Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of conventional 35mm single Essay

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of conventional 35mm single lens reflex cameras to other film formats and type of image - Essay Example To shed some light on this topic, the pros and cons of a 35 mm SLR over other film formats and image capturing systems have been detailed in this article. What is an SLR An SLR or Single Lens Reflex camera is one that has a ‘reflex mirror’ which allows the user to directly view the image being shot through the lens of the camera (Rowse2007). In simpler words, unlike other cameras which have a viewing system different from the lens of the camera, the SLR has only one viewing system and allows the user to see exactly what is being photographed through the viewfinder. SLR or Point and Shoot While deciding which camera one needs to buy, one needs to balance utility with price to choose a camera perfectly suited to their needs. Both SLRs and point and shoots have their own strengths and weaknesses with respect to each other. For example, SLRs have much faster shutter speeds than point and shoot cameras. This can duly be adjusted for the film being used and the abundance of li ght, giving the photographer multiple options for using high speed films (greater ISO) without risking grainy output in the photographs. Also, there is an almost negligible time lag between when the shutter is pressed and the film is exposed, giving the photographer a better opportunity of capturing the perfect moment even with a moving subject. Such is not the case with point and shoot cameras. Both digital and film P&S cameras have a time lag between when the shutter button is clicked and the sensor or film is exposed. This renders them more or less useless for anything but still photography and memories with orchestrated poses. An SLR allows the user to control almost every aspect of photography. He can adjust the light entering through the aperture, the speed of the film, the duration for which the shutter exposes the film, the focus of the image and even the kind of lens being used. Even the best of the point and shoot cameras can’t hold a candle to these features. The f act that the SLR allows for interchangeable lenses means that the photographer is ready for almost any kind of shot whether a close up, extreme close up, long or a wide shot. The lack of this feature sorely limits prospects with point and shoots. The quality of optics (lenses) in even the worst SLRs tops that in the best point and shoot cameras. The compatibility of these lenses with other camera bodies means that the investment in the lenses is not wasted if the camera body malfunctions. To upgrade, the photographer only needs to change the camera body, which itself is extremely durable compared to a point and shoot. However, an SLR also has certain limitations. One extremely limiting factor is the price of an SLR camera which is many times that of a point and shoot camera. Another prohibiting factor is the size and weight of SLR cameras. The weight of an SLR camera along with its lens kit, filters, flash apparatus and tripod can make it pretty inconvenient to carry around and also , an SLR requires considerable setup time for the perfect shot to be taken. A point and shoot can be fit into the user’s pocket, whipped out when needed and is ready to capture images. Another issue with SLRs is maintenance. Considering that the SLR is

Managing Capabilities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Managing Capabilities - Essay Example In the first part, the study will try to identify the concept of resource based view, and importance of capabilities for the sustainable competitive advantage of an organization. This will help in developing theoretical background of this paper. Resources capabilities of Walmart will be critically analyzed and the strategies will also be evaluated. In the last part, the study will analyze strategic capabilities of Walmart in terms of value chain analysis and VRIN and Ratio Analysis. Organizational Resource and Capabilities Seminal research has suggested that, competitive advantage should be measurable for companies otherwise it will be hard for companies to understand the scalability of the advantage that can help them move ahead in competition (Porter, 1980). According to Porter (1985 and 1991), companies can achieve competitive advantage with the help of cost leadership, product differentiation and by catering to demands of customers in focused manner. In order to establish a compe titive advantage every organizations plans and implements strategies. The aim is to outperform their competitors and gain a higher profit within the industry. A superior competitive advantage can be achieved by creating more values, which in turn depends on the resources and organizational capabilities to utilize these resources (Besanko et al, 2003). Sustainability of the organizational strategies is very essential for long term growth (Cullen and Parboteeah, 2005). Sustainability is critical and it implies that the strategies are not easily attacked or neutralized by the competitors (Aaker, 1989). It also ensures a persistent competitive advantage even if potential entrants or competitors disrupt by imitating or neutralizing the strategies adopted (Barney, 1991). The resource based theory was developed during early 1990s and according to this theory each organization is a pool of resources and capabilities. These resources and capabilities determine the performance and strategies of a company. If organizations start having resources similar to each other, then the value created by these firms will be similar and there will be no competitive advantage in the concerned industry. A resource based view of a firm thrust upon path dependency and heterogeneity. This is because every organization has a unique resource bundle. The theory also argues that to retain a sustainable competitive advantage, a company should have resources and capabilities that are valuable, not substitutable, imperfectly mobile and difficult to imitate. These four resources can lead to differences in the capabilities and the strategies followed by the companies and can be responsible for a sustainable and competitive environment. These characteristics can be reinforced or induced through isolating mechanisms (Rumelt, 1984). These mechanisms are the forces that limit the duplication or neutralization of competitive activities of other organizations. This isolating mechanism consists of two g roups. The first is impediments to imitation which means strategies that block the potential entrants