Even 10 years ago, SLR cameras could only be seen in the hands of professional photographers. Now anyone can afford such a device. But few know how to check a SLR camera when buying. What are the first things you need to pay attention to?
Housing
Let's start with the search for obvious mechanical damage: scratches, dents and others like them. “But why do you need this, the camera can be ugly, the main thing is to shoot well!” That's how it is. But just one slight drop may be enough to damage the lens or other important details.
Lens
The next step is how to check the SLR camera when buying, inspect its lens. As a rule, such devices are equipped with a lens with “rings”. They are designed to adjust focus and zoom. Twist them in different directions - the rings should turn easily and not make creaking and crunching sounds. To check the lenses you need good lighting. Turn the lens at different angles: chips, opacities and scratches can not be seen immediately. It is worth looking for both defects in the optical system (for example, condensate accumulated between the lenses) and malfunctions of the mechanics. In particular, during such a check, damage to the diaphragm blades can be easily detected.
Connectors
Be sure to check the condition of all the connectors that the digital SLR camera is equipped with. This is a Micro USB connector, and a slot for a memory card, and all the rest. Cracked connectors can be easily seen on a damaged connector. In this case, the contact is unreliable, the card or cable will stagger, fall out.
Test shooting
First of all, it is necessary to check the CCD for the presence of so-called “stuck” pixels. To do this, take a picture by closing the lens with a lightproof cover. Save the photo in the highest quality available in the model. Examine the image on a computer at a large approximation - so you can easily find defects in the CCD.
Check the SLR camera for defocusing. To do this, you need to remove several objects located at different distances from you, as well as the same object from different distances. For greater accuracy, shoot from a stable surface: this way you can get rid of extraneous noise and vibration.
An important test in how to check the SLR camera upon purchase will be shooting in low light and macro shooting.
In the latter mode, the camera should confidently aim at an object 10-20 cm away. If this does not happen, and you know that this mode will be used often enough, you should look for an alternative. Be sure to make sure that the camera focuses well in a room lit only by ordinary incandescent bulbs.
Try the flash. Although professional photographers avoid using it, giving preference to natural light, you need to be prepared for anything. Experiment with the flash in different light conditions. Take a few frames, being at different distances from the light source.
Hope this article has helped you learn more about how to check your SLR camera when you purchase.