| Introduction
You’ve
finally decided to go digital but what’s the right camera
for you?
The
answers are in your ultimate needs, your familiarity with photography
and computers— and your wallet.
Let’s
start with a disclaimer right from the start. We’re Nikonians
— which means we’ll be suggesting Nikon cameras and
lenses.
| Nikon
has the gear to cover it all, from the beginner level to the
ultimate professional kits. We can also recommend one of our
resource partners -- appropriately named LetsGoDigital |
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Check
their links. Based on camera prices and features and you will
find a wealth of information.
| Nikon
has an interactive site in English that allows you to choose
your priorities in a digital camera, step-by-step, with a
suggested answer to your needs just a few mouse clicks away.
Check it here
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Nikon
digital cameras, even at the most affordable level (some call
it cheap); all have one thing in common. The current models have
more than enough megapixel capacity to get you excellent 4- by
6-inch prints available through your local quick printing shops
and major department store photo kiosks. If you’re shopping
for used models you’ll see the big “megapixel”
hurdle.
| Don’t
let the megapixel numbers confuse you. Experienced professionals
will tell you anything over 3 megapixels is perfectly fine
for good quality prints up to 8x10 inches. Nikon’s least
expensive Coolpix, the L2 with 6 megapixels, already has you
in the right range at less than $250 USD Look for anything
over 3 megapixels and you will do just fine. |
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Choosing a camera
Your
choice of a camera will depend on what you plan to do with it.
Digital
cameras will consistently boil down to two descriptive titles:
Point-and-shoots, and single-lens-reflex’s.
If
you want to take snapshots, post them on a web site and share
them with friends and family with decent 4x6 prints, you’ll
probably be happy with the point and shoots like the Coolpix L2.
Each camera model “up the line in features” (and price)
will add to your shooting abilities.
If
you want more control over exposures, focusing, and shooting spontaneity,
you’ll probably want to move in the direction of a digital
single-lens-reflex (SLR).
The
“SLR” terminology is often misunderstood. Many new
photographers assume this means a camera with one lens (already
attached). It is quite the opposite. It’s a camera body
that can accept any number of interchangeable lenses. Nikon and
other major camera companies have been offering their mix-and-match
assortments of bodies and lenses for decades. The advent of quality
zoom lenses makes it possible for beginning photographers to purchase
one camera body with a matching lens that covers the range from
close up wide angle needs to telephoto work.
These
digital single lens reflex cameras (referred to as DSLR’s)
can give you professional results at affordable prices.
The
SLR’s give you the option of choosing your lenses, with
the added benefit of selecting how much manual control you wish
to use while taking photos. Many professionals will readily tell
you that even with all their experience in controlling shutter
speeds and exposure settings, they will often set their cameras
in full automatic modes and fire away.
I
attended a school prom last week and the professional photographer
shooting formal portraits used a Nikon
D50, currently available with a versatile 18-55mm Nikkor
lens for less than $700.
If
a pro can use it as an income-earning tool imagine what
you can do with it. Shooting with a single lens reflex Nikon
will spoil you forever, but you need a semblance of photography
experience to feel comfortable with a camera that can easily
switch from point-and-shoot to full manual mode. The D50
can do that, as well as the D200
and (needless to say) the full featured D2x.
Your choice will of course rely on your budget. |
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While
you are doing your research on the Internet for that perfect digital
camera to get you started, don’t forget that you’re
looking at technical specifications, reviews, and product photos.
If you can find a local retail supplier that actually has these
cameras in stock make sure you take the time to actually hold
the camera in your hands. This is the “try before you buy”
approach. If you have a friend who is happily shooting away with
a digital ask that friend to share their “learning curve”
with you.
| The
“learning curve” is not necessarily just about
the camera. It’s also about your computer, and whether
you decide to use it as a digital darkroom. If your plan is
to shoot your photos and bring the card to a local retail
printer (much like when you brought them your film) you won’t
have to worry for now. Just make sure you have a local fast
photo business available to you, and take the time to visit
the store, and ask them if their equipment will be able to
accept the specific memory cards you plan to bring in. Just
tell the clerk what camera you plan to use and they can quickly
check the technical stuff for you. |
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Most
of these stores will also be able to provide a CD-Rom disc along
with your prints, which you can take back to your computer for
your email Web-sharing.
Sooner
or later you will want to take more control over your photos,
and download them straight to your computer.
You
will then have opened your very own “digital darkroom.”
This
means you’ll soon be concentrating on your computer skills,
and very quickly realizing you want more hard drive space, faster
read and write speeds, and the appropriate ports and plugs to
match the camera.
Quick
Tip: One of your most important decisions as you go digital
will be choosing your “film.” It won’t be film
like the old days. It will be in the form of memory cards. Our
friends at LetsGoDigital
have already prepared a handy Card
Reference.
Above
all, make sure you have a good understanding of your computer’s
capabilities before taking the digital plunge.
To
recap:
1.
Think first of your photography goals.
2. Factor in your photography experience.
3. Make sure your computer is up to the task.
4. Go to LetsGoDigital.org
and read their reviews
5. Go to NikonDigital.com
and follow their questions.
6. Check your wallet.
7. Get back to our
forums if you still have questions. |
