learning photography for beginners guide, lesson 2 All about Cameras

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

There is an effective way to overcome the difficulty of the sun obliterating you view of the screen. A newcomer to digital photography, I bought a Kodak camera without a viewfinder and and soon found this a very irksome problem. A bit of research led to the discovery of a range of rear screen viewfinder attachments. There are various types in a range of prices and they basically consist of a square or conical box which fits over the screen and has an eyepiece which turns the whole screen into a viewfinder. There are many you tube demonstration videos to be found. I bought a very basic one from Amazon for about six pounds - there are many much more elaborate and expensive models - and it does the job completely adequately.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

To be honest no, the only way is with a a tripod holding the camera and a black cloth over the camera and your head, a bit similar to how we used to work on big plate cameras

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

@@PhillipMcCordall Yes, that would do it, but in default of going to such an extreme I can assure you that the screen viewfinder I bought does the job perfectly well - the sun's effect is completely eliminated.. An additional benefit is that the magnified eyepiece (some models even have a dioptre adjustment) has a large eyecup which can be pressed against the eye when viewing, just like using a conventional viewfinder, giving a stability not possible when holding the screen at arms length.

[@floridahummer]

one of a very few photographers who just teachers photography and not trying to sell you something.would reccomend phil any day if you want to learn from a skilled photographer who knows hos stuff

[@antistiolabeo8950]

The reason DSLR (digital single lens reflex) are called so is to differentiate them from twin (or double) lens reflex used before (and partly at the same time) like the old Rolleiflex, that had two different lenses one upon the other in a vertical line: one for the actual taking of the photo, the other for the viewfinder, wich was usually a box on the top of the camera that could be closed when not in use. Sorry for my poor English but I hope the message was understandable nonetheless. Greetings!

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

Yes, I'm surprised he didn't know that. I learnt that when using a film SLR.

[@PopsThompson]

Another nice video, thanks Phillip.

[@christopherkelly5295]

I think everyone starting out should have a look at philips videos. I started out watching his still life lessons and now I do it as a full time job

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Oh Wow !! do I get 10% :)) well done that makes me feel good.

[@dijanavujovic8578]

thank you sir Phillip! Love your lessons and your sense of humor!

[@lynxlinus4355]

Thank you very much, Phillip! From Russia with love!

[@twotone1a]

(Digital ) "Single len reflex" camera as opposed to the older design of the Twin Lens Reflex camera where there were actually two matching lenses, one which was used to focus light onto film when the shutter opened and the other which was used by the photographer to compose the shot. Usually held at waist level, the photographer looked down at the top of the camera where the image from the viewfinder lens was visible as it was turned through 90 degrees by a mirror - indicated by the word "reflex"in the name. I'm sure Phil knew all this but didn't want to give his age away ooops !!! I mean boast of his wide photographic experience :-). Seriously, thanks for all the videos sir. Your style makes them enjoyable in themselves and there is ALWAYS more to learn.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Thanks, I've never understood the relation of a TLR and a SLR really apart from the fact they both have mirrors, in the TLR the mirror doesn't move. I've always been mystified by it. When I first started the smallest usable format was 6X6 , 35MM just wasn't good enough quality at that time. At first the Rollei , then when we grew up the Hasselblad. I just try and keep the lessons simple and only give the information the students need. Great comment that bought back many memories of the 60s. Glad you enjoy the videos.

[@joegirl09]

Wonderful video. I learned a lot from your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make these.

[@SVELFARO]

always good to see something form you.

[@denissemitchell9891]

Thank you for the very informative video! I really appreciate your lessons!!

[@Robmarbz]

Nice lesson, teacher. I can improve my photographic skill and my poor English as well. Thank you :-)

[@Ongbok06]

Thank you for making these videos i a relearning what I learned in graphic design class long ago. I need to learn hot to use my DSLR again

[@rwandrew077]

Excellence again! Thank you.

