The wide range of cameras available today gives the nature photographer many choices. Two are obvious–film or digital. Sales of digital cameras now exceeds sales of film cameras, so we thought it would be useful to talk about digital cameras.
Interchangeable lens vs fixed lens
Digital cameras can be divided into those with noninterchangeable (or fixed) lenses and those with interchangeable lenses, also known as single-lens reflex (SLR) systems. This article focuses on fixed-lens digital cameras. The major advantages of these cameras is their small size, making them easy to carry, and their lower cost when compared to SLR systems.
Features and price divide fixed-lens digital cameras. As you might expect, the more expensive cameras have more features and record images with higher resolution. There are about 20 camera manufacturers producing over a hundred digital camera models. These cameras range in price from $100 to $2000 and have resolutions from 2 to 8 megapixels. Sizes vary from those that fit in your pocket (~8 oz.) to those of standard 35mm camera size (~26 oz).
Desirable features
Some general features are desirable in any digital camera, regardless of the type of subjects you plan to photograph. If you want to make nature photographs, you will probably need a camera with a zoom lens and closeup capability. Having an LCD screen of adequate size (1.5 in. or larger) helps you both frame and review your images. If the position of the LCD screen is adjustable, you'll be able to hold the camera in an optimum position for the subject without contorting your body.
Storage media vary among fixed-lens digital cameras just as they do among interchangeable-lens models. In general, storage media options are improving, and new features, especially expanded capacity, are introduced regularly. If you plan to own more than one digital camera, you may want to select cameras that use the same type of storage media. This allows you to share storage cards between cameras and reduces the number of accessories such as card readers and portable storage devices that you'll need.
Since digital cameras don't work without batteries, it is a good idea to examine the type of batteries a camera requires. Rechargeable batteries are a must; some cameras use AA size batteries, but often manufacturers use proprietary batteries, many of which are more efficient and more powerful than AAs. Even though these proprietary batteries may not be interchangeable between brands of cameras, they are still very effective. Plan to have at least one backup battery for each camera you own, as well as a battery charger that can be used at home, in the car, and while traveling. You will need enough batteries for each camera to handle one day's shooting.
Some shutter delay (lag time) is inevitable in digital cameras. If you hope to shoot fast-action photos, be sure to evaluate the lag time in the camera you are choosing. In some fixed-lens models, the delay is significant enough (>1 second lag) that it will be nearly impossible (except with great luck) to capture action shots effectively. Lag times of 0.5 second are typical on fixed-lens digital cameras, and faster is always better.
Digital cameras are usually equipped with a small pop-up flash that is effective to a maximum of about 10 to 17 feet. Most pop-up flashes function in auto mode, slow sync mode, and, in some cases, fill-flash mode. Some of the more expensive cameras also have a flash hot-shoe, allowing use of the more powerful shoe-mounted flash units. Nature photographers typically use flash as a fill light in scenics and as the primary light source for macro subjects. Pop-up flashes are not effective for fill, except between 5 and 10 feet, or for macro photography. Shoe-mounted flashes work well, especially when used with an off-camera flash cord for macro or with a Fresnel lens flash extender for wildlife photos. Choose your digital camera carefully if fill flash or macro flash capability is important to you.
Fixed-lens digital cameras generally have a smaller digital sensor than those in digital SLR cameras. Digital SLR cameras produce a higher-quality digital file even when an SLR and a fixed-lens camera have the same number of pixels (resolution). Recent camera reviews state that the current 6 megapixel SLR cameras give a better-quality image file than 8 megapixel fixed-lens digital cameras. Regardless of this difference, some professionals carry a fixed-lens digital camera as backup to their SLRs.
Using digital cameras for nature photography
Nature photography typically involves pictures of animals, plants, and landscapes. Let's look at what is needed for each.
Animal Photography. If photographing animals is your forte, the size of the animal makes a difference in the equipment you need. For large animals such as deer, elk, bison, etc., a telephoto lens is a must for safety and to enlarge a shy animal in the frame. Bird photographers also need a telephoto lens to capture small birds that may be difficult to approach closely. On the other hand, if you want to shoot butterflies and insects, you'll need a macro lens.
Fixed-lens digital cameras can have a zoom range from ~28 to ~300mm, a very useful range. By the way, all focal lengths mentioned are 35mm equivalent. Many cameras have telephoto conversion lenses that extend the telephoto reach by 1.5 to 3 times, with 2X being the most common. This means that with a conversion lens, you will have from ~200 to ~500mm telephoto reach. This is adequate for most large-animal photography, but it may not be adequate for small, shy birds or even for large angry bears. In the case of the latter, the larger the telephoto lens, the better! Approaching large animals with an inadequate telephoto lens is dangerous for the photographer and stresses the animal. Please don't do this!
Many fixed-lens digital cameras offer close focusing capability, with a macro focusing distance of 1 to 10 cm from the front of the lens. Supplementary macro lens are also available for some cameras. Thus, macro pictures are possible with many fixed-lens digital cameras, but butterflies and other critters may not tolerate the camera being as close as 1 to 10 cm. Small-critter photographers typically use a 180mm macro lens to avoid spooking the subject. As I mentioned earlier, lighting for macro pictures is difficult with pop-up flash and much easier with a shoe-mounted flash on an off-camera flash cord, so choose a camera with a flash hot-shoe if macro photography is your thing.
Plant Photography. If you are interested in photographing plants, typically flowers, be sure your camera has macro capability or a close-focusing lens. Most digital cameras work fine for plant photos. Using a tripod improves the sharpness in most macro photographs and is generally a good addition if you want to realize the maximum quality from your camera.
Photographing plants with a telephoto lens works well because you can isolate the subject. The shallower depth of field of the telephoto lens helps separate the subject from the background. However, be aware that fixed-lens digital cameras usually have a great depth of field, and if you want a soft, out-of-focus background, it just isn't possible.
Landscape Photography. If landscape photography is your love, a fixed-lens digital camera will serve you well. The main problem is that the widest angle zoom lens setting available is about 28mm. Many 35mm photographers have a love affair with their 17-24mm wide angle lenses and really miss that broad scene-capturing ability with digital.
Wide-angle converter lenses are available for most digital cameras. These converters are roughly equivalent to a 24mm lens. Some converters go even further and function as a 14mm lens. The major manufacturers tend to only offer converters that function in the 20 to 24mm range, so be suspect of the quality offered by a converter that goes below ~20mm focal length. Check the specifications carefully before buying converters; if it seems to good to be true, it probably is!
Improvements are on the way! Digital cameras are constantly improving, and new models are being introduced rapidly. The camera you buy today will probably be eclipsed by a new, improved model within a year. List the features you want in a digital camera, and then research currently available models to find the best fit. Web sites such as www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com/ can give you good information about various digital camera models.
Enjoy nature photography with whatever camera you decide to use!