Digital SLR

New camera buyers often overlook the software that is supplied with a digital camera. However, it's an important part of the overall package because it can help you to get the most out of your camera in a number of different ways. All DSLRs are supplied with a software CD, which usually contains an image file browser and raw file conversion software. Raw file converters range from very basic browser-type applications that only allow users to view raw images and convert them into JPEG or TIFF format to those which provide a full range of adjustments as part of the conversion process.


The browser/viewer interface in Canon's Digital Photo Professional software, which is supplied with all Canon DSLR cameras.

Some software disks also contain a combined viewing/downloading application which catalogues files as they are downloaded and allocates them to folders. These are usually identified by the date and time of the download.

Basic viewer/downloading applications usually allow users to view thumbnails in various sizes and display full images and enlarged shots. You can tag shots with star ratings for sorting, rotate shots and view slideshows with a selection of transition effects. It may also be possible to email and print shots directly from the user interface.

Some manufacturers include multi-lingual versions of the camera user's manual in PDF format. Others provide simple editing and/or panorama stitching applications. Professional cameras are often supplied with software for using the camera when it is connected ('tethered') to a computer, wireless transmission support or GPS data tagging facilities. But the most critical application for photographers who want to get the most from their DSLRs is the raw file converter.

Canon's EOS Digital Solution Disk also includes a Picture Style Editor that allows users to create their own Picture Style files, which can be uploaded to the camera. Adjustments are provided for colour tone, colour saturation, contrast and sharpness. Photographers can also fine-tune specific colours by adjusting hue, saturation and luminosity, as well as changing the tone curve.


Canon's Picture Style Editor allows photographers to change Picture Style modes, adjust the settings used to create a shot and save new Picture Styles for future use.


Fine-tuning is provided for sharpness, contrast, colour saturation and colour tone.

 
Clicking on the Show Affected Area on images box on the Tool palette lets users see which parts of the image will be affected before making changes.

Up to 100 colour adjustment points can be specified and tweaked via three display modes: RGB, LAB and HSL. Sets of adjustments can be saved as Picture Style files with the *.PF2 extension for registration and use in any Canon camera that includes the Picture Style function. Currently, this software only supports raw images shot with cameras released after July 2007 but future versions will support future models - although no reverse compatibility to older EOS models is planned.

Some software bundles - or applications in them - include printing software that integrates with the drivers of most popular photo printers.

Bundled Raw File Converters
Bundled raw file converters vary from powerful, intuitive and easy to use programs to with limited capabilities that are downright frustrating. A good raw file converter will integrate effectively with your workflow - and your favourite editing software. This integration should include a raw file browser and the ability to apply settings from one image to a group of other images.

Some manufacturers develop their own raw conversion software in-house, while others use third-party applications that have been adjusted to work with the proprietary data. In-house programs usually integrate more effectively with the camera's data and settings. Nobody knows an image file better than the engineers who designed the camera!


Canon's Digital Photo Professional provides a full range of adjustments for CR2.RAW files and supports 16-bit TIFF conversion.

Proprietary raw converters are designed specifically for the manufacturer's cameras and may support one, several or all models in the range. Updates are often provided when new cameras are added. Since these updates may include additional functions and/or fixes to known problems they are worthwhile having. (Check the manufacturer's website for details.)

While the raw file converters supplied with DSLR cameras generally allow photographers to convert raw images into 16-bit TIFF files, care must be taken when selecting an image editing application for further adjustments. The simplest image editors are usually restricted to 8-bit files so DSLR photographers who plan to shoot raw files can only work with the more sophisticated applications.

Editing Software
Applications that support 16-bit TIFF files include Adobe's Photoshop and the latest versions of Photoshop Elements; ACDSee Pro 2, Corel Paint Shop Pro and PhotoImpact (both of which are distributed by Corel) and The GIMP. Photoshop is a professionally-priced package and the others are affordably-priced (or free).

Paint Shop Pro and Photo Impact both contain basic raw file converters, while a free plug-in, Adobe Camera Raw, is available for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to provide powerful raw file conversion facilities. The GIMP is a freeware application without raw file conversion capabilities.

While freeware applications are often very capable, the level of support is negligible, whereas purchased products tend to provide a high degree of online support and are better for photographers with minimal computer experience.

Most of the above applications are available as trial downloads from the developers' websites. Try-out times range from 15 to 30 days, during which time you can use the software for free. When the trial period expires, you will be offered the opportunity to purchase the application.