[@alexahart7390]

Thanks for this video

[@salahoua1]

Very informative. The way you explain, although confusing sometimes ( the back and forth about somethings you forget to mention, but all in all I am very glad I learn from you. Ps: I also happen to keep a pen and paper to jot down details I do not come across in other KZbin channels.

[@smarterthenyouknow]

learning lots!! Thanks Mr. McCordell!! sound is much better.😄

[@Ziadalabbady]

I can assure you Mr. McCordall after few hours with the Fuji X-Pro2 or its younger sister the X-E2s you would totally fall in love with their EVFs. Mirrorless is the future!

[@smarterthenyouknow]

learning lots!! Thanks

[@uwattie]

Hi Phil, love the channel and your sometimes a little whacky presentation style. Very refreshing. As others have said, its good to see you back in action after a period of less frequent posts. I had wanted to echo the comments of EvulDali) "SLR = Single Lens Reflex - Why Single Lens Reflex I don't know why its a Single Lens Reflex", but you've covered that in your reply I enjoy your content whether its intended for the beginner or for those more advanced, but I'd have enjoyed this particular offering more if you'd isolated your microphone from the desktop. Listening to the heavy and load clunking as cameras hit the desk was a distraction.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Unfortunatly I have a very echoey studio, the mike is attached to my shirt though. I know nothing about sound recording but it's not as easy as I imagined at first. I'm also a little deaf with an ear infection that doesn't help me either. I'm glad you enjoy the videos, I'll be making a few more very soon.

[@khushiali129]

I appreciate ur vidz. Helped me alot. Thank you Sir..

[@skakdosmer]

It's true that a bridge camera normally doesn't take very good pictures in low light, but I don't think it's because of the lens. I very recently bought a bridge camera - the Sony Cybershot DSC-hx400v, and is has a very good lens: A Carl Zeiss that yields very sharp images indeed (and it has an enormous zoom range: 24 - 1200 equivalent without any linear distortion that I can see). But the camera's sensor is very small, and that's the problem, I think. So I call it my sunshine camera.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

I didn't say it doesn't take good pictures in good light but" can't take shots in as low light" That's down to the fact that the widest f stop is higher for example F4.5 compared to a F1.2 possibility with a dslr

[@feifeichiam]

Can't wait for the next lesson, "which camera to choose"? :)

[@puma0065]

well all i can say is great video very informative for your photography Interesting that you have used not one but a lot of different cameras in this video not many would talk about so many so very well done :) keep em coming :)

[@PhillipMcCordall]

I need a lot of cameras Shaun, that way I'm sure something comes out :))

[@Olive_Chap]

oh glad you talked about mirror less.. earlier I was considering to buy sony hx400V because of its zoom quality processor & zeiss lenses but I heard its sensor size is too small ( actually more comparable to smartphones ) & now I am thinking about sony a6000 & its mirrorless got APSC sensor would you think its good for me to start as armature or would like to recommend another

[@PhillipMcCordall]

I'm sorry but I know very little about Sony.

[@Neil-Hanson67]

As usual Phill,very informative, just a note to viewers of this and future lessons in this series,i upload my photo's to Learnshots.com for Phill to critique,and he is very fair and will give you advise on your photography,i am not affiliated to Phill in any way,just a big admirer of him & his knowledge of many years.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

thankyou much appreciated

[@Neil-Hanson67]

Your more than welcome Phill,from (Nikon_Skorpion) Neil

[@strongandco]

For what it's worth, with regards to camera recommendations, how about buying used? I noticed the other day Nikon D300's are selling for £150-£200, one 10th of it's retail price in 2008. There have been a lot of advancements since then but back in 2008 it was the flagship 'small sensor' dslr, it was built to 'professional' specifications and took fantastic photos and it still does today and it's compatible with all modern Nikon lenses. That's not intended to be a specific recommendation, just an example of what's available for people looking to get into dslr photography on a budget. Likewise, the standard lens that was often sold with it, the 18-70mm, can be bought for less than £80, newer equivilent lenses are available, they have one or two more bells and whistles but optically they are abouth the same.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

I don't recommend some one who knows nothing to buy a second hand camera. If you know nothing about computers would you buy a second hand one?

