When buying a film or digital camera, an experienced or novice photographer usually wants a new technique to bring him only joy. And this means that you need to make sure of its performance in the store. There are also situations when an old device suddenly appears on a shelf in a grandfather's closet, and the new owner is very interested in knowing whether it can be used or not. What should you pay attention to?
It is necessary
- - camera;
- - computer with Adobe Photoshop or Gimp;
- - card reader;
- - cassette;
- - color photographic film of maximum sensitivity;
- - unnecessary filmed or blown-out film.
Instructions
Step 1
To test your digital camera, read the instructions and only then proceed to the test. Turn on the camera and set the maximum picture quality. Take a test shoot. Take pictures of light and dark objects.
Step 2
Perform the initial assessment directly on the camera monitor. Some defects can be noticed immediately. This is the so-called "noise" or "snow" - the disintegration of an image into individual pixels. Pay special attention to the darkened areas, where this defect is best seen. Vignetting is also noticeable on the camera screen - a decrease in the brightness of the image at the edges.
Step 3
If, according to the documentation, there is an optical zoom, then it makes sense to try shooting at different focal length values within the specified limits.
Step 4
Transfer pictures to computer. Open them in a graphical editor. Rate the image quality. There should be no drop-out of image elements in the form of dark or light fields or stripes, dust on the matrix. The brightness should be the same both in the center and at the edges of the frame. Sharpness should also be the same throughout the entire field of the frame. The dimensions of the image and its resolution must correspond to those stated in the accompanying documentation. The image should have good detail with sufficient contrast.
Step 5
Even in the store, the film device may not have accompanying documentation. Take the camera and remove it from the case, if there is one. Open the back wall. Test the shutter operation at different shutter speeds. It should work normally, regardless of the type and mode, and also completely close.
Step 6
Check the ratio of divisions on the scales of the lens with the limits of mobility of its rings. The focusing limits should correspond to the marks of the minimum value on one side and infinity on the other. As for the diaphragm, the maximum number marked on the scale should correspond to its maximum closure.
Step 7
Take out a cassette loaded with exposed or used film with intact perforations. Load it into the camera. Check the operation of the film advance mechanism first with the cover open, and then with the cover closed. Then check the rewind mechanism. Remove and inspect the film. There should be no snagging, jamming and perforation breaks.
Step 8
With a rangefinder camera, check the correspondence between the rangefinder and the focusing scale. Aim the camera at the sharpness along the micro lines or raster and check with the lens scale. In this case, you need to keep in mind that you are checking both the apparatus and the lens at the same time. Therefore, for the duration of the test, it is better to replace the lens on an unfamiliar apparatus with your own, reliably tested. This is possible if the camera has interchangeable optics. The same check can be done with a mirror apparatus, but it will give an approximate result. You don't need to do anything like this with Smena or cheap semi-automatic cameras.
Step 9
The final check can only be done outside the store. Load high-sensitivity color film. Cover the lens with the lens cap. Bring the camera out into direct sunlight without a case. Hold it in different positions. Take a few shots with the cover closed. Use the rest of the film to shoot different scenes. It is recommended to shoot a target - a special table with a raster that would allow you to determine the quality of the lens. If it is not there, then you can use the photography of the brickwork at home, performing it from various distances. This will allow you to evaluate the focusing. Develop the film, make prints. The first pictures taken with the lid closed will show if the light-proofing of the case is sufficient.
