Friday 25 May 2012

£10 off £100 spend on new Compact digital cameras range

Canon Powershot A2300 16 Megapixel 5x Zoom Silver 
Code: HGY3-PQ9Q-KNMK

Offer: £10 off £100spend on new Cameras range Valid on orders made from 25 May to 09 June
Valid once per user



Slim, colourful and stylish, the PowerShot A2300 has a 5x zoom, instant HD movies (720p), Help button and Smart Auto - so it's easy to capture every moment in superb, 16 megapixel detail wherever you go.
Complete beginners can shoot high quality photos or movies with Smart Auto, which detects the scene and automatically selects the optimal settings from 32 variables. Press the Auto button to return instantly to Smart Auto from any other mode.


Live View Control allows you to easily experiment with picture settings such as brightness and colour intensity and preview the results while framing, so you can capture the best shot.


Experiment and have fun with a range of creative filters. Use Fish-eye Effect to re-create fish-eye lens distortion, Super Vivid to boost colour saturation, retro Poster and Toy Camera Effects or Monochrome. Miniature Effect makes scenes in stills or movies look like miniature scale models.
Don't forget to add a memory card to your basket as one isn't included with the camera. You won't be able to save your pictures without one.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Jordi Ruiz Cirera winner of 2012 AOP Student Photographer of the Year


2012 AOP Student Photographer of the Year was announced last night at the Awards presentation and launch of this year’s AOP Students Awards. Jordi Ruiz Cirera, from London College of Communication, was voted as Student Photographer of the Year, by the panel of five judges, comprising of Julia Fullerton-Batten, Harry Hardie, Perry Curties, Nick Meek and Michael Regnier. As the overall winner, Ruiz Cirera took home a fantastic array of prizes including a limited edition black Finepix X100 digital camera supplied by Fujifilm, a full day’s work experience with highly acclaimed photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten, a bespoke portfolio supplied by Delta Design Studio and a year’s mentoring scheme with Harry Hardie, Director and Founder of Here.

Winner Jordi Ruiz Cirera says: “It feels so great to win, especially with both series’ - such a big surprise! I can’t wait to work with both Julia and Harry. Winning Student Photographer of the Year is an amazing accolade, because the AOP is the most prestigious UK organisation for professional photographers. This is going to be a really useful foot in the door to the industry.”

The exhibition will be open until Saturday 19th May at Hoxton Gallery, the Basement, Corner of Drysdale Street & Hoxton Street, N1.

Photo © Jordi Ruiz Cirera, London College of Communication
2012 AOP Student Photographer of the Year

Wednesday 9 May 2012

London searches for Olympics photographer

London searches for Olympics photographer, invitation to tender with maximum fund of £160.000
Read this

Friday 4 May 2012

Saturday 28 April 2012

UK photographers - know your rights


In recent times there has been much confusion surrounding photographers' rights in the UK. This page will clear up some of that confusion with the essential information, answers to important questions and useful resources. By reading this page you accept that LFPH are not offering legal advice and do not accept responsibility for any omissions or errors. If you require legal advice please consult a lawyer.
Read more here: http://www.lfph.org/photographers-rights-in-the-uk

GET AN EXTRA 15% for Practical Photography magazine

Practical Photography Magazine
GET AN EXTRA 15% for Practical Photography magazine (off all orders over £40). Use Voucher code PPSAVE15 at the checkout.


Thursday 19 April 2012

London Wild Bird Watch 2012 exhibition


Visit the website

'London Wild Bird Watch aims to create a unique blend of ‘Shop, Learn and Do’ for everyone who has an existing or growing interest in bird and wildlife watching. That includes elite birders to people who enjoy feeding birds in their garden.
April at WWT London Wetland Centre is a great time of year for spotting a wide variety of birds. Migrant waders are returning and summer breeding birds, such as sand martin, whitethroat and reed warbler will be arriving in force. Most birds will be settling down to claim their nest sites and territories in April resulting in a wealth of bird song, displaying and courtship rituals such as the elegant bonding display of lapwings. Look out for early chicks such as little and great crested grebe.
Visitor tickets for London Wild Bird Watch are discounted for RSPB members who may use the promotional code RSPBZ, readers of Amateur Photographer can also receive discounted entry by using the promotional code AP1.
All visitors, WWT members and non – members must pay for car parking.
I look forward to seeing you at London Wild Bird Watch'
Chris James
Founder and Event Director



