Batteries help us power our devices needed in business, school and home, but they eventually die out. Some batteries end up recycled while others need proper disposal due to environmental concerns arising from their toxic metals--nickel cadmium, mercury, alkaline, lead acid and nickel metal hydride. Dispose batteries properly for personal safety and a clean environment.
Instructions
1. Go to the environmental resource website earth911.org (see Resources below). The site remains the nation's premier environmental resource headquarters and lists all hazardous waste drop-off locations.
2. Enter the word "battery" and your zip code, city or state in the dialog box.
3. Choose a center near you to dispose your batteries safely. See the name, address and telephone numbers listed.
4. Click on a location's name and view the items they accept. Call for special information pertaining to handling particular types of batteries.
5. Remove weak or dead batteries from their casing.
6. Place each battery in a separate re-sealable plastic bag. If corroded wear protection for your hands.
7. Take the batteries to your local hazardous waste drop-off location.
The high-resolution ranges and versatile mounting options of plasma screen televisions are appealing to many people. Plasma televisions contain perfectly flat screens to eliminate edge distortion and provide optimum viewing angles. As with all televisions, touching plasma screens produces smudges and fingerprints. Dirt and dust also accumulate on the screens, which distracts viewers and makes the screens appears dingy. Since plasma screens are prone to scratches from rough textures, use precautions and the correct supplies to prevent damage when cleaning them. Fortunately, basic solutions are effective at cleaning big screen plasma televisions.
Instructions
1. Turn off the television and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Allow the television to completely cool.
2. Wipe the plasma screen with a clean microfiber cloth to remove dust. Apply light pressure to the cloth.
3. Inspect the screen for remaining smudges and smears. If smudges remain, pour 1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol and 1/2 cup lukewarm distilled water into a bowl.
4. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth in the solution. Wring out the cloth to remove the excess liquid.
5. Wipe the damp microfiber cloth gently across the plasma screen. Once the plasma screen is clean, wipe the sides and back of the television with the damp cloth.
6. Dampen a cotton swab in the solution. Press the cotton swab against the inside of the bowl to remove excess liquid.
7. Wipe the edges around the screen and other small crevices with the damp cotton swab. Once the television is completely clean, gently wipe the screen and other surfaces completely dry with another microfiber cloth.
Old cameras, depending upon condition and brand, may bring in some extra cash.
Cameras have been around since the 1830s, although most of the models most people know about appeared in the 20th and 21st centuries. Finding an old camera in your attic may make you think it can bring you a small fortune, and in some rare circumstances, it can. It depends usually on the brand of camera you have, what the original quality was and how it has held up, and the demand for such cameras. You can price an old camera at anything you want, but unless you have something special, do not expect a large windfall profit.
Consumer Cameras
By far the most abundant cameras since George Eastman's company, Eastman Kodak, introduced the Brownie in 1900, are consumer-level cameras. These range in quality from fairly good all the way down to downright terrible. For example, Kodak and other companies produced a variety of cameras in the 1930s that look like they should be worth a lot of money right now. They have bellows, an aperture ring, a shutter speed control and use medium-format film. Unfortunately, many, many of these were produced, so even today they are quite abundant. Kodak also had an unfortunate habit of making cameras that took specific and odd film sizes such as 616 and 620. While the film itself is standard 120, the spools are different. Since Kodak and other companies stopped making these types of film many years ago, these and many other consumer-level cameras do not work without modifying the film. If they cannot get the film, most people looking at old cameras will pass by the ones that make it difficult to use them. This problem even extends into the 1990s with such cameras introduced previously to take disc film or 110 film. As digital cameras claimed the market, most film manufacturers still left in business tend to stick with what still has a market, films such as 35 mm, 120 and 220. Do not expect most consumer-level cameras to fetch more than $10 to $20.
Professional Cameras
You will have better luck if you have an old camera classified as a professional camera in your closet. For example, if you find a collectible camera with a name like Hasselblad, Nikon, Rolleiflex, Leica, Mamiya, Bronica or Contax, you may expect to bring in more money, usually in the hundreds of dollars. For truly sought-after cameras such as the Rolleiflex and Leica, you still may expect to get more than $1,000, if they cameras are in good shape and light tight with no lens problems. The standard medium-format workhorse, the Hasselblad 500C or 500CM may have cost around $3,000 new, but today even in the best of shape, you may only get a couple of hundred dollars for each. Even though Nikon started the 35 mm system camera revolution in 1959, even the earliest Nikon single-lens reflex cameras only fetch a few hundred dollars.
Antique Cameras
Technically, antique cameras were made more than 50 years ago, but in this case, antique cameras generally come from the 19th or early 20th century. Condition is everything with these kinds of cameras. If you have a view camera, the type that produces 4-by-5, 5-by-7 or 8-by-10 single negatives, the bellows may have rotted by now and have light leaks. They still will sell for more than $500, but if you have one that essentially looks like you just walked into a camera store in 1890 and bought it new, you can expect in the low thousands. These types of cameras were generally used by professionals.
Instant Cameras
Instant cameras, made primarily by Polaroid and, for a short time, Kodak, have little value because the film has become unavailable. Some of the older Polaroid models with bellows from the 1950s and 1960s may bring a price of $50 to $100 as collector's items, but the more common and newer models rarely sell for more than $20. The One Step model and the Swinger may have nostalgic value to some people, bringing in up to $30, but that's about the limit. Kodak instant cameras, despite their limited availability, rarely go for even $5 to $10.
Tags: more than, consumer-level cameras, antique cameras, camera your, cameras were
Mobile web technologies make international calling affordable and easy
Before advances in technology allowed for better options, international calling cards provided the most convenient and cheapest option for international calling. But the Internet paved the way for voice over IP (VoIP) calling that uses Internet service to make the calls. With most modern cell phones, including mobile web, the Internet calls don't require the use of a computer. Smartphone applications further stretch the reach, and abilities, of these new calling methods.