[@strongandco]

I get you point but there are used camera specialists in the UK that specify the shutter count for each camera they sell and that offer a 2 week return policy and a 3 month warranty to take a lot of the risk out of buying.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

What you must realize that I have viewers from virtually every country in the world :) So telling them that isn't really relative,plus a three month warranty isn't a lot of protection for a beginner, as in three months they won't be using a camera that much. I'm just making the next lesson about what camera different people should buy, so I will of course bring up the subject of second hand equipment and what to look for.

[@floridahummer]

strongandco i have one and love it,12 mega pixel is plenty unless you prunt bill boards .1/8000 plus fully weather sealed can do what most cameras can just not the latest sensor,the D500 is its replacement but would wait till the price drops down as there are not many used

[@shadab8190]

thanks sir

[@chiquetcyril]

Good humor ;-)

[@runaway2074]

Anyone who has test new sony mirrorless cameras like E Mount a6300 or fullframe like a7rii ,can not go back to the old big mirror cameras, electronic viewfinder is meant to get the final image and saving time before pressing the shot button

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Not really a camera for a beginner though, of course there are some mirrorless that are great but look at the price. This series is for beginners. Good remark though. I try and limit the info in my tutorials , so they are digestible :)

[@TalesOfWar]

Unless you shoot sport or other fast moving subjects regularly. In that case mirrorless cameras suck as of right now. The focusing simply can't keep up and the lag between what's going on and what you see in the viewfinder is far, FAR too much.

[@runaway2074]

it's so easy to get sharp focus in cheap "sony nex cameras" by zooming , focus peaking and magnify focus in viewfinder all that in one shoot photos or experience lost , You can get a final version nex-7 for less than $ 500 with a 18-55 mm lens

[@TalesOfWar]

run away Mirrorless cameras are far, FAR too slow for action or other fast moving subjects to reliably capture things when you're doing the old spray and pray method which is extremely common in such photography. It's just a fact with the current state of the tech. There's a reason you see almost exclusively 1D's at sporting events for example.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

I think you will find that the great sports photographers don't use motor winds, have a look at the great action shots from before motor winds. The skill is waiting and foreseeing the action as it happens so quickly you would need 250 frames a second to be able to catch it with a motor wind. It's a skill that only comes with practice , try it and see. :)

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

You ok Phillip? We haven't heard from you in a while. I'm based in the Ariège, not too far from you I think. Hope you are well and I look forward to seeing more excellent videos in 2017.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Fine thanks, I've been very busy but their will be some new tutorials in January. I'm in the Gers near Auch :))

[@stilllife-artandthephotogr3494]

That's very good news. I know the Gers pretty well, I have a friend near Masseube. Bonnes fêtes.

[@kallachnadra]

Could you please write the website name.

[@PhillipMcCordall]

learnshots.com

[@skakdosmer]

Single Lens Reflex is opposed to Twin Lens Reflex (as I expect you really do know, having worked as a professional for so long): jafaphotography.com/images/eq/RL4FW.jpg

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Yes but I try and keep things simple, Oh by the way by adding a link , you would normally have your post deleted, I'm sure you understand that, if I allowed it my channel would be full of spam. I dug it out of the bin this time :)

[@EvulDali]

The DSLR is called Single lens reflex cause it uses only one lens. As opposed to the Twin lens reflex cameras that existed before the DSLRs that used one lens to compose and a different lens to expose the film. Here is an example of a twin lens reflex camera. filipenmarquesphotography.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_07751.jpg PS: Totally awesome episode! :)

[@PhillipMcCordall]

Yes, although I see no relation between the two , all old box cameras could be called a reflex one lens or two, reflex comes from reflection in mirror,. A rollei or Mamiya are basically box cameras like a fullview which had two lenses. I can see no reason for the name single lens reflex, a: because when you buy one it has no lens and b: because it works on a totally different system and design to a twin lens reflex. That's all , I says things I regret in front of the camera, should have been a politician :))))