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Which Camera Should I Buy?

 
Which Camera Should I Buy
by Mike Browne  
   
As a full time professional photographer the most frequent question I get asked is "which camera should I buy?" Here are three steps to help you find exactly the right camera for you.
 

1. Read and Research

People often ask me which DSLR camera to buy. I wish I could simply say buy a 'Brand X' - they're the best. The thing is, provided you buy a well established make when buying a DSLR camera, I'd say they're all excellent! These days it's not so much asking which DSLR camera I should buy, but more, which DSLR camera fits you - and preferably like a glove.

So a bit of time spent on reading and research through magazines and online is a worthy investment which will pay dividends when you go to spend your money.

Something it's worth remembering when reading an advertorial feature or even a straight write-up, is they'll be heavily extolling the virtues of a camera because...
a) manufacturers have given a pro a camera to test. The pro wants to be asked again and the copy is vetted by the manufacturer anyway
b) Even an 'unbiased' magazine reviewer doesn't want to be too harsh because 'Brand X' cameras will never advertise with them again!

Now I'm not suggesting there's anything underhanded or dishonest going on here, but a reviewer will often be looking for the positive aspects.

So, curb your enthusiasm. Get some knowledge yourself about what's going on and the price it's going on at. Whilst researching don't get all over excited and buy a camera on impulse just because it looks like a great deal. I'll explain why in a moment.

2. Go to a proper camera shop

Yes, I am suggesting you go out to town, and trudge around the shops (which may well be over-priced) when you could click a couple of times in the comfort of your own home and have a camera delivered by tomorrow morning.

Why do I say this? Let me share a little 'emotive buying' story with you at this point. A couple of years ago I set my heart on super new pro DSLR made by one of the world's leading companies. I'd used its predecessor and loved it. I devoured all the online write ups and reviews until I had actually fallen in love with the idea of using one of these cameras in my daily business. This paragon of photographic excellence wasn't yet available, so I put my name down on the list for one and the three month wait seemed an eternity.

But when I got it, all shiny new and lovely to look at, I found I hated the colours! Resolution, tonal range, menus, functionality and feel, all scored eleven out of ten, but try as I might there was a colour cast in certain lighting conditions that to me was enough to put me off my dinner - and trust me, I do like my dinner!

Now I know loads of pro photographers using this very camera most successfully - but I didn't like the colour. You see, photography is subjective so one person's meat is another's poison.

The cameras I use now, are big chunky man-style DSLRs which look cool, feel great in my hand and do everything I ask of them superbly. They're all that a rough trouser wearing motorbike riding chap like me could wish for! But for my lovely partner Jayne they're hopeless. Because she's petite and ever so girly (down boy!) she can't reach the controls because the camera's too big for her hands. She also has problems with camera shake because they're too heavy for her - particularly when there's a long lens on the front.

So, make sure you like how the controls feel and are laid out. How heavy is it? Does the menu make sense? Is the flash card slot too fiddly? Is it easy to change the battery? And don't forget to take a couple of test shots inside the shop in artificial light, some outside in daylight and a couple of flash shots as well. Take the test shots home with you, put them on your computer and make sure the colours, tones etc look how you want your images to look.

3. Where to buy a DSLR camera

So you've spent time choosing a DSLR camera and it's time to buy. Yep, this is the fun bit. All I want to say here is, don't automatically assume the web's the best and cheapest place to buy. I checked out the price of a £500 ish semi pro DSLR camera both online and in the shops and the price varied by £65 max. And the web wasn't the cheapest!

One big advantage of a shop is you can go back in if ever there's a problem. About two years ago I congratulated myself on buying a photo printer online for £100 less than anywhere else, but when it arrived all the instructions were in Turkish, which, as a Brit, was no use to me at all!

Price isn't everything; remember there may come a time when you need a bit of help and then a nice friendly face that speaks your language is invaluable. Especially if you trash your camera and need a new one - but there's another story...


Author information
Mike Browne has been a full time award winning photographer since December 1993 working in the UK and overseas on both social and commercial shoots. Now developing photography courses with his TV producer partner Jayne, their first course was reviewed by 4X Kodak Photographer of the year Kevin Wilson FMPA. FRPA. FBIPP who said

"This photography course covers everything you'll need to know. I wish it had been available when I started because it's completely un-putdownable.
I highly recommend it"

More about our Photography Course - click here (home)
More about Mike Browne - click here (about)


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