Skype
Download the free computer program Skype and make free international calls to international friends and family members who also have Skype. Skype allows for voice and video chatting. If you need to call an international landline, you can still use Skype by purchasing credits or a monthly subscription plan. The costs are far lower than the traditional calling card method of calling.
Skype applications may be downloaded onto Blackberry and Android smartphones for the same low rates. Or purchase a Skype-friendly cordless phone that runs through your Internet and keeps you connected away from the computer.
Google Voice
Google Voice became available without invitation in June 2010. The free service allows users to either sync Voice to an existing phone (or phones) and/or establish a free Google Voice dedicated number. The dedicated number must be based in the United States.
The system offers discounted rates for international calls. Calling is possible from a Voice-synched phone or through the Web. In the former case, you need to call the dedicated Google number (if applicable) or the assigned access number. The call then proceeds as normal. From the Web, you only need to access the website, click "Call," and type in the number to call.
Rebtel
Rebtel allows for international calls that are free for you. You select a local, dedicated phone number upon signup and indicate what person, or persons, you will call overseas. When you make the international call, tell the person to call you back on the phone number that appears on the caller ID. The call back costs you the same as any local call would on your phone, which, for many calling plans, is free.
An application for Android-based smartphones allows for free international Rebtel-based mobile to mobile calling.
Tags: Google Voice, international calling, international calls, call back, dedicated number
As of June 2009, all television broadcast signals are now being transmitted digitally. On older analog TV sets, a digital converter box, along with an antenna, is required to process the digital signals. The converter box's settings are set up with the box's remote control. The remote control contains a channel scan button for locating and setting up channels on the converter box. You should perform a channel scan whenever you move your television's antenna to make sure you are receiving all the available channels in your area.
Instructions
1. Press the "Menu" or "Setup" button on the digital converter box's remote control. The setup menu will appear on your television's screen.
2. Use the arrow keys on the remote control to select "Scan" or "Channel Scan."
3. Press the "Enter" or "OK" button on the remote control to start the channel scan process. Once the scan process is complete, the digital converter box will exit the scan mode and return to the last channel the box was tuned to.
Tags: remote control, channel scan, digital converter, scan process, your television
Dipole antennas are key elements of radio transmission, and have been used throughout Europe and the United States since the early days of radio. These simple antennae are electrical conductors that receive and send high-frequency radio signals across relatively long distances.
History
In 1886, German physicist Heinrich Rudolph Hertz created the dipole antenna to transmit ultra high frequency (UHF) radio waves. These simple and effective antennae have been used in Western countries since the dawn of radio, and are still in widespread use today.
Identification Function
The dipole antenna is a radio apparatus that is united at the center by a frequency feed point. Named because it has two halves, this antenna is balanced and has two perfectly symmetrical poles. Basic dipoles are made with simple wires of the same length that open out in two opposite directions from the central feed point.
Signifiance
Dipole antennas are considered to be the simplest type of antenna used to transmit or receive radio signals. This electrical medium acts as a radio frequency conductor, either on its own or within larger, more complicated types of antennae. Measuring one half of a wavelength from one end to the other, the antenna is linked in the center to receive and emit radio frequencies.
There are several different types of dipole antennae, but each have the same function of transmitting and receiving radio signals.
Types
Ideal half-wavelength dipoles are a unique type, with each wire measuring exactly one fourth of the electromagnetic wavelength, making it a total of one half of a wavelength.
Folded dipole antennae have an additional wire that connects the two ends of the half-wave dipole. The folded dipole has a much higher radiation resistance than the normal model.
Short, or Hertzian dipole antennas, are theoretical models that are not yet produced, with an antenna much smaller than the wavelength it would transmit or receive.
Applications
Dipole antennas are used in a variety of everyday electronics. For example, a dipole antenna is used on television sets to receive broadcasts (the iconic "bunny ears"). However, as of February 17, 2009, these will be obsolete.
A folded dipole is a highly effective method for receiving FM signals for radios as well.
Radio towers--such as the Warsaw radio mast--are also considered dipole antennas. These are effective in broadcasting radio signals for many miles.
Dipole antennas are also widely used in the military, where they are built into equipment such as navigation devices and radios.
Tags: Dipole antennas, radio signals, dipole antenna, antenna used, antennae have, been used, dipole antennae
If you own multiple digital cameras and do not want to have to switch between multiple USB cables in order to transfer your pictures, you can use a memory card reader that will allow you to move images to your PC or Mac computer. When viewing images on a memory card reader, you can also choose to delete certain pictures in order to create more free space on your camera's memory card.
Instructions
PC Instructions
1. Eject the memory card from your digital camera and insert it into the memory card reader.
2. Connect the memory card reader to one of the open USB ports on your PC computer.
3. Open the start menu and click on the "My Computer" icon.
4. Double-click on the icon that appears for the memory card reader. Typically, the memory card reader will be labeled as the "E:" drive.
5. Highlight the pictures you want to delete and drag them to the "Recycle Bin" icon on the Windows desktop.
6. Empty the bin to delete the pictures from the memory card reader.
Mac Instructions
7. Eject the memory card from your digital camera and insert it into the memory card reader.
8. Connect the memory card reader to one of the open USB ports on the computer.
9. Open a new finder window by clicking on the icon in the dock.
10. Highlight the memory card reader from "Devices" list on the left side of the window.
11. Highlight the picture files that you want to delete and drag them to the "Trash." Then empty the trash to remove them from the memory card reader.
Chroma key is a video production technique that allows one image to be superimposed over another. Special effects are commonly produced with chroma key. And when you watch your local newscast and see a meteorologist standing in front of a moving radar image or an animated computer map, you're seeing chroma key in action.
