Explore the world through the lens of your digital SLR

For all you photography enthusiasts who always wished for a professional equipment to unleash your visual skills but unable to afford one, here's the good news - the prices of digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras have dropped considerably - Olympus-E-450, Nikon D60 and Canon-EOS 1000D.

So what is a digital SLR?

A digital (Single Lens Reflex) is a type of camera whose lens, shutter and mirror are positioned in such a way that the image finds its way to the viewfinder and then onto the focusing screen. The advantage that DSLRs have over other 'Point & Shoot' cameras is its compatibility with a very wide range of focal lenses, thereby an increase in flexibility & quality.

While it's often suggested that you first excel at a conventional camera and then familiarize with the basics of an SLR before purchasing one. However in today's generation has found a better alternative - explore & learn.

Here are DSLR basics you need to know while exploring-

• Shutter speed is the exposure time of the camera lens. The duration of light captured by the image sensor depends on the shutter. For instance, to capture rain droplets you would need a higher shutter speed, around 1/500. On the other hand, action images like the F1 race cars in motion a lower shutter speed, say 1/2 a second would be apt.

• Aperture is the amount of light allowed to the camera lens. Wider the aperture (low aperture value), more light goes through. A high aperture of f/2.8 will use natural light; while lower aperture images are brighter. Aperture also affects the depth of the field, for example a picture where once a section of the image is in focus while rest is blurred.

• ISO sets the sensitivity of the sensors to absorb light. By setting the ISO you can improve the quality of images shot at dimly lit places or during the nights.

Additionally, do try seeing your target form different perspectives, shooting pictures from different angles. And during photo-production you can also experiment with the contrast, temperature & exposure and play with different file formats (JPEG, RAW).

Common mistakes to avoid when getting a Home Loan

Many people, especially first time borrowers, make some mistakes when taking a home loan that can cause a lot of problems and delays. Through this article we hope that you can raise your awareness so that you can avoid making some of these common mistakes.

1. Not starting early: If you do not start early to prepare for your home loan application, it can cost a lot of time and cause you frustration when you begin the process of buying a property. Familiarise yourself with the process and the requirements, especially all the paperwork you need to do, well in advance of when you might need the loan. The more time you take to start, the longer your home loan process will take, and delays will harm no one else but you.

2. Incomplete documentation: If you have incomplete documents, it can delay the processing and ultimately the sanctioning of your home loan. If your application has documents missing, the lender will not start reviewing your case until the required documents are complete. You can make the process more efficient if you provide complete documentation during your first interaction with the lender, and in the form that the lender wants.

3. Taking a home loan beyond your affordability: You must stick to your means and not try to get a higher EMI than you can afford. Don't overestimate your earnings just to get a higher loan. Lenders are very diligent in verifying your earnings capacity and how that translates into your ongoing ability to fulfil your EMI obligations. You must take into account your existing monthly income, debts and realistic prospects for future income to consider the amount of loan you can afford. By asking for more than your affordability you will only delay the process.

4. Choosing a lender only on the basis of low interest rates: You should not blindly opt for lenders that offer cheaper home loan rates and no other value add. Usually these interest rates are valid only for the first few initial years and not for the entire tenure of the loan. When rates reset, you might find the EMI payment suddenly balloons to a much higher level than you can afford. Apart from the interest rate offered, you also want to satisfy yourself that your lender will offer good service and not create administrative hassles or delays going forward.

5. Under-estimating the impact of your credit history: You must recognise the role that your credit history can play in getting a home loan. A negative credit history can affect your loan eligibility because its indicative that you are not disciplined about paying back your dues. Building a good credit history is essential if you want to purchase a home, and you must start working on it much before you apply for one. Keep in mind, that now there are many organizations in India that collect and track how you deal with credit card payments and other debts you might have. The factors that could have a negative impact on your credit history are:

a) Payment default like absconding from creditors to avoid payment of debts
b) Delayed payments on your credit card, generally being more than 30 days
c) Irregular payments on your personal loan, car loan or any other loan

With a little bit of planning and foresight you can avoid making the above mistakes and make your home loan process easier for yourself and free from delays.