FFN Currents & Eddies

Digital Cameras

Grey Fox

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Digital cameras are coming of age. They're still about 2-3 generations away from being close to reliable but they're coming on fast. Anglers can start having some fun with the present generation. Like polariods, it's great at the end of the day to relive some of the moments. A computer is needed to unload the images form the camera, but having a notebook along usually doesn't pose a problem. Some of the new models, you can display the results immediately on a television screen, just as some video cameras.

Price is a large factor in shopping for digital cameras. Used ones as certainly worth considering as today's models still lack either the quality or features you'll be fully satisfied with. 1 or 2 year old models the savings are substanital and usually will only show a minimium of use. For personal use top models new run up to 1,000., and good servicable used ones 200-400.

Remember that the results from digital cameras presently cannot compete with the film versions. But they are instant (and printed instantly), and excellent for web and computer publishing use, and perhaps most important, fun.

For anglers, fun is a big plus. Many of the new models have LCD viewing screens on the back with pictures can also be viewed. So if you've landed the fish of your dreams, you can check that you've got the matching photo before you release it.

Most digital cameras have close-up lens attachments so you can do some neat work with your fly photos also. These kits with various lens run about 75.-100. Almost all the fly graphics on this site were done with a digital camera. The others, mainly 2 dimensional like wet flies, were scanned.

There are some difference with digital which you will encounter. Instead of trying to explain it under that basis let's just examine some shots and it likely will become clear.

The classic shot of someone fishing. What you normally are trying to do is convey the feel of the water and the spot. This photo has some fish rising in it. Light can play tricks with the digital images. Shawdows and bright sunshine in the same image can render it useless. When in doubt use the flash as fill in.

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