Process
In a typical chroma key shot, actors recite their lines and hit their stage marks as usual, but they do it in front of a single-color backdrop. The backdrop color is the "key," and the video equipment is set so that the key color is interpreted as being transparent and drops out of the image. The remaining image---that of the actors and any props that aren't in the key color---can then be laid over a background image.
Uses
Chroma key allows actors to "appear" in all sorts of locations without leaving the studio. By having them act against a blue or green screen, filmmakers can insert any background they like, be it video of a city street, a still photo of the Grand Canyon or a computer-generated interior of a spaceship. Chroma key also allows you to make certain elements of the image disappear. This is how they "amputated" the legs of Gary Sinise's character, Lieutenant Dan, in the film "Forrest Gump": Sinise's legs were merely wrapped in fabric in the key color.
Color
The key color can be any color, but it's usually blue or green because those are the colors farthest away from the human skin tones that are the focal point of most shots. Lighting on the set may reflect some of the key color onto the performers, which is why some chroma-key effects, particularly in older productions, will produce a bluish "halo" around the edges of the actors. Nowadays, digital imaging technology is able to mostly eliminate the halo effect.
Actors, news anchors and others who appear on chroma key must take care not to wear clothing that matches the key color. If they do, those items will become transparent as well, and the audience will be able to see "through" them.
History
Special effects artist Larry Butler developed the chroma key process for the 1940 film "The Thief of Baghdad," for which he won an Academy Award. Back then, chroma key was a chemical process performed on film negatives. Today, it's all done digitally.
Terminology
The term "chroma key" is used mostly in television production. In films, the process is more commonly referred to as simply "blue-screen" or "green-screen," depending on the color of backdrop.
Play tapes and CDs on a Kenwood RXD-A33 compact Hi-Fi system.
The Kenwood RXD-A33 is a compact Hi-Fi system that is a combo CD and cassette player. Kenwood products are well known and trusted, however, as with many consumer electronics, glitches can occur. The problems are relatively simple to diagnose, whether it is an issue with speaker cords short-circuiting, or condensation forming inside the unit. Before taking your Kenwood RXD-A33 in for a service, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can go through on your own.
Instructions
1. Ensure that the speaker cords are securely connected if there is no sound produced from the unit. Switch "Mute" off. Unplug the headphone jack.
2. Turn the power off if the "Standby" and "Timer" indicator lights blink alternately and no sound is output. This means the speaker cords have short-circuited. Wait a few minutes and then turn the unit on again to remove the short-circuit.
3. Turn off any external electrical interference such as hair dryers or neon lamps if there is excessive noise interference or static from the unit. Increase the distance between any TV sets and the unit. If using the cassette deck, try demagnetizing the head. Use a commercially available demagnetizer, or head eraser.
4. Clean the head (recording / playback / erase) if sound is not produced when pressing the "Play" key. Open the cassette holder. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to carefully clean the head, capstan and pinch roller.
5. Ensure that the holder is completely closed if no operation occurs even when an operation key is pressed. Hold an operation key down for more than a few seconds after closing the holder. If you have just turned the unit on, wait a least 5 seconds before pressing an operation key. Press the "Push/Open" key in "Stop" mode if you cannot open the cassette holder.
6. Place the CD with the label facing upwards if the CD is placed in the player but cannot be played. If condensation forms on the optics lens and the CD will not play, leave the unit for a few hours with the power on. Restart the player after the condensation has dried up. Moisture can sometimes form on the lens when there is a great difference between the unit and the outside temperature.
Tags: Kenwood RXD-A33, speaker cords, cassette holder, compact Hi-Fi, compact Hi-Fi system, Ensure that, from unit
Many cell phones do more than merely make phone calls. They have camera capabilities, can play music or videos, and download ringtones. These options can take up a lot of the phone's memory. Use a secure digital (SD) card to extend the memory available on a cell phone. These can range in capacity from 32GB to HD. Most phones have a software program that allows you to add media from the Internet or from your computer using the click and drag method.
Instructions
1. Determine whether your cell phone uses a regular SD card or one of the smaller mini SD card. The mini SD card might need an adapter to fit into your phone. You can find this information in your phone's manual or by opening the back of your phone and looking at the slot for the SD card. Generally, there will be a small rectangular spot with a small metal door. In phones that use SIM cards, there will be two of these metal doors. The SD card holder is smaller than the SIM card holder.
2. Open the back of your cell phone. Remove the battery. Be careful not to touch the gold connectors on the inside of the cell phone or on the battery. Set the battery aside.
3. Slide the SD card holder to unlock it. Turn the SD card so that the gold connectors on it will be in contact with the gold connectors on the inside of the phone. Slide the SD card into the holder; if you are using an adapter with an SD card, follow the instructions on the package to insert it correctly. Lower the SD holder and slide it to lock it. Replace the battery and the back cover of the phone.
4. Check your phone's manual to determine whether the phone will automatically recognize the SD card or whether you have to change a setting. If you don't have a manual for your phone, check on your service provider's website or the website of the phone's manufacturer.
5. Transfer media to the SD card by using the click and drag method. Connect your phone to your computer using the appropriate cable. A menu box should pop up asking if you want to view the files. If the box doesn't pop up, go to "My Computer" and look for the external drive. Click on it; this will open a menu box that shows the different folders available on your phone. Find the song, picture or whatever media you wish to move to the SD card and click and drag it to the appropriate folder. Click the icon in the lower tool bar that allows you to safely remove the device.
Lithium and alkaline AA batteries are used in a range of electronic devices.
Battery sizes are designated by letter codes, and AA and AAA are the most common types used by consumers. Batteries are manufactured using different chemical combinations, such as lithium, alkaline and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and there are also rechargeable and nonrechargeable batteries using different chemicals. Each type is suited for a particular function.