Visit the exhibition program by clicking here

Monday 16 April 2012

Protect your iPad from dust, dirt, water and sand!

iPad waterproof case
The Aquapac Whanganui iPad case is specifically sized for Apple's iPad, but is also the perfect way to protect and carry all sorts of gear - phones, cameras, passports and other important documents - in fact anything you need to keep 100% waterproof when you're exposed to the elements. Supplied with a shoulder-strap for easy transport, the Aquapac Whanganui enables the touch-screen on your iPad to be used unhindered and helps keep it free from dust , dirt and sand.

Thursday 12 April 2012

Canon announced the introduction of the new EOS-1D C


PRESS RELEASE-
Canon announced the introduction of the new EOS-1D C, a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera targeting the motion picture, television and high-resolution production industries. Delivering outstanding video quality, advanced low light performance and film-like dynamic range, the compact and lightweight EOS-1D C supports in-camera 4K (4,096 x 2,160) video recording with 4:2:2 colour sampling, offering greater creative freedom for video professionals.
The first SLR camera of its kind, the EOS-1D C offers a unique and highly portable package optimised for high-quality video recording. Advanced creative flexibility is provided with support for a range of resolutions and variable frame rates. 4K video is recorded using 8-bit Motion JPEG compression at 24p, and Full HD (1920 x 1080) video capture is available at frame rates up to 1080/60p. The camera supports internal recording to CF cards at all resolutions up to and including 4K, offering enhanced mobility. Video can also be output to external recorders1 via an integrated HDMI terminal using an uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 signal.
The EOS-1D C also features Canon Log Gamma, which facilitates the capture of high quality video rich in exposure latitude and dynamic range. Ideal for video professionals who want to retain the maximum amount of information without huge file sizes, Canon Log Gamma offers a dynamic range uniquely comparable to film, minimising shadowdetail loss and highlight-detail loss to provide greater grading freedom for colourists in post-production.
"The EOS-1D C is a fantastic addition to the Cinema EOS System," said Kieran Magee, Marketing Director, Professional Imaging, Canon Europe. "Since the introduction of Cinema EOS we've had an excellent response from professionals who are hugely excited by the image quality and creative freedom the system offers. The new EOS-1D C will expand those creative options further – it's a unique camera, supporting 4K video recording in a highly compact body that can be used in a number of different ways. We're very excited to see what the professional community can achieve with it."
Advanced performance meets creative flexibility
Based on the core specifications of the EOS-1D X, the EOS-1D C provides exceptional image quality and versatility, with an 18.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Optimised for high quality video capture, the sensor provides video professionals with the freedom to adjust image resolution to suit a subject or desired output. During 4K shooting pixels are cropped to an area equivalent to an APS-H sensor, preventing the need to resize or scale the image, ensuring maximum image quality. Additionally, a Super 35mm crop in Full HD recording caters for cinematographers who typically work in the Super 35mm field of view.
The sensor provides high quality performance in all conditions, delivering advanced creative blurring and light capturing abilities when used in combination with Canon's EF Cinema prime lenses. Its size enables professionals to achieve an extremely shallow depth of field with beautiful background blur, and sensitivity up to ISO 25,600 provides excellent quality and reduced noise in low-light situations.
In addition, support for 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60p frame rates in Full HD resolution shooting provides additional flexibility, satisfying the shooting needs of professionals across the industry. Industry-standard timecode and codec support and a choice of compression methods provides compatibility with established workflow processes, facilitating easy editing and grading immediately after shooting.
The EOS-1D C ships with an exclusive software package, including a suite that allows 4K/Motion JPEG and Full HD/60p video shot on the camera to be output on an external monitor2 with no loss of image quality. It also enables video shot with Canon Log Gamma to be output on a monitor with standard video gamma applied.
Additional advanced applications, including Picture Style Editor and EOS Utility, also enable adjustments to various camera settings to be conducted from a PC. Real-time procedures, such as the editing and registration of picture styles or checking results on a monitor, can be conveniently performed on-set using a PC or Mac – allowing users to promptly carry out adjustments, and ensuring efficient shooting and post-production procedures.
EF lenses and EF Cinema Lenses – freedom to explore
As part of the EOS system, the EOS-1D C is compatible with more than 60 EF lenses, all of which offer high resolutions to support 4K image capture. The EF lens series offers exceptional creative freedom, with focal length options ranging from 8mm to 800mm. Over 70 million EF lenses have been manufactured since the EOS system launched in 1987 – a measure of its unparalleled quality and popularity. As part of the Cinema EOS System, Canon has also introduced a range of 4K EF Cinema Lenses, utilising the company's unique optical heritage to produce leading-quality lenses optimised for high-quality video capture.

