Without a doubt, the number one question I am most asked when out in the field is, "What kind of camera should I buy?" Silently I answer, "Do I look like a Soothsayer," but out loud I ask, "What is it that you're going to be shooting?" Now, most people, when they ask this question are really asking, "What kind of Digital Single Lens Reflex should I buy," and I'm usually thinking that they actually don't need a DSLR. My basic reason for asking what it is they will be shooting is due to the fact that most folks benefit best by getting a good point and shoot camera. Why? Read on!
More after the jump...
Is a DSLR really what you want? If you are interested in learning photography and are going to learn how to use the camera to its fullest then a DSLR is certainly what you want. If you understand that with a DSLR you are going to have to do some post processing with a program like Photoshop or the like, then you should go ahead and get one. If you're planning on using it like a Brownie Hawkeye then you're not going to be happy. More money and bigger lenses don't equal better pictures and a DSLR will not magically make good photographs.
It's not that I'm trying to steer anyone away from the purchase of a DSLR but if all you want to do is take pictures of vacations, birthdays and Christmas then perhaps a good compact digital, or "point and shoot," is for you. There are plenty on the market that make excellent quality photographs without having to learn the ins and outs of a DSLR. There are plenty that look like a DSLR. Point and shoot, as the name implies, is for those folks who just want good pictures without having to do a whole lot. Point at it and shoot it. The camera does it for you. It sharpens, reduces noise, auto focuses, auto exposes along with a plethora of other neat and cool tricks they pack in those things nowadays. There are plenty of point and shoots well suited for little league action. There are plenty of point and shoots that will make prints suitable to hang on your wall.
I know lots of people who have been greatly disappointed in their photographs after buying a DSLR. "My pictures just don't look as good as they did with my old digital camera." Sure they don't. They are just plain images that haven't had anything done to them. They need correct white balance and exposure. They probably need some sharpening or noise reduction. Perhaps the shadows or highlights need some enhancement. The colors may need tweaking. This is something that most folks just don't realize before buying a DSLR and a fact that can lead to disappointment after a very expensive purchase. Some of the best deals around for DSLR's can be found on Craigslist after people have lost interest or have become frustrated when trying to figure out the camera.
I'm all for getting the best picture possible and sometimes, for some people, that means using a camera that takes the work out of picture taking. I'm all for photography being fun for everyone and for some, a DSLR can take the enjoyment out of taking pictures. My advise is to buy the camera that will give you the best result for the amount of effort you're willing to put in to the pictures you are going to take. If you really want to learn photography and you like playing with the photo after you take it, get a DSLR. If you just want to capture memories like you did with that old Instamatic, you can't go wrong with a point and shoot.
More to come...
More after the jump...
Is a DSLR really what you want? If you are interested in learning photography and are going to learn how to use the camera to its fullest then a DSLR is certainly what you want. If you understand that with a DSLR you are going to have to do some post processing with a program like Photoshop or the like, then you should go ahead and get one. If you're planning on using it like a Brownie Hawkeye then you're not going to be happy. More money and bigger lenses don't equal better pictures and a DSLR will not magically make good photographs.
It's not that I'm trying to steer anyone away from the purchase of a DSLR but if all you want to do is take pictures of vacations, birthdays and Christmas then perhaps a good compact digital, or "point and shoot," is for you. There are plenty on the market that make excellent quality photographs without having to learn the ins and outs of a DSLR. There are plenty that look like a DSLR. Point and shoot, as the name implies, is for those folks who just want good pictures without having to do a whole lot. Point at it and shoot it. The camera does it for you. It sharpens, reduces noise, auto focuses, auto exposes along with a plethora of other neat and cool tricks they pack in those things nowadays. There are plenty of point and shoots well suited for little league action. There are plenty of point and shoots that will make prints suitable to hang on your wall.
I know lots of people who have been greatly disappointed in their photographs after buying a DSLR. "My pictures just don't look as good as they did with my old digital camera." Sure they don't. They are just plain images that haven't had anything done to them. They need correct white balance and exposure. They probably need some sharpening or noise reduction. Perhaps the shadows or highlights need some enhancement. The colors may need tweaking. This is something that most folks just don't realize before buying a DSLR and a fact that can lead to disappointment after a very expensive purchase. Some of the best deals around for DSLR's can be found on Craigslist after people have lost interest or have become frustrated when trying to figure out the camera.
I'm all for getting the best picture possible and sometimes, for some people, that means using a camera that takes the work out of picture taking. I'm all for photography being fun for everyone and for some, a DSLR can take the enjoyment out of taking pictures. My advise is to buy the camera that will give you the best result for the amount of effort you're willing to put in to the pictures you are going to take. If you really want to learn photography and you like playing with the photo after you take it, get a DSLR. If you just want to capture memories like you did with that old Instamatic, you can't go wrong with a point and shoot.
More to come...
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