If you're thinking about buying your first DSLR camera, or getting a more feature-rich model, I want to share some useful tips on how to choose SLR cameras for beginners. One or two of the things I mention might seem obvious, but I want to explain my decision making process when I consider buying a new camera.
You have to weigh up your budget, needs and desires to make a decision. At the end of the day, the camera is just a piece of kit we use for our hobby.
1. Choose your budget and stick with it. Consider the most affordable cameras first, then work your way up from there. You should already have an idea of what features you want. If there are no must have features that come to mind, start off with a $100 point & shoot camera. Read the reviews then decide if you should consider a more expensive model.
2. Decide which of the following you need:
* Auto focus
* Video capabilities
* How heavy or how light do you want it to be?
* The number of frames per second
* The number of memory cards the camera can hold at once
* The quality of the sensor
* Do you want a full frame or not?
If you set your budget to $1000, you have saved some money if you choose a $600 camera, which you can use on lenses. It isn't necessary to spend a great deal of money to get great shots
3. What kind of photography do you want to do? What kinds of photos do you plan on taking? Everyone has different needs. Some people want to do landscapes, others want to do sports, some want to do all of it. You get buy kits that come with the camera body, lenses, flash and a bag. It is a good idea to see how it feels in your hands. Beginner level DSLRs are getting more and more powerful, meaning you can do almost anything you want with them, so save money for the lenses.
4. Consider going with a 2nd hand body to save some money on the camera and have more money to spend on lenses.
5. Aside from the cost savings of going with an entry level body, you will also have a choice over scene modes and auto mode that you don't get in all more expensive models. You can learn more from the camera this way to see how it sets itself up for different shots.
6. You should consider getting a kit that has the camera body and an intermediate lens such as an 18 - 55mm lens, which comes with the Nikon D3100 kit. This lens is also a macro lens (or a micro lens as Nikon calls it). You should also get a photo lens such as the55 to 200 that you can get with many D3100 kits. If you're just starting out, these two lenses will be an excellent choice, however if you're looking for something extra, try getting a lens that will enable you to shoot in low light. Such lenses have apertures that go all the way up to F1.8 or even F1.4.
7. You need to check if the lens is FX or DX. The entry level Nikon DSLRs have DX format sensors, which are crop sensors. The FX sensors are in the most expensive Nikon DSLRs and are bigger. You can use both DX and FX lens types on all Nikon DSLRs.
8. If you are getting a camera with an auto focus feature, make sure the lenses are also able to auto focus.
9. You also might want to invest in some inexpensive UV filters, which attach to the end of the lens and will provide a little extra protection. You can get them in different sizes, so take a look when you make your purchase.
10. Think about what flashesyou want. They are branded as Speedlites by Nikon. Many digital DLR cameras include pop up flashes. A Speedlite has more power and will attach to the hot shoe of your camera. Some flashes let you control the direction of the light to some degree by tilting them. Some let you control the output.
11. You'll also have to get a memory card for your camera. There is a huge range out there.
12. You'll probably need a bag to carry everything in. Most kits come with a bag. Again there are hundreds to choose from.
13. You'll also need think about editing software. Google has a freeware called Picasa which is great to experiment with before getting something more powerful, such as Lightroom, Aperture or Photoshop Elements.
So just as you probably imagined, there's a lot of stuff to consider. There are a lot of options when you're first starting out. Spend the time to work out what technical features you want to have the most. After that you'll be in a better position to make the right decision for you.
You have to weigh up your budget, needs and desires to make a decision. At the end of the day, the camera is just a piece of kit we use for our hobby.
1. Choose your budget and stick with it. Consider the most affordable cameras first, then work your way up from there. You should already have an idea of what features you want. If there are no must have features that come to mind, start off with a $100 point & shoot camera. Read the reviews then decide if you should consider a more expensive model.
2. Decide which of the following you need:
* Auto focus
* Video capabilities
* How heavy or how light do you want it to be?
* The number of frames per second
* The number of memory cards the camera can hold at once
* The quality of the sensor
* Do you want a full frame or not?
If you set your budget to $1000, you have saved some money if you choose a $600 camera, which you can use on lenses. It isn't necessary to spend a great deal of money to get great shots
3. What kind of photography do you want to do? What kinds of photos do you plan on taking? Everyone has different needs. Some people want to do landscapes, others want to do sports, some want to do all of it. You get buy kits that come with the camera body, lenses, flash and a bag. It is a good idea to see how it feels in your hands. Beginner level DSLRs are getting more and more powerful, meaning you can do almost anything you want with them, so save money for the lenses.
4. Consider going with a 2nd hand body to save some money on the camera and have more money to spend on lenses.
5. Aside from the cost savings of going with an entry level body, you will also have a choice over scene modes and auto mode that you don't get in all more expensive models. You can learn more from the camera this way to see how it sets itself up for different shots.
6. You should consider getting a kit that has the camera body and an intermediate lens such as an 18 - 55mm lens, which comes with the Nikon D3100 kit. This lens is also a macro lens (or a micro lens as Nikon calls it). You should also get a photo lens such as the55 to 200 that you can get with many D3100 kits. If you're just starting out, these two lenses will be an excellent choice, however if you're looking for something extra, try getting a lens that will enable you to shoot in low light. Such lenses have apertures that go all the way up to F1.8 or even F1.4.
7. You need to check if the lens is FX or DX. The entry level Nikon DSLRs have DX format sensors, which are crop sensors. The FX sensors are in the most expensive Nikon DSLRs and are bigger. You can use both DX and FX lens types on all Nikon DSLRs.
8. If you are getting a camera with an auto focus feature, make sure the lenses are also able to auto focus.
9. You also might want to invest in some inexpensive UV filters, which attach to the end of the lens and will provide a little extra protection. You can get them in different sizes, so take a look when you make your purchase.
10. Think about what flashesyou want. They are branded as Speedlites by Nikon. Many digital DLR cameras include pop up flashes. A Speedlite has more power and will attach to the hot shoe of your camera. Some flashes let you control the direction of the light to some degree by tilting them. Some let you control the output.
11. You'll also have to get a memory card for your camera. There is a huge range out there.
12. You'll probably need a bag to carry everything in. Most kits come with a bag. Again there are hundreds to choose from.
13. You'll also need think about editing software. Google has a freeware called Picasa which is great to experiment with before getting something more powerful, such as Lightroom, Aperture or Photoshop Elements.
So just as you probably imagined, there's a lot of stuff to consider. There are a lot of options when you're first starting out. Spend the time to work out what technical features you want to have the most. After that you'll be in a better position to make the right decision for you.
About the Author:
If you're thinking about upgrading or getting your first ever SLR body camera please check out my blog to learn tons of awesome techniques to help you get better at your hobbytoday.
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