Alkaline AA
Alkaline AA batteries are appropriate for usage if you do not use a lot of batteries on a regular basis, or the devices that you use the batteries for are not heavy-drain (that is, they do not drain the batteries very fast). Alkaline AA batteries are reasonably priced and perform well if you use them in devices that are not battery-intensive. If you need to use batteries regularly, alkaline AA may not be the best choice because they run out faster. For regular battery users, lithium AA batteries may be more cost-effective in the long term.
Rechargeable Alkaline AA
Rechargeable alkaline AA batteries are suited for use in devices that perform better in alkaline batteries of 1.5 volts. For high-drain devices, rechargeable alkaline AA batteries may be appropriate because the batteries can be conveniently charged from any AC outlet once they are depleted. Another advantage is that rechargeable alkaline batteries use chargers that also work with rechargeable NiMH batteries, so you can use both types provided that a device supports them.
Lithium AA
Lithium AA batteries are very durable and perform extremely well in a wide range of temperatures, making them the ideal choice for use in harsh climates. Lithium AA batteries may last up to seven times as long as alkaline AA batteries and are suitable for use in heavy-duty devices or when you do not want to replace batteries as often. Lithium AA batteries are not rechargeable, however.
Lithium Ion
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) are rechargeable batteries, typically 3.6 or 3.7 volts. The batteries are long-lasting, and once depleted, may be recharged from any power outlet. A major disadvantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they work only with dedicated chargers and do not support generic chargers or even chargers from the same manufacturer but made for a different battery type. Lithium-ion batteries are not as popular because most of the time some other battery type is more appropriate in terms of cost or utility. Lithium-ion batteries serve a niche purpose.
Price
Lithium AA batteries are more expensive than alkaline AA batteries; in March 2009, a single unit of alkaline AA cost 40 to 50 cents, whereas a single unit of lithium AA cost between $2.30 to $2.40. Even with the large price difference, lithium AA batteries may actually be more cost effective than alkaline AA for regular use in heavy-drain devices. Alkaline batteries are better suited to low-drain use, such as toys, low-power flashlights and remote controls. For rechargeable batteries, alkaline is cheaper than lithium ion.
Weight
If you have to carry a lot of spare batteries, lithium AA is more convenient, at about half an ounce for a single unit; an alkaline AA battery usually weight between 0.65 to 0.85 ounces.
Tags: alkaline batteries, devices that, Lithium batteries, single unit, alkaline batteries, Alkaline batteries, batteries appropriate
Loading film into a Polaroid 600 series camera is a quick and simple task.
The Polaroid 600 series of cameras are not as high-tech as digital cameras and require film to be manually loaded into the device before any pictures can be taken and developed. However, just because such cameras require someone to manually insert the film doesn't mean it involves a complicated and lengthy process. In fact, loading up a Polaroid 600 camera is very simple and takes almost no time at all.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Pull up the flash unit on the front of the camera and snap it into place.
2. Open the film door by pressing the button located on the side of the camera. The film door is located below the lens and should open when the button is pressed. If you're looking at the face of the camera where the lens is, the film door button is located on the left side of the camera.
3. Insert the film pack through the film door, pushing it through until a "click" is heard. Hold the film pack by the edges and in the direction as labeled on the package.
4. Close the film door by pushing the door up back into place.
5. Allow the camera to eject the paper film cover.
Tags: film door, button located, cameras require, door pushing, film door pushing, film pack, into place
In modern times the question is always which rather than if in terms of personal computer ownership. Both manufacturers and sellers bank on this reality, and your life is inundated with opportunities to pick up last year’s models through your credit card provider, used equipment from all over the place, and of course new products from the Big Three (Lenovo, Dell and HP) as well as hundreds of smaller resellers and clone shops. Trying to decide on the right computer for you is a grueling task and now rivals a funeral as the third largest expense in your life behind your home and your car. You will probably live with whatever you decide for several years, so making the right decision is critical for a number of reasons. Read on to learn decide what kind of computer to buy.
Instructions
1. First, take an inventory of how you use or will use a computer. If you are upgrading or replacing the one you have now, this will of course be much easier because hopefully you are clear about where this system fails to meet your requirements or if there are any premium functions you never used. If this is a first-time computer purchase or a transition that is too significant to compare to past usage, then think about and list your requirements carefully.
2. Determine the software applications that you will be using. There is no point in purchasing hardware if you don’t have a clear understanding of the software you need. Also, consider the peripherals and applications you own that you want to continue using with a new computer so you can confirm whether they will work with the operating system on the new computer.
3. Create a detailed budget for the new computer. Know what you are willing to spend and think through the total cost of ownership over the life cycle of the system as well as the entry cost at the time of purchase. You may not be able to effectively complete this step until you have done more research and shopped, so be prepared to constantly adjust and revise this budget. It will be especially beneficial for certain high-level decisions such as whether you pick up a used gaming system for under $1000 rather than invest three or four times that much to get what you need in a new model.
4. Assess your technical capability and experience realistically. If you are not an experienced user and don’t have a firm understanding of what you need and want, maybe you should enroll in a basic computer seminar or course before making your decision.
5. Consider whether you need an extended warranty and how difficult it will be to get support or assistance for both small and major issues (every new computer will come with some kind of warranty). Obviously you will be on your own with a used system unless you are able to transfer warranty and support services.
6. Discuss benefits and concerns with people you know. There is probably someone in your circle who has purchased one or more computers from a source you would consider. But don’t make up your mind because one person you trust hasn’t had a problem with a vendor. You can also look for online discussion groups where you can easily solicit and receive good information on a variety of related topics.
7. Start shopping now. First go online. Check out the Dell, Lenovo and HP websites as well as Apple. Be very careful to avoid making a decision based on early results from this perspective. The people who develop content for these websites are savvy marketers who are exploiting your weaknesses. Perhaps the most important factor to avoid is the seeming value of a low-priced system when in fact the components used in the configuration are the lowest quality the company offers. These companies are constantly promoting low price to hook you into a sales dialog, but in the end the price you settle on will invariably be much greater.
