A short course in the basics of DSLR cameras, discussing the following: 1. Definition of DSLR 2. DSLR Vs. Point & Shoot. 3. DSLR Camera Basics (Shutter speed, Iso, f-Number) The course was given by Muhannad Abu-Ghdaib on March 17, 2010, in KAUST. Muhannad is an active member in KAUST Photography Club.

1. KAUST Community
Photography Club Presents
DSLR Camera Basics
by
Muhannad Abu-Ghdaib

6. Presentation Outline
1. Definition of a DSLR
2. DSLR Vs. Point & Shoot
3. DSLR Basics

7. What is a DSLR ?
D: …. ?
S: Single
L: Lens
R: Reflector
camera

8. What does this mean?
is a digital camera that uses a mechanical
mirror system and a prism to direct light
from the lens to an optical viewfinder on
the back of the camera.

9. What is a DSLR ?

10. Point-&-Shoot Vs. DSLR
• Viewfinder.
• DSLR: Optical
• P&S: Digital LCD or Optical Tunnel
• Pros & Cons
• Manual Control over almost everything!
• Sensor size image quality (Noise)
• Interchangeable lenses.
• Size & weight
• Bulkiness
• Price…etc.

11. The Viewfinder

12. Point-&-Shoot Vs. DSLR Image Quality
Canon 20D KM A2
ISO 200 ISO 200
Shutter Speed 1/320 Shutter Speed1/800
F11 F9

13. Point-&-Shoot Vs. DSLR Image Quality
Canon 20D KM A2
ISO 400 ISO 400
Shutter Speed1/400 Shutter Speed 1/400
F11 F9

14. Point-&-Shoot Vs. DSLR Image Quality
Canon 20D KM A2
ISO 800 ISO 800
Shutter Speed1/640 Shutter Speed1/3200
F11 F9

15. Point-&-Shoot Vs. DSLR Sensor Sizes
•The Larger the sensor:
•The better is the quality of the image.
•The more is the area of the scene
covered in the photograph.
•The more expensive is the camera.
•Canon 5D Mark II is a full frame camera
that costs around SR12,000.
•Common DSLR cameras sensors’ area
are 62% of the full frame DSLRs. Their
prices are between SR2,000 & SR5,000.
•Full frame cameras have their own type
of Lenses that are specially manufactured
to suit their large sensors.
•Point & Shoot Cameras have small
sensors:
ONLY 4% - 6% of the full frame Camera Sensors!

16. Point & Shoot are still good!
Your eye and
how it sees things
is what make a
picture a beautiful
one.
This photograph
is taken by simple
point & shoot
camera, yet it is
beautiful!

17. R U Bored?
Here comes the interesting part

18. DSLR Photography
• Parameters affecting the image:
1. Shutter Speed
2. ISO Speed
3. Aperture (f-number)

19. Shutter Speed
• It is the time over which the shutter is open.
• The Shutter:
– A mechanical diaphragm that opens to allow light to
impinge on (see) the sensor.
• Affects Exposure.
– Exposure is the amount of light falling on the
sensor.
• Measured in milliseconds (Short Exposure)
and in seconds (Long Exposure)

20. Shutter Speed
Short exposures:
– 1/4000th of a second (Daytime).
– 1/5th of a second (Low Light)
• FEE MOSHKILA! :@
– Tripod
– or use Burst Mood

21. Shutter Speed
Long Exposures:
• 1 Second
• 30 Seconds
• Bulb Mode
• Day & Night shots

22. Shutter Speed

23. Shutter Speed

24. Shutter Speed

25. Shutter Speed

26. Shutter Speed
How to Read it?
1/4000
4000
0” 5”
10”
BULB

27. ISO Speed
• I : International
• S: Standardizing
• O: Organization
– It is a measure of the sensitivity of the sensor.
• How fast a sensor (film or digital sensor) records the light it
sees.
• Ranges from 50 – 3200 128,000
• Larger range more EXPENSIVE!

28. ISO Speed
• Affects:
– Shutter Speed
– Image Quality
– LOWER IS ALWAYS
BETTER!
– 100 – 400 is good.

29. ISO Speed
• See in the dark, when flash undesirable

30. ISO Speed

31. Aperture Opening
• Controls the amount of
light seeing the sensor.
• Focus
• Sharpness
• Measured in f-numbers
– Kit Lens f: 3.5 – 5.6
– Low f: 1.2, 1.4, 2.2
– High f: 5.6 - 22

32. The F-Number
• It is inversely proportional to aperture.
– F = Focal Length / Diameter of the aperture opening.
• Use Higher F:
– Landscapes
– Details
– High Lighting (noon time)
• Lower F:
– Better Bokeh (blurred background/foreground)

33. The F-Number
• DOF:
– D – Depth
– O – Of
– F – Field
• Bokeh:
– The blurred background
• Lower F number, better DOF

34. The F-Number
• High F-Number for Details

35. The F-Number
• High F-Number for landscapes

36. The F-Number
• Where to Read it?

37. Summery of Parameters
Shutter ISO
Speed F-Number Speed

38. Focusing
• Focus Area
• Focus Points

39. Focusing
• Focus Points:
– 9 – 11
– Up to 56

40. Focusing
• Better focus
• Don’t forget to
adjust the f
number
• Manual Focus
• Auto focus:
– Press halfway
until the circle
stops blinking
F-Number

41. Other Parameters
• Metering
• White Balance

42. Which mode is better?
• Manual
• Av: ( Aperture Value AV)
or Aperture Priority.

43. Which mode is better?
• Manual:
– Use it when the camera is not predicting the
right shutter speeds for low light conditions
• Av:
– I always use it!

44. Lenses
• Focal Length:
– Ranges from 10 – 500 mm?
– The less the focal length, the wider the angle
– Longer focal lengths, better bokeh (DOF).
• F-Number.
– Changes with Focal Length.
– Prime Lenses
• F-number Does not change

45. Wide-Angle Lenses

46. Wide-Angle Lenses

47. Thank You!

48. Questions?

49. Muhannad.ghdaib@kaust.edu.sa
Mobile: 050 266 9405