How Does an SLR Camera Work?

How an SLR Camera Works:

An SLR camera is a Single Lens Reflex Camera. Light enters through a single lens at the front of the camera, and is reflected on a mirror or sensor in the camera, recording the light. An aperture ring inside the SLR camera adjusts how much light may enter the camera. The shutter speed function on an SLR camera adjusts how long the light may enter the camera. Photography is simply a recording of light on film emulsion, or a digital sensor.

An SLR camera can be made as a film-based or digital-based camera. Both styles accept a variety of accessories, including lenses, flash units, remote controls, filters and tripods or monopods. These different accessories allow the photographer to change the look of the photo. A compact film or digital camera doesn't have as much versatlity as an SLR camera.

Lenses that work with an SLR Camera:

An SLR camera can accept a variety of lenses. A telephoto, or zoom lens, can be mounted on the SLR camera body to allow the photographer the ability to zoom in close on a subject that is far away. The resulting picture will make it seem as though the photographer was close to the subject.

A wide-angle lens can also be mounted on an SLR camera. This type of lens allows the photographer to get a wide view, even in tight spaces, such as a small room.

Specialty lenses, such as macro lenses, allow the photographer to photograph very small objects with close-up detail. Close-up filters allow a similar effect, but must be used in bright situations, since they cut down on the amount of light that can get into the SLR camera body.

Accessories that work with an SLR Camera:

SLR cameras illuminate subjects at a distance better than a compact camera, since they can use an external flash unit to brighten a photograph. Mounted on the top of an SLR camera, a flash unit can project light up to ten times further than a small built in flash on a compact camera. This is very helpful when photographing sports and stage productions.

A tripod or monopod can be threaded into the base of an SLR camera for stability. A tripod will allow the camera to stand alone on three legs, and be operated with a remote control or delayed shutter function. A monopod gives stability to an SLR camera with a heavy lens, and makes it easier to shoot for a long period of time with a heavy set-up.