Camera Shopping Part 2

How about shopping online for a camera? Places like Amazon are chocked full of user reviews. Beware of some of the reviews at times though. Sometimes a reviewer will punish a product's rating out of anger because there was a problem with shipping or something that really had nothing to do with the actual product itself.

They can also go the other way too. 5 star reviews based on the simple fact the user wants to feel the product they bought is superior simply because THEY bought it.

Try to find a balance when it comes to reviews. Some people will dedicate a fair amount of time to giving it a good fair review.

So what model should you get?

Well the answer would vary with each person and their needs and wants.

Are you upgrading?

If so have you taken the time to learn existing features on your old camera? You may want to consider sticking with the same brand as the menu/functions would likely be similar and easier to adapt to on a new one.

Point and shoot

or DSLR?

A point and shoot is what most people have. It refers to the simplicity of simply turning it on and clicking the shutter release button when ready to snap your shot.

A DSLR(Digital Single Lens Reflex)

These are the cameras with interchangable lenses and typically cost way more and have advanced features.

A few things to consider:

What would you like to do with your camera?

Do you just want something small and compact you can carry in a pocket or purse? You may want to consider a Point and shoot.

Are you looking to take it a bit more seriously? High quality indoor photos, adjustable exposure, a multitude of lense options, something you can grow into? A DSLR may be for you.

Price:

A decent point and shoot will start out around the $100 price point, closer to $200 if you want higher resolution video and more features.

DSLR's start around $500 with a kit lens(a cheaper lens included with your package)

To take full advantage of your new DSLR you may also want to budget in money for additional lenses. a nice cheaper 50mm(like a 35mm on older film cameras) runs around $100

A nice wide angle lens(landscapes, etc.) $500

You could easily stick over $1000 getting into a nice starter set-up.

So for most, the point and shoot fits most peoples price range and needs.

Where else can I go?

How about a local camera store? I think local camera shops are wonderful. I paid my first visit to one last year. I found the staff to be very knowledgeable about their products.. And passionate. The staff I encountered were also photographers on the side and use the equipment in the field so their advice is based on actual experience rather then a sales pitch. Yes they will likely cost a bit more(they do have more overhead then internet stores) But like the old saying goes "You get what you pay for" in the case of an actual camera store you are getting a well trained staff that actually seem to care about your needs. A lot of them offer beginner classes too. Even if you think "Oh I just want the camera to take pictures of my butt for Facebook." You may as well learn to take good shots of your butt for Facebook. $25 now will likely benefit the photos you take for the rest of your life. If you want pictures to preserve memories you may as well ensure they will be the best pictures you can take.

Camera Shopping Part 1

Have you been pondering getting a new camera? Are you starting to feel as hopeless as Princess Leia did as she sent out her desperate call for help?

"Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope... to find a good reliable easy to use camera..Look at how low-res this piece of crap is!!! We have swords that use lasers that can cut through steel and yet I have to settle for this one half megapixel robot webcam"

Then I hope this guide may be of some service to you. Where do most people go? Wal-Mart? Best Buy? In hopes that the sales clerk will be of some assistance. I'm sure on the rare occasion there is in fact someone who may actually know what they are talking about working there. My personal experience with having questions about anything at Wal-Mart mainly involved me wanting to get a closer look at something in a locked glass case then walking around in frustration to find a employee.. Then more often than not to be proceeded by them having to call someone with a key... Then waiting even longer for the Keymaster to come.

Then walks up some eighty-seven year old woman... I dare you to ask her a technical question about the camera.. Do it! I double dare you!

Okay so maybe skip the trip and head on over to Best Buy right?

 

I personally have found them to usually be overpriced. Most of the sales associates do seem to be good at describing things...Even if some of their knowledge is made up. For some reason every time I used to go there and get assistance I would buy it to an extent. Then I guess I kind of started catching on the more I learned about the stuff I was considering purchasing by heading online. That's when I felt like I had seen the light and started using Amazon. No this isn't a pitch for them I promise. I like to check all sorts of places. Going online is general is great though. Go check out something you like online..Become obsessed with it. Read all of the reviews! Read the Mfg. Specs.(Worthless knowledge to everyone in the world except a repairman or a curious engineer) Just learn all about it. Fall in love with it! Wish you could marry it! Or at least move in together then eventually break up for religious differences-with it!

THEN FIND OUT IT ISN'T AVAILABLE ONLINE>>>ANYWHERE!!! 

And the only place you can get it is Best Buy..Then go into Best Buy. And just for fun....Ask the nearest employee about that item...With the exception of the occasional Rain Man who just so happens to be working that day. The chances are you are about to feel very smart.... with that one and only thing! But for that one brief moment you are the guy in Good Will Hunting!

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES!

No, that's Ben Affleck. He played the construction dude.

The other guy was a secret genius 

  Witty, sophisticated,

suave.

 

 Yeah, that's totally him.

Anyway my point about Best Buy was just that after I started doing my own independent research online and would have to go in there for something. I just didn't feel like they really knew much information that could actually help me. Price is always a very motivating factor with me as well.

Honk! Honk! Winter.. It's time to move over for spring.

        I felt really cooped today up and decided to go find some nature. It felt like it was high 30's today. I went down by the river after hearing some geese honking back and forth to each other. It looks like the snow cover is fading quickly now. I hope the return of the geese means spring is just around the corner!