Part 9. : Manipulating a digital camera
"Using a digital camera as the first step to a film-based camera"

One important function of a digital camera is White Balance function, which is not included in a film camera. (cf. .3. "Adjusting color with White Balance function")
Auto White Balance AWB function of a digital camera is very excellent. Even if you do nothing special, you can capture an image of which colors are very close to original colors. And when you take a picture manually, by operating only some buttons, you can adjust colors of an image and a print fairly freely.

Photo 1.1.a.
White Balance function of a digital camera.
Simple and worth using it

Photo 1.1.d.
To adjust colors properly for a film-based camera,
you need many accessories such as filters,
much knowledge, and much effort.
When you adjust colors through the use of a film-based camera,
you must understand characteristics of a film and light sources,
and prepare many color compensation filters as necessary.
That is, you need much knowledge and many devices

Photo 1.1.b.
For a shadow scene like this,
a digital camera can have a good result.
It is difficult for a film-based camera
to take a good picture under the conditions

Photo 1.1.c.
An image taken by a film-based camera.
Since the light in the shadow scene has high color temperature,
the image tends to become bluish

For a compact-type digital camera, close-up shooting is easy, unexpectedly. The reason for this is fairly complicated, so, unfortunately, I omit it.
Nikon COOLPIX cameras have very excellent "Macro close-up" function.

The important points of close-up shooting are the following points, as described in the previous issue.

• Set a focus mode to "Macro close-up" mode. (The flower symbol is highlighted.)
• Use a tripod to avoid a camera shake. This is strongly recommended.

• If you set the built-in flash to "Flash Cancel", a more natural image is captured.

Photo1.2.a.
A lens of a compact type digital camera
(COOLPIX 775). Comparing with a film-based camera,
a focal length of a compact-type digital camera is shorter.
This leads to better close-up performance.

A compact-type digital camera can easily perform the close-up shooting, but a compact-type film camera (which has direct-viewfinder) cannot always do it so easily.

Even if you use an SLR film camera, you need some accessories (such as a close-up lens and a close-up ring). Why?

Because an imaging device of a compact-type digital camera is fairly smaller than the frame of a film-based camera. So, even if both of the picture angles are nearly equal, a focal length of a digital camera is shorter than that of a film-based camera. This gives a digital camera a deep depth of field. So, it is easy for a digital camera to focus on a close subject. And a lens designer can design a better close-up performance for a digital camera.

But in an digital SLR camera that has an imaging device as large as the frame of a film-based camera, a close-up structure is as difficult as that of a film-based camera. That is, a fact that digital camera is good at close-up shooting is not a feature specific to a digital camera.

Photo1.2.b.
You can get very close to a subject
by just setting a focus mode to [Macro close up]

Photo1.2.c.
The resulting digital image.
It is difficult for a film-based camera
to capture such a close-up photo

Photo1.2.d.
An SLR camera with a standard 28-80mm zoom lens (Nikon F65/N65) is used for close-up shooting

Photo1.2.e.
The resulting photo.
This is a limit of an image taken by a standard set of an SLR camera

When it comes to an SLR camera, it is almost a synonym for a professional's camera.

One of the reasons why an SLR camera is called so is that a photographer can observe an exact image through a screen viewfinder, thereby he can check a whole image and an appearance of the image. Common users may not be interested in this point, but it is important for professionals to be able to expect how and what an image will be captured. The SLR camera can satisfy the demands of professionals.

But now, even a compact-type digital camera surpasses an SLR camera with a viewfinder screen. Why ?

In a digital camera, by using the LCD monitor, you can properly check an appearance of an image before your shot, and can immediately check a captured image just after the shot. The immediate checking after a shot is a feature of a digital camera alone, and it is absolutely impossible for a film-based camera to do the same thing. In film photography, even an instant camera cannot provide a picture before developing, and a user cannot check how and what a picture will be taken before developing.
The immediate checking just after a shot means that a user can achieve an image without any defect. But, regardless of this advantage, you still have the possibility that you could miss the best shot, as a matter of course. And you also have the possibility that you could fail to take an image carelessly.

Photo1.3.a.
She views a subject through a direct (optical) viewfinder.
The viewfinder is positioned apart from a camera lens, so parallax,optical deviation when viewed from different directions, occurs and she cannot have an exact appearance of an image

Photo1.3.b.
A view through a optical viewfinder.
When you take a close subject, use a frame positioned to the right and below

Photo1.3.c.
She is viewing a subject with the LCD monitor.
This way allows a user to check an appearance of an image before shooting and to check a captured image just after shooting.
But be careful for a camera shake !