8. Avoid opportunities to buy now and pay later. Many computer sales companies will offer you no interest for one year, then higher interest on the balance after one year than is practical. If you can’t afford the computer you buy today, then don’t buy it. It will be severely out of date by the time you pay for it and will probably need some kind of repair that will cost as much as the whole system.
9. Shop online for used equipment using your local classifieds, Craigslist and possibly eBay (and any others you can locate). You may be very surprised at how much new and used equipment is available in these forums.
10. Visit some local stores and speak with the salespeople there. Not all salespeople are created equally, so you need to spend a significant amount of time talking with different people. Sometimes a personal contact can refer you to someone who really knows what he is talking about. If you don’t know anyone like this, look for referrals. You can even call a local college or university and ask the IT department if there is a local vendor they use to acquire servers or workstations.
11. Be sensitive to user requirements and overall customer satisfaction concerns. A new system from a local vendor who configures the system according to your personal requirements using top quality components may be a far better value than a seemingly comparable Dell or other online sales offer that is priced at half the amount at the local vendor. Shipping your system back to the factory for service is time-consuming and inconvenient. Adding on all the software and extended warranty costs for a discounted system may run up the price to much higher than what you initially expect to spend.
Tags: local vendor, used equipment, applications that, extended warranty, rather than, some kind
Fast film is best for shooting in low-light situations or stopping motion in sports.
In photography, ASA and ISO are both measurements of film speed, or sensitivity to light. ASA is a scale created by the American Standards Association, but it is no longer widely used. Now, most film is labeled by ISO, which was created in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization. There is no difference in the film itself.
Mathematical Basis
There have been many systems of measuring film speed, but two of the major ones before 1987 were ASA and DIN (created by the German Institute for Standardization). ASA was an arithmetic scale, meaning that doubling the sensitivity of the film also doubled its ASA number. DIN was a logarithmic scale, so doubling the sensitivity added 3 degrees to the DIN number. ISO basically combines these two methods into a single standard, so there is both an arithmetic and logarithmic scale within the ISO system. The ISO arithmetic scale, based on the ASA system, is more commonly used.
Choosing a Film Speed
Fast film, labeled with a high ISO or ASA number, like 1600, is very sensitive to light, so it allows you to shoot with faster shutter speeds or at higher f-stops. This is particularly useful in low-light situations. The drawback is that images shot with faster film often turn out grainy and with higher contrast. Slow film, labeled with a low ISO or ASA number, like 100, is less sensitive to light, so it requires you to shoot with slower shutter speeds or at lower f-stops. It also produces higher-quality photos. The same goes for higher ISO/ASA settings on digital cameras.
Conversion
There is no conversion needed between ASA and ISO numbers. ASA 100 is equal to ISO 100. If you need to convert between DIN and ISO/ASA, it is easiest to refer to a conversion chart.
Use In Film Photography
In film photography, ASA or ISO numbers help photographers select the appropriate type of film. The number appears on the box and on the film roll itself. On many cameras, there is a dial that should be changed to match the speed of the film you are using.
Use in Digital Photography
Digital cameras use an ISO setting too, but instead of indicating film speed, it controls the sensitivity of camera's image sensor to light. The same rules apply to digital ISO as film. It is rare for a digital camera to use ASA because the ISO standard replaced it before Kodak released the first consumer digital camera in 1991.
Tags: film labeled, film speed, arithmetic scale, digital camera, doubling sensitivity
The K100D and K10D are both digital SLRs from Pentax
When comparing the K100D and K10D from Pentax, know what you want in a digital SLR, including the types of photographs you will be taking and how you intend to use those pictures.
The K100D
Pentax's Shake Reduction system helps you take photos in low light.
Pentax's K100D is a 6.1 megapixel camera. The file size is smaller, so it may not be appropriate for professional use.
The K100D is marketed as a user-friendly digital SLR and offers several preset scene modes to make it easier for beginners to find the right settings for a particular photograph. It can also be switched into "manual" mode for users who understand aperture and shutter speed.
The camera uses an SD memory card and at 22.4 oz., it is the smaller of the two cameras.
The K10D
Both the K100D and the K10 can be used with Pentax KAF lenses.
The K10D is 10.2 megapixel camera, which provides a file size usable for large prints and professional photography.
Unlike the K100D, the K10 doesn't provide scene modes. It is marketed to more advanced photographers, as many of the settings must be adjusted manually.
The K10D also uses an SD memory card and is a bigger camera at 27.9 oz.
Comparison
The Pentax K10D is more suitable for advanced or professional photographers.
The Pentax K100D is appropriate for a beginner, and the K10D is for more advanced photographers.
Tags: advanced photographers, file size, from Pentax, K100D K10D, K10D more
The correct white balance setting will make a white object appear white in a photo.
The Pentax K10D is a 10-megapixel digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera released in 2006. It is designed for advanced amateur photographers and is loaded with features including a high-quality image processor, dust/weather proof seals, 11-point auto focus system, and two unique exposure modes: the Sv (sensitivity priority) mode and the TAv (shutter speed and aperture priority) mode. It also has a digital-preview feature which is very useful in selecting the right white-balance setting, which adjusts the color of an image so that white objects appear white.
Instructions
1. Move the power switch located on the top right side of the camera body to the "ON" position.
2. Set the mode dial to "Green" for basic shooting. The camera will automatically select the proper exposure, shutter speed, aperture and white-balance settings.
3. Select a preset white-balance setting. If you are not satisfied with photos taken with "Auto White Balance" or to intentionally apply a creative effect, press the "Fn" button at the back of the camera body. Press the left arrow in the four-way controller for the white-balance menu to appear.
