eCoustics.com camera articles

Make the Most of Your DSLR

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:00:00 -0400

All right! You’ve made the commitment and purchased a DSLR. Now that you have your shiny toy, it’s time to make the most of your new photographic instrument. And like any instrument, you have to master some skills in order to make it sing—or in this case, take great photographs. Here’s some sound advice for any DSLR, from the most affordable to out-of-sight professional models.Read the ManualWe know we sound like an old high school teacher, but in order to get the most out of your camera, you have to know what all the buttons and dials do. This advice will go a long way toward maximizing your experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time DLSR buye...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Digital Cameras: 10 Reasons to Buy A DSLR

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are the serious photographer’s tool of choice. These units are also a world apart from point-and-shoot digicams, offering far superior performance… although sadly, they do have prices to match. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider investing in one, however – beyond, of course, the fact that it’s a better camera that’ll take fine pictures for years to come.Faster Response TimesThere are BB guns, and then there are machine guns. Press the shutter of a DSLR in burst (or continuous) mode, and the camera will start clicking away like an automatic weapon. This rapid-fire image capture capability highlights a startl...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Digital Camera Buying Tips: Point and Shoot vs. DSLR

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Be happy if you’re gearing up to buy a new digital camera – as of press time, there are over 300-plus different options from which to choose! But within the huge crop of available models you’ll find units in all shapes, sizes and colors, with prices ranging anywhere from $79 on up to a whopping $7,999. Need help narrowing down the selection? Not to worry, as here, we’ll help you make a critical first decision—whether to buy a point-and-shoot digital camera or a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) unit instead. The good news: Everything falls more easily into place once this key question is answered.First though, a quick definition and some broad strokes you’ll need to be aware of before d...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Clean Your Dirty Camera

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:00:00 -0400

Your digital camera can get dirty. Here's the right way to clean it, whether an everyday model or a DSLR.

Why America Lags Behind the World's Top Technology Leaders

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:00:00 -0400

How many times have you come across a really cool tech product, only to discover it's not available here in the good old USA? Sure, you can buy a kabillion run-of-the-mill MP3 players if you want, but zip on down to the local Mega Mart for a toothbrush-shaped video camera that takes up close and personal footage of all your nasty cavities, and you'll come up empty every time.Due to a variety of circumstances, Americans miss out, at least temporarily, on a lot of great stuff. From economical subcompact cars to robots, we lag behind. But why? Let’s take a look at many of the specific high-tech arenas where the United States chases behind other countries, and then get to the bottom of its technologically stunted growth...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Photograph Morning Dew

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0400

Use your digital camera to capture beautiful close-ups of dew-covered foliage.

Rugged Gear and Technology

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:00:00 -0400

With summer in full swing, you might find yourself spending more and more time on the go. Then again, maybe you just work "in the field" – or are simply one of those clumsy types. Whatever the scenario, many of today's devices are designed for those who require tougher tech. After all, buying the latest consumer electronics – be it laptops, smartphones and video cameras – can become an expensive hobby, so you might as well pick up produ...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Five Must-Have Features for the Modern Digital Camera

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

You're flipping through the weekly flyers from your local electronics store and marvel at the new digital cameras on the market. Not only are prices dropping all the time – for both the compact point-and-shoot cameras as well as the bulkier yet more powerful DSLR models – but new features are continually added, offering even more bang for your buck.Oh sure, you already know about megapixels, a quality lens and fast processor being key considerations, but there are many other convenient bells and whistles. It can be difficult to keep up with all the lingo – be it image stabilization, facial detection or interchangeable lenses – plus you might not be aware which features are worth noting, and which...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Using Your Camera's Image Stabilization

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:15:00 -0400

Learn how to take better pictures with IS or VR lenses, or your digital camera's image stabilization mode.

Top Digital Camera Accessories

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Whether you just picked up Panasonic’s amazing Lumix DMC-LX3 or dropped some more coin for a starter DSLR like Sony’s excellent DSC-HX1, your investment is far from over. Now that you’ve got the camera, it’s time to get the gear for it. From flash cards to cases, we’ve compiled a list of all the most useful accessories to deck out your new digital shooter....Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Best Budget Mini HD Camcorders Reviewed

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0400

When Pure Digital released the very first Flip handheld camcorder back in 2006 and promptly captured 13 percent of the entire camcorder market with a single year, the video landscape changed. Despite the ranting of pro photographers that little handheld cameras could never equal the quality of the real thing (they can’t), people overlooked the sacrifice in video quality for the Flip’s small size, ease of use, and low price.Three years later, all those factors are still in play, and video quality has gotten even better. The latest crop of cameras actually boasts 720p HD quality. And though no one disputes that a $1,200 HD camcorde...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

57 Amazing Things You Didn't Know Your Tech Could Do!

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:00:00 -0400

We've worked long and hard to come up with the best tips and tricks for your PCs, smartphones, cameras, game controllers, music players, and the Web. Let's start with PC, laptop, and networking tips.