Thursday 29 March 2012

Tips On How To Use A Light Meter

Light meters can enable you to get precise readings so that you can set your digital camera to obtain the finest exposures feasible. You're going to discover 2 kinds of metering.


Sekonic L-308DC DigiCineMate Light Meter
For many individuals, making use of the light meter built-in their digital camera models is suitable enough. On the other hand whenever you wish to take your digital photography competencies to a whole new level, you may need to think about using a lightmeter that is hand-held.


You will understand 2 types of metering:

  • The first kind is reflective metering. The actual meter within your digital camera is basically reflective metering. It calculates the quantity of light that will bounce off of from your subject into your digital camera lens. Your digital camera makes use of this info to determine variables including the aperture, ISO and shutter speed if it is fixed on auto-mode.
  • The second kind of metering is often known as incident metering. Handheld light meters are generally incident meters. The incident meters calculate the light shimmering on the subject. Simply because they are not relying on the reflective attributes of light to provide you with a reading, they are a lot more precise when compared with your camera interior meter. The dome that comes in reflective meter contains sensitive sensor that calculates the light entering it from all probable angles.
Making use of a hand-held meter is effortless and reasonably straightforward. As soon as you become comfortable in making use of a light meter, you are likely to take excitement in the results you will get, and will not doubtless want to work without having it. All meters fundamentally function in a similar way so you're equipped to make use of these directions for just about any type of light meter you may invest in.


Enter in your digital SLR ISO setting into your meter as well as the shutter speed. Now hold the meter up facing your subject. Should you be taking a photograph of a gentleman or woman you will hold the meter, just right in front of the face of the person along with the dome of the light meter facing in the direction away from them.


A few photography enthusiasts point the light meter towards the location the electronic camera is going to be in. Should you be utilizing a tripod this really is straightforward simply point the meter in the direction of where you photographic camera is going to sit on the tripod. Some other photographers point the light meter towards the source of light. These people point out that the reading created by the meter while directed on the light source is in reality much more precise and inhibits you from receiving highlights which might be blown out. You can test the 2 approaches to determine which is best suited for you.


Immediately after the meter presents read how much light on the subject, it offers you the f-stop or aperture number you should obtain as the recommended exposure for your image. Simply set the current aperture of your camera, and you can start taking images. However, for anyone who is shooting pics inside a studio environment, with a number of source of light you will need to require a light meter reading for every light source that hits your subject.


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Tuesday 20 March 2012

Be Part Of The Lomography Community

What is Lomography?
Lomography is the newest craze of today in terms of taking photographs. There was a time when all of us wanted to have their very own SLR cameras because of the top quality of its pictures but things change so quickly because lomo cameras are what individuals want.


La Sardina Lomography Camera
There are so many reasons why people want to possess a lomography camera. With the SLR, it is possible to adjust the digital camera to get really clear and incredible shots with high quality. This makes the images really clear but one difficulty is that you need to have a lot of experience to be ready to take the types of pictures that you want.

