The rapidly evolving technology of the digital camera and its equally speedy declining price are two of the contributing factors to the gadget's explosion of popularity in the field of paranormal research. Photography, especially the cost-effective digital variety, is at the top of the list of nearly every current investigative team's onsite data collection routine.
Before spending hundreds of dollars on your next camera, look for these features that will improve your attempts at photographing spirit energy by leaps and bounds:
Multiple Speed Settings
A camera that has several choices of shutter speed will help capture a wide array of photo anomalies. Sport settings and other high-speed shutter options are very successful at recording orbs and light vortices. On the flip side, photos taken at slower shutter speeds will help identify any objects in motion.
Automatic and Manual Setting Options
Most digital cameras will automatically modify their settings to the environment to best capture solid subjects. Look for cameras that allow you to manually adjust the flash and depth of focus for experiments in photographing semi-transparent matter like mists or ectoplasm.
High ISO Number
A camera's sensitivity to light is determined by its ISO. Digital models with a high ISO number are well suited for capturing images in low light conditions like those common on most ghost hunts. The downside to this higher light sensitivity is that photos shot on high ISO mode will often have increased noise or grain. Some models, like the Canon EOS-10D, are specifically designed to photograph at higher light sensitivity with only a very tiny amount of noise.
Using a high ISO setting without a flash (in an environment that would normally require the flash) for a clear shot is helpful in capturing orbs and other phenomena without the possible contamination from reflective surfaces in the area.
High Resolution
Buy a camera with the highest resolution (measured in megapixels) you can afford. High resolution photographs are physically larger and will allow you to more closely inspect the details of your shots. The greater resolution adds much more detail to your images and can result in strong, sometimes irrefutable evidence!
Recommended Digital Cameras for Paranormal Photography
If you're still overwhelmed by the number of cameras available, the following list highlights several models that have field-tested with excellent results:
- All Kodak EasyShare models (6 Megapixels or higher)
- HP Photosmart R937
- Canon EOS-10D
- Nikon D3 Digital SLR (This camera features one of the highest ISO settings currently on the market!)
- Nikon COOLPIX P80
Once you've purchased a camera you're happy with, be sure to familiarize yourself with its features. Being comfortable making adjustments before you venture out on an investigation will help same time and increase your chances of collecting great ghost photos.
Beth Brown - Beth Brown grew up surrounded by echoes of the past in a sprawling rural community called Varina, once home to John Rolfe and Pocahontas, ...
