Viewfinder: Depth of Field

2010 has brought many interesting changes to the possibilities for shooting video. One of the biggest changes has been the sudden popularity of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras for shooting video. While video capable DSLRs were introduced a few years ago, it was only this year that their sales have increased dramatically. Although it has been just a few years since they were first introduced, today the majority of DSLRs being sold include the feature enabling them to shoot High Definition video.

Being so new, there is still some debate about the name of this category. Some call these DSLRs (for digital single-lens reflex cameras), while others refer to them as HDSLRs. Even this acronym is debatable. Some believe that it stands for High Definition Single Lens Reflex while others think it is an abbreviation for Hybrid Digital Single Lens Reflex. My contribution to this debate is to embrace SLRVC for Single Lens Reflex Video Camera.

Much more important than the name, these cameras offer tremendous versatility. Most of these SLR video cameras offer a wide array of interchangeable lenses, each with their own unique focal length and maximum aperture. Each type of interchangeable lens is optimized for a specific purpose (zoom, ultrawide-angles, telephoto or macro to name a few). Professional camcorders have been using interchangeable lenses for years and this feature has often separated the amateurs from the pros.