When it comes to lomography, all these rules are forgotten because the principles in lomography are different compared to the principles of taking photographs. In lomography, the funkier the picture, the more people appreciate it. It can be like fine art where even if most people do not understand it, there are a few who find it as essentially the most stunning thing that has ever been published. The craze is also considered ironic because of how people went back from aspiring to take the clearest of pictures to taking distorted pictures with weird effects.


Camera Lomography Diana F+

The outcome of the picture when you use a lomography camera depends on the type of lomography camera that you have. There are many different kinds of lomography cameras that have been created since the product gained fame and there are also lenses that have been made for varying results. The range of effects with this camera varies greatly because there are so many products on the market that has different effects. A lomography camera is made for the purpose of taking a picture that is entirely distinct and it has served as a way for people to stand out from the group of people who are obsessed with high fidelity photos.


Toy Cameras, Creative Photos
Despite the fact that the lomography craze is totally different, it has caught the curiosity of many people because of the cool images that can be made with the photographic camera. There are fisheye lenses that make the subject look bigger than it normally is, different colors because of the lens of the camera, along with the lack of focus when it comes to the subjects. The thing about vintage camera is that no matter how imperfect a picture is compared to an SLR camera, there is still beauty that can be observed on the pictures and lomography enthusiasts appreciates these images.




Lomo Camera Recesky TLR

There is a group of people who share their lomographies on the internet. They post most of the pictures that they take and show it to the people who are also fond of lomography. There is also a magazine for these people where the very best shots are printed. Lomography has its own set of rules and these rules are very straightforward and any end user who knows how to use a camera can start his or her personal lomography blog. The magic formula in lomography is taking as much photographs as you can so that you can have a lot to share on the lomography community.


Shop with Amazon, the most cost-effective lomography shop to date, or visit Best Photo UK.

Friday 16 March 2012

'Fifty Years of Photography in Britain' exhibition opening


16 March – 19 September 2012


V&A London, Room 38a
Free admission
Drawn exclusively from the V&A collections, this display features a selection of more than 80 photographs made in the UK since the 1950s. It focuses on individual projects, each of which tells a story. Collectively, they give a picture of life in Britain that reflects upon subjects ranging from landscape and industry to family and community.
The photographers represented include: Maurice Broomfield, Elsbeth Juda, Roger Mayne, Don McCullin, Raymond Moore, Bill Brandt, Grace Robertson, Fay Godwin, Chris Killip, Martin Parr, Nigel Shafran, Peter Fraser, John R. J. Taylor, Mark Edwards and Jeremy Deller & Alan Kane.

Thursday 8 March 2012

Clean Your Digital Camera Lenses Like a Pro


Keeping your camera lenses clean is critical to getting the best looking images possible. We deliver great advice so you clean your camera like a pro.


So you finally have a great digital camera and a good set of lenses to go with it. Now you are prepared to head out and take some great pictures. Well, you would be ready, except for the indisputable fact that you accidentally just smudged one of your lenses. Before you go to clean the lens, you should ask yourself whether or not you properly know the best way to do this. If your initial instinct is to use your tee shirt, then perhaps you should keep on reading and learn suitable cleaning protocol for your lenses.


The first thing you ought to know is that using certain fabrics to clean your camera lenses will only make things work. You may find that what began as simply a smudge on your lens has turned into a scratch because you have utilised your shirt to try and clean it. The fact is that unless you use a special cloth designed for cleaning lenses, you run the risk of ruining a good lens.


It is also very important that you possess the right cleaning camera lens liquid. You'll find plenty of brands of lens cleaners to choose from, and they all perform lovely well. However, you should try your best to find a lens cleaning liquid made specifically for camera lenses. If you wear glasses and are in a pinch, then the lens cleaner for your glasses should work fine, but it is not ideal.
Delkin sensor cleaning


It is also fundamental for you to clean your lenses periodically, at least once every couple of months. This not only keeps residue from sticking to your lens, but it helps to keep you in a routine that allows you to run maintenance to your camera. You really should clean the lens periodically, even if it looks clean. You would be astonished at what your lens could be hiding.


