Buying a Camera

Telephoto and telezoom lenses magnify the intensity of the sun’s orb so take great care when using one at sunset as you could damage your eyesight.

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TYPES OF CAMERAS

The digital camera that is best for you depends on what you want to do with the images, how much equipment you want to carry around and how much money you have at your disposal.

Certainly it is possible to obtain images that are suitable for all but professional reproduction from the vast majority of “beginners’ cameras”, which means it is not necessary to spend a lot of money. Furthermore, older models and secondhand cameras can offer superb value for money.

First, calculate your budget, and then decide which features you cannot live without. Finally, be prepared to make some compromises.

Beginners’ compacts

At one time, the natural way to classify digital cameras was by their resolution or megapixel count. However, pixel count alone no longer determines how good or versatile a camera is. It makes more sense to look at the features, capabilities, and design of the camera, whether it is easy to handle, not too heavy, what accessories are available for the particular model you have your eye on and is it really value for money.

Prosumer cameras

Cameras that are able to produce results to professional standards but may lack the sturdiness, durability and available accessories that a professional camera may have are known as a prosumer camera.

For the keen non-professional photographer, this sort of camera offers the right balance between cost & quality.

Most are capable of all but the most demanding capabilities of a fully equipped professional model and are usually lightweight, have a fixed lens and have limited accessory options.

Digital SLR’s

Digital single lens reflex cameras are generally lighter, smaller and have lower pixel counts than their professional counterparts. However, their imaging capabilities ensure that they are likely to sustain an experienced photographer through to a professional level. You may even find that most professionals use this sort of camera as a back up.

Some camera manufacturers allow you to use standard lenses and have the same mounts as a high end mode

1 Determine how much money you want to spend. Setting a budget, or at least a budget range, will help you avoid cameras that you could never afford. You can more easily target which models are affordable for you.

2 Carefully consider what you will usually be photographing. Is it family pictures of the kids playing? Will you be traveling often, and shooting landscapes? Look for cameras that have the best features for your needs. For instance, if you typically shoot sports and action, find a camera that can shoot at high speeds.

3 What is your experience level? If you are a beginner, look for models that seem easy to use. Go to the stores and handle the cameras personally. Find a camera that is as automated for things like flash, aperture, and so on. If you are more experienced, you will want a camera that gives the user more control.

4 Figure out what your photo printing needs are. For casual use and simply sharing 4x6 vacation photos with family, a basic 2-megapixel model is perfectly fine. If you plan to make larger prints, and make them frequently, you will need more megapixels.

5. How do you plan to store your images? If you have a computer with very little memory available and no CD burner, I don't recommend getting that hot, cool 7-megapixel camera even if your budget allows it. The images will be too large to store. If you do have a way to convert images to CDs or have a huge hard drive, go for it.

6. Do you already have devices that use one type of memory card? If your digital camcorder and PDA all use the Secure Digital memory card, this may be a major deciding factor when purchasing a digital camera. Why spend so much money on multiple styles of memory card when you can just use the same card with all those gadgets?

7. Will you be shooting a lot of close-ups, or frequently taking photos from a distance? Find a camera with a powerful optical zoom, certainly at least 3x.

8. Choose about two or three of the above features, and determine which is most important. This will help you quickly narrow down models to a few that are a good fit. For example, if you need to spend less than $300 but must print quality images, find the cameras offering the most megapixels for that amount.

9. Do some research online to compare the handful of models you have narrowed the field down to. (See my link below, "Where to Buy Digital Cameras.") Many sites offer digital camera searches by features, or offer side by side comparisons. Know all the specs and details before you even hit the stores (where in a frenzy and with pressure from salespeople, you may be tempted to buy prematurely).

10. Once you are down to two or three models you like, visit the stores and handle the cameras (even if you plan to buy online). Be sure to go to a store with working models, so you can play with the features and see the quality of the LCD screen. Pay attention to how it feels in your hands. Odds are, there won't be a memory card inside to allow you to take a picture, but pretend anyway to see if it's comfortable.

11. Now that you are down to one model, shop around for the best price. Look at the Sunday sales ads for electronics stores, and visit Web sites selling digital cameras. You could save even hundreds by shopping around for the best price. Of course, especially when it comes to the Web, cheapest is not always best. Do some homework on the seller as well.

12. Before you buy, decide if you want to purchase an optional warranty on the camera. Look at the vendor's site (see my link, "Digital Camera Manufacturers"), because the factory warranty may be sufficient.

13. Now you are ready to buy the camera and have fun!

14. But don't forget to save your receipt, the camera's box and all related warranty papers. Register your purchase with the manufacturer. This will all make it easier to make a warranty claim, as many camera-makers require documentation to honor a warranty.

What's next.....

AFTER THE PURCHASE

The photographer and the camera

When you have decided which sort of camera best suits you and you finally make that choice to purchase it…..don’t stop there.

Now the fun really begins. One of the benefits of digital cameras is that you are only limited by the size of your memory card as to how many photographs you can take to get to know your cameras capabilities.

No longer do you have the concern of wasting film & therefore exceeding your budget and having to be more stringent in what you photograph.

If you are shooting away from your home and you have a laptop, then take it out with you. Then when your memory card is full, just transfer what you have taken straight onto your computer and hey presto….you can start again.

Another benefit of this is that you will be able to see your images on a larger scale than just on the LCD screen of your camera. That way, you can be more judgmental in your approach before you take the next series of shots. The key here is practice, practice and then, practice again.

No matter what stage in your photography experience you are at, you never stop learning. Don’t let pride get in the way of you thinking that ….hey; I know how to take photographs. We all can. But don’t you want to take better photographs?

Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask other photographers questions. Feed off the knowledge and ideas of others and you will find that your enjoyment of photography will never wane.

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