Part 1 - Single Lens Reflex (SLR)

Here we display the body of the SLR and show you the advantage and disadvantage compared to Compact Film Cameras.

SLR means, that everything that you can see through the view finder will be taken onto the Film later on. How is that happening? A mirror deflects the picture to the view finder. By using the shutter, the mirror flips up and right after that the  real shutter opens. After the experation of the exposure time at first the shutter is closed und afterwards the mirror goes back to its starting position.

The benefit of a SLR is, what you see is what you get. It also depends on the exposure what can be actually found on the Film. This can be most relevant for a higher accuracy.

The disadvantage lays in the size of the camera that cannot be magnificantliy modified, due to the swiveling mirror.

Part 2 - Digital Cameras

A Digital Camera basically operates just like a Compact Film Camera.

The only difference ist, that there is no Film to capture the light, but a light-sensitive plate. Basically the operating methods are equal to a Compact Film Camera. Since pictures are now placed to a chip, there are lots of possibilities to edit images.

You can expose a Film only once before you drop it off at a photoshop to have it developed. It is quite different to digital photography. After taking the picture you are now immediatly able to look at it on your monitor and even to delete it, if required. Image editing programs allow everyone to edit their pictures at home, that makes digital photography even more interesting.