It is also a good idea to purchase a can of lens duster. This is a great way to get dust off of your lens without having to constantly wipe it. On top of the convenience aspect, it can also help you save on lens cleaning liquid. Lens duster is also perfect for when you are out in the field and you get dust on your lens.


Of course there is no substitute for simply avoiding situations that get your lenses dirty all together. If you try to avoid unnecessary situations that could get your lenses dirty, you will be able to prolong having to clean them. However, it is understandable that from time to time a messy lens is unavoidable.


If you do not take proper care to lens cleaning, it's possible you'll find that they become non-cleanable, and then you will have to shell out the extra investment to buy a brand new lens. It is far more worth it to take care of your lenses the first time around than to be sorry later.
Lenspen kit


We are also recommending you to consider a lenspen for your SLR lens cleaning, which we found incredibly effective.

BestPhoto.co.uk is the UK's favorite photography price comparative website enabling all hobbyists and professionals to perfect their art. Explore our large selection of lens cleaning accessories to extend your camera life expectancy.


Saturday 3 March 2012

You Should Consider Graphics Tablets to Boost your Digital Life

Newest technology graphics tablets have newly become the must-have for all amateurs and pros photographers alike.


Graphics tablet introduce an fascinating way to work with your personal computer that could enrich completely your digital life. A tablet is a equipment that simulates the use of a digital pen interacting with a laptop or desktop. Building on the recognition and achievement of touch revolution, graphics tablets will allow you to use familiar gesture (hand movement and pen writing). You can open applications, scroll, zoom, retouch, rotate photos, draw and considerably more. This high-tech equipment is multi tasks and easy to use, it should only take you a few hours to get used to. Some models permit left- or right-handed users to express their creative skills. Graphics tablets are compatible with Mac or PC and connects with just a simple USB cable.


Wacom Intuos4 + Photoshop Lightroom
Wacom is by far the market leader and is widely supported by photographers and artists.


If you are an amateur home user, prefer the Wacom Bamboo tablet range, generally available in A6 or A5 formats, this will minimise your arm motion and make your experience more exciting. There are five Bamboo range models: Pen and Touch, Pen, Touch, Fun, and Craft. The Fun and Craft models include an eraser-equipped stylus, and additional bundled graphics software.


On the other hand, professional graphic artists that are designing or drawing in large format will feel at ease with all Wacom Intuos4 products; however bear in mind, the bigger the size, the more physically difficult it will get. Intus fans can use the device at its full capacity and gain from the multi-touch functionality and battery-free pen tablet technology at the highest level of sensitivity available today.


Size matters but more critical is your tablet sensitivity. Another characteristic of the tablet is pressure levels; this is fundamentally the thinnest and closest with which the tablet can reproduce your actions. Pressure sensitivity of 512 is the minimum required especially if you are a complete beginner. The more attractive tablets will provide 1024 of pressure sensitivity, for ultimate precision.


Another critical criteria is resolution; this is expressed in DPI (dot per inch) and it defines the accuracy of your tablet. 1000 DPI will be the minimum expected, however, the larger your tablet, the more accurate you will be.


Price-wise, smaller graphic tablets are retailing at less than £70 for the basic model and up to £400 for the larger, most advanced tablets. The price of great quality gadgets keeps falling.


There has never been a better time to treat yourself to a Wacom graphics tablet. Visit BestPhotoUK here.

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Macro Photography Suggestions for all Amateur Photographer.


Best Photo is pleased to bring some macro photography tips and tricks that help reach the wished close-up result.


Macro photography is a fascinating discipline because it allows the photographer to explore a world that is very difficult to view with the naked eyes. It opens up a completely new and interesting world that ordinarily goes unnoticed. From simple everyday miniature objects to butterflies and insects, there are a number of interesting subjects that look incredible when viewed from a very close range. Having said that, capturing images at such a close range is somewhat difficult considering that most cameras have restricted macro photography capabilities. Although, even cost-effective cameras have some basic macro mode, in most cases, the option is limited. Generally, special equipments are needed to photograph a subject at macro level. You will discover some macro photography tips and tricks that help achieve the desired result.

