Friday, December 11, 2009

Lesson 1: Buying your first machine: DSLR





Very honestly speaking there is no bad DSLR at all in the market. Its just people and their thought. Their believes and their mental tradition. For an example, I use Sony DSLR. I tried, Canon, Nikon, even Pentax (oh fabulous, if I ever be a traitor, I'd be a Pentaxian), Olympus as well, but end of the day, I found it easier to use, helpful, trendy and fun!! I stick to it. When I was using other brands I never had a complete satisfaction, neither a confidence that I could do well in photography. I wont even demand myself as a good photographer, yet, whatever I have done so far, I credit Sony DSLR system! Even some other people take better photos without DSLR! So its not actually camera model or brand or may be not necessarily a DSLR, may be a point and shoot camera but in reality its all about you where you find comfort.

Hence we are talking about selecting first DSLR, we talk about some DSLR then ...

WHAT BRAND?
The question I most hate is: "Which brand to go for, Canon or Nikon??" Honestly speaking that Canon-Nikon situation raised in 1980's that's been gone ages before. Now all the entry level DSLR's are quite good as I have already mentioned. These days Olympus is quite good as they are giving away kit lenses ranged 14mm to 45/or something else. Pentax could be a nice choice for its pro level sharp photos n entry level dslrs. Also the features like info displays on Pentax K200D/100D are more like pro models yet they are entry level dslrs. You can still try Sigma dslrs. They use FOVEON sensors which works in a bit different way than traditional RGB sensors in all other dslrs. The color output is mindblowing. Anyone who dont want a post process job, can try out entry level Sigma dslrs. Sony has taken over a quite famous SLR brand MINOLTA. Quite good option (easy handling I find that).
Canon and nikons are also very good options. You all must know all the good sides about these famous brands, so I rather keep shut!!

WHICH LENSES?
While buying first DSLR, you might not know what sort of photographer you are going to be. Most of the time, you'll be affectionate to longer lenses (ya gives me a photographer look!), but tell you what, that ruins your composition ideas. The longer the lenses are, the smaller the frame is. As they are all tele zoom lenses and at the high end (zoomed in) you get nothing but an object which often makes no sense. We'll talk about this later on shooting lessons. For now, lets stick to lenses.

Try to have a collection of a bigger range. Like your kit lens 18mm to 50/70mm whatever you get, then a tele-zoom lens starts from 70mm high end at 200mm or any other combinations. Later when you get more money, you can get a wider lens like 10mm to 18 mm (or sort of). So you have a big range covering from 10mm to 200mm! The reason I am saying to get these ranges, is you never know what you'll find out better. First I started with a tele-zoom lens for motion panning (click to see definition) photos but these days I am more interested on wider lenses and putting efforts on composition.

Also let me tell you, most kit lenses are Macro enabled, so you can also try out some Macro shots!!

BODY OR LENSES?
Very often people go for better camera. But tell you what, I have seen lot many photographers using Canon EOS 300D, Sony Alpha 100 and Nikon D40 and other entry level dslrs and also get photos explored on flickr, covering news, doing bridal and studio shoots setting their income source at a very handsome prestigious figure. So its not a hi-fi camera, its always about hi-fi lenses. Get good glasses, prime lenses and spend less on a camera body

MEGAPIXELS??
Dont even worry at an entry level. Most amateur photographers do not need a high resolution print outs. All they need a sober look so the photo looks smooth. 10 Million pixels? 10 mega pixels we say, is fair enough, 12 would be better, but 24/20 mega pixels, not for us guys!! As long as you have a fair glass, mega pixel wont be a hard fact.

So summarising all these facts,

  • Go for a DSLR that fits in your hand well, have a good grip
  • Easy to navigate
  • Has an internal anti shake system
  • Internal anti dust system or dust removal system
  • Good kit lenses
  • Light weighted
  • Live view: if you care to have one!
  • Availability of accessories
  • Price
  • Try to get some accessorise if that includes in the price on a fair deal
  • Finally buy from a local dealer who can assure you warranty

For comparison you can go to DPREVIEW (click here to go to site) and also to compare point to point, check out JESSOPS (click here to go to site)and then go to CEMERA SELECTOR>DIGITAL SLR. Tick your selections and click compare.

Before buying, I'll ask eveyone to check out DSLR going to shops or from your friends, get the feel of a DSLR and dont get mad over money

Best of luck on trading Cheesy






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