Aperture in Digital Cameras

[marant]

I am ready to upgrade from my Powershot (partially due to the fact that it only goes to F8) and am running into questions about aperture when I look at other cameras. The spec sheets on both the new Canon and Nikon do not list an aperture, rather just say "NA". Do digital SLR's not have aperture readings in the conventional sense? How does one adjust for low or bright light? (On my Powershot I was trying to take pictures of waterfalls and either had to stop the water with fast shutter or overexpose. Is the answer to fiddle with the ISO of the camera?

Thanks for the help. I don't want to go much further until I understand what must be a very simple problem.

Mike

[JCW3]

The biggest thing one must under stand is the aperture rateing on most digital cameras are not equal to aperture rateings that are found with normal film cameras. The main reason behind this is sensor size and optical design. Consumer digital cameras often offer MUCH great DOF than normal Film's, but as far as metering, the results should be close.

If your looking at DSLR cameras, the reason it states NA, is probably because its going to depend on what lens you have mounted to it. Thats the be reason many go with DSLR. Also the larger sensor allows a little bit more of a similar effect with DOF that film often gives.

So YES, DSLR cameras readings are similar to film in the respect of metering, but NO there not in the respect of DOF.


As for your post about getting the dreamy effect when photographing a waterfall, you need to meter correctly. No mater what type of equipment or camera your using, the image is not going to turn out unless your metering it and exposeing it correctly.

The key to getting dreamy water is to slow the camera down as much as possible. The easiest thing if your not camera savy is to turn it to A mode. Set the f-stop as far down as it will go, such as f8 or f11. If you have manual ISO, drop it down as low as possible so 100 or 50. And shoot, if this does not work, then you will have to uses other elements such as ND filters for even a polirizer will drop you 2 stops.

I may recommend reading up a little on metering and exposure, this may help alot in explaining the areas your haveing problems with.

[marant]

JCW3

Thanks for the tips. Of course, the aperture would depend upon the lens and would change with each lens. Been away from my Rebel slr too long!

As to the waterfall, I tried to meter correctly, but just did not have a small enough f stop to do the job. That is the reason for my frustration and decision that I need a new camera. (at least that is my story to my wife......and I'm sticking to it!)

Mike