Single Lens Reflex Cameras

Single Lens Reflex Camera

Shutter Release

Shutter Speed Dial Hot Shoe-Flash

Film Re-Winder

Aperture Ring

Focusing Ring

Lens Release ButtonFilm Release Button

Film Winder

Film Speed Dial

Film Hatch

Inside the S.L.R.

The single lens reflex (S.L.R.) Camera uses a 45° mirror to reflect the image up through a prism to the viewfinder.

The mirror is positioned in front of the film and flips up just before the shutter fires.

Finding the Correct Exposure Time

Correct Exposure

Film Speed

ApertureShutter Speed

[Film Speed, Aperture and Shutter Speed all affect each other combined they find the correct exposure time.]

Film Speed (ISO or ASA)

Film Speed measures the degree to which film is sensitive to light.

50 – 100 – 200 – 400 – 800 – 1600 - 3200 Fast Film Speeds Slow Film Speeds

High Quality Poor Quality Grainy

Slow films are used in bright light conditions or when a slower exposure is needed for high quality.

Fast films are used in low light conditions or when a fast exposure is needed.

Aperture

• The Aperture is the circular opening within a camera lens that determines the brightness of light reaching the film.

• Each aperture number or ‘click’ on the lens aperture ring is called a f-stop.

• Each time the aperture ring is changed by one number (f-stop) the amount of light passing through the lens either halves or doubles.

Depth of Field

Shallow depth of field Greater depth of field

f2.8 – f4 – f5.6 - f8 – f11 – f16

Depth of Field

Shallow depth of field Greater depth of field

f2.8 – f4 – f5.6 - f8 – f11 – f16

A wide aperture equals a low f-number(e.g. f2.8, f5.6). These apertures produce a narrow depth of field i.e. just the subject matter will be in focus not the background or foreground.

A narrow aperture equals a high f-number(e.g. f11, f16, f22). These apertures produce a large depth of field i.e. most of the photograph should be in focus.

Shutter Speed

SHUTTER SPEEDB 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500 1/1000

SHOWS MOVEMENT ◄ ► FREEZES MOVEMENT SLOWERSPEED FASTER SPEED MORE EXPOSURE TIME LESS EXPOSURE TIME

• Shutter speed is the length of time the shutter remains open. • Shutter speed is also referred to as ‘exposure time’.

• The Shutter speed is measured in seconds and fractions of seconds.

(Important to remember that you cannot use a slower shutter speed than 1/30 whilst handholding the camera, otherwise you will get camera shake.)

Shutter Speed

Slower Shutter Speeds shows movement

Faster Shutter Speeds freezes movement

Light MeterThe camera uses a Light Meter to find the correct exposure time.The light meter is either ;

1. Built into the camera (Through The Lens or TTL)2. A separate hand held unit

The light meter will indicate the correct combinations of apertures and shutter speeds.

Shutter Speed and Aperture Combinations Chart

ShutterSpeed

Aperture

Slower shutter speedMore light reaches filmMore chance of motion blurring

Faster shutter speedLess light reaches film

Less chance of motion blurring

Smaller apertureLess light reaches filmMore depth of field

Larger apertureMore light reaches film

Less depth of field

How were these images taken?

1. 2.

3. 4.