The first option for macro photography is to use the features present in the camera itself. Most cameras have macro mode that allows photographing tiny subjects from a very close range. Usually, a normal lens of the camera is designed to take shots about 1 m away. However, in the macro mode the same lens can be used to photograph subjects that are about 0.5m away. For the more elaborate and top quality close-up pictures, SLR type camera and special equipments are needed.
Macro lens

A big advantage with the SLR camera is that its lens can be separated from the body. This opens up various possibilities for different types of photography. For close-up, the first option is to use a dedicated macro photography lens. Such an optimised lens is mounted onto the camera body and the photographer is ready to take images of close-up subjects. Shorter macro optics are light and compact. They are the preferred option for nature enthusiasts allowing to work at distance.

Nikon extension tube
The next alternative is to use an extension tube (no optic) which is used to simply extend the lens from the camera body and its sensor. This turns the same normal lens into a macro lens. The most common lenght are 12, 25 or 36mm: the wider the tube, the larger the reproduction ratio. Regrettably, extension tube reduces light entering the camera and will not enable long working distance like a macro lens would.





Nikon close up filter
Among various macro photography ideas, some are related to close-up filters and the reversing ring. Close up filters are cost effective adds-on that are simply screwed onto the camera lens. Those looking for professional quality sharp pictures may not like to use this option. Filters slightly compromise the image quality because there are more glasses through which the light filters through before reaching the camera sensor. They may not match a macro lens for sharpness, but they are a more economical solution for newcomers.

Reversing ring is a good option for close up photography. It quickly allows the lens to be reversed and mounted onto the camera body. This accessory works best with non-zoom lenses. By reserving a lens in this way, its optical centre is displaced from the sensor plane, introducing a level of extension and enabling it to focus much closer.
Metz ring flash

Those looking for macro photography tips must consider using good flashguns or lighting systems. Photographers who intend to do such photography quite often need to purchase a ringflash. This type of flash gives even lighting on the whole macro subject so the pictures are fully bright and all the details come out clearly.

Our final advice: at macro level even slight blur gets magnified so it is important to use a robust tripod to avoid any camera shake. You can read further our tripod and monopod buyer guide on our website.


Best Photo gives you the opportunity to capture amazing macro images. So what is stopping you?


Friday 24 February 2012

Top Features To Consider When Shopping For Wildlife Photography Lenses


Wildlife photography lenses can mean a difference between high quality photos and low quality shots. The lenses should have the right zoom level to allow you to have a macro shot of a herd of buffalo grazing or a mother lioness actively playing with her cubs. In addition to zoom capacity, you would also consider the price, focal length and steadiness when choosing photography lenses. Here are some wildlife photography tips for you.



How to choose wildlife photography lenses?

Focal length
The focal length of your lenses will determine from how far you can take a clear shot. Wildlife photography lens with long focal length will allow you to take a clear shot when you are miles away. This is important when you are taking pictures of dangerous animals such as lions, elephants and snakes since you do not need to be next to the animal to take a shot. A lens with a focal length of 400mm and above,for instance, is best when you are taking shots of birds or carnivores that can attack and injure you.

Image stability
Stabilization is another thing you will need to consider when investing in wildlife photography lenses. Lenses with very long focal length can enable you to take a close shot while the subject is far from you, however it has one drawback. The image is frequently not as clear as you may want it. However, you can control photo blurring by increasing the shutter speed of the lenses. In addition, avoid placing the camera on a tripod when taking photos. It would be better if you can hold the camera on your hand.


Price
The price of the lenses can vary depending on features. You need to therefore have a budget of the total amount you are prepared to spend before you start your shopping. This way you can search for wildlife photography lens which fit your budget. You may also want to shop around and compare prices of different dealers since this is the only way to find cheap lenses. Lenses with greater focal length are relatively costly because it means the manufacturer has used more glass to make the lenses. However, this should not worry you if you are a wildlife lover since you are assured of getting high quality images.

