Single Lens Reflex camera or popularly know by their acronym as SLR is a type of camera that uses mirror system called pentprism. This system allows the user or the photographer in this case, to capture image as how he exactly sees in the viewfinder. This is achieved through the help of automatic moving mirror system in the camera.
The basic optical components of an SLR come in eight parts. This is the section of the camera where the images pass through from the front the camera to your eye. The eight basic components are the front-mount lens, reflex mirror, focal plane shutter, image sensor, focusing screen, condenser lens, the prism (also known as pentamirror) and the eyepiece.
1.Front-mount Lens this is where the image, in form of light, first comes in. It then reflects it to the mirror behind called reflex mirror. This lens can still be enhanced by attaching another lens to it. Those lenses come in different names. Others call it photographic lens, some call it objective lens or for those who want to shout out loud that they are indeed photographers call it photographic objective lens (a mouthful worth of name truly makes it sound more professional).
2.Reflex Mirror once the reflex mirror receives the image, it is then projected on a matte called focusing mirror.
3.Focusing Screen it is a flat material usually made of glass that allows the photographer to preview the image to the viewfinder. Focusing screen comes with distinct markings depending on the purpose and use of the camera and camera models. The most common used for digital cameras is the split screen that helps in focusing images for non-autofocus 35 mm SLRs. There are also focusing screens that have no markings like the overall-matte that commonly found in astrophotography or low-lighting shoots.
4.Condesing Lens after the image passed through the focusing mirror, it is then transferred to condensing lens. It helps concentrate light of the transferred image.
5.Optical Glass Prism some slr's use roof pentaprism or penta-mirror to reflect the light to the eyepiece. In this process, the light that travels through the condensing lens passes to the bottom straight to the roof of the prism. Then the light is reflected to the front side then bounced horizontally to its back. Another prism design is called porro prism. A photographer can also use a right-angle finder which can be attached to the eyepiece that allows viewing like a waist-level finder
6.Eyepiece the backside of the pentaprism is connected to the eyepiece and there is where you see the image focused in front of the lens.
7.Focal Plane Shutter at the same time with focusing mirror, the same image travel beyond the reflex mirror as it moves upwards and to the focal plane shutter.
8.Image Sensor as soon as the focal plane shutter opens, the image will be directed to image sensors that translate the lights to electrical signal. Most image sensor in digital slr cameras are made of charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) active-pixel sensor.
Most folks who buy a digital camera are just looking for an easy way to take high quality photos of their family, friends, and special events that can be shared with others. But others are interested in other aspects of photography as well, perhaps landscapes, closeups, still lifes, or art photography. For them, the compact digital camera can be used to create a fine image if they are skilled enough, but a digital single lens reflex camera gives them the ultimate of control and versatility instead.
The image quality in many digital SLRs is much greater than that found in most smaller compact cameras. The digital image sensors are usually larger, and therefore yields more information on each photo taken. For all but the most demanding of users, a 6 - 8 megapixel camera will be fine, yielding very high quality images on up to about 11 X 14 inch sizes. There are higher resolution digital SLRs available for those that need it though, but just expect to pay more for these higher end cameras.
Digital SLRs are capable of being used in manual mode, allowing you to have total control over the composition and settings of each photo, but they can also be operated very successfully in fully automatic mode too, making using one almost as simple as a point and shoot camera. This can come in very handy for those folks that need a camera that can be used by more than one person with differing photographic skill levels, and still get great results either way.
Digital SLRs are usually bigger than other normal digital cameras, but many people see that as a plus because they often feel more substantial and solid in the hand, and the controls can even be easier for those with larger hands to use comfortably.
Of course, a great advantage of digital SLRs is the ability to switch lenses easily and quickly for different kinds of shots, and the good news is that many film camera brands of lenses can be used on the same brand of digital SLR saving you the cost of extra lenses.
Another solid benefit of digital SLRs is that they usually power up almost instantly and have almost no shutter lag between the time you press the shutter and the moment that the photo is actually recorded. Some regular digital cameras can take a few seconds to power on and then have up to a second or so of shutter delay on top of that. So if you like to shoot fast action scenes, a digital SLR can be a big benefit.
So if you like having more creative control or want to have the flexibility to expand your photographic skills in the future, a digital single lens reflex camera can make a great choice.
Both Jonathan Popoola & Jim Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.