File Formats Revisited

Digital photography has come a long way in the past decade. Cameras are offering higher resolution, better performance at high sensitivity settings and greatly reduced power consumption. More user-friendly functions (like live viewing) are being packed into ever smaller bodies, and prices are now affordable for even cash-strapped buyers. But file formats are one of the few features that have not changed.

Focus Testing

Reader query: Would you please be able to tell me where I can get an SLR camera/lens tested for optical quality. I am having focus problems and need to know if the problem is the equipment or me – while there is still some warranty.

Focusing in Difficult Situations

Correct focusing is the key to a successful photograph. But how often have you looked at a shot and discovered that the areas that should have been sharp are slightly blurred? By understanding how your camera’s AF system works – and how to use it effectively – you can take sharply focused pictures more often and control which areas in the image are sharp.

Filters for Digital Photography

There are two approaches to the use of optical filters with digital cameras. The first asserts that any extra glass inserted in the light path between the subject and the image sensor can degrade the image in various ways. The second maintains that filters are as useful to digital photographers as they were to those who captured pictures on film. The truth lies somewhere between these extremes.

Eight Days in the Taupo Volcanic Zone – Day 8: Tongariro Crossing

Today we would achieve the main objective of our trip to New Zealand: to walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Renowned as one of the great day walks in New Zealand, this 19.4 km track traverses steep volcanic terrain and climbs upwards through 800 metres vertically then down through 1050 metres of what promised to be quite the spectacular scenery, we booked on the first bus to leave Discovery Village and, accordingly, we arrived at the start of the walk at the Mangatepopo car park by 6.30 a.m.