Camera & Gear

[Pho.Snap] Are UV Filters Worth It? Pros and Cons

[Pho.Snap] Are UV Filters Worth It? Pros and Cons

For digital shooters, the main reason to use a UV filter is to protect the front element of the lens. Digital sensors are largely insensitive to UV radiation. With a UV filter on, you can avoid having to wipe the lens directly. It is also a cheap solution to scratches. This sort of protection is especially essential for shooting in the rain or in violent situations, for example.

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[Pho.Talk] The Definitive Guide to Zoom Lenses

[Pho.Talk] The Definitive Guide to Zoom Lenses

While things have changed drastically today in how zoom lenses fare against its prime counterparts, it is still somewhat true that the quality of zoom lenses could fluctuate quite a bit.

In this article, we will look how and when professional photographers use zoom lenses, whether they are worth the investment, and what to look out for in choosing a zoom lens fit for your needs.

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[Pho.Talk] Is the Olympus XA a Good Camera?

[Pho.Talk] Is the Olympus XA a Good Camera?

Overall, the Olympus gives excellent image sharpness and contrast at around f/5.6, though exhibiting some edge aberration and vignetting. It is extremely lightweight and pocketable even with the flash unit mounted, providing no excuse to not bring it out. It can meter from ISO 25-800, which together with a 35mm lens, makes a solid all-rounded everyday camera.

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[Pho.Snap] Is 24mm Good for Street Photography?

[Pho.Snap] Is 24mm Good for Street Photography?

Any lens is good for street photography as long as you use it for the right type of situation. Street photography spans across such a wide range of subjects and approaches that no one lens is going to be ‘the best lens’ across the board. Rather, every focal length has its own strong suit, the 24mm is no different. The more relevant question is, therefore, what type of street photography is the 24mm good for? In this article, we will discuss just that.

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[Pho.Snap] Best Focus Settings for Street Photography: Manual/ Auto, Prime/ Zoom

[Pho.Snap] Best Focus Settings for Street Photography: Manual/ Auto, Prime/ Zoom

Focus techniques and getting sharp images in street photography rightly concerns many street photographers. This article discusses various manual focusing techniques including zone focusing/ hyperfocal distance, explaining how they work and when they are best for. Autofocus is also a powerful complement where manual abilities are limited. With the latest autofocus technology available today, photographers should take advantage of it.

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[Pho.Talk] Is Film Photography Worth it (vs Digital)? Costs, Image Quality, Film stocks

[Pho.Talk] Is Film Photography Worth it (vs Digital)? Costs, Image Quality, Film stocks

Film photography has been a subject of heated debate - is it work it to shoot film in an era in which digital photography is so convenient and cost-effective? This article breaks it down to you and addresses the question of whether film photography is worth it in today’s age, speaking from the point of view of costs, image quality, and how film stocks functions.

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[Pho.Talk] Ultimate Film Photography Troubleshoot Guide: Storage Time, Accidents & Hacks

[Pho.Talk] Ultimate Film Photography Troubleshoot Guide: Storage Time, Accidents & Hacks

This troubleshoot guide covers niche troubles people commonly run into when picking up or inheriting second hand, old film cameras. You will find a wealth of information in relation to storing film, key points in time of a roll of film’s lifetime, operational tips in using a film camera, how to deal with accidents, and disposable film cameras.


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[Pho.Snap] Tripods for Photo & Video FAQ: Do you Need one, and When?

[Pho.Snap] Tripods for Photo & Video FAQ: Do you Need one, and When?

In general, you should buy a tripod if you want to start shooting commercially as many photography genres involve using a tripod, such as product and food. This is a worthwhile upgrade as it increases your production quality as a professional. In photography, tripods are typically used for stacking shots, long exposures and difficult shooting angles. In video, tripods are widely used to film yourself and to eliminate camera shake in footages, especially where fast motion is intended. For modern digital cameras, all cameras come with the same mount, thus any tripod would fit any camera.

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[Pho.Snap] When and Why to Buy an External Flash: Decision Guide!

[Pho.Snap] When and Why to Buy an External Flash: Decision Guide!

A good time to seriously consider getting a flash is when you are starting to get booked for paid photography gigs. Flash lights are often used by professional photographers because it is highly portable for on-location or outdoor shoots, in which the lighting conditions are often not ideal. Even where there is enough daylight, flash lights can be used to create artistic effects.

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[Pho.Snap] Camera Flash Zoom Explained: Why Use it, What Focal Length

[Pho.Snap] Camera Flash Zoom Explained: Why Use it, What Focal Length

The zoom function is built to save flash power when shooting close-up frames, to maintain a higher level of flash performance overall. It also makes possible creative decisions that result in dramatic lighting with high contrast. Under most circumstances, you should keep your flash zoomed to the same focal length as your lens, except in creative photography in which you have more room for experimentation.

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[Pho.Snap] Shutter Sound Explained: DSLR vs Mirrorless, Silent Shooting Modes

[Pho.Snap] Shutter Sound Explained: DSLR vs Mirrorless, Silent Shooting Modes

DSLRs make a clicking noise because they operate using a mechanical shutter; the mirror claps twice and back to its original position after every shot. It is not possible to get rid of it entirely, but manufacturers like Canon have come up with ‘soft-shooting’ modes. These modes make it possible to dampen or delay the clicking sound. Mirrorless cameras make a softer noise because of they don’t have mirrors and only run on electronic shutters.

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