4. Press the four-way button up or down to select from any of the following white-balance presets: daylight, shade, cloudy, fluorescent, tungsten, flash, manual or color temperature. Press "OK" button for your selection. Press "OK" button again to exit from the menu.
5. To get a digital preview before taking a picture, focus on the subject, compose the photo in the viewfinder and move the main switch to the "Preview" icon. Look in the LCD monitor to see how the image looks like. The digital preview image will not be saved.
6. To start taking pictures, press the shutter release button halfway to focus on the subject. Press it fully to capture a photo.
Tags: appear white, camera body, digital preview, focus subject, Press button
If you don't have a regular microphone, you can record audio via your headset.
Most laptops provide both an input connection for a microphone and the needed software (included in Windows 7) to record audio files. You can easily record a song on your laptop if inspiration hits you on the road, or if you want to send your loved one an audio message as an email attachment or to record a memorable speech at a party.
Instructions
1. Switch your laptop on, and wait for Windows to start up.
2. Search for the mini-jack input connection and plug your microphone in. The jack will be situated either at the back or the side of the laptop. This connection is often marked "Mic" and will usually have a red or pink color.
3. Click "Start" and select "All Programs."
4. Select "Accessories" and double-click on "Sound Recorder." A sound-recording box will pop up.
5. Switch your microphone on, and get ready to record.
6. Click "Start Recording" as soon as you are ready, and start talking or singing into the microphone. Click on "Stop Recording" when you are done.
7. A dialog box will pop up, asking you if you want to save. Click "Yes" if you are happy with the recording, or "Cancel" to try again. In this case you will click on "Resume Recording" to carry on recording.
8. Select a folder you want to save the audio file to, and type a name for the file in the "File Name" box. Click "Save."
Tags: Click Start, input connection, Switch your, want save, your laptop, your microphone
NuVo Grand Concerto is a complete home audio system that allows you to provide audio files from up to six different sources. Users can connect and use up to eight different systems from the Grand Concerto main console. Connections from each audio station to the back panel of the console are made with CAT5 cables. To reinstall a previously removed NuVo Grand Concerto system, you will need to make new CAT5 cable connections.
Instructions
1. Prepare the NuVo Grand Concerto main console by taking a clean, dry cloth and removing any dust or dirt from the back panel.
2. Strip 3 inches to 4 inches from the end of the CAT5 cable. Twist and fan the wires out, exposing each individual wire.
3. Straighten the wires and place them in this order: green stripe, green, orange stripe, blue, blue stripe, orange, brown stripe and brown.
4. Cut the end of each wire at the same time, using the crimping cutter, making the wires as even in length as possible. Cut enough of the end off so that each wire is about 1/2-inch in length.
5. Hold the wires, still in the proper order, between your thumb and fore finger and slide them into the RJ45 connector, pushing them into the connector as far as they will go without bending them.
6. Place the connector in the crimping tool and push down the handle to tighten the wiring firmly in place.
7. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 for each CAT5 cable you will need, depending on how many connections you need. You will need to prepare both ends of each cable.
8. Connect the amplifier and each audio system to the back panel of the NuVo Grand Concerto console with the CAT5 cables.
Tags: Grand Concerto, back panel, CAT5 cable, NuVo Grand Concerto, will need, audio system
The Shure 450 Series II desktop microphone is a dynamic, omnidirectional unit created mainly for paging, according to the Shure website. The microphone has an attached cord, consisting of a shield with inner wires, which requires an electrical connector as a pass-through in order for the unit to be plugged in to other electronic devices. If you would like to connect a Shure 450 Series II microphone to another device, you can wire the microphone to a standard microphone connector, like an XLR.
Instructions
1. Hold the XLR connector so that the holes are on the left, right and bottom. The area of the connector with no hole should be at the top.
2. Connect the green wire from inside the shield to the positive input on the XLR connector. The positive input is the right hole when the connector is held with the holes on the left, right and bottom.
3. Insert the white wire from inside the shield to the negative input on the XLR connector. The hole at the bottom of the connector is the negative input.
4. Connect the wire that is attached to the shield to the chassis ground input. The chassis ground is the input on the left side.
5. Tape the wires in place in the inputs with electrical tape for a temporary hold. If you want the wires for the Shure 450 microphone permanently connected to the XLR connector, heat a low-wattage soldering iron and touch it to the wire connections to melt the wires into place.
Tags: chassis ground, chassis ground input, from inside, from inside shield, ground input
The short-lived Canon Speedlite 420EZ camera flash was produced from 1987 until 1989. The flash differs from Canon's newer 420EX flash, though it was considered a top-of-the-line model when it was introduced.
Features
The 420EZ can swivel and tilt, and it also has a zooming flash head that will internally adjust to the focal length of any shot. The zoom range is 24 mm to 80 mm, with stops at 24, 28, 35, 50, 70 and 80 mm.
Function
You can use manual control over the flash output and the unit's built-in controls boast a power range from 1 to 1/32. The flash is not compatible with digital cameras but does support A-TTL and TTL automated flash metering with compatible film cameras.
Considerations
Canon's 420EZ does support second-curtain synchronization through a control on the back panel, which also features an LCD. The stroboscopic flash has a range of 1 Hz to 5 Hz, the unit has a Save Energy mode and it weighs 350g. The flash runs on four, non-lithium, AA batteries.
The goals of a 4-H photography project are to increase knowledge of use a camera and related equipment, understand the value of good photos and to be creative, solve problems and have patience while practicing a skill, according to the National Standards for Arts Education. Participants should work with their parents and leaders to make a project plan for their photography project. 4-H Photography can help young people enjoy photography as a hobby and possibly as a future profession.
