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View Full Version : A Golden Rule when buying a camera


phototrainer
July 18th, 2008, 02:42 PM
I was taking some photographs for a client,whensomeonecameover and started to chat about photography,conversation quickly turned to what cameras a beginner should use. I said it depends what he wants to do with his photography. For some people a small compact digital camera will do everything that they want and is easy to carry around.

I think if people want to take up photography as a hobby, then Digital SLRs are very affordable. But what would you recommend? I ask that question not looking at the model but at the standard. Entry level Digital SLR's are more than adequate for the average photographer and will allow them to experiment with most aspects of photoggraphy and will not be to much of a jump fromacompact style camera.

I have had several people who have approachedmeafter purchasing one of the so called (semi) professional camera and have not been able to use it because the camera was to difficult to use.

If I you are a beginner looking for a camera do not go for the phrase "Get the best you can afford". Get the camera that will do what you want. You will find that most features are on digital cameras today that you are likely to use and the quality of images is pretty much the same. There isone thingthat is good to lookat and that is the number and type of sensors, this can effect the colour contrast etc. But even taking that into account do not get to carried awayalways ask " Willthe camera do what I want it to do?"

I Use cannons but often I am out in rain and mud, or dry dusty weather. I take all the necessary precautions but still it is difficult to keep clean and wear and tear is abig problem, but we can buy a lower model the quality of image and functions on the camera do everything I need. Even though it may cost to replace the camera but it is much better than a spending thousands to replace it.

The Golden rule is buy a camera that does what you want rather than go after expensive cameras that have functions on you are not going to use.

lecter
July 18th, 2008, 06:45 PM
I take a different tack with this question. I always ask "What do you want to photograph?", "Do you you want to print large pictures?" , "do you want to be serious, or just getting started?" , "Do you have a budget, if so how much?"

after a few q's like this, it's usually easy to steer them to a Hasselblad or . . ok ok... kidding

but you see what I am getting at.... Many like the concept of a DSLR, but have no clue what it means to a. have the equipment, b. use it and c. what post processing and it's associated hassles mean.

a five to ten minute conversation usually sorts most of the requirements and scope issues out.......

Rob

angry.coconut
October 17th, 2008, 10:52 PM
With the introduction of Digital cameras, and SLR has become and affordable piece of equipment. Because of this it has become very trendy to own one. This is both good and bad. The increased demand has caused many new companies to sprout up, therefore reducing price even more. Many of the new brand DSLRs (Sony Alpha for example) are much cheaper than their nikon or canon counterparts. Unfortunately, when the trend is over, it will be nearly impossible to find lenses or other equipment built for them. Even the 4/3 rule won't save you if all the cameras that use it dissapear. I usually tell people to buy the low end body with a great lens, canon or nikon depending on what they want to shoot. This way, they'll always have the lens and they'll always know there will be more products made for them.

lecter
October 18th, 2008, 12:15 AM
I am not sure that Sony or 4/3 will disappear, but once there is a certain saturation, there may be some blood letting.
As for being trendy, this may be true, and with the low price stuff out there, it's certainly easy to get into a DSLR.
I agree 100% that a Nikon or Canon is the best investment until this happens, an that the lenses (if you choose correctly) are timeless. (Cropped lenses are a waste I reckon. Full frame will be the standard one day!!)
R

stormrider0610
October 18th, 2008, 10:59 AM
I am not sure that Sony or 4/3 will disappear, but once there is a certain saturation, there may be some blood letting.
As for being trendy, this may be true, and with the low price stuff out there, it's certainly easy to get into a DSLR.
I agree 100% that a Nikon or Canon is the best investment until this happens, an that the lenses (if you choose correctly) are timeless. (Cropped lenses are a waste I reckon. Full frame will be the standard one day!!)
R

I hope the Sony doesn't disappear - I just bought one a month or so ago and just now added the 16-80mm Zeiss to my collection LOL

I fully agree with your previous post though. 8 years after I got my first film SLR, I am still at the low end for bodies but all my lenses from long ago are serving me well since.