Photo1.3.d.
An image displayed on the LCD monitor.
This image is formed by the light through the camera lens, as well as an SLR camera

When you use a compact-type digital camera, you'll notice a time delay between the time shutter-release button is pressed and the time shutter-release sound arises (some cameras have no shutter sound). And there is further a time delay between the time the shutter-release sound arises and the time a captured image is displayed on the LCD monitor. These delays are very annoying, though the former delay is only a fraction of a second and the latter delay is about a second.

Though these delays are short, we tend to miss a good photo opportunity such as the time when a child smiles. These delays make us annoying.

So, when a photo opportunity is important, a film-based camera is better than a digital camera, though a film-based camera has another problem of auto focusing operation time, which also makes us annoying. In any case, we should master the operations of the camera. And press a shutter-release button as quickly as possible.

For now, there is no compact-type digital camera that has a negligible time delay. But an SLR-type digital camera gives us a time delay almost equal to that of a film-based camera. Probably, in several years, a compact-type digital camera that has a negligible time delay will make its debut inexpensively.

Photo 2.1.a.
This example photo shows that a film-based camera is less prone to miss a photo opportunity.
8 of 10 shots succeeded to capture a moment of jumping

Photo 2.1.b.
A compact-type digital camera tends to have a failure like this.
Only 2 of 10 shots succeeded to capture a moment of jumping.
For a compact-type digital camera,
the shooting without a time delay is a difficult thing

I, previously, explained that a compact-type digital camera is good at macro close-up shooting. That is because a compact-type digital camera has a shorter focal length lens. And this feature also allows the camera to focus on a subject within a wide range, from near to far (i.e., a digital compact camera has a deep depth of field.)

This is, at the same time, a defect that a digital compact camera cannot take an image with a large blurry effect on a background (i.e., a digital compact camera cannot have a shallow depth of field). Even if you take an image using so-called "Portrait" mode, you may not have a satisfactory image like a film-based camera.

This defect comes from a characteristic of short focal length. If you want to take an image with a large blurry effect on a background, you should use a film-based camera having a lens of a longer focal length. Meanwhile, unlike a digital compact camera, an SLR-type digital camera equipped with an interchangeable lens can take an image with a large blurry effect on a background.

Photo 2.2.a.
This image is enlarged using Photo 1.1.b, which is taken by COOLPIX 775.
Compare this image with Photo 2.2.b. for left background blurry effect

Photo 2.2.b.
This image is enlarged using Photo 1.1.c,
which is taken by Nikon F65/N65 with the maximum aperture of standard zoom lens.
If a lens of a larger maximum aperture is used,
a larger blurry effect on a background is obtained

Photo 2.2.c.
A standard zoom lens, which is often sold in combination with Nikon F65/N65, has a focal length of 28 - 80 mm, which is several times that of a digital compact camera lens

Photo 2.2.d.
An image in the viewfinder screen of Nikon F65/N65.
This image is very fine and smooth, letting a user view the image finely

Though film-based cameras seem to be old-type cameras, today's film-based cameras adopt various digital technologies in its body. For example, they often use operational buttons instead of operational members (parts) such as a lever and a knob. And signs and announcement are displayed by a liquid crystal display.

Thus, recently, large differences in camera operations between a film-based camera and a digital camera are reducing.

But once we handle a manual-type film camera, we have a nice feeling of camera handling. This type of feeling will never be created by a digital camera.

Feelings of basic camera operations, such as winding a film, turning a focusing ring to focus a subject, and setting shutter speed and aperture with dials, are well tasted only by a manual-type film camera.

And, comparing with digital photography, film-based photography has a feeling of "one shot deal". That is, in film-based photography, a user sees a captured picture only after developing. This may be somewhat similar to our life that cannot be experienced once more.

Although mainstream camera-technologies are autofocus, simplification, and so on, a manual-type film camera, which is operated by hand each time, may become a real luxury in the future.

Photo 2.3.a.
Film winding lever:
recently, many film cameras don't have it

Photo 2.3.b.
Setting f/stop by turning an aperture ring.
There is a focusing ring ahead of an aperture ring

Photo 2.3.c.
Setting shutter speed. In recent cameras, shutter speed is set with a button or a dial, viewing a liquid crystal display

The most common photographic film is 35 mm film (also called 135-format film).

A camera that uses a 35 mm film is called 35 mm camera. And a 35 mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera is an SLR camera that uses a 35 mm film.

Well, what does "35 mm film" mean? "35 mm film" is a film that has a width of 35 mm. 35 mm width is a distance between both sides of a film. Adjacent to each of the sides, there is a line of perforations, respectively. A size of a frame is 24 x 36 mm.

