| When I purchased my first digital SLR camera I | | | | time, especially if you are a complete beginner in |
| was given a great beginning photography tip: don't | | | | the photography world. |
| buy more than you need. I was a beginning | | | | You have to learn what aperture, ISO, white |
| photographer who had never tried a film SLR | | | | balance, shutter speed, f-stop, focal distance, |
| camera, who didn't know the definition of | | | | andmany other things mean. And then, after |
| aperture, and who basically didn't know much at | | | | knowing the definition of those terms, you have |
| all. I ended up purchasing the Nikon D50, which | | | | to learn how to manipulate them and how they |
| was Nikon's introductory digital | | | | work together to help you take and create great |
| SLR at the time, and I am very glad I did. | | | | photographs. More simple, entry-level cameras are |
| I have spent a few years learning the basics of | | | | designed just for this purpose to help you learn |
| digital photography and for the first year or so | | | | the basics. |
| Ialmost never felt that I needed more than what | | | | You can spend around $500 and get a great |
| my Nikon D50 has to offer. Of course, now I am | | | | beginner camera that will enable you to learn the |
| ready to move up to a model with more | | | | fundamental principles of photography. And the |
| features, buthad I paid for those features initially I | | | | best part about buying a entry-level camera is |
| would have wasted several hundred, if not | | | | that you generally don't sacrifice much at all on |
| thousands, of dollar on features I never would | | | | the most important aspect of photography, the |
| have used. | | | | picture quality. I have seen amazing prints from |
| Had I not listened to that beginning photography | | | | both introductory-level digital SLR's and pro-level |
| tip I probably would have purchased the Nikon | | | | cameras and many times I cannot tell the |
| D100, which was an amazing camera at the time. | | | | different. |
| I would have spent at least one thousand more | | | | In fact, if you read many photographer blogs, you |
| dollars, had a heavier camera, and had a few | | | | will find out that most professional photographers |
| more features. | | | | do not just have one camera, they almost |
| However, today I would still be wanting toupgrade | | | | alwayshave a backup camera, and that backup |
| my six megapixel Nikon D100 to the newer and | | | | camera is usually an entry level digital SLR just |
| much better Nikon D300 or the Nikon D3. I'm not | | | | like the one I purchased. |
| saying that those who purchased the D100 back | | | | So, remember this great beginning photography |
| then made a mistake by any means. It is a great | | | | tip: if you are a beginning photographer, then start |
| camera. What I'm saying is that for me, | | | | with a introductory DSLR. Then, when you |
| purchasing it would have been a mistake because | | | | understand how to use aperture and ISO and |
| I would not have used the additional features that | | | | shutter speed together, youwill be ready to |
| the D50 does not have. | | | | upgrade to a newer, better camera. You will |
| Learning how to use a digital SLR camera takes | | | | never regret it. |