What
camera to buy
by J. Ramón Palacios
username
jrp
Nikonian in Mexico
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a friend about this article
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WHAT
CAMERA TO BUY?
This
is one of the most common questions we see at most photography
forums, both by beginners and amateurs - Yet, there is no site
that offers a thorough easy-to-follow complete guide to go through
the maze. Quite frequently sound advice but imposed, not explained.
I am old enough and passionately interested in photography to
have used all the formats and have owned -and still own- several
cameras and complete systems in each category, so ......
|
The
author enjoying autofocus-tracking mode with a F4s
and a 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF Nikkor |
What
follows is an attempt to provide a logical guide within the framework
of film based photography.
A WORD ON DIGITAL
Film still dominates the market and in general still provides
great solutions as of today for many applications; yet, digital
is better for others.
Good,
highly acceptable digital alternatives do exist and more are soon
to arrive, demolishing previous price barriers and most preconceptions.
The latest Coolpix models render surprisingly good images. On
the DSRL front, first the D1, then the D1X and the D1H and later
the D100 have tempted us from the very beginning; not to mention
the D2H, D2Hs, D2X, D200 and the most affordable Nikon D70, D70s
and D50.
If
you add to the above that most high-end modern lenses out-resolve
any film, there is no point to discuss now whether quality prints
from digital sensors can rival those made from film. I've seen
astonishing proof, poster sized. On top of it, even those not
enjoying top of the line digital cameras do enjoy the instant
gratification factor and instant retakes, making digital photography
most attractive.
-
| There
is no doubt that the digital segment of the market will
continue to grow, even after stabilizing from never imagined
proportions, as soon as lower prices make them reachable
to the masses and to emerging countries populations.
So the debate is over and we now simply face personal dilemmas.
Very
soon this FAQ will show the two options: Film
and Digital
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BACK
TO FILM
In the meantime, today you can be the proud owner of the continuing
reigning supreme world class 35mm SLR camera: a Nikon.
The
body choices are multiple, but we should try to separate them
by type and categories, i.e. by the factors to look for or
think about before buying:
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By
negative size: meaning, the inherent capacity
to produce razor sharp enlargements beyond 5X7 inches.
Yes, film is getting better all the time but clear barriers
still do exist, differences are noticeable to the naked
eye. |
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By
convenience:
| - |
Bulk
and weight or easiness to carry around at all times |
| - |
By
degree of automation (the more automated, the easier
to operate in general) |
| - |
By
film availability (you want to be able to find your
film anywhere you go and have plenty of choices) |
| - |
By
WYSIWYG capability ('What You See Is What You Get') |
| - |
By
availability of a wide selection of lenses |
|
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By
preferences of use:
- |
Manual
(You really want to learn "the secrets",
are very creative, demand to be in total control
and have very good eyesight or are a refined masochist) |
- |
Automated
(You want to concentrate on framing and composition) |
- |
Solid,
rugged construction (It is not that you are going
into the wild, or have wild friends or relatives,
or you are all thumbs; but you hate cardboard
walls and plastic .....) |
- |
Light
(You avoid weight, are a very careful neat person,
have enough to buy insurance and don't dislike
-or have an allergy to- polycarbonates) |
|
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By
budget:
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Low
end of the prices scale (If you are under tight
budget constraints, like our Secretary of the Treasury
and the entire Third World) |
- |
Medium
level (Where most of us are, aren't we?) |
- |
High
priced (You are a yuppie, spoiled since brat; or
have reached the comfort level to say "... so what,
it's only money and we take none to the grave") |
|
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By
status:
If you are a person that responds to status social pressures,
it is not up to me to say it is silly; you may find out
40 years from now on your own. In the mean time on your
behalf (and mine still to some degree) I will also consider
cameras by status. |
I
will not waste your time with 8mm or 16mm negative size which
are not worth considering, nor on view cameras (4X5, 5X7, 8X10
inches negatives) which are clearly superior but have reduced
mobility due to their size and therefore do not qualify as at-all-time-carry
amateur cameras, no matter how serious.
So
let us dive in through the first category: negative size. |
