Thoughts on "Getting into Photography" with a prize.

I needed to take the next step… I knew the images I wanted and I had to find the camera that could do the job. I picked up a night job cleaning a bakery to pay cash for my first DSLR. Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) is a digital camera that uses a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera. I bought a Canon 20D and the Canon 28-135 IS kit lens. I bought them new and spent about $1400. Moving from a point and shoot to a DSLR is like switching from a Kia minivan to a formula 1 race car. I had almost one year of frustration and bad images with my “semi-professional” camera. There are not as many “idiot” lights in an F1 race car as in a Kia minivan. So if you are thinking of getting a DSLR, buckle up. You’re in for a great ride but you might not finish the race in first place… not yet at least.

Now, for the sake of my Canon and Nikon friends, I don’t think I’ll recommend one over the other. Both do a good job of taking pictures and both companies technology seems to leap frog each other depending on the year. There are great things about both of them and you just need to pick one up and see how it feels to you. But if you do go with Nikon, don’t ask me for help… I know nothing about Nikon.

Here’s my suggestion of thing to do, or consider when getting into photography. It’s not everything you need to know. If you have more question, I would love to chat with you… but here we go.

1. PAY CASH FOR ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT! Photography is an expensive hobby. So I cannot scream this loud enough. NEVER charge camera equipment. If you can’t afford it, don’t get it. If you want it work hard for it. You will enjoy your camera more if it’s paid for. Understand that there are LOTS of gadgets to buy. Take your time to grow your gear.

2. Don’t be afraid to buy used. (I would not recommend ebay) There are a few good forums around with a community of photographers who sell used equipment. I’ve purchased 4 camera bodies and 2 Pro lenses used from forums… all of them in excellent condition. Warning… there are some who scam. Use common sense. Check feedback of a seller, do your homework and ask questions before you buy. The only forums I’ve used are Fred Miranda or dgrin.com Locate the “buy/sell” in these forums and browse away. You can get some great deals on entry level DSLR’s in these forums.

3. If you go the DSLR route spend you money on the glass. Your lens is the money of your gear. Camera bodies come and go and there value drops like a rock. I bought a used Canon 1D in 2008 for $500… It retailed for $6000 when it was first released in 2001. Nikon and Canon glass do a fare job of maintaining their value. As a matter of fact, I have seen the price of Canon’s 100 2.8 macro lens increase from $450 in 2006 to $600 in 2010. This isn’t a Luxury glass… it’s a simple macro. A premium lens is going to have a low aperture number. Example f/1.8, f/2.8, f/4. This number is what allows light into your camera and should be faster to focus on your subject. The bigger the number, the less light can get in… these higher apertures, f/3.5, f/5.6, f/6.3 or higher are less expensive and can be slower to focus on your subject. A camera lens that says 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3, for example, means at 28mm (zoomed out) the maximum light that can get in is f/3.5. At 300mm (zoomed in) the maximum light that can get in is f/6.3. At f/6.3 you need a twice the amount of light from the f/3.5 setting. Blah, blah, blah.

4. Spend a few extra dollars for some accessories. Extra batteries and memory cards are a must. I can’t tell you the times I’ve gone out on a shoot with someone and their “new” camera for the day only to have it cut short because their one and only battery died or they filled up their flash one card.

5. Find a good camera bag. You just invested a big chunk of change and you should baby it in a nice padded case, pack or bag.

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