Exam Project

Camera Research

The main criteria I had for my research was that I wanted a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflector) camera. From that point, I narrowed my search to Canon cameras mainly because they were cheaper than entry level Nikon or Pentax cameras. This led me to the Canon EOS Rebel T5, Canon EOS Rebel SL1, and Canon EOS 60D. The deciding factor between these three cameras was the Vari-Angle Clear View 3.0" Flip-Out LCD on the 60D. This feature is useful when taking pictures where I would normally not have a clear viewing angle on the display. With this screen, I can adjust it to directly face me when taking pictures or video from abnormally high or low places.

The camera has an 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100 to 6400. It has a shutter-speed range of 30 seconds to 1/8000 of a second, and it can take pictures continuously at 5.3 frames per second when the “drive” mode is activated. It can take 1080p, 720p, and 480p video at 30, 60, and 60 frames per second for 12 minutes, 12 minutes, and 24 minutes, respectively. For imaging, it has 9-point autofocus through single-servo or continuous-servo autofocus through a 96% coverage viewfinder. It can take photos in JPEG or RAW file formats and video in MOV or MPEG-4. These are stored on an SD, SDHC, or SDXC card. It also weighs 675g (23.8 oz). For the 60D body, B&H has a listed price of $479.00.

As all DSLR’s need a separate lens, I wanted to find two cheap lenses that would cover most focal ranges. The first lens I decided on was the 50mm f/1.8 II prime. The 50mm has a minimum focus distance of 45cm (1.5’) and a 46 degree field of view. It has a 5-blade diaphragm with a minimum aperture of f/22. Its Gaussian optics help prevent astigmatism through its 6 elements. This lens is not image stabilised. Its dimensions are 4.06cm (1.6”) long and 6.86cm (2.7”) in diameter, and it weighs 130g (4.6 oz). It also has a 52mm filter thread. This lens is versatile for its short focal length as it can be used in almost all close-up situations. Due to its fast f/1.8 aperture, it can also be used for low-light environments and creating bokeh. B&H has this lens priced  at $115.00.

The second lens I wanted was the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM telephoto zoom. This lens has  minimum focus distance of 1.5m (4.92’) with a maximum 32 degree 11 minute field of view and a minimum 8 degree 15 minute field of view. It has a 7-blade diaphragm with a minimum aperture of f/45 and 13 elements. It has an ultrasonic motor (USM) for quiet autofocusing, but it is not image-stabilised. It is 12.19cm (4.8”) long and 7.11cm (2.8”) in diameter, weighing in at 480g (1.06 lbs). Unfortunately, this lens’s filter thread is 58mm instead of 52mm, so I would have to buy two separate sets of filters and/or lens hoods. This lens is more versatile than the 50mm due to it being a zoom lens, but that generally comes at the cost of size, weight, and image quality. This lens was listed as $179.00 on B&H, putting my total at $773.00.

Hello World!

Call me Alex, Tel, Fly, Microwave, whatever you like, but expect this to be a great page soon because I've got some art to show you! Photos, sketches, op art -- you name it and it will most likely be here. I encourage you to also check out my deviantART page, as it also has a tonne more artwork. I hope to make more numerous and substantial posts soon, so stick around!

Fly safe everyone!