In summary, the term Single Lens Reflex is a type of camera where what you see is seen through the lens not the view finder. The image is reflected on a mirror which passes through a prism, as you look through the view finder you are seeing what the lens sees not what the view finder is seeing. This gives the user a true view of what is being taken.
This type of camera has many advantages are are used by a lot of professionals, some disadvantages are that when taking a photo you lose sight of target when shutter operates(as you are looking through lens not viewfinder). However, the pin point accuracy more than compensates for this disadvantage.
~ The camera ~
At first the camera seems quite large, heavy and compicated for a 35mm camera. Only when you start to use it you realise how fantastic it really is. The camera is around 13 cm x 6.4 cm x 8.8 cm and weighs about 365g. It comes with a strap and detachable lens with lens cap. There are many lens types you buy as an extra for this but I have only usedthe one that comes as standard. The camera can be used as a point and shoot or setup for those "better quality shots". The camera modes are operated by a dial on top that you can choose from portrait, sport etc etc. Other features such as autofocus or manual focus can be operated by a switch near the lens and other features can be operated other buttons around the camera body such as continuous mode.
The film is very easy to load as you just pull some of the film out, place it in and it will auto load film for you to the correct position everytime. Once loaded correctly it will show on the LCD that you are ready to take first photo. So far this has been the best camera I have every used and don't think I will go back to cheap 35mm cameras.
The Lens - The lens that came as standard with my camera was a cannon 28-90mm with automatic or manual focus switch and a 0.38m macro. Further details Written on the
lens are that it is EF 28-90mm 1:4 - 5.6 II.
The camera has the usual base mounted tripod socket with a 1/4-20 thread and it has a flash mount on top. The camera is powered by 2 x CR2 which seem to last quite long, good job as they can be expensive.
~ Features ~
Focusing - One of the best features of this camera is its wide-area seven-point AutoFocus. Normally found in higher spec higher priced cameras. The seven points are placed both vertically and horizontally across the viewfinder. This enables the camera to recognize the subject's position in the picture frame and allow the user to capture a composition in perfect focus. This is very handy if you want to focus on particular areas without moving the camera and bringing other objects into view. The focusing points in the shape of a wide angle cross with 1 top focus point, 1 middle, 1 bottom, 2 left and 2 right and these can be selected manually or automatically.
• Full auto - This is the point and shoot mode. Turn the camera to this mode and snap away ! Full auto switches automatically between one-shot autofocus and AI servo modes, depending on whether the camera senses subject motion or not. It also uses single-frame wind with evaluative metering.
• Portrait mode - For taking head and shoulders photos of people. One shot AF, continuous wind, evaluative metering. Attempts to set the lens aperture as wide as reasonable in order to blur the background and set the foreground figure off from the ground. Having used this mode a fair bit myself you really can produce good portraits.
• Landscape mode - For taking photos of landscapes in case you can't guess. It is one-shot AF, single frame wind, evaluative metering. Attempts to set the aperture as small as reasonable for wide depth of field. I believe the built-in flash will not fire in this mode.
• Close-up/macro mode - For taking close-up photos of things. Requires a lens capable of close up photography to be truly useful. The lens that comes with it is fairly good but I would recommend a true macro lens if you are going to do a lot of those close up pics considering the default is 0.38m.
• Sports mode - For fast-moving subjects. AI servo AF, continuous wind, evaluative metering. Attempts to keep the shutter speed as high as reasonable, I believe the built-in flash will not fire in this mode either. This mode is very good for sports events such as motor racing, I have even managed to capture someone in mid air sliding down a vertical slide nice and clearly.
• Night mode - As you can guess for taking pictures during the night, apparently it is supposed the be quite good but i've only ever used it at special occasions such weddings etc. The problem with night vision is that it can't focus on fast moving object like people dancing.
~ Modes mentioned above - what are they ? ~
The camera has a number of winding, focussing and metering modes mentioned above. Here's what they mean. Note that you can't specify which of these modes you want to use as you can on midrange and pro EOS cameras - you can only use these modes as they're built into each of the basic modes by default.
• Single-frame wind - In this mode the camera takes one photo only for each push of the shutter release, even if you keep the shutter button held down.
• Continuous wind - In this mode the camera keeps snapping pictures at 1 frame per second as long as the shutter button is held down.
• One-shot AF (autofocus) - In this mode the camera locks in on your subject and doesn't refocus once you've achieved focus. It won't take a picture unless you're in focus or unless you're in manual mode. This is very good for taking shots of in-animate objects using a tri-pod or stand.
• AI ("artificial intelligence") servo mode - In this mode the camera tries to keep refocusing the lens as you track your subject. The camera's computer isn't that fast so the camera only shoots 1 frame a second. However, it is still a very useful function.
