Comments on: How do I Make a Decision which Digital Camera to Buy? http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:17:12 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Michael http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-31787 Michael Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:22:59 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-31787 Could someone answer me this please? I am a budding photographer. I am between minds on whether to buy a point and shoot or a DSLR. Am i better off to get a point and shoot first to hone my skills or go straight for the DSLR? Could someone answer me this please?

I am a budding photographer. I am between minds on whether to buy a point and shoot or a DSLR.
Am i better off to get a point and shoot first to hone my skills or go straight for the DSLR?

]]> By: Len http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-31622 Len Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:51:12 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-31622 Hi, ive just bought an Olympus 420, wich does have an live LCD vieuw, self cleaning sensor, is small and relativley cheap so just wanted to let you know that this camera in my eyes is a bit different that the typical DSLR, and you might want to look in to this one. Good tips thoug! Hi, ive just bought an Olympus 420, wich does have an live LCD vieuw, self cleaning sensor, is small and relativley cheap so just wanted to let you know that this camera in my eyes is a bit different that the typical DSLR, and you might want to look in to this one. Good tips thoug!

]]> By: RossN http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30980 RossN Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:42:51 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30980 I would describe my very recent experience; I started with the intention of buying a DSLR. I did not want to spend 2K for the body, and after much inet time, I decided on the newly-announced Canon XS. Lenses are expensive; opinions vary greatly on "walkaround" lenses. I decided on Canon's 17-85 IS, and figured I would add lenses as I could afford. I could easily justify spending the resultant 2K (accessories inc) as my needs are determined by my work (retired law enforcement now PI). As a digital newby, I had begun the process thinking I HAD to get a DSLR to replace my SLR. ON THE CONTRARY! I learned via this and other sites of the many available options, and I settled on the Canon S5 IS,$300! 12x optical zoom, and does much more than my SLR did! It feels like a toy compared to the SLR body, but is a whole lot of camera for the money. I can buy 6 or 7 for the price I thought I HAD to spend to get this degree of quality in my shots! The purist will find faults, and I am not a professional photographer, but this camera surpasses my rather broad requirements. I would describe my very recent experience; I started with the
intention of buying a DSLR. I did not want to spend 2K for the body, and after much inet time, I decided on the newly-announced Canon XS. Lenses are expensive; opinions vary greatly on “walkaround” lenses. I decided on Canon’s 17-85 IS, and figured I would add lenses as I could afford. I could easily justify spending the resultant 2K (accessories inc) as my needs are determined by my work (retired law enforcement now PI). As a digital newby, I had begun the process thinking I HAD to get a DSLR to replace my SLR. ON THE CONTRARY! I learned via this and other sites of the many available options, and I settled on the Canon S5 IS,$300! 12x optical zoom, and does much more than my SLR did! It feels like a toy compared to the SLR body, but is a whole lot of camera for the money. I can buy 6 or 7 for the price I thought I HAD to spend to get this degree of quality in my shots! The purist will find faults, and I am not a professional photographer, but this camera surpasses my rather broad requirements.

]]> By: kendp http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30945 kendp Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:56:33 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30945 The choice is not between a very basic camera and a very expensive DSLR. There are many excellent advanced amateur cameras available that will keep you interested for many years and satisfy all your needs unless you decide to turn professional or have a need for many different lenses. The price on these cameras is much below that of a DSLR. You can get a current model by shopping the internet for $300 or less, and if you buy the previous version, the price will be closer to $200. I started with a Canon Powershot A620 and may never need another camera. I have just about everything that I would get on a very expensive DSLR, except the ability to change lenses. By means of a tube, I can use filters and I can also use a wide angle, macro and telephoto lens, maybe not quite as well as a with a DSLR, but at far less cost and with results not enough different from a DSLR to justify the might higher price. My advice is to look for a camera, like the Canon Powershot A620, or its successor, that will let you start with automatic and allow you to make future use of all the shooting modes that you would get on a much higher priced camera. If your first camera is like that, you may never need another one. The choice is not between a very basic camera and a very expensive DSLR. There are many excellent advanced amateur cameras available that will keep you interested for many years and satisfy all your needs unless you decide to turn professional or have a need for many different lenses.

