What camera should I purchase?

 DISCLAIMER: This is the most logical way that I have found to purchase a camera. If you've gone a different route that is ok too! 

Also, I am a Canon Girl. So I speak primarily about Canon cameras.

When starting to shop for cameras DON'T let your husband just rush out and buy you one! Hubby may know more about technology, but not all instincts are good when it comes to YOUR camera. (I often hear "Oh, my Hubby is picking one out for me." I quietly shake my head...)

Ask yourself a few questions.

Do I:

1. only want to take photos of my kids and don't care about learning the manual mode? 
2. just want pretty pictures and don't care how I get them? 
3. want to learn the camera front to back, back to front so that I can create art? 
4. feel the need to possibly share my talents with the world and start a business? 
5. want to become the best, most talented photographer that I can be for myself?

If you answered yes to 1 and 2, please go to the store, place the cameras in your hands and see what feels best. Is it a Canon, Nikon, Olympus camera? Or maybe even a Point and Shoot is more your speed? If you want a DSLR for sure- buy a couple good lenses and go to town! There's nothing wrong with this approach. Chances are you will purchase one camera in your life and this is ok! You'll have a quality camera that you can capture your kiddos/ the landscape with.

If you answered yes to 3-5 then please, continue on.

In my last blog, I talked about purchasing my first camera. But I did not say what it was.

I started with a Canon Rebel XT. IMO, if you want to really learn your craft you should start with the crappiest camera you can get your hands on. And by crappiest, I mean simple. One that when you look at it, you are NOT intimidated by it at all. One that you can carry around because it is so light weight and that once you outgrow it you can even pass it down to your kids to learn on.

This is that camera:

When you start with a camera this simple, it is so much easier to completely master your craft. See how few buttons are on the back?  You are able to fairly easily learn how to use ISO (it only goes up to 1600 on this), exposure and composition.  See the top of the camera (far right) just turn the knob and that's it. BAM! No video, no crazy buttons etc. Just simple, easiness, focus and concentration. Its only an 8 mega pixel camera, so there's no need to worry about how grandiose your photo will be, this is mere practice. (You can still print nicely up to about an 11x14).

(You can pick up a USED XT on craigslist for around $150- 250.00 depending on if it comes with lenses etc).

Now, fast forward to 8 months down the line. I had already attended a class, I had a real grasp on manual mode and composition. I was ready to upgrade to this puppy:

Do you see how many buttons this thing has? Could you imagine trying to learn this thing first? Its silly. In my honest opinion, I kind of feel people that purchase these expensive cameras straight off the bat are slightly, well, 'out to lunch'.  (This camera, with an extra lens cost me about 3k when I purchased it in fall of 2009. It weighs a ton and is 19 mega pixels. Not something a beginner needs).

If someone is gifting you money to purchase a camera PLEASE use that money on purchasing lenses. Get a nice zoom lens such as the 24-70mm f/2.8 or a 70-200 f/2.8 (all Canon products). Or a prime lens such as the 50 f/1.4. Check out www.keh.com  for quality used gear and as always craigslist is a great option.

I HIGHLY suggest purchasing a 50mm 1.8 (~$100.00) or 1.4 (~$400.00) if you have the money. Its a great tool to get crazy sharp images with (compared to a zoom) and to practice 'zooming with your feet'. That is instead of just sitting in one spot and letting the action happen around you. Instead you get up and zoom in and out with your feet to best capture the action! Also makes for nice portraits! 

Scarlett J