How should I go about buying a SLR (professional) digital camera?

Question

Im really interested in photography and am thinking about buying a SLR or professional digital camera but I dont know much about these types of cameras. Are there any features i should look for in a camera as a beginner in photography...or should I just go with what I know about regular digital cameras and just pick one?

Answer 1

This is an interesting question. Most people just ask what they should buy, but I like the way you think.

There is so much good equipment out there today that the REAL difference is how the camera feels to you. If it is awkward, you will have a hard time getting past that in order to let your photography become second nature.

If you are outgoing, you can visit a camera club and see how welcoming they are to newcomers. You will get lots of opinions there. Most towns of any size will have at least one camera club.

If you are not quite so bold, go to a real camera store. I don't mean the camera department of an electronics and appliniace store, either. I mean a privately owned, small camera shop where the owner can take some time and talk to you about the different cameras available.

Years and years ago, before I bought my second 35 mm film camera, I borrowed five different cameras from friends and shot a roll of film in each. This way, I found out how the buttons and dials fit in my own hands. It helped a lot that I knew what I was DOING, but it also helped a lot to just see how the sameras felt in my hands.

I would recommend this approach to you. Go to a camera shop and tell them you are new at this, want to buy an SLR, and need some guidance.

Be ready to spend $600-800 as a minimum, by the way. Be ready to start with a Nikon D40 or Canon Rebel XT or XTi. Lean in that direction, anyway.

Answer 2

First question that is most important. How much are you willing to spend on a camera? DSLRs dont come cheap. If your TRUELY intrested in professional photography it going to be well over $2000 on just a comsumer SLR like the Canon Rebel XTi or the Nikon D70. You will not want to buy lenses that have lets say 20-300mm just because their quality is not as good as lets say a 24-70mm or even a 70-200mm lens. If you cheap out on lenses then SLR's arent the best choice in the world for you. I would recommond the Canon Rebel XTi, it is pretty simple to use once you start using it. It isnt heavy but it is small so that might be an advanatage if you have small hands. Just get a camera you feel comforable with. Go to a local camera store and try one out yourself. Canon or Nikon are the best around.

Answer 3

SLR's are the most popular professional cameras. Then they are very expensive too. If you are really interested in photography i would suggest you to go on e bay and buy a used digital SLR and when you get very comfortable with that ..start thinking about features etc.

The specifications for a starter Digital SLR - A 6.5 MP CANNON/Nikon/Pentax any of these brands are good enough. Then look for the lens 18-55mm ( wide angle)& 70-300mm( tele photo) ( If you have both of these lenses it will be luxuary) and for this you should have a budget of $ 300- 400 for used.

If you dont plan to spend this much then go for any point and shoot camera...with which you can perfect your compositional skills...and then move on to an DSLR for more creative freedom.

For reviews on camera got to
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

Good Luck

Answer 4

A digital camera is far different from a traditional SLR camera. You need to weight the options with what you want to achieve.

Here are some pros and cons of both formats:

Digital Camera Pros:
1) High picture capacity on site without having to carry film
2) Digital manipulation of photos, easily shared or edited.
3) Usually more expensive that a SLR. (At professional level)
4) Can see images quickly and retake photos if you are unhappy with them "on the spot".

Digital Camera Cons:
1) Cameras might be more "fragile" or easily dammaged.
2) Clarity, distortion or perspective might not be "realistic" or true to the actual event taken.
3) The exposure times are somewhat laggy for action shots.

SLR Pros:
1) You get exact duplication of what you see. (Less artifact.)
2) Manual modes allow you to double expose shots.
3) Allows for more artistic ability.

SLR Cons:
1) Need to print off photos to share with others.
2) Equipment is usually more bulky.
3) You have to develop the film!

There are many more, but I just put some of the ones I could think of off the top of my head. Basically I feel a SLR camera is better for an artist. It allows you to manually manipute the film. That is to say, assuming you buy an all manual SLR. Digital cameras are a nice convenience, however they are somewhat more fragile and more restrictive with what you can and cannot do with different lighting effects. All I can really say is learn the difference well and what the limitations of each are, then evaluate what the intended purpose of the camera is. Stay in your budget and you should be happy with your purchase.

Answer 5

Go to dpreview.com ..
Lots of reviews and opinions on the different makes of cameras.

Answer 6

Go to www.crutchfield.com. They have lots of good advice, and you can compare many models. Their customer service and technical advice is excellent. You cna also download articles and tips.

Good Luck.