The price on these cameras is much below that of a DSLR. You can get a current model by shopping the internet for $300 or less, and if you buy the previous version, the price will be closer to $200.

I started with a Canon Powershot A620 and may never need another camera. I have just about everything that I would get on a very expensive DSLR, except the ability to change lenses. By means of a tube, I can use filters and I can also use a wide angle, macro and telephoto lens, maybe not quite as well as a with a DSLR, but at far less cost and with results not enough different from a DSLR to justify the might higher price.

My advice is to look for a camera, like the Canon Powershot A620, or its successor, that will let you start with automatic and allow you to make future use of all the shooting modes that you would get on a much higher priced camera. If your first camera is like that, you may never need another one.

]]> By: George Fragos http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30831 George Fragos Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:54:52 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30831 How does it feal in my hands and well designed is the user interface and controls. I want both an eye piece and a moveable LCD to help take pictures from unusual angles. A hot shoe is prefered. Size matters so your not tempted to leave it behind. Can't take the picture if it's not with you. For my taste the Canon S5 IS is a good choice. How does it feal in my hands and well designed is the user interface and controls. I want both an eye piece and a moveable LCD to help take pictures from unusual angles. A hot shoe is prefered. Size matters so your not tempted to leave it behind. Can’t take the picture if it’s not with you. For my taste the Canon S5 IS is a good choice.

]]> By: Mariah http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30695 Mariah Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:27:48 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30695 I went on-line to try to decipher what an inexpensive, user-friendly camera may be. As I waded in, I quickly realized I needed some advice. My best friend and I are putting together a website that will provide positive affirmation & resources for couples who are best friends. We presently have a blogspot that will be going to a live website in August. We've purchased pix from Dreamstime & Mediafocus, but are interested in taking some pix of our own. Thank you, Mariah Edgington caffection.blogspot.com Please check out our blog & give us feedback. I went on-line to try to decipher what an inexpensive, user-friendly camera may be. As I waded in, I quickly realized I needed some advice. My best friend and I are putting together a website that will provide positive affirmation & resources for couples who are best friends. We presently have a blogspot that will be going to a live website in August. We’ve purchased pix from Dreamstime & Mediafocus, but are interested in taking some pix of our own.
Thank you, Mariah Edgington
caffection.blogspot.com
Please check out our blog & give us feedback.

]]> By: Great Digital Cameras http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30645 Great Digital Cameras Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:00:17 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30645 One of my very first posts on my new blog Great Digital Cameras (http://www.greatdigitalcameras.com.au) goes into a general overview about how to choose the right digital camera based on what the users needs are. It also discusses some technical aspects of cameras that users should be aware of One of my very first posts on my new blog Great Digital Cameras (http://www.greatdigitalcameras.com.au) goes into a general overview about how to choose the right digital camera based on what the users needs are. It also discusses some technical aspects of cameras that users should be aware of

]]> By: Mike Woodhouse http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30595 Mike Woodhouse Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:49:22 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30595 Agree with most of the above, although I'd suggest that instead of asking what the buyer wants it for, you might better ask "what kind of pictures do you want to take?" Ideally, they should be able to show you something that they wish they could have done. Do they want prints or will the shots stay digital? If printing, how large might they want to make the prints? 5x7? A4? A3? Larger? Agree with most of the above, although I’d suggest that instead of asking what the buyer wants it for, you might better ask “what kind of pictures do you want to take?”

Ideally, they should be able to show you something that they wish they could have done. Do they want prints or will the shots stay digital? If printing, how large might they want to make the prints? 5×7? A4? A3? Larger?

