Upgrading

Upgrading your camera or equipment does not have to mean you have to spend thousands of dollars. Going from a point and shoot camera can be scary for some when it does not have to be scary.

You don’t have to buy a professional DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera or even the semi-pro camera. There are very reasonable alternatives to buying the most expensive DSLR cameras out there. Sure you can spend just for a camera body from $1,000 to over $10,000, but you don’t have to unless you have money to just spend for an expensive toy.

I’m going to talk about Canon and Nikon because those are the leaders in DSLR cameras that are affordable to most everyone. The least expensive of their cameras start around $400 and go up to close to $1,000. It also depends on the lens you get with the camera or if you buy just the body of the camera and buy the lens separate from the body.

I had a friend who went pro and he bought a Panasonic DSLR and from his experience with that camera I would not recommend buying one even if it were a huge bargain. His IPhone took better photos than his over $1,000 set up he bought. The lens that came with the camera was a very good lens but even the best lens cannot compensate for a bad camera.

I will tell you up front that I love Canon cameras and since I have lenses that fit only Canon would not go to Nikon, not because Nikon is a bad DSLR but because when you invest in lenses it more or less fixes you into that line of cameras. So decide which one you want before you go further. Look at the prices but also talk with those who use that line of camera.

If you have never had a SLR or DSLR camera it is best to experiment with a friend’s camera or test one by renting it from a camera shop if possible. Talk with someone who is knowledgeable with the line of camera you are thinking about buying. Get their help with deciding which camera is best for your needs. Are you going to be taking thousands of photos with it? Are you going to be out in the wilds a lot taking wildlife photos? Are you mostly going to be taking flower or portrait type of photography? What will you be doing with the new camera?

If you are going to be using it to take the usual snap shots and the rare landscape shot on vacation then it can determine which camera is best for you. If you are going to be tame in what photography you use it for then the less expensive DSLRs will fit your bill. If you are going out in the wilds and photograph wildlife, wild flowers etc. then you will need a camera that can hold up to the wear and tear you put it through.

If you are going to do portrait photography and weddings a studio type camera will fit your bill better. Those can be very expensive as well as you can start with the less expensive camera and work your way up to the more expensive cameras as you make money to afford them.

Again if you are going to use it just once in a while to take family snaps shots or flowers in your garden or botanical garden then a $400 camera will fit your needs nicely with normal 50mm lens with an additional macro lens, a 50mm with macro capabilities or a multipurpose lens such as an 18-200mm lens with macro capabilities will work.

Of course you can buy the camera with a Kit lens that comes with it. They are usually not the top of the line lens but functional for most purposes to start you off. Most come with a semi-wide angle to a short telephoto lens; say 28 to 90mm. You sometimes can decide which lens will come with the camera or go with the lens they furnish. You can decide later which other lens you will need or if you have the money up front then you can buy the lens you need or want for what you will be doing in photography. If you know you will be doing landscapes a nice wide angle lens is great or like the one I have that is an 18 to 200mm lens with macro capabilities.

I can’t tell you which camera brand to buy only suggest you buy either a Canon or Nikon as they are the leaders and have the best options you can find right now in their respective lines. There are others you can go with but that will have to be your decision as for what your needs are in a DSLR camera.

If I could upgrade right now I would buy a Canon 7D because of its quality and its 18megapixel capacity. It also can take HD movies. It uses the lens I already own. And I love Canon cameras.

Remember when you decide to upgrade to a DSLR or a better DSLR if you don’t know what your needs are it is best before you just buy the one that is on sale talk with someone who is knowledgeable with that line of cameras. Don’t just buy one to own a DSLR as you can tie a lot of money up in it with lens, external flash, tripod, camera bag/backpack and lots of fun extras that unless you have a need or use for them will just sit in the bag or your closet and not ever be used.

Whatever you decide to do have fun taking photos whether with that new DSLR or your old point and shoot camera. The more photos you take the better you will get at taking them. With digital you don’t have to worry about printing them out to see what they look like you just download them to your computer and see just which ones you really want prints of and as I do print them out with your own printer or some online print company.