SimCam

[wulf]

I have just come across an interesting site: SimCam (http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/).

By changing settings on a web page you can experiment with "photographing" various scenes using different combinations of aperture, shutter speed etc. It probably won't help people who have been shooting with SLRs and DSLRs in manual mode for years but should be a boon to the less experienced.

It's either that or go out and take a series of test shots and, while that is an invaluable exercise for learning how your camera works, this one can be used right now as you sit at your computer.

Enjoy!

Wulf

[jiminyClickit]

wulf,

'Tis a boon! Weeks have passed without finding a clever way to test-shoot a series for my edification, and here it is. Thankyouthankyou.

[mikem12188]

Great Site Wulf. Thank you very much for sharing.:)

[wulf]

It was particularly interesting to me as I was doing a similar test shoot on Saturday morning. In response to a creative challenge (Easter symbolism (http://www.flickr.com/groups/creative_tabletop_photography/discuss/72157600011865193/)) from a Flickr group, I was taking some pictures of a copper cross. Out of the set, I think this was my favourite:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wulf/sets/72157600023813973/detail/"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/432244401_3a99be9e3b.jpg" /></a>

Click on the image to see the others... I've published about 10% of the images I took and have discarded the rest. All had the camera in exactly the same position; I was learning how to use the fully manual mode, adjusting aperture, shutter time and ISO rating to see what effect that gave.

SimCam wouldn't have completed the assignment for me but is an excellent illustration of the kind of tweaking, testing and observing that I was doing with my camera.

Wulf

[smc1377]

Wulf, that reminds me of a couple neat interfaces similar to that from the Tamron website.

This first link is for comparing focal distances.

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php


This second like is interesting in that it is used to calculate depth of field, or at least help a person understand how DOF works in relation to focal length and aperture.

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/depth-of-field-comparison.php

[wulf]

That Tamron site is great. Do any of the other lens manufacturers do the same? It's a useful way of getting a feel for a lens before buying it - obviously not quite the same as actually using the glass itself but a fantastic, interactive illustration of the kind of difference that changing your lens can make.

Any more virtual cameras out there?

Wulf

[pyxeldust]

interesting site. thanks for posting it.

[xxpinballxx]

isnt this one of the links in Nicoles post on understanding lenses?
Great site regardless.....I played around with this for hours the first time I found it.
Really is nice visually seeing what it does

[Kpclark1959]

I am so glad I saw this. That site is going to be a great tool! Thanks for finding it.

[snapdragon]

I have just come across an interesting site: SimCam (http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/).

By changing settings on a web page you can experiment with "photographing" various scenes using different combinations of aperture, shutter speed etc. It probably won't help people who have been shooting with SLRs and DSLRs in manual mode for years but should be a boon to the less experienced.

It's either that or go out and take a series of test shots and, while that is an invaluable exercise for learning how your camera works, this one can be used right now as you sit at your computer.

Enjoy!

Wulf
This site is awsome , there is so much on there Thanks for the link . For those of you who have not checked this out ,it is a great place to find out about how to use settings for DOF , there is even a camera simulator ,:)fun to try . also links to what is what on bying cameras and where , saves a lot of research time + there are links to free editing soft ware and a guide for us beginners , so lots of good stuff , just wanted to pass it on .Enjoy , I marked as a fav cause i know I will be going back .:D