Advice on Camera purchase
- Thread starter returnofsid
- Start date
If you decide to go the DSLR route you need to consider more variables than you do with a point and shoot (P&S) camera.
The order of importance, in regard to picture quality, with a DSLR is:
Photographer skill, lens quality, camera body.
Every DSLR body on the market today will take excellent pictures. Your lens choices are far more important than which body you buy.
You also have to be comfortable with how the camera feels. If you're not comfortable with your camera you won't be out shooting with it. Go to a local camera store (avoid places like Ritz, Best Buy, etc.... if at all possible), play with several different camera bodies and see what feels the best in your hand. Buy the one that feels best.
/ personal rant /
If you go to a local store with subject expertise (again, not a Ritz, Best Buy, Wolf Camera, etc) and take advantage of the knowledgeable folks buy your camera there. You might pay a little bit more but they deserve to be compensated for their assistance. In the long run building a relationship with a local store can be very helpful as a good camera is a long term investment. I have no problem buying online to save money; I just don't do it if I've involved the local store in the sales process.
/ end rant /
Buying a DSLR is more than buying a camera, it's buying into a system. That being said Canon and Nikon currently have most of the market. Choosing one of those gives you more choices for expansion down the road. The new Sony looks good as well and it's compatible with Konica/Minolta lenses.
If saving money, by buying used gear, allows you to spend more money on lenses you should go that route. A good lens on a used body will take better pictures than a cheap lens on a brand new body.
Cheers
The order of importance, in regard to picture quality, with a DSLR is:
Photographer skill, lens quality, camera body.
Every DSLR body on the market today will take excellent pictures. Your lens choices are far more important than which body you buy.
You also have to be comfortable with how the camera feels. If you're not comfortable with your camera you won't be out shooting with it. Go to a local camera store (avoid places like Ritz, Best Buy, etc.... if at all possible), play with several different camera bodies and see what feels the best in your hand. Buy the one that feels best.
/ personal rant /
If you go to a local store with subject expertise (again, not a Ritz, Best Buy, Wolf Camera, etc) and take advantage of the knowledgeable folks buy your camera there. You might pay a little bit more but they deserve to be compensated for their assistance. In the long run building a relationship with a local store can be very helpful as a good camera is a long term investment. I have no problem buying online to save money; I just don't do it if I've involved the local store in the sales process.
/ end rant /
Buying a DSLR is more than buying a camera, it's buying into a system. That being said Canon and Nikon currently have most of the market. Choosing one of those gives you more choices for expansion down the road. The new Sony looks good as well and it's compatible with Konica/Minolta lenses.
If saving money, by buying used gear, allows you to spend more money on lenses you should go that route. A good lens on a used body will take better pictures than a cheap lens on a brand new body.
Cheers
Last edited:
returnofsid
New member
Raddogz, I appreciate your comments and they aren't demeaning at all...however, I already have a decent P&S camera. I'm ready to upgrade to SLR.
I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. It's going to be a month or so before I'm able to afford to do anything at all...just wanting to get some good advice on a direction to go. Seems like maybe I'm best off looking for good quality used equipment. I'll have to research that direction for awhile.
I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. It's going to be a month or so before I'm able to afford to do anything at all...just wanting to get some good advice on a direction to go. Seems like maybe I'm best off looking for good quality used equipment. I'll have to research that direction for awhile.
returnofsid
New member
SO here I am again, with another question. I've got the same advice on a photography forum about going with a better quality P&S camera. If I were to go that route, what camera would people suggest. I've looked at the Cannon Powershot S3. Seems like a pretty good camera. I'll await people's advice on this subject now...lol.
www.dpreview.com is a great resource. Here is his review of the S3: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons3is/
For Canon gear, http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ is a great resource as well.
Good luck!
For Canon gear, http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ is a great resource as well.
Good luck!
returnofsid
New member
Yes, I've read the review on the S3. Looks promising. Although I also see that there's a new S5 as well. I've also looked into the Canon PowerShot G7. Anyone familiar with these and what makes one better or worse than another?
