|
|
Markers indicate locations for photos on this page.
Accuracy responsibility of Google Maps
|
![]()
The first mistake people make is asking this question to camera store sales people. The second mistake is by asking professional photographers. Why people do this is perfectly understandable: one assumes that a professional knows the information so well, that they can just tell them what to get, and the work is done. Oh, if it were only that easy.
When I got started, I did the same thing: aked the pros. I got the stock
answer, "it depends on what you want to shoot." This got me nowhere fast.
I just wanted to go and shoot. But, instead, I was just given a huge
run-around of more questions that I didn't know:
Then they'd throw a lot of technical information I didn't understand, at which point, I was forced to go to the net to do research. Little did I know at the time that their questions were literally useless. Regardless of what I wanted to specialize in, or the kinds of photos I wanted to take, none of these issues has anything to do with what kind of camera to buy. In retrospect, I can speak as a professional photographer now, the right camera to buy is based on very different factors. I eventually learned—as you will (through me, perhaps)—that all the information I ever needed to know about what camera to buy was from people like me (at the time), not the pros.
The best way for me to help you at this point is to prime you for understanding the issues involved. With this in mind, let me remind you once again that you will almost surely make a mistake by following the advice of one individual! That's why I'm not giving you a specific recommendation on anything. I'm giving you a checklist of issues to consider, with which you move forward with research.
So, with the above in mind, let me ask this question: "do you regard photography as something you take seriously, or are you only interested in getting a good, easy camera for everyday subjects like your family, events, and vacations? If you're going to be serious about it—that is, you're going to be one of those people on a hike that annoys everyone else who has to wait for you to take yet another picture of that tree—you should start with a higher-end camera that you can grow into as your photography evolves. There are comparatively few options in this category that the decision-making is simpler. (That's the good news—the bad news is that they're also insanely expensive, which is what suddenly turns it into a hard, deliberative decision. But we'll get back to that later.) On the other hand, if you're a casual shooter, the options for consumer-rated point-n-shoot cameras are so vast, it'll make your head spin.
Regardless of digital or film, cameras are constructed in one of two ways: point and shoot, where the body and the lens are embodied in a single device; and SLR, where the body and lenses are separate. (The letters S-L-R stand for "single lens reflex", which refers to the way the camera is constructed.) For SLRs, you can buy an inifinite set of lenses, for which there are infinite purposes.
If you want to take photography more seriously, you want to buy an SLR. These have more features and can grow with you as your photographic skills increase.
In choosing a first SLR camera system, inform yourself on the most basic aspects, so you don't buy what you don't need. Many people feel that they will grow into cameras they have features or benefits they may not need yet, and that's fine. But don't get that confused with not knowing what those features are in the first place. Depending on how diligent you are, reading various websites on technical matters should take you a few days to fully understand all the issues. I've known people to gather what they need in a few hours. This isn't rocket science. If you tire of tech talk quickly, and just want to get a basic system, that's fine too. But don't pretend to be serious about photography unless you're willing to learn the details. Once you're informed, the next step is just a matter of having good shopping skills. I consider $1500 a minimal investing for serious beginner that wants a good, starting SLR that will serve its purpose for several good years at least, after which time your skill and competency may demand more. If not, fine...but if so, you won't regret the initial investment. You can always keep that first camera as a backup. Good shopping skills means that you establish a good price basis using comparison shopping sites like www.froogle.com. Once there, you'll quickly see what the real street price is on equipment. Whether you feel comfortable buying online, or in physical stores, that's up to you. Just keep in mind that more experienced people never buy from brick-n-mortar stores, and almost always buy online. You usually get a lower price, you rarely pay sales tax (unless you live in the same state as the selling company), and you can often get free shipping. Ok. I'm done. Off you go. Click to recommend this page: |
|