Photo Ring

Loading your SRT camera with a fresh roll of 35mm film is a simple matter. If you are new to the camera, however, you should take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the process in detail.

Get in the habit of never opening the camera back unless you are absolutely sure there is no loaded film inside. If you open the back while film is outside of the metal cassette, the film will be ruined. To check, flip up the crank handle on the rewind knob. Carefully turn the crank in a clockwise direction. If the handle spins freely, there is no film loaded in the camera, or the film has been safely rewound inside it’s protective cartridge.

If the handle will not turn, there is loaded film in the camera. You will need to rewind the film so you can safely open the back. Turn the camera upside down and press down on the clutch button. You will find the clutch located inside a small triangular shaped recess in the bottom. Press it down until it clicks and remains depressed. Return the camera to the upright position, then crank the film clockwise until the handle spins freely.

Now you can open the back. Grasp the rewind knob and pull upward in a slow, steady motion. As you pull the knob upward, you will hear a metallic click and the back will spring open. Swing the back fully open. If there is an exposed cassette in the camera, pull up on the same rewind knob and lift the cassette out.

Take a fresh roll and pull the leader out from the cassette about five inches. Place the cassette into the left side of the camera with the plastic nipple facing down. Lift up on the rewind knob to allow the cassette to fit into place, then press down on the knob to secure the film cassette.

Now take the film leader and drag it across the film platen so it fits over the dual sprockets. Insert the narrow part of the leader into the slots on the take up spool.

Once the leader is snagged onto the spool, crank the wind lever one time, watching to see that the sprocket holes engage the sprockets properly. If everything looks OK, close the back, pressing on the left edge until you hear it click into place.

Now wind the shutter lever two more times. To advance the film, you will have to press the shutter release each time the lever reaches the end of it’s movement. At this point, glance at the film counter. It should be pointing at 1. Do not be greedy. If you try to stretch your film by not advancing the film advance the full two frames, you will probably find the first image is fogged. So make sure to wind the full two frames.

Although the SRT has a robust film transport, if you do not engage the film onto the take up spool properly, it is possible for the film to slip free. If this happens, the film will not advance. In essence, you will wind up taking all your exposures on one single frame.

Minolta obviously realized this could be a problem, as they included a “Safe Load” indicator on later models of the SRT series. Do not be concerned if you own one of the majority of the SRTs that do not have this feature. It is easy to check if the film is loaded properly.

Use the same rewind trick described to check for loaded film. After you have closed the back and cranked the wind lever twice, flip up the film crank and carefully try to wind the film counter clockwise. (Do not press the clutch button) If you can move the crank more than half a turn, the film has probably slipped free. Wind it backwards a few more turns, open the back and reload the film properly.

If the film appears to be loaded OK, glance at the rewind knob when you advance the film. If film is moving through the camera, every time you advance the shutter, the rewind knob will turn counter clockwise.

After you have taken all the pictures on the roll, you must rewind it back into the cassette before opening the back and removing the cassette. If you have been paying attention, you already know how to do this. Depress the clutch button, then carefully rewind the film using the rewind knob. You will feel the film when it tugs free from the take up spool. Spin the knob a few more times until it spins freely. Now you can open the camera and removed the film for processing.

For more information on the SRT model cameras, visit the SRT page on squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/minoltasrt

For photography tips and ideas, try http://alphatracks.com where you will find digital cameras and general photography articles.

Tom Bonner provides photography and web design services to clients in the Gastonia, North Carolina area. You can find out more about Tom at http://adventuresindesign.com

It helps to be practical nowadays. If you are into photography, you can still be frugal. You know how much this hobby costs. You can opt for cheap Nikon cameras and get the job done.

In fact, a lot of photographers use Nikon cameras for that very reason. They come in cheap models but they still have the best quality of all film or digital cameras available out there.

If you are looking for cheap Nikon cameras, be it for digital or film, you’re sure that you will get the same quality and at the same time save your money.

The D40 is not as expensive as most cameras but it can still provide the photographer the same features he needs in order to get the shots that the wants. Film cameras are for people who don’t shoot much and aren’t really inconvenienced by having to have this developed.

