Gosnap Photography Forums Tutorials Reviews Photos: Camera Buying Guide

Camera Buying Guide
================================================================================
Nathan on 30 March, 2008 02:07:00
 
Two questions that are raised regularly here on Gosnap are ‘what Digital SLR
should I buy?’ and ‘what equipment do I need for X type of photography?’
As far as the camera goes, the best advice I can offer is that Digital SLR
cameras today are fantastic at what they do despite who makes them.
The general consensus around here when choosing a DSLR is to go to a camera
shop and physically try those within your budget to get a feel for them - the
only thing that should sway you one way or another is to which one feels the
best in your hands and up to your eye.
Hang around for long enough with camera geeks like us and you’ll hear someone
say that ‘glass is the most important purchase’ and this is indeed sound
advice. The camera body is only part of the battle, and there is a wide range of
lenses available today that provide the full range of focal lengths available in
both amateur and professional ranges to suit anyone weather you have a
reasonable budget or your own gold mine.
There are also a few third party lens manufacturers who produce lenses to fit
most brands with what is usually a good product for a lesser price; the most
popular of these is Sigma, one of sigma’s great lenses is the super wide-angle
10-20mm that is used often by Stewart (badbadman) and was also used by Shaun on
the Gosnap Together Cardiff meet 16-03-2008 – this ‘super-wide angle’ lens
is ideal for landscape photography and produces a lovely feel of space within an
image.
Something to consider with DSLR bodies is that some of the ‘entry-level’
models don’t have motors in their bodies to drive auto-focusing lenses –
this means that auto-focus is only available from lenses with their own on-board
motors. As time goes on this is becoming less of a problem as more and more
lenses are being built with these motors, but it may be worth considering the
extra cost involved with buying these motorised lenses, and asking yourself if
that money would be better spent on the next body up, Only your own needs can
dictate that.
If you’re wondering if you should let the lack of an on board motor and other
missing functions sway your decision, well the answer there is yes and no –
for example, few photographers who dabble in portrait photography have a kit bag
missing a 50mm prime lens; they are ideal for portrait photography and are cheap
for their quality and versatility, the ones that most people own do NOT have
built in motors – this is one reason why they are so reasonably priced. There
is a new 50mm lens with an on-board motor on the market today but it is likely
to cost you more than the popular non-motorised models.
The Internet is your best friend when hunting for your ideal camera and lenses,
not only can you find many cases where online stores offer the same equipment
for cheaper than high street shops, it is also a rich source of reviews, and I
recommend reading a few reviews on your choice of product before taking the
plunge.
So to sum up what we have covered so far:
·         Think about what kind of photography you may want to do and be
prepared to want to dabble in other areas as your hobby progresses
·         Try out as many cameras in budget as you can
·         Read reviews on the cameras you favor
·         Look at the range of lenses available and check out reviews on those
too
As a final word and most importantly, have fun choosing whatever you choose you
will not have made the ‘wrong’ choice - don't stress about it, be creative
and enjoy the learning curve. A lot of what I have said and a lot of what you
have read probably sounds confusing but the more time you spend with a DSLR in
your hands so more of the final pieces of the jigsaw will fall in to place.
Good luck and once again feel free to ask us whatever you like, I speak for us
all when I say we look forward to seeing some of your shots!