Any sort of simulator?

[N_reverie]

are there any sort of simulators out there that can help me with F-stops or Film speeds? Like one that has a picture and depending on how you set the F-stop it changes the brightness, or one that changes the graininess depending on your speed. Those would help me greatly in learning what F-stop and what speed to use in certain lighting conditions.


THANKS ALOT.

[PhotosGuy]

If you're using a film cam I apologise, but don't you think that a digital cam is the perfect 'simulator'?

[Big_B]

Have a look at this link:


http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40259&highlight=simulator

Rgds,

BB

[Goofup]

(It)...would help me greatly in learning what F-stop and what speed to use in certain lighting conditions.

There are too many lighting conditions and there's no way you can remember the settings for all of them. That's why your camera has a meter- trust it! However, if you insist, you might want to print up this up and carry it with you- the definitive guide on the Sunny 16 Rule. It'll get you "close" if you just have to ignore your meter:

http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

So between your meter or the above, you have one f-stop and shutter speed combo for proper exposure. Now you have to figure out which of the equlivant f-stops/shutter speeds you want to use to get the effect you want and still get the same exposure.

Grain? Depends on film (or, if digital, the camera itself) and the ISO you set. The higher the ISO, the grainer (or noiser) the picture. To reduce grain/noise keep it below 400, 100 is very good.

You want a camera simulator? Here's the best one I know of:

http://www.camerasinteractive.com/index.php#

You'll learn more in 20 minutes than reading 20 posts.

[PhotosGuy]

Those are excellent links. Work thru them both a few times (I'd start with the 2nd one - virtual cam).
Then take your cam & take about 500 pics using what you've learned. Your digital cam - the perfect 'simulator' for your real life situations, will become a tool that you use instead of a mysterious box that tries to guess what you want. :wink:

[N_reverie]

Thanks for the links, the virtual cam really helped. I really want a Digi cam, but I dont have a job and my parents definetely wont be willing to spend a thousand bucks on a cam for me. :? Does the preview button on the cam simulate the lightness and darkness? that seems to be my only problem because I can only make an educated guess on how it will come out.

[PhotosGuy]

Does the preview button on the cam simulate the lightness and darkness?
If you mean the Depth of Field preview button, it stops down the lens to the aperature that you have set so that you can see what's sharp & what isn't. That will also dim the image so sometimes it isn't very useful in low light conditions but it can be a big help in full daylight at medium aperatures.

[Andy_T]

I really want a Digi cam, but I dont have a job and my parents definetely wont be willing to spend a thousand bucks on a cam for me. :?

NReverie,

welcome to the forum :D

There are a lot of cameras that cost well below $1000, e.g. the Canon A series. Tell us a bit more what kind of pictures you would like to take, then maybe we can steer you towards a camera that fulfils your needs but doesn't jeopardize the relationship with your parents :lol:

Best regards,
Andy