But there are still photographers who prefer film. There are cheap Nikon cameras that still use film which they can use. They can also see that when they have the prints made, the look is very clear. It’s as if these were taken using a digital camera.

If the photographer is doing posed or landscape or what is known as the non-action photography, cheap Nikon cameras get the work done because the Nikon camera models are very careful and these use slides or transparency films that can actually give better results than a digital camera ever would.

However, if you want to really invest in photography, then a camera at its original price is right for you.

But if you’re still trying photography as a hobby and need cameras, then we recommend that you check out the cheap Nikon cameras. There are so many models to choose from.

For basic photos, one doesn’t have to mess with the settings of the digital Nikon. In fact, the cheap Nikon cameras – be these N55 or N75 can easily carry out the task of any digital camera that is used in professional photography because of its built-in flash.

If one chooses to use lenses or external flash, these can be bought from Nikon stores. Not sure if this will also come at a cheaper price though. But one thing is for sure, they are sold to those who are into photography.

So if you are a budding photographer, then there is no harm in trying your hand out in the hobby. You don’t have to worry about spending too much because you can just get the cheap Nikon cameras and do the work.

Discover where to buy cheap nikon cameras online. Learn where to buy cheap SLR cameras at my site.

From the Manufacturer

The HDR-HC3 is everything you’ve come to expect from the industry’s smallest and lightest camcorder as of February 1, 2006, plus a few extras. Instantly switch back and forth between HD and SD recording modes, capture 4.0-megapixel still images, and enjoy unprecedented detail and color reproduction with the ClearVid CMOS sensor.

The HC3’s 1/3″ ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity for both video and still images.

2.1-Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid CMOS Sensor

1/3″ ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and still-image performance (4.0 megapixels). Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.

HDV Recording Format

From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony’s HDR-HC3 camcorder is the industry’s smallest and lightest HDV1080i consumer-level camcorder and player (as of February 1, 2006). Now you can conveniently record all your memories in true high-definition video.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording

The HDR-HC3 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec Engine

Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording.

10x Optical/80x Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens reduces

glare and flare and increases color saturation.

Professional-Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

A 2.7-inch vari-angle touch-panel LCD makes

framing and filming a snap.

2.7-Inch Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD plus Display (211K Pixels)

The 2.7-inch wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with imporoved resolution. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media

Capture still images up to 2304 x 1728 resolution directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Dual Record

While recording video in high definition, you have the ability to capture a 2.3-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media.

Assignable Dial

Built into the lens body of the camera, the assignable dial can be used not only for focus or exposure, but may also be customized by the user to control Auto Exposure (AE) Shift, Exposure, Focus, and White Balance (WB) Shift. In playback mode it allows you to control the volume.

Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System

Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake” without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.

Cinematic Mode

Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC3 Cinematic mode lends 24-frame film-like effect to your recordings.

i.LINK Interface (IEEE1394)

A high speed bi-directional digital video-audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.

Tele Macro Function

Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

Active Interface Shoe

Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

Built-In Intelligent Flash

For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.

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How can you describe the big names in camera manufacturing : Nikon , Canon , Pentax , Fujifilm and Sony ?

If you find different cameras that have almost same specifications but from different above manufacturing what will prefer ?. Do you think that the price will be the only reason to think about or camera name especially for DSLR will also take place in your choice.
In other words does Nikon has the first place in lens quality and body durability. then Canon ,Pentax and others.

Actually which is best has more to do with your competency as a photographer and the subjects you tend to shoot.

Here is how you can figure out which system is best for you.

Go into a camera store and see which camera fits your hands the best.

See which cameras menu is the easiest for you to use to make changes in ISO, camera resolution, white balance, shooting modes and EV changes.

Finally take a SD card with you and test each camera at their highest and lowest ISO as well as when using the white balance that matches the light in the store as well as with it in the “auto white balance” mode.

Once you get home and are able to see the results, you will know which camera is better for YOU, not us

Just because sports and editorial photographers prefer Nikon, studio and landscape photographers prefer Canon’s, wedding and portrait photographers prefer Fujifilm, amateurs prefer Pentax and Sony, that is no reason to assume you will choose the same brands.

You have to test and decide which one will do what YOU want .