Editing 1719: Superzoom
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | In this comic, [[Cueball]] is showing off his new {{w|superzoom}} camera to [[White Hat]]. These are cameras with large zoom lenses, often 25× or higher magnification. He is very excited and starts by exclaiming how they can take detailed photos of the craters on the {{w|Moon}}, and (on better models) relatively large photos of {{w|Jupiter}} even with a resolution so individual clouds can be seen. | + | In this comic, [[Cueball]] is showing off his new {{w|superzoom}} camera to [[White Hat]]. These are cameras with large zoom lenses, often up to 25× or higher magnification. He is very excited and starts by exclaiming how they can take detailed photos of the craters on the {{w|Moon}}, and (on better models) relatively large photos of {{w|Jupiter}} even with a resolution so individual clouds can be seen. He then uses it for {{w|bird watching}}, which is a popular use for these cameras. He can even see that the bird is {{w|banded}}. He also is able to photograph an airplane, and make out the airline, both possible on these cameras, though it is unlikely he would be able to make out the registration number or read the number on the birds band. |
− | + | Finally, White Hat exclaims that he is sold and states that he also want a superzoom camera like Cueball's. Cueball then points the camera down the street takes a picture and tells White Hat that the shop on ''Union Road'' has thees camera in stock, indicating that he can see this inside the store (or in their window) in town that sells them. He is also able to make out not only the worker Kevin inside, he also recognizes him and (as mentioned in the title text) he notices a stain on Kevin's shirt. Even with the ability of these cameras, it would be unlikely for Cueball to be able to make out a specific worker inside the store, but if he is standing near a window it is not impossible, and if he has a stain on his shirt, it is in the same league as spotting a band on a bird in the air. Of course he has to be in a spot where he can see straight to the front of the shops. | |
− | + | The last panel and title text is also a remark on how such cameras can be used to spy on people for quite a far distance, which has often been (mis)used by {{w|Paparazzi|paparazzi photographers}} taking pictures of famous people (often while almost naked/in bikini or bathing clothes). Now everyman gets this disconcerting possibility to spy on their neighbors and others for just a few hundred dollars. | |
− | + | There are lenses that can do what Cueball describes in the comic (e.g., the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRq18WpQZC0 Canon 5200mm]), but so far not such a small consumer camera as shown in the illustration. | |
− | + | A couple of other factors that many people don't realize until they've made the mistake of buying a consumer-level superzoom camera is that a) taking a hand-held picture at maximum zoom is typically rather blurry because the lens is magnifying all vibration and it's impossible to hold the camera steady enough (so a Camera Tripod would be needed), and b) that the lens' aperture at maximum zoom is typically much smaller than at normal focal lengths, with the result that the shutter time must be several times longer to get proper exposure, compounding the vibration / blurry problem. Modern superzoom cameras do claim to have "image stabilization", perhaps several kinds anti-vibration compensation, but still ... | |
− | + | Also having zoomed so much it is very hard to actually locate a moving plane or bird in the sky while looking at the image shown on the camera. And as shown in the comic the lens is zoomed very much in. Of course this could be done by Cueball after having found the flying object with much less zoom. But still if he looses sight of the bird while fully zoomed in it will be almost impossible to find it again without zooming back out. | |
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− | Also having zoomed so much it is very hard to actually locate a moving plane or bird in the sky while looking at the image shown on the camera. And as shown in the comic the lens is zoomed very much in. Of course this could be done by Cueball after having found the flying object with much less zoom. But still if he | ||
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:[They stop, White Hat looks up in the air while Cueball does the same but through the camera he is holding up to his eye while taking pictures. The camera lens is further zoomed out and is clicking.] | :[They stop, White Hat looks up in the air while Cueball does the same but through the camera he is holding up to his eye while taking pictures. The camera lens is further zoomed out and is clicking.] | ||
:Cueball: And birds! See that speck up there? | :Cueball: And birds! See that speck up there? | ||
− | : | + | :*Click* |
− | + | Cueball: Peregrine falcon! | |
− | : | + | :*Click* |
:Cueball: It's banded, too. Want the number? | :Cueball: It's banded, too. Want the number? | ||
:[White Hat looks even further up as Cueball turns left and point the even further zoomed camera almost straight up while taking photos.] | :[White Hat looks even further up as Cueball turns left and point the even further zoomed camera almost straight up while taking photos.] | ||
− | + | Cueball: And see that plane? | |
− | : | + | :*Click* |
:Cueball: 787 Dreamliner | :Cueball: 787 Dreamliner | ||
− | : | + | :*Click* |
:Cueball: Japan Airlines. | :Cueball: Japan Airlines. | ||
− | : | + | :*Click* |
:Cueball: Registration is— | :Cueball: Registration is— | ||
:[White Hat looks back down on Cueball who has turned to the right holding the fully out-zoomed camera level to the right along the ground.] | :[White Hat looks back down on Cueball who has turned to the right holding the fully out-zoomed camera level to the right along the ground.] | ||
:White Hat: OK, I'm sold—I want one. | :White Hat: OK, I'm sold—I want one. | ||
− | : | + | :*Click* |
:Cueball: They're in stock at the place on Union Road. | :Cueball: They're in stock at the place on Union Road. | ||
− | : | + | :*Click* |
:Cueball: Hey, Kevin's working today! He's great. | :Cueball: Hey, Kevin's working today! He's great. | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]] | [[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]] | ||
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[[Category:Animals]] | [[Category:Animals]] | ||
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