resolution (at least today) is for large images, such as posters, advertising signs and billboards.

Many web sites devoted to digital photography provide first class information about film vs. digital, resolution and related topics. So if you want to become serious about digital photography, you might want to consider visiting some of these sites.

My favorite digital photography site is Digital Photography Review. Mark Langford, a professional photographer who has his own weather web site, recommended DP Review as one of the best sites of its kind, and I agree. The site features news, camera reviews, sample photographs from various cameras, discussion forums and more. While the reviews provide detailed technical information, the forums will tell you what users think.

Once you begin keeping up with digital photography news, you will soon learn about the the role of the sales tool sometimes known as specsmanship. This refers to the exaggeration of a camera's good features, often without reference to its poor features. You'll also find that some camera users are intensely loyal to their favorite brand names while others want only the best camera for the money. You'll soon learn there is no perfect digital camera, at least not yet. The result is plenty of information for those of us who want to acquire a quality camera built by a manufacturer with a solid reputation.

Someday I hope to buy a digital SLR, but for now several compact point-and-shoot cameras serve all my scientific and practical applications.

For interval photography, I use a Pentax Optio 43 WR. This 4-megapixel camera is water and dust resistant and features an internal zoom lens. It can make up to 99 exposures in a programmable time sequence. It's ideal for recording the movement of clouds and contrails and the time progression of sunrises, sunsets, moonrises, twilight glows and other phenomenon. It can even be used to record the opening of a flower. This camera is powered by a pair of rechargeable AA cells. The Optio 43 WR was recently discontinued, so it's worth looking for one on e-Bay.

For manual control of aperture and, especially, shutter speed, I use a Casio EX-Z120 (7.2 megapixels) and a new Casio EX-Z850 (8.1 megapixels). These cameras are about the size of a deck of cards, with the Z850 being the slimmer of the two.

The Z120 uses a pair of rechargeable AA cells, which means it can be used virtually anywhere in the world. The Z850 features a tiny but powerful rechargeable battery that will provide several hundred images on one charge.

These three cameras together cost less than half the price of a good digital SLR body (less lens). Each camera can be carried in a $1 belt pouch or a shirt pocket, which is why I never go anywhere without a camera.

Having several tiny cameras provides ultimate backup. And it's far easier to take a photo of a transient event by pulling a camera from a belt pouch than by lugging around a digital SLR and its accessories.

Someday I hope to be able to afford a quality digital SLR (like the Nikon D200) and a few of those wonderful lenses they use. But even then, I will still keep a powerful little Casio, complete with manual controls, on my belt everywhere I go.

Mention of brand names in this editorial does not imply any endorsement by the Society for Amateur Scientists. The editorial is merely my opinion, and any companies mentioned have not provided any samples or freebies. I buy cameras with my own funds just like everyone else.

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