• Evaluative metering - The camera's default metering mode. It looks at the three metering zones and guesses a likely exposure setting. This works OK for basic photography, though the meter can be fooled by extreme metering conditions - such as a person standing in front of a window or with the sun behind them. Very good in situations where the light is consistant so that the camera doesn't have to guess too hard.
• Partial metering - The optional partial metering mode looks only at the 9.5% circle around the focus point - the area outlined in the viewfinder. This is the only one of these modes which can be engaged directly by a control if you want to turn it on.
• Centre-weighted average metering - A metering mode popular in the 1970s. This mode meters from the entire frame area, averaged out. And it gives greater importance to the central area. The camera uses this mode in manual metering by default - you can't use evaluative.
~ Creative zone modes ~
Counter-clockwise from the centre lock position are the five "creative zone" modes - P, Tv, Av, M and DEP. These modes afford varying degrees of control over your camera's settings, these are not meant for beginners. Actually, I suppose the SF and timer modes are also kind of in the creative zone. Due to the fact there are a few and would be hard to explain I will list them to give you an idea of what it has.
Program AE (auto-exposure) mode (P) - allows you to change exposure or just use auto.
Adjusting program AE (program shift, exposure compensation) - means you can alter the shutter speed and aperture value together whilst retaining the same exposure value.
Shutter priority AE mode (Tv) - In this AE mode you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically sets an appropriate lens aperture for you.
Aperture priority AE mode (Av) - In this AE mode you set the lens aperture and the camera automatically sets an appropriate shutter speed for you.
Metered Manual mode (M) - In this mode you set both the lens aperture and the shutter speed manually.
Depth of field AE mode (DEP) - DEP is short for "depth of field AE mode." Not to be confused with depth of field preview , DEP is a function that help you set the correct depth of focus field for your photos. Basically it tries to keep everything between two user-selected points in focus.
~ Other features ~
ISO (film speed) - Allows you to set the ISO of the film.
Self-timer - allows you to place camera in position and then you have 10 seconds to get ready.
Flash - a built in flash that is covered and pops up when using flash, the internal flash uses TTL flash metering only.
Redeye Reduction
Mid-roll rewind
Film prewind
~ Price ~
By the sounds of this you would think that this would be very expensive, well maybe in some peoples view but it cost me £150 brand new. If you shop around you will see this camera priced between £150 and £230. However, as I am not looking for this camera you may be able to get it even cheaper. Do not get this confused with the 300d as the 300d is a digital camera that cost way more and looks the same. I have also heard that you can mix some of the lenses for the 300d with the 300 giving you a good choice.
~ Ease of use ~
Even though all the above functions sound complicated, if you just use the dial on top of the camera to select certain modes it can be as easy as point and shoot. Both my partner and I use this camera and find it very easy especially as my partner gets scared of things with loads of features. The camera is very nice to hold and have designed it for comfort and use of buttons. The button for taking shots is on top of the camera but extends out slightly and at an angle so that your other fingers have a grip to hold. The position of this button also reduces the amount of camera shake when pressing the button. We have produced some great photos with this camera and would recommend it to anyone.
~ Sources ~
Some of the information here has been taken from other resources to save time in typing what is already available. The sources are as listed :
For those of you who like exact specifications please read on, if not then the review is now over.
~ Full Specs for the techs ! ~
Technical data
Main Specifications Product Description: Canon EOS 300V - SLR camera - 35mm Camera Type: SLR camera Dimensions (WxDxH): 13 cm x 6.4 cm x 8.8 cm Weight: 365 g Camera Format: 35mm Exposure Range: 1/2000 sec - 30 sec Continuous Shooting Speed: 2.5 frames per second Mounting Type: Canon EF Film Advance: Automatic Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism Camera Flash: Pop-up flash - AF illuminator Timer Functions: Self timer Red Eye Reduction: Built-in Battery: 2 x camera battery - CR2 - lithium Extended Specifications
General Depth: 6.4 cm Height: 8.8 cm Weight: 365 g Width: 13 cm
Camera Flash Camera Flash: Pop-up flash Features: AF illuminator Flash Modes: Auto mode, flash OFF mode, red-eye reduction Guide Number (m / ISO 100): 12 Lens Coverage: 28mm Red Eye Reduction: Built-in Shooting Distance: 1 m - 4.2 m : ISO 100
(+) Fold out LCD screen, Image Stabilization, Zuiko lens quality, Picture quality, Flash options (-) Noise in low light, Too many buttons, Badly laid out, Too many gimmicks
exceptional by (16%):
very helpful by (84%):
