Photo by Tracer.Ca
This is a question that I am often asked and always happy to answer. The problem is that most often, the person asking doesn’t like the two word answer that I give. So here is how the conversation usually goes…”Hey Jeff, I’m thinking of buying a digital camera and I want to get an SLR. Which camera should I buy?” And I answer “Well, it depends.” By the time I am done explaining my “it depends” remark, they usually have more questions than answers. That’s because It depends on a few critical questions that they may or may not have asked themselves.
My first question – How much money do you want to spend?
Let’s face it, when you get down to brass tacks, the largest determining factor is going to be how much you are willing and able to spend because this will ultimately put you into a specific bracket of DSLR camera. If you only have about $500 then you will be looking at entry level cameras like a Nikon D40 or a Canon 350D or maybe the Pentax K200D. Do you have a little more cash from that economic stimulus check that you want to pour back into the economy, say around $1000? Well now you are into the mid-range pro-sumer zone. You can start comparing the Canon 450D and the Nikon D60, or maybe the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10. Oh so many choices, but you can see where it all starts and ends at the cash register.
My second question is – What do you want to take pictures of and what do you want to do with them?
That’s kind of like a part A & B question but they are related to each other. This question actually helps determine if you are looking to buy more camera than you actually need. The truth is that not everyone who is buying a camera would benefit from the fantastic resolution of the Canon 1Ds or the ISO and speed of the Nikon D3. If you tell me that your main goal is to take better pictures of your kids playing soccer and picture postcard vacation photos then you have just found another piece of the puzzle. Add to that the fact that your never going to make a print larger than 8×10 or you’re only going to be emailing or posting pictures online and we can really start to eliminate some cameras, and maybe save you some cash too. If you are going for the smaller print/online posting camera then my suggestion is to stick to a lower resolution camera. Add the soccer game factor and I’ll point you to some higher quality lenses that will help you achieve the results you are after. So if you told me that you wanted to take great pictures of your child playing soccer so that you could email them to the grandparents and make some pictures for your scrapbooks, I would probably point you to a lower end camera like the Canon 350D that comes bundled with a kit lens that has a long enough focal length to really reach out and fill the frame with those little soccer hooligans like the 28-135mm. Or possibly the Nikon D40 kit that includes a 55-200 VR lens to really get those steady shots. If, on the other hand, you are more interested in making some fine art prints in sizes of 13×19 or larger then I will certainly talk about spending more money for a Canon 40D, or Nikon D80, or the Pentax K20D and possibly a high quality lens. Because resolution and lens quality will really factor in when making big prints.
My third question – Have you considered lenses and accessories?
Most people that ask the “which camera” question are coming from a point-and-shoot world where everything was bundled into one nifty package. Not so in the world of the DSLR. This is about the time that I start equating DSLR equipment to crack because once you start buying, you can’t stop. The first consideration, after the camera itself, should be the lens. You will need a lens to stick on the front and this is where quality really counts. Most of the single lens camera bundles are coming with an 18-55mm. This lens is enough to get you started but I guarantee that it won’t keep you satisfied for long. Sooner or later you will want something in the longer telephoto range for those shots where you just can’t get close enough to fill the frame. Remember that soccer game? Try shooting it with an 18-55mm and see if you aren’t disappointed. The same thing goes for getting a long lens kit. You are not going to be pleased shooting the Grand Canyon with a 55-200mm. To really get the most flexibility from your camera you will want to have lenses that cover from 18mm to 200mm. The problem is that most camera bundles don’t carry a single lens that covers that range.
After you have figured out the lens question, now consider that wimpy pop-up flash built into the camera. If you are at all interested in taking pictures at night or in low light then you will quickly find yourself hating the pop-up. First of all, it is pretty under-powered as flashes go so you will only be able to work with an effective range of about 10-15′. Also, since it isn’t very powerful, it will only light up your subject while everything behind them is black. Not great for party pictures. We won’t even begin to discuss the red-eye that you will have to correct on almost every shot. About the only thing I have found it useful for is to pop a little fill light into a back lit photo or to give some catch lights in outdoor portraits. So to make yourself happy, you are going to want a real flash. One that lets you control the power output and maybe bounce the light off the ceiling or a wall. To get those kind of features will require an investment of at least $150. And did I happen to mention tripods, or filters, or camera bags or…..you get the idea.
The bottom line
It’s at about this point in the conversation where the eyes start to turn glassy as you realize that there is no easy answer. This is also where I send you off to do some heavy thinking and ponder the new questions that I have raised. As I see it, a DSLR is going to be an investment and so it should be treated that way. It shouldn’t be determined by what’s on sale this week at BestBuy but by determining what you need and want from a camera system and how it will service your needs both now and in the future (not that you shouldn’t look far a good sale once you know what you want). Because after all, if you are going to invest your money in a camera, shouldn’t you invest some time in making the decision?
A final word of advice for the camera buyer
Once you have determined what your needs are, do some research. Start looking at camera reviews on sites like DPReviews , 1001 Noisy Cameras ,or Steve’s DigiCams. But don’t stop there, find a good local camera shop and get some hands-on camera time with the models that you are contemplating. Don’t be afraid of asking questions from the salesman either. These guys get briefed from the camera manufacturers on all of the ins and outs and they can be your best resource for information. All I ask is, don’t make them spend an hour with you and then run off to find some bargain on the internet. If you find a great deal, give them a chance to match it. I think you will find that having a local camera shop guy will benefit you in the long run…and you won’t have to pay shipping.
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Entries (RSS)
This is easy for me but not for you.
I use the Nikon D300, but my sister just bought the Nikon D60 and loves it.
When I factor in the wonderful tech support and quality of Nikon, and when you call Nikon you talk to a live person, and hang time has been no more that 5 min for me
I left Canon 2 years ago and took a hit on selling but I have not looked back
affectionately Nikon
Ken