Take Family Photos
4-H students can start their photography project close to home by using their family members as subjects. They can practice the skills of capturing various moods and expression when taking portraits. Photos of individual family members as well as group photos can be taken based on a theme, such as generations, religious practices, family hobbies or family traditions. The student photographer can experiment with taking formal, staged photos versus informal, natural photos.
Organize Family Photos
Some goals of the 4-H photography curriculum are to appreciate photography as an art, a communication tool and also as a way to record events and situations. Organizing family photos into artistic scrapbooks or photo displays can meet these goals. Students can make a record of their family history that will be cherished by their family for years to come.
Photograph Historical Sites
Historical sites in the local community can be an excellent source to practice artistic and technical photography. Historical buildings and sites often have interesting architecture and unique features that will provide rich material for photos. Students can practice using different lighting and angels to enhance their photos.
Photograph Nature
The beauty of nature makes a compelling subject for a photography project. Students can practice taking photos from different perspectives, such as a bird's eye view or zoomed in up-close. Nature often provides good opportunities to take sequences of photos, such as an animal running, a bird taking flight or even the clouds drifting by overhead. Themes for a photo journal on nature are nearly endless and could include the weather, the seasons, plants, animals, water and growth.
Food Photography
Preparing, styling and photographing food can make a comprehensive 4-H project. Students can practice many of the skills related to professional photography by making food their subject. This project would entail many steps, including planning a menu, shopping for food, preparing and cooking the food, setting up the photo shoot and taking quality photos. Food photography is a growing profession so students could gain skills that may help them work toward their career goals.
Create Web Page
The 4-H Digital Photography Project offers young people a chance to learn about digital photography and display their photos online. 4-H provides online tools for organizing and sharing photos on individual web pages and through group challenges.
Tags: photography project, Students practice, their family, family members, Family Photos
Third generation, or 3G, telecommunications services allow computing access to applications including Internet services and multimedia uses, such as Internet TV applications. 3G is a step forward from the earlier 2G networks.
High Speed
3G networks usually work with wireless application protocol applications for small, mobile, Internet-ready devices. The speed of communications using 3G range from 14.4 mbps at highest speed, to fixed devices operating at around 2 mbps and mobile devices operating at 348 kbps.
Frequency
Signals sent to base towers operating 3G and lower band services compete for the towers' operating power over the frequency information that is sent over. 3G services use the less common 2 Ghz frequency, while other telecommunications services operate over frequencies of between 900 and 1,900 Mhz.
Providers
Computing capabilities offered by 3G can be obtained from both terrestrial and satellite based service providers. Data are sent over a network by being broken into pieces of information that are given an authentication code; when the information arrives at its destination the information is rearranged into the correct order using the code to identify the information.
Tags: devices operating, information that, sent over, telecommunications services, towers operating
A camera is a simple concept. The basic design has a light-proof box with an opening which allows light to come in and strike the photographic film. Complex camera models are on the market which use complex mirror and lens systems. However, all cameras operate in essentially the same manner. To build a camera at home, the easiest model to build is a pinhole camera.
Instructions
1. Place a small wooden block inside the tin box. Mark the center of the box with a dot. Drill a hole through the dot with a 1/4 inch drill bit.
2. Turn the box so the bottom is facing forward. Drill a hole in the top left corner of the box. Use a drill bit the same size as the dowel you purchased.
3. Measure the height and width of the tin box. Cut two pieces of black foam core to the measured dimensions. Put glue on one side of the long edge of each piece. Glue one on each side of the box. Position each piece the distance of one 35mm film roll from the side of the box.
4. Cut two more pieces of foam core that measure the height of the box and length of the foam core to the box edge. Put glue on one edge of each piece and place them in the canister. Position them on the right side of the box, between the foam core and the edge. Space them so that a film roll fits between the two pieces lengthwise.
5. Paint the inside of the tin with a matte black paint. Wait for it to dry.
6. Poke a hole in the aluminum with a needle. Cut a hole in a square piece of black tape. Make sure the tape is larger than the aluminum piece. Place the tape on the aluminum. Line up the holes so the hole in the aluminum piece is exposed. Tape the aluminum piece on the inside of the camera, directly over the hole you drilled in the bottom.
7. Make a notch in the bottom of the dowel with a saw. The notch needs to be long enough for the dowel to grasp the inside of the film roll when inserted. Paint the dowel black with matte black paint. Wait for it to dry.
8. Place the dowel into the hole on the side of the box. The notched side goes into the hole first. Cut the dowel down so about one inch sticks out the top of the camera.
9. Place the lid on the box.
10. Tape a small piece of black foam core over the hole in the front of the camera. Remove the tape to allow light in and capture images on the film.
Tags: foam core, aluminum piece, each piece, film roll, black foam
35mm film cameras are still popular with professional and amateur photographers.
35mm film, the most common film used in contemporary photography, is available in black and white, color and slide, and in different speeds. Camera shutter-speed, light conditions, film type and speed and other considerations all have to be taken into account when composing a 35mm photograph. Digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras are now made by the major professional camera manufacturers and digital picture composition requires exactly the same considerations as film picture composition. Professional digital SLR cameras are capable of producing images that are every bit as good as those produced by cameras recording images on film. Tips on take photographs using 35mm film are just as valid when applied to digital cameras.
Composition
The composition of a photograph is very important. You want your photograph to show a subject from a perspective that is pleasing to the viewer. Ensure that the camera is focused on the subject, without too much of the surrounding environment in the frame. If you don't have a zoom lens, move the camera nearer.
When composing a photograph that focuses on a single subject, observe the "rule of thirds," by positioning the subject in the left or right third of the frame. Have the subject turn slightly to look into the empty portion of the frame. This gives the composition a dynamic effect.
When shooting inanimate objects, evaluate the effect of shooting the subject from an angle that the human eye would not usually see. Unusual effects are often the most visually attractive.
