Dslr for beginners is my attempt to cover the most basic issues and questions most people have when they first pursue purchasing and learnging dslr cameras. When I first began to look at dslr cameras, I really did not know what to look for. To take some of the confusion out of the decision, you first need to ask yourself a couple of key questions.
- How much money am I willing to spend?
When spending money on a dslr camera, there are a couple of important things to note. Most digital cameras on the market today carry upwards of 6 megapixels or more. A common myth is that the more megapixels a camera can capture, the better image quality the camera will make. This is not true. In reality, all cameras are able to capture similar image qualities. More megapixels enable the user to print larger images. However, unless you are planning on printing enouromous sized images, a 6 mega pixel camera is capable of rendering the same image quality in 16×20 as a 12 megapixel camera. Mega pixels therefore only become relavant when you are looking to print giant images.
Second, most camera lines (ie canon, nikon, sony, olympus, etc) have a line of cameras for everyone. With nikon and canon, they offer 3 lines of cameras. The first is the consumer grade camera. In the canon line of cameras for instance, these cameras are the Rebel series cameras from the XT, XTI, XSI, etc. The consumer grade camera usually is smaller, lighter wieght, and has a composite plastic body. It generally comes with a consumer grade lens and predisposed camera functions designed for beginners to ease operation in both automatic and manual modes of shooting. A “kit” combines the lens and the body as one purchase and usually discounts the purchase of the two together. A “body only” includes just the camera without a lens. In most instances, these cameras are loaded with professional features, however, the body is not capable of taking the abuse or the durability of the camera inside is scarificed as it is not intended for heavy use like a photojournalist or wedding photographer. Camera kits begin at $500-$700 for the entry level dslr kit and go up with increased features and functions and/or better lens quality. Semi amateur cameras are a bit more expensive than the entry level cameras. They are usually metal alloy bodies, include most of the professional features (ie self cleaning sensors, larger display screens, more optional functions, etc) of the most expensive professional cameras, and have better durability. They are usually a little larger and because of their metal construction heavier. These cameras usually begin in the $1000 range and go up. They usually include a better than consumer grade lens but not a professional grade lens. They are very sharp, capable of taking high quality print worthy images, and have about twice the life or ability to withstand abuse as the consumer grade camera. Most if not all of these cameras feature a image sensor (the sensor records the image you are making a picture of) that is NOT a full 35mm in size. Camera buffs call this a crop body because the sensor uses a multiplication factor when recording images through the lens. For instance on a Nikon D300, it has a 1.5X sensor. When taking pictures with a Nikon DX18-200mm lens on a Nikon D300 body, in reality, the photographer is capturing an image at 18×1.5-200×1.5, which equals 27-300mm. Finally, professional cameras are the ultimate in photographic performance. Most, if not all, are full frame 35mm sensors, weather sealed metal alloy bodies, and include the latest in technology as far as functions and options are concerned. These cameras begin in the $3000 range and can go up to as much as $40,000 if you buy the top of the line 39.9 mega pixel medium format Hasselblad DSLR camera, which is generally used for shooting runway models and actors, etc. If bought in a “kit”, they almost always come with a top of the line professional series lens, which usually contributes to the higher price. These are the largest, heaviest, most durable, but most expensive cameras on the market usually with the most megapixels, features, and functions currently available.
- How often and what type of photography will I be doing?
People often ask, “What kind of camera or brand should I purchase?” At first, the question seems like a logical and easy question for a new person to ask that should follow with a logical and simple answer from a professional. However, the answer is based upon the photographer and his/her style rather than the professional’s opinion of what best suits their needs. As a entry level photographer, you should consider what your goals are in photography. If you intend to make great vacation shots or pictures of children or hobbies, you should consider spending thriftly on an entry level consumer dslr camera. Either brand of the two major brands (read Nikon or Canon) are more than capable of capturing your moments, hobbies, children etc. All consumer grade cameras can create printable images in at least and up to 8×10 in size or higher in some instances. If you intend using the camera to pursue a freelance photography career as a sidejob to generate some additional income, you might be well advised to consider a semi amateur grade camera. It has the capability of capaturing beautiful images that can both be printed in a magazine, newspaper, as well as at home for your personal enjoyment. The real difference lies in the durability of the camera and the use/abuse the metal body will withstand above and beyond the plastic body consumer grade bodies.
The great brand debate usually entails “Canon v. Nikon.” Obviously, there are other choices outside of this debate, but many folks find themselves trying to determine which camera is “better.” There are advantages and disadvantages of both. Perhaps the biggest advantage of Nikon is their flash system. It is technologically superior to Canon’s system in some of its “ttl” capabilities. Canon, however, holds an advantage in their lenses. They seem to be the sharpest currently available. Canon’s image reproduction seems to be a bit more saturated in the reds and greens. Nikon seems to be neutral or more faithful to the actual subject. This and the fact that nikon is known for shutter durability may well be the reason photojournalists and news organizations tend to favor Nikon cameras. Graphic designers, artists, and some wedding photographers prefer some of the automatic presets that Canon comes with. Last, one important thing to note is Nikon pays a higher commission on sales than Canon to salesman at your local camera stores, which may well be the reason they seem so eager to demonstrate and show the customer a Nikon product.
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