This film is contained in a light-shielded container (called "cartridge", "magazine", or "cassette "), winded around a spool. When you purchase a new film, a leader portion of a film strip is protruded from a cartridge.

Other than this film, there are many different types of films in shape and size. But for a beginner, 35 mm film is most recommended. You can get it anywhere in the world and choose various 35 mm films made by manufactures.

Photo 3.1.a.
When you open a paper film-box (upper left),
these things are included.
They are a soft plastic case (upper right)
and a metal cartridge (held by the right hand)
in which a film strip is winded around a spool

Photo 3.1.b.
A 35 mm film has a width of 35 mm.
The frame size is 24 x 36 mm.
A length of 35 mm film is about 170 cm (5.5 ft.)
for a 36-frames type film

35 mm films are classified into the following three types.
In each film type, there are various films that are different in sensitivity.
You should start with a film of sensitivity 400 (ISO 400) for your desired type.

Photo 3.2.a.

1. Color negative film
   A color negative film is a film that is used to print a color print. This film is the most used film.
   Film base has transparent orange color. An image is formed on the film base in complementary colors and negative tones.
   By using the negative film, a color image is printed on a color photographic paper, reproducing original colors and tones.
   Colors and tones can be fairly adjusted when making a print.

Photo 3.2.b.

2. Color reversal film
   Color reversal film is also called "slide film" or "positive film" because it is used as a slide and its image is formed positively.
   When you take a picture using color reversal film, adjustment by filters and exposure compensation work very effectively and bring beautiful colors. So, color reversal films are used as originals for printing. And color reversal films are also used by people who enjoy photography as an interest.

Photo 3.2.c.

3. Black-and-White film
   A black-and-white film is a negative film through which a black-and-white print is printed. Various colors are converted into black-and-white tones.
   Recently, in Japan, black-and-white films are not so used, so printing price of them is higher than that of color prints, and the time necessary for black-and-white printing is larger than that for color printing.
   But there are many enthusiasts who like to develop black-and-white films and prints by themselves.

The most different points between a digital compact camera and a film-based SLR camera are whether to insert a film and to change a lens.
When you use an SLR camera, you may stumble a little. But people who can handle a digital camera also can handle an SLR camera. Try handle an SLR camera referring to the manual.
An SLR camera doesn't have large differences in operating body members (parts). For example, the differences are such things as buttons are operated instead of dials and rings. Don't think of an SLR as a complicated device. Handle it, comparing with a digital camera.
Here, I introduce the handling of Nikon F65/N65, though it is a part of the handling.

Photo3.3.a.
You can change a lens, so you can enjoy various images.
Changing a lens of an SLR corresponds to changing a converter of a digital compact camera

Photo 3.3.b.
You can insert a film in a light circumstance.
In the case of full automatic camera, you insert a cartridge into a camera, pull a film leader to align a tip of the leader with a mark, and close the rear cover.
In the case of a manual camera, more operations are necessary, but they are not so difficult

Photo 3.3.c.
The idea of the Exposure mode is basically common in both the SLR camera and the digital camera.
First, use [AUTO] mode, then use Vari-Program mode,
[P] (Auto-Multi Program) mode,
[A] (Aperture-Priority) mode,
and [M] (Manual) mode

Photo3.3.d.
Zooming:
Many digital cameras are zoomed by buttons and dials, but an SLR camera is commonly zoomed by turning the zoom ring with the left hand.
You'll get accustomed to zooming it, while you are handling it

Photo 3.3.e.
Exposure Compensation:
The Exposure Compensation is the same in an SLR and a digital camera.
Film-based camera cannot check captured image at once, so it is better to take plural pictures, changing exposure greatly.
This is a shortcut to an advanced photographer

Now, I have reached the end of the last issue of the series.
Honestly speaking, I purchased a color printer for the first time in the end of the last year. I wondered its excellent image quality and usability, so I thought that silver-halide films might become unnecessary in the near future.
And I had a fear that the terrific time is starting for film-camera lovers.

On the other hand, I always have a pleasant feeling when I load a film into a manual-type film camera and take a picture. Using a film camera, one sometimes fails to take a picture. But, in reality, failing to take a picture is a very interesting thing.

Everyone hopes to take a faultless picture, but the captured faultless picture is not so interesting. This might be similar to a fact that although everyone wishes to have a life without failure, but such a life is not so interesting.

I hope you to see again somewhere.

Written by KUMON, Yasushi (Experiment Photographer)