]]> By: Smitty http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30593 Smitty Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:58:28 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30593 I recently (~2 months ago) picked up a Nikon D-80 after a very lengthy shopping period. It's my first SLR and I am so far very pleased. I arrived at my decision by making a vow to understand everything about the point and shoot that I was currently using (an Olympus C7000). I wanted to make sure that I really understood the limitations of the P&S and was making a purchasing decision based on need rather than want. Once I was satisfied that I could use an SLR (this process took six to twelve months), I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a friend's Canon and another friend's Nikon. I had a slight preference for the Nikon and I eventually decided on the 80 because of the greater flexibility for lenses (and, lucky for me, I was very financially sound at the time). So, I guess my only advice, is take a long time! I wanted to make sure that I didn't make an impulse buy (like I was tempted to a thousand times) and that I really new what I was buying and how it would help me. Once I knew I wanted an SLR, the process was really fun! I honestly think I would have been perfectly happy with either the Canon or the Nikon, so don't sweat that part of the decision too much. Sorry to any Sony or Olympus SLR owners. I never found any that I was able to try out, so my decision was really just Canon vs Nikon. I recently (~2 months ago) picked up a Nikon D-80 after a very lengthy shopping period. It’s my first SLR and I am so far very pleased.

I arrived at my decision by making a vow to understand everything about the point and shoot that I was currently using (an Olympus C7000). I wanted to make sure that I really understood the limitations of the P&S and was making a purchasing decision based on need rather than want.

Once I was satisfied that I could use an SLR (this process took six to twelve months), I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a friend’s Canon and another friend’s Nikon. I had a slight preference for the Nikon and I eventually decided on the 80 because of the greater flexibility for lenses (and, lucky for me, I was very financially sound at the time).

So, I guess my only advice, is take a long time! I wanted to make sure that I didn’t make an impulse buy (like I was tempted to a thousand times) and that I really new what I was buying and how it would help me. Once I knew I wanted an SLR, the process was really fun! I honestly think I would have been perfectly happy with either the Canon or the Nikon, so don’t sweat that part of the decision too much.

Sorry to any Sony or Olympus SLR owners. I never found any that I was able to try out, so my decision was really just Canon vs Nikon.

]]> By: Mr Bach http://digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/comment-page-1#comment-30582 Mr Bach Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:52:30 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-make-a-decision-which-digital-camera-to-buy/#comment-30582 There are many fantastic fixed lens cameras available, most of them having manual zooms up to 400 mm, which is more than the average person will need. Camera makers have capitalized on consumer ignorance that the higher the number of megapixels, the better the camera, which isn't the case. Make sure the lens has glass, and not plastic. Buy a camera that can shoot RAW, and while extra time is required for processing, the end result is worth it. RAW also needs special software, but Bibble Labs has an excellent product for about $150. I'm at the point where shooting RAW is the rule, rather than the exception. Consider what you can do with RAW images, that cannot be done with JPG...adjust the WB, color temperature, and exposure value. These three controls can "make or break" the photo. Remember, high-end cameras don't create a better picture...that's your job, as the photographer. You must be able visualize the scene, compose it, and the camera is only a tool to achieve what you want. The camera's internal meter isn't always 100% accurate, so my recommendation is using a hand-held meter. The one I use is the Sekonic L758-DR incident/spot meter. There are many fantastic fixed lens cameras available, most of them having manual zooms up to 400 mm, which is more than the average person will need.

Camera makers have capitalized on consumer ignorance that the higher the number of megapixels, the better the camera, which isn’t the case.

Make sure the lens has glass, and not plastic. Buy a camera that can shoot RAW, and while extra time is required for processing, the end result is worth it.

RAW also needs special software, but Bibble Labs has an excellent product for about $150.

I’m at the point where shooting RAW is the rule, rather than the exception. Consider what you can do with RAW images, that cannot be done with JPG…adjust the WB, color temperature, and exposure value. These three controls can “make or break” the photo.

Remember, high-end cameras don’t create a better picture…that’s your job, as the photographer. You must be able visualize the scene, compose it, and the camera is only a tool to achieve what you want.

The camera’s internal meter isn’t always 100% accurate, so my recommendation is using a hand-held meter. The one I use is the Sekonic L758-DR incident/spot meter.

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