Choosing your new camera
Apr 04 '00 (Updated Jul 01 '02)
The Bottom Line Choosing the correct camera to meet your needs will save you money, provide your family with thousands of cherished images, and make you look good.
Here's a list of the most important questions to ask yourself before purchasing a new camera. What am I going to use this camera for? What type of pictures do I plan to take? What do I plan to do with the pictures that I shoot with my new camera? How much money can I afford to spend?
Starting from the top, taking snapshots of family and friends, is the most popular use for 35mm cameras. If this is you; if you always have an envelope full of 3 1/2 x 5 prints of the baby taking his first step, Megan's first day at school, Ryan's fifth birthday party, or the boss showing off on the company's new forklift, then you are looking for a "point and shoot" camera. "Point'n'shoots" are a great solution to many photographic challenges. They tend to be small, light, and filled with features. They range in price from around $30.00 (a bubble pack Kodak at WalMart) to around $2500 (for Rollei's QZ35W) All you need to do is balance the features that you want against the price you are willing to pay.
"Point and shoots" have a couple of glaring shortcommings, first they typically offer only one or two shutter speed options (not good for low light situations) These cameras usually provide only one f/stop option (generally pretty slow) and the built in or "pop up flashes" on this type of camera are pretty weak, and their range is quite short (typically around eight to ten feet). Metering/exposure accuracy with most "point and shoots" does not permit using these cameras to shoot slide film.
Vacation/travel/event pictures tend to be the next most important category of photography. Many folks love to travel, and they love to show everyone at home what they saw on their most recent trip. If you take mostly vacation/trip/event photographs, then an entry level autofocus camera with a full load of "bells and whistles" is the camera for you. Cameras like the Nikon N55/N65/N80 and the Canon "Rebel" are designed to operated in "program" mode and to produce lots of "good" quality pictures under a variety of different conditions. Photographers who carry these cameras don't need to learn about shutter speeds or F-stops. Typically "entry level" cameras run from around three to five hundred bucks (usually with a short Zoom lens included). Metering/exposure accuracy with cameras of this type will usually permit shooting slide film.
The next group in terms of numbers, are the photographers who want to learn and master the photographic arts. Student photographers typically shoot a lot of black and white film which they often process themselves. They are serious about learning the art and science of photography and committed to making artistic or meaningful photographic images. Photographers who ask a lot of technical questions, read a lot of photographic magazines, join photo clubs, enter photo contests, or try to figure out how to sell a few photographs are goinmg to need different photographic tools, cameras that allow more individual input into exposure decisions than "point and Shoot" or entry level 35mm SLR's provide. If you are just learning the "ins and outs" of serious 35mm photography and if you want absolute control over your images. If you plan to enter your photographs in competitions or eventually sell your images then you may want to consider a Manual Camera like the Nikon FM2N, The Nikon FM3A, or the less expensive Nikon FM10.
The last group of photographers are serious Amateurs (in the truest sense of the word, "lovers" of photography) and Professionals. These folks insist on the best quality, most feature filled, newest and most technologically advanced photographic tools available. Cameras in this category tend to be system cameras, offering a full complement of operational options, accessories, and lenses.
Generally cameras in this "top of the line" category combine the best features of Manual and Auto Exposure cameras. Pro level cameras are generally quite expensive, but they offer better performance, enhanced durability, and much better trade in/re-sale value. Cameras like the Nikon F5, Nikon F100, Contax N1, and Canon EOS 1N are tough, well sealed against dirt and moisture, and technologically complex. Cameras of this type are optimal for shooting slides and slow speed "fine art" B&W films.
Digital photographers are a new breed of picture taker. More than half the homes in the USA now have computers, and many of these homes also posses scanners, printers, and digital cameras. While the quality of prints made with digital cameras are not as good as those made with traditional silver based photography, the gap is closing rapidly.
