| Buying a new digital camera |
| by: Nick Stubbs |
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I feel, after visiting so many websites and reading so much
advice, and also by frequently visiting photography forums, that
I have to speak on this subject.
For the majority of the buying public, there are 2
categories that we fall into when getting started or upgrading
in digital photography, the \"Absolute Beginner\" or the \"Amateur\"
(or serious amateur sometimes labelled as semi pro).
Now for the beginner, or someone getting started
in photography itself (not just digital), the choice of cameras
nowadays is quite overwhelming! Everywhere you look there are
cameras, not just in camera shops like the good old days.
You even get given a cheap digital camera as a gift for buying
something else in some places. There are reasonably powerful
digital cameras in the more expensive mobile phones now and they
come in all shapes and sizes.
So where do you possibly start and how do you make that choice
for buying a camera for yourself or someone else. Really it is
quite simple and there are 3 criteria you should look at:
1.Quality - If you want the camera to last at least a few
years and not get bothered by a bit of bashing about, go for
quality. A titanium body, not plastic, something that is fairly
heavy and robust in your hands, you can feel quality!
2.Features - Do you want quality video capabilities? How
big do you want to print the pictures that come from the cameras
files (how many mega pixels)? Do you want to have at least
some manual features so you can get a bit creative? Or do
you just want a \"Point-and-shoot\" digital camera?
3.Price - You will have a budget in mind of how much you
want to spend. Get the best camera and memory you can for your
budget, worry about extras later! Don\'t be cheap; if you want
reasonably good quality prints, by spending too little on a very
cheap camera, you will waste paper, printer ink and/or good
money at your local lab. Get a good make and model of digital
camera now and it will outlast a cheapie 4 or 5 times.
DO NOT be swayed by digital cameras that have
\"Non-Photographic\" features, gadgets and gizmos. Any of these
unnecessary features added means that some quality has been
sacrificed elsewhere. Buy a camera to be a camera, and
nothing else. I would also suggest buying one of the top brands
such as Canon, Nikon, Konica-Minolta, Olympus etc., they may
cost a little more, but the difference in quality is worth it.
They all make cheaper end cameras too.
Look for decent features such as a good optical zoom, NOT
digital zoom. Digital zoom is an unnecessary marketing tool; it
is the same as zooming in on the photo once you get it onto your
PC. 10-20X digital zoom is acceptable but I have seen video
cameras with 1000X digital zoom, have you ever tried holding the
camera steady at these kind of magnifications, even with
a tripod?!!
Basically, write down exactly what you want and
need from the camera, go to a reputable dealer and buy a good
branded camera that has what you need for your requirements and
budget, don\'t be swayed by the salesperson into buying more than
you need.
Now, the Amateur or Semi Pro. When you start to
look at Semi professional Digital SLR\'s or Advanced digital
compact cameras, the choice is a little less but no less
confusing. The same advice goes here as in the previous section,
think about what you need the camera for, how you think you may
progress in this hobby and your budget.
The \"prosumer\" advanced digital compact cameras available
today are steadily encroaching on the quality of the DSLR,
although in my opinion, they will never catch them. The optical
zooms are fantastic, the sensors, albeit smaller than the DSLR
are powerful and produce stunning images, and some even have
\"built-in\" image stabilisers…Great!
Again, my advice would be to go for quality. These cameras are
more expensive anyway and you want one that will last and
put up with a bit of knocking from your \"getting creative in
photography\" moments! Once you have your advanced digital
compact, don’t be swayed by the latest upgrades, updates or
releases. Get to know what you have, learn how to use it
effectively and learn the photography side of
photography, not the technical side.
Once you are happy with your progression and feel that you want
to move on, be more in control and maybe even start to earn from
photography, only then should you splash out and upgrade to a
Digital SLR.
The Semi Professional Digital SLR or consumer DSLR is a
fantastic thing in photography. Many of the \"die-hard\" film
photographers are seeing the light and going digital. Many
aspects of film are still widely used and will do for some time,
as large format film photography produces the absolute finest
detail I have seen (at the time of writing. In 2020, who
knows?).
However, the latest batch of Digital SLR\'s have now reached the
point where they match or out perform 35mm film. It is predicted
that next year (2006) will be \"boom time\" for the sales of
DSLR\'s as the quality increases and the prices come down. There
has never been a better or cheaper way to get into 35mm
photography!
The BIGGEST thing to consider when buying a DSLR kit is
to choose your brand loyalty. Look at Canon, Nikon,
Konica-Minolta, Olympus, Kodak etc., and make your choice, why?
As you progress and become more enthusiastic or serious, you
will want to add more lenses to your kit. Wide angle, telephoto,
zoom, macro, standard….there is a massive choice.
With the way technology is going, you are much more
likely to upgrade your camera than you are your lenses and it
will be a lot cheaper to do so once you really get into
this hobby, believe me! One decent lens in my kit cost €2,000
(£1400) alone. A decent lens will, with care, last you a
lifetime. There is only a certain level of quality of the glass
you can obtain with optics so remember this point when buying
your camera.
My choice? Canon. I used to work for Nikon and had a
preference towards them, but nowadays all my kit is Canon. I
feel they are one step ahead with technology and the lenses
(especially the nice white ones) are amazing! Just look at the
next major sporting event on TV, how many \"White\" lenses you
see. Only Canon makes white lenses.
Again, once you have made your choice, BUY the camera, ENJOY it
and LEARN from it! If the sensor (i.e. 8MP or bigger) produces
LARGE, high quality prints, why be swayed by the newer,
latest upgrades? Photography is about \"learning\" and enjoyment,
DO NOT be intimidated by technological gobbeldy gook, as long as
your camera has the features that you need, quality to match and
you build a nice set of lenses over time, who cares if
the latest model has 0.1% better white balance control, or
flashing lights?
If you are new to Digital SLR\'s, I have a section on my website
that explains all the bits and buttons…
Digital
SLR Newbie?
All the best and enjoy yourselves!
Nick Stubbs All Things Photography
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