Weight
The weight of the lenses is another thing you will need to consider. Greater focal length lenses are made using more glass and this means they are heavier than lenses with short focal length.

Finding the best lenses for taking wildlife depends on several factors. These factors include focal length, price and image stability. The right lenses have high quality features to allow you to take clear and beautiful photos. However, you must be willing to spend a considerable amount to buy these lenses. Lenses with great focal length allow you to take shots from great distance, but the photos may be blurred. However, you can adjust the shutter speed to make sure the images come out clear. You should be able to find the right wildlife photography lenses for you with these ideas.


Save yourself a lot of time and energy and visit Best Photo to find an experience almost as enjoyable as the wildlife photography techniques you want to be using.


Thursday 23 February 2012

New York funny bike



Canon Cinema EOS C300 PL Professional Camcorder wins BVE camera battle

Canon wins BVE camera battle | Read article

Click here

Reflector Telescope Capture a Great Deal of Charming Celestial Sights.


If you often wondered which reflector telescope to invest in, we are discussing the significant features you need to contemplate to help you to take your decision.


Reflector telescopes use a mirror to receive and focus light emanating from celestial objects including those from our own solar system. Since these objects or ‘stars’ are extremely far away from you, the light rays reaching the earth and your telescope are parallel. These fall on the mirror inside your telescope which has a ‘parabolic’ profile and this facilitates in reflecting the rays to a single point. Hence they have the name ‘reflector telescope’.  In addition, as opposed to Skywatcher refractor telescope, they do not suffer from chromatic aberration (distortion in color) since all wavelengths get reflected from your mirror equally. Apart from this, reflector telescopes have the benefit of  being made in substantial size, they are more affordable than refractor telescopes of same size and since light is reflected rather than passing through, only one side need to be optically perfect. However, they also have some negatives. The optics may get misaligned and  they need frequent cleaning. Also, where secondary mirrors, either curved (convex) or plain, are used they may generate glare caused by bright stars.

Before you decide which telescope to buy, remember that larger the size of the light gathering source called the aperture, better is the object resolution or finer details are now visible. In other words any 304mm (12 inch) is better than a 155mm (6 inch) telescope! Usually a reflector telescope with 114 mm (4.5 inch) is enough to observe the moon, planets in our solar system, sun with special filters to protect your eyes and some stars in the nearer galaxies. Most preferred models are 60mm (2.4 inch), 80mm (3.1 inch), 114mm (4.5 inch) or 155mm (6 inch). Note also that larger aperture will also mean heavier telescope minimizing its transportability.

Perhaps you have noticed advertisements for reflector telescopes offering ‘power’ as 300X or so. Well, more power does not mean better viewing, since the power refers to the magnification and may possibly give larger, but very faint image. Also, the small eye-piece may not allow you to see the whole of the image due to size restriction. As a result do not get carried away by these terms. What is important is to get the best aperture and eye-piece combination for the best viewing pleasure.
Reflector Telescope

There is yet another term some manufacturers use to push their product. This is the focal ratio or the ratio of aperture size to focal length. For example a telescope with 114mm (4.5 inch) aperture and 1143mm (45 inch) focal length has focal ratio of f10. Higher focal ratio does not always mean higher image top quality. Also larger ratio with same aperture would mean a longer telescope.

Mount is necessary for steady viewing. There are two types of mounts available; altazimuth or equatorial. Altazimuth is like a photographic camera tripod allowing movement up and down (altitude) and back and forth (azimuth). Equatorial mounts, at times with drive motor, are best for following an object in its revolution and travel. The last item to watch out for is the eye piece. Some models offer numerous eye pieces (2 or more) so that your friends can also watch at the same time. Power of the eye piece is expressed in mm and most common is 25 mm; lower its number, better is the magnification.


Get yourself a great deal on astronomy telescope, save yourself a lot of time and energy and explore Best Photo to find an experience almost as enjoyable as the telescope equipment you want to be using.