Digital photographers fall into all the categories listed above. If you just want to e-mail Auntie, Sis, or Mom the newest pictures of the baby, then an Entry Level digital camera can be purchased for between $150-$300 Canon's new Powershot A40, Fuji's Finepix 2600, or Nikon's new Coolpix 2500 are great examples of entry level digital cameras. Mid Level Digital cameras run between $300 and $1000. Check out the Canon G1 or G2, Nikon's Coolpix 995, Sony's DSC F707, or the Minolta Dimage 7 or Nikon's new "CoolPix 5000/5700 Resolution ranges from just over 3 megapixels to just over five megapixels for mide level digital cameras.
If, on the other hand, you aspire to photographic greatness, the Nikon D1X, the Canon EOS D30 or D60, or Nikon's new D100 are semi pro/pro level digital cameras that will set you back anywhere from two to five grand, but they will provide professional level performance, the ability to use various lenses many other "modular" system accesories, and they are built to a tougher durability standard. If you would like more information on "How to choose a Digital Camera" check out my review http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E46-17B174E2-39A418E3-prod1
So before you plunk down those hard earned bucks, take a few minutes and think about what you are going to use that new camera for, it could save you headaches, money, and frustration.
If you would like to read more about 35mm cameras, you may find my camera reviews helpful:
Nikon SLR’s
Manual Focus
Nikon FM2n
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-3CFA-1D553EB-37BC4CFF-bd2
Nikon FM10
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-6C07-23519DF-393087EA-prod2
Nikon FM3A
http://www.epinions.com/content_32634801796
Auto Focus
Nikon N55
http://www.epinions.com/content_67792506500
Nikon F5
http:http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-3A32-DBB0138-37FBC7B7-bd3
Nikon F100
http:http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-540D-DBAA8E5-37FBC6D5-bd3
Nikon F4S
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-1BF0-4DCCD57-389DB017-prod2
Nikon N70
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-6991-EA50BF1-38EE1854-prod4
Nikon N80
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5CF1-20F9233-3915B0F2-prod6
Nikon N65
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-46B3-76FC62B-3A00116B-prod1
Nikon N90S
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2BE1-1D4C2DF-37BC4B8C-bd2
Contax SLR’s
Contax N1
http://www.epinions.com/content_21301202564
Contax 645 (Medium Format) AF SLR
http:http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-31B5-B8D40D6-38AECFC4-prod2
Olympus SLR’s
Olympus OM4ti
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5ABD-F3D6954-38B42C34-bd3
Choosing 35mm Lenses
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-283E-10641A05-393D299A-prod1
Nikon Lenses
Prime Lenses
Nikon AF ED-IF 180/f2.8 Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/content_50492313220
Nikon 105/f2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-ED0-62442B1-393AA9F1-prod5
Nikon 85/f1.4D AF IF
http://www.epinions.com/content_23241199236
Nikon 85/f1.8D AF
http://www.epinions.com/content_29370191492
Zoom Lenses
Nukon AF 28-80/f3.3-5.6G Nikkor Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/content_67788770948
Nikon AF IF 24-85/f2.8-4.0D Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/content_40820510340
Nikon AF IF 28-200/f3.5-5.6D Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-61AC-14E291B-3909BCF6-prod5
Nikon AF 75-240/f4.5-5.6D Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Photo-Lenses-All-Nikon_75-240mm_f_4_5-5_6D_AF_Zoom-Nikkor
Nikon AF 70-300/f4.0-5.6D ED Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-4C5A-1489077-3909AEA3-prod5
Nikon AF 80-200/f2.8D IF-ED AF-S Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/content_38412717700
Sigma Lenses
Sigma Designs AF 17-35/F2.8-4.0D EX HSM Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-4C46-145B3FFF-39CE2ADE-prod3
Sigma Designs AF 28-70/f2.8D EX Aspherical Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5C92-1C455245-39CE9F60-prod6
Tokina Lenses
Tokina AT-X 20-35/f2.8D PRO Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E59-2F3F6C0-390C5EB2-prod3
Choosing Lenses for your New Camera
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-283E-10641A05-393D299A-prod1
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 333
Trusted by: 1273 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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