The List: 57 Amazing Things You Didn't Know Your Tech Could Do!

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:00:00 -0400

Here are all 57 of the tips and tricks we've pulled together for PCs, laptops, smartphones, cameras, the Web and more.

6 Crazy Tricks for Digital Cameras and Photos

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:00:00 -0400

Draw images with light on your photos, make time-lapse video from a lowly point-and-shoot, fix your stereo with your digicam, and more fun tricks.

Six Clever Camera Tricks

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:30:00 -0400

Your digital camera or camera phone can help you inventory your belongings, remember where you parked the car, and other practical things.

Are Still Cameras Becoming Obsolete?

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0400

This week, Nvidia and MotionDSP launched an interesting Cuda-based application called vReveal. This product finds all the video on your PC, and uses Nvidia’s pre-OpenCL Cuda platform to dramatically improve it. Cisco also bought the Flip video camera company this month for $590 million, making me wonder what the second shoe to drop would be (hint: think networked). Coincidently, I’ve had several folks argue compellingly this week that still cameras will be dead in a few years as a result...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

10 Fun things to do with your photos

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0400

If you're like most digital camera owners, your photos are copied over to a PC's hard drive and forgotten about -- save, maybe, for the odd one you print out, email to a relative, or create computer wallpaper with. But you can do much more with these memories. Resist dumping these once-in-a-lifetime shots into your computer's "digital shoe box," and consider these 10 options instead.Digital photo framesView your memories in a digital photo frame you can hang on the wall, or keep on an end-table or office...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

10 Fun Things to Do With Photos

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0400

PMA 2009: 10 Best Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Photo Trends

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Think of the annual Photo Marketing Association (PMA) convention as a chance to visit the biggest camera store you’ll ever see in your life.Taking up two floors of the Las Vegas Convention Center, you’ll find all the big boys from Canon to Sony there along with tiny mom-and-pop outfits selling photo charm bracelets. The yearly meeting was originally targeted to small camera store owners, but these days, independents are rarer than an up day on Wall Street. Right before this year’s edition, in fact, the huge Ritz Camera chain went bust – no surprise as the vast majority of camera buyers in 2009 simply go to Best Buy,...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Five Tips for Great Photos With Your Cell Phone

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:40:00 -0500

Coax better pictures from your camera phone by choosing the right subject, tweaking the settings, and more.

Top 10 Connected Devices

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

The race is on. Every device from the digital camera to the DVR to the HDTV is vying for the position of becoming a digital hub for all your home multimedia. And it’s not just about photos and music anymore: The push for true video-on-demand (VOD)—and high-def video at that—even has home theater manufacturers including Internet connections on their wares out of the box. (See: Countless custom networked...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

World's Most Extreme Gadgets

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

You’ve no doubt heard the claims from electronics manufacturers stating the world’s first this, the world’s largest that, the world’s smallest the other. Economic turmoil has only heated up this race to provide innovative products, and industry firsts. Here, we bring you 10 world’s firsts that are bigger, thinner, smaller, lighter, and faster than the competition.Longest Built-in Zoom CameraConsumers these days are demanding longer zoom lenses built into their digital cameras, hence the category of super-zoom cameras that are larger than your average digicam, but have a 10x zoo...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs

Your Digital Camera and the Law

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0500

What you should know when using a camera in public: public vs. private property, what to do when challenged.

Change the Dates in Your Photos

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:25:00 -0500

Learn how to correct the date and time on your image files when your digital camera gets it wrong.

10 Weird and Wild USB Devices

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0500

You’ve no doubt connected your digital camera to your computer to download photos or have inserted a little black thumb drive to store or retrieve files. But rejoice – the USB port can be used for so much more, thanks to its ability to suck electricity through your computer, powering some of the world’s strangest devices. Following are ten of the cutest, silliest and most useless examples we could find. As a fun game at home, try playing along by suggesting your own examples: You’ll be amazed at mankind’s capacity for ridiculousness. Oh, how we cry for the poor children…...Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs