How to Buy Good Digital Camera

1. Determine what you need. A mistake I see some digital camera buyers making is that they get sucked into buying cameras that are beyond what they really need. Some questions to ask yourself before you go shopping: What do you need the camera for? What type of photography will you be doing? (portraits, landscapes, macro, sports) What conditions will you be largely photographing in? (indoors, outdoors, low light, bright light) Will you largely stay in auto mode or do you want to learn the art of photography? What experience level do you have with cameras? What type of features are you looking for? (long zoom, image stabilization, large LCD display etc) How important is size and portability to you? What is your budget?Ask yourself these questions before you go to buy a camera and you’ll be in a much better position to make a decision when you see what’s on offer. You’ll probably find the sales person asks you this question anyway – so to have thought about it before hand will help them help you get the right digital camera.
2. Talk to others. A recent study showed more than three-quarters of American households own at least one digital camera, so you should take advantage of the knowledge others have gained. Friends and family can be a great resource for learning about which digital cameras work well and which don't. You'll also be able to figure out which features are important to them, which may spark some ideas for you. Opinions posted on the Internet are OK, but face-to-face opinions from people you trust and know are much better.
   
3. Consider the resolution. Nearly all digital cameras use CCD's as the sensing element. This is what takes the place of film. The resolution is the number of pixels in the captured image. Computer images are divided into little dots called pixels. The more pixels, the more detailed the image can be. Here is a guide to choosing resolution, estimating the size print you can make from each:
   1.3 Megapixel = 1280x960: Great 4x6's, acceptable 5x7's.
   2 Megapixel = 1600x1200: Pretty good 8x10's.
   3 Megapixel = 2048x1536: Great 8x10's, good 11x14's.
   4 Megapixel = 2272 x 1704: Great 11x14's, and acceptable 16x20's.
   5 Megapixel = 2560x1920: Pretty good 16x20's.
   6 - 10 Megapixels = At this point you are usually limited by the lens, not the pixels. Casual photographers are satisfied with bigger prints from each size, while those who like to look at 8x10's from a distance of three inches think I am being too generous in the above evaluations.
4. Compare additional features you might want: interchangeable lenses, steady-shot, burst mode, auto exposure, automatic white balance, voice memo, variable shutter speeds, manual focus and self-timer.
   
5. Memory card format: SD or Secure Digital cards are the most popular card format in consumer cameras, they are available in capacities of up to 32GB. It should be noted that some older models are not SDHC complient, so they can not use SD cards larger than 2GB. Compact Flash cards are the standard in higher end SLRs, and are available in capacities up to 32GB as well. The Compact Flash card format has been in constant use since its inception in 1994, Compact Flash drives and related software drivers are compatible with nearly all operating systems.
   
6. Consider the power. All digital cameras use batteries for power although many digicams are also able to plug right into house current with an optional AC adapter for battery free (tethered) power. There are more varieties of digital camera batteries currently available than there are excuses for FEMA’s slow response to Hurricane Katrina. Batteries and chargers are included with most cameras. Digital cameras draw their operating power from two basic sources – available anywhere AA-size batteries or proprietary and model centric lithium-ion batteries. Travelers, particularly those who travel outside the U.S. , should choose a camera that uses AA batteries. When a camera that uses a proprietary battery runs out of power – users must either insert another battery (buying an extra proprietary battery will typically add from $30 to $100 to the final cost of your digital camera) or stop taking pictures until they re-charge the camera battery. If you are outside the U. S. this process requires not only an available outlet, a battery charger, and a power converter, but anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to fully charge the battery. When AA batteries are exhausted they can be discarded and replaced with fresh set of easily obtained available almost anywhere AA batteries. Smart shooters will bring along a couple of sets of long-life Energizer E2 Lithiums AAs, but over the counter Alkaline AAs will do fine in a pinch. Canon’s A series digicams like the A2100 IS (and several others) use AA batteries.
   

Compiled from various sources.

Going Green Should Be Our Priority

I have just finished watching an ABC's documentary movie titled "Earth 2100". This movie outlines us with the worst-case scenario of what will happen in the future if we don't start to change the way we live. Global warming is not a discourse that we can argue at but it is already a threat which someday possibly become our worst nightmare. The film starts with pessimistic tone but it wraps up in an optimistic tone that things can happen very differently when we start to do things differently.

It takes the character of a woman named Lucy who was born in 2009 and has to experience many shifts in the upcoming world. The lack of fossil fuels, melting ice on the pole, climate change, mass migration of people and animals, drought, famine, refugees, storms, water crises, viruses, and even post-technology dark ages. All these assumptions are preached by many scientists and experts who imagine what will happen in 2015 until 2100. They are foreseeing the future by using what we call as science. We should take good lesson from this simulation.

The exit doors are open when each of us starts to live differently. We should be careful with the use of energy and value green companies and products above others. We should be aware of our waste and start to live efficiently rather than ignorantly. Below are some lists of simple things that we can do which I take from this website. I encourage you to change as well.

• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
• Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
• Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
• Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
• Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.
• If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
• Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
• Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
• Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
• Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
• Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
• Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible
• Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.

So, what are you waiting for? Let's start going green from now on.

Download Ebook Gurita Cikeas & Kasus Century

Sebagai kado awal tahun dari blog ini, maka Jed akan membagikan 3 buah ebook hangat yang sedang menjadi perbincangan saat ini berkaitan dengan kasus Century.

• Membongkar Gurita Cikeas oleh George Junus Aditjondro
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Semua ebook tersebut bisa diunduh dari alamat di bawah ini

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Caranya: Ikuti petunjuk yang diberikan oleh RapidShare. Cuma bisa diunduh oleh 1o orang dan expire setelah 60 hari.

Selamat menikmati.

Hey Hey Hey 2010

It's been a way long time since I last blogged. I have been preoccupied with many other things other than blogging: such as the micro-blogging websites (Twitter and Plurk) as well as social networking websites (Facebook). I have spent my life and my days differently. I'm more busier with my job. I'm already engaged and preparing for my wedding this year with another blogger, IchaSweetz. My mom has passed away last year which brought another new chapter in my life. Now, I'm spend a lot of time thinking and preparing for my future.

I still don't know what I'm going to write about. It's been a long time since I last blogwalked. I need fresh inspiration. I think I also need to change this blog template to give it new touch. Anyway, if you're there please give me support by commenting on this blog.

Here is one of my captures of my hometown, Teluk Betung from my camera. I specifically pinpoint the old building left standing amidst the new development. The complete album can be viewed at this Facebook page.