Working of a SLR Camera

A SLR camera shows the actual real picture of the object which is being clicked. This becomes possible by the help of the mirror which is arranged in such a way that it shows the exact view of the outside picture through the viewfinder. While in a point and shoot viewfinder camera, the actual picture is not seen through the viewfinder. Whatever is seen through it is just an idea of what the picture will be like. This is the main point where a SLR camera differs from a viewfinder point and shoot camera. This difference makes a SLR camera very professional and accurate.

In a single lens reflex camera, if you remove the lens in the front of the camera, you can see inside it and easily observe its working. The camera has a slanted mirror located between the lens and the shutter. It has a translucent glass and a penta prism situated above it. The penta prism re-directs light through the lens to the viewfinder, showing the exact picture which will be shot at the camera click.A better quality of this prism will affect the quality of the picture. All-glass type usually helps in brighter pictures.

As soon as you click the shutter button, the mirror which is connected to the shutter timer system, moves away. It remains in the same position as long as the shutter is not released. This is the reason that the viewfinder shows black whenever the shutter button is pressed to shoot the picture.

The motion of the mirror allows light entering from the lens to fall on the surface of the film and sensors in the case of DSLR cameras, allowing the recording of the required image.