Accessories
Accessories can expand your shooting capabilities and greatly enhance the satisfaction you can gain from owning a DSLR camera. Most manufacturers offer a wide selection of accessories including lenses, flash units, image storage devices, remote controllers, rechargeable batteries and lens filters. Some also include wireless file transmitters to transfer images wirelessly, interchangeable focusing screens (for cameras that accept them), cables for connecting a GPS device and data security systems.

We've already covered lens options in Chapter 3 so in this chapter we'll look at some of the other accessories you could add to your kit.

Accessory flash units allow photographers to attach a light source to the camera for use in situations where more light is required for a correct exposure - or to allow the photographer to take the shot with the desired lens aperture setting without risking camera shake. They are also required by professional cameras which lack a built-in flash.


Canon's Speedlite 430EX II is a good choice for keen photographers as it provides a huge increase in light output with a wide range of controls.

Although the flash unit requires its own battery (or batteries), the hot-shoe fitting allows it to connect electronically with the camera to support TTL (through-the-lens) flash exposure metering. This shuts off the flash light when the correct amount of light has been delivered for the camera settings.

Flash units come in varying sizes, with different light emission levels. The 'power' of a flash is indicated by its Guide Number (GN), which defines the illumination range in feet and/or metres at a specified ISO setting (usually ISO 100). Many flash units have adjustable heads for 'bouncing' the light off ceilings, walls or other reflective objects to provide a 'softer' illumination.

Some cameras allow several flash units to be synchronised for multiple-flash set-ups. Special 'ring' flash units are available for macro shooting. They produce even illumination around the subject and are ideal for scientific and technical applications.


A portable storage device allows photographers to store the contents of many memory cards and also provides viewing and file organisation facilities.

Image storage devices are valuable for travelling photographers as they provide back-up facilities for downloading files from the memory cards used for picture-taking. Consisting of a laptop hard disk drive in an enclosure, they usually include a LCD screen for managing file transfers and viewing stored images and can display both JPEG and raw files.

Once the files have been transferred you can usually sort them into albums where you can view single images, index thumbnails and slideshows. Some can also play video clips and/or audio files. A few storage devices support direct printing via a USB cable but image editing is not provided. Typical storage capacities range from about 40GB to 100GB, with prices increasing with capacity.

Remote controllers allow you to trigger the camera's shutter from a distance. Two types are available, wireless and direct. Wireless controllers work with radio waves while direct controllers are plugged into a socket on the camera and operated via a switch.

Controllers have two main advantages:

1. They allow the shutter to be triggered without jiggling the camera or affecting the subject.

2. They allow the shutter to be kept open for more than 30 seconds when the camera is in Bulb mode.


A remote controller is required for photographing star trails. The camera's shutter is set for a Bulb exposure time (in this case, 30 minutes) before the controller is used to close it again.

Wireless file transmitters are special tools that provide high-speed transfer of image files from the camera to an FTP server where they are saved. Usually made only for professional cameras, they are a particularly valuable tool for photojournalists and sports photographers, although studio photographers also find them handy for transferring image files to a computer quickly.

The main advantage of wireless file transfer is the flexibility it provides. Photographers can move about on a location or in a studio and download images as they shoot without requiring the camera to be connected to a computer. They can also shoot RAW+JPEG files and send only the JPEGs.

 
A pro-sumer DSLR with a vertical battery grip attached to its base.

Because image files can be viewed immediately after they are captured, a wireless file transmitter will speed up a photographer's workflow. Transferred shots can be selected on a PC by an editor and displayed for review or sent on to newspaper offices. This setup is highly effective for workflow speed in sports, news and other fields where response time is crucial.

Another popular accessory is a vertical battery grip, which are handy for shooting portraits. Most DSLR manufacturers offer these for the professional and pro-sumer models in their ranges. A capacious camera bag is handy for carrying all your equipment. Some camera manufacturers include one or two bags in their product ranges but specialist manufacturers make and supply most products in this market.

USEFUL URLs
The following websites provide additional information on the topics covered in this article.
www.photoreview.com.au carries regular reviews of a wide range of accessory products.
www.adobe.com/downloads/ offers trial downloads of software applications such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and the latest Camera Raw plug-ins for raw file conversion.
web.canon.jp/imaging/picturestyle/index.html provides details of Canon's Picture Style settings and the Picture Style Editor. It also has additional Picture Styles that can be downloaded.
web.canon.jp/imaging/speedlite/index.html provides information on the latest Canon Speedlites.
web.canon.jp/imaging/osk/index.html outlines Canon's Original Data Security Kit and the cameras it can be used with.
web.canon.jp/imaging/wft/index.html contains information about Canon's Wireless File Transmitters.