Depth of Field
Depth of field refers to how much of the area in front of and behind a subject is in focus. Depth of field is described as being shallow or great. A "great" depth of field means that the subject and any items for a great distance behind the subject are also in focus. If you want viewers to pay attention to just the subject of your photograph, you should consider going for a "shallow" depth of field. You can achieve this by opening the aperture of your lens (the F-Stop ring on the lens itself) as wide as possible. The smaller the F-Stop number, the larger the aperture. If you want to make the depth of field even more shallow and you are using a zoom lens, you can move your camera further back from the subject and zoom in. This will also have the effect of narrowing the depth of field. As a result, your subject will be in sharp focus and the background will be blurry. Viewers will be drawn to the subject.
Night Photography
Shooting at night or in other low-light conditions means that you have to allow the shutter to remain open longer than would otherwise be the case to allow enough light to come through the lens and hit the film. Night photography often means you need to use a tripod and a shutter-release cable. Setting a shutter speed that allows the shutter to be open longer means that the camera must be steady for as long as the shutter is open. This is why a tripod is needed. A shutter release cable means that you can manually open and close the shutter without actually touching the camera, which might also cause it to shake and blur your picture. With long shutter speeds, anything moving within the frame of your picture appears as a blurry streak. Sometimes this is an effect you are actually looking for, such as when you see the long streaks of car lights in photographs of a city at night.
Tags: means that, 35mm film, behind subject, depth field, depth field, digital cameras, lens move
Owners of used car batteries may be able to find buyers for them, especially if they are still working. Options for selling a car battery include selling it to an auto shop or to a metal recycling center. It is also possible to find buyers through a posting on classified websites on the Internet. Handle car batteries with care while searching for a buyer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, they contain lead and acid in toxic amounts.
Instructions
1. Sell your car battery to an auto repair shop. These shops usually need working parts that they can use in their repair work. You may be able to get a reasonable amount of money for your used battery.
2. Advertise online. Users of classifieds websites often use theses as a medium to sell items they no longer need or buy items they need at low prices. You can also offer your used car battery on auction sites.
3. Sell the car battery to a recycling center. Some metal recycling centers will offer cash for used batteries. Be aware that only a few of them do this, however, and the amount offered is usually small.
Tags: your used battery, find buyers, items they, metal recycling, recycling center, Sell Used
Scanners are hand held radio receivers that can be programmed to pick up specific frequencies. These frequencies are often radio channels used by local emergency services, citizens band radio, railroads or airports, listened to by hobbyists, journalists and others. Radio Shack has been a leading producer of electronics, such as scanners, since 1921. Learning use a Radio Shack scanner can keep you informed about local events as they occur and even provide entertainment.
Instructions
1. Power up the scanner. Radio Shack scanners can obtain power from three different sources: internal batteries; an AC power supply cord; or a DC vehicle adapter.
2. Turn on the scanner by turning the volume knob clockwise. The screen will display the message, "Welcome to Dual Trunking." Turn the "Squelch" knob clockwise until the indicator is pointed to "Min." Slowly turn the dial counterclockwise until there is no background noise.
3. Press "Manual." Enter the number (0 - 9) of the bank in which you want to store the first frequency. Radio Shack scanners have ten banks, which each store 100 channels. Press "Manual" again to store the bank number.
4. Press the "Func" key and then press the up or down arrow key. The channels on the selected blank will move up or down, from 1 - 100. Select a channel that does not yet contain a frequency.
5. Press the "PGM" key and the "M" displayed on the screen will change to "P" for "Program." Type in the frequency you wish to store, using the "./Delay" key to cause the scanner to pause at this frequency for two seconds, or until audio is no longer detected. Press "Enter." This will store the frequency. Repeat steps 3 - 5, entering each desired frequency.
Tags: Radio Shack, knob clockwise, Press Manual, Program Radio, Program Radio Shack
Wedding pictures create a memory of a very important life event. But the cost of wedding photographers can be a financial burden to those who are already spending too much on their wedding. Digital cameras and photo editing software have made taking quality pictures easier for the amateur photographer. Automatic focus and lighting apertures limit the number of blurry, overexposed shots. Photo editing can eliminate some of the most common photograph flaws. Photographing weddings can now be done easily and inexpensively.
Instructions
Take Wedding Photos
1. Prepare for photographing the wedding prior to the big day. Make sure that the camera battery is charged and the flash works. Bring a tripod for the wedding party portraits. Visit the ceremony and reception venues prior to the wedding to check lighting and backgrounds. Many cameras have a variety of scene settings to ensure a good photograph. Experiment with the different settings to see which will make the best pictures.
2. Take pictures of groups. Sometimes wedding guests can number in the hundreds. Individual shots of each guest will be overwhelming and cumbersome. Visit each guest table during the reception and take photographs of the entire group. This creates fun, lively photographs.
3. Change backgrounds often. If the ceremony is at a church, many of the wedding party portraits will be taken at the steps leading up to the altar. But all the photos do not have to be shot there. Take the party outside the church. Use the building as a backdrop as well as the surrounding grounds. Varied backgrounds make for more interesting photographs.
4. Capture the ceremony with the camera. The ceremony can be one of the most meaningful parts of the wedding. Be sure to turn off the volume on the camera if possible. Odd beeps and clicks can be distracting and rude. Try to get interesting photographs during the ceremony without being too obvious.
5. Vary the camera angle and perspective. Do not limit the perspective to front and center. Use imagination to set up the shot. Take shots from above the fray or from a discreet corner.
6. Edit the photographs after the wedding. Use editing software to clean up shots. First fix the red eye. There is usually a specific function to do this. Then crop the photograph to preserve the best part of the frame. Next, fix any exposure, sharpness and color issues.
Tags: Digital cameras, each guest, editing software, interesting photographs, party portraits, Take Wedding