Re: Some really good news
"What camera should I get" must be about the most common question I get asked.
There is no must get this or must get that make version type or whatever. Each person has their own ideas
However there are some guidlines which might just help
The first is what is the budget allowed for when buying a camera. This can determined a lot. No good buying the most expensive and not having a clue on how to get the best out of it
next is what type of camera DSLR (digital single lens reflex) the type that has intechangable lens. Or possibly a "compact" point and shoot type. there are now even what is called mirrorless cameras new to the market.
there are a lot of "stills" camera that also do video but how good the videos are can be questionable.
or one could go for a camcorder now about the same price as a stills camera but also can take stills.
Ok what is the difference? licencing is the answer, stills cameras that do videos can only recorded a certain time amount, camcorders are unlimited time for video recording
But that is going off track
Ok now you have a price bracket which manufacture to go for? I would say they are all as good as one another it is what they can do is the difference.
So my advice is to only pick out say 3 and then decided on which one or it gets too confusing
How do I know I have got the right one for me?
there is only one way and that is to get hands on in a camera shop. Is it comfortable to hold and have an easy way to use/understand the menu, if yes then that is the one for you.
Forget all the tech stuff I could go on for pages about that, all you want to do is go take pictures. easiest is to leave it in auto and let the camera do the work
Little story I have told before but worth repeating.
before we retired my manageress and I used to take days out to go on a photographic day. We had just finished the mornings shoot of raptors and went in the cafe for a coffee.
In come this middle aged man and his wife ranting and raging about his new camera he bought the day before.
Him to wife "Damn Nikon cameras they don't work, I told you I should have got a Cannon they work. This damn thing cost a fortunes and is a load of crap, I don't know why shops are allowed to sell them". And so it went on for about 10 minutes.
So Dawn my manageress lent over and said I had a Nikon camera maybe she could find out the problem.
So he handed it over and Dawn looked at it and asked for the battery.
Yes he had forgotten to put it in the camera let alone charge it up the night before.
Well his face was a picture and he stormed out blaming his wife for not reminding him.
Why tell this true story? so one doesn't forget to have one or at least two batteries fully charged first.
My other thing I would mention is if buying a DSLR camera check out the cost and range of lenses for it , I am not keen on third party lenses I prefer the camera manufacturers own makes
There is a saying in the world of photographers "All the gear and no idea"
So don't think just because someone has a fancy latest "must have" they know what they are doing