| As the weather becomes more comfortable to | | | | if you like to photograph wildlife without putting |
| venture outdoors, the grass is green, and the | | | | your own life in danger you can buy a long |
| flowers are blossoming everywhere, some of us | | | | telephoto, or if you like portraits you can get a |
| are starting to get the photo bug. If our current | | | | high quality mid-focal length lens with a wide |
| camera is not quite up to our expectations or we | | | | aperture setting for the nice effect of isolating |
| lag behind in the technology it might be time to | | | | your subject. Even though the camera takes the |
| think of upgrading. With so many different types | | | | picture professionals know it is the lens that |
| of cameras, features, and prices how can one | | | | makes the quality of the image. Always buy the |
| know that they are getting what they want and | | | | best lens you can afford. I have found that I can |
| need? | | | | try a lens that I think I might like by buying it |
| The first question to ask yourself is what kind of | | | | used on eBay. If I end up not liking it I can sell it |
| pictures do I like to take? | | | | for just about what I bought it for. I did this with |
| If you currently use your cell phone and are | | | | two lenses. Usually the lens that comes with the |
| satisfied with it then stop reading. | | | | camera is a low grade lens so it is often better to |
| If you don't see yourself having the time or | | | | buy the camera body and lens separately. Start |
| desire to learn much about photography and your | | | | with the lens you will think you will use the most |
| images consist of snapshots then most point and | | | | first. You might also think about getting a zoom |
| shoot cameras that were made in the last few | | | | lens that will cover the type of shooting you do |
| years will be fine. Try to get one with a built in | | | | most. When buying a camera or lens remember |
| flash, which will help in low light situations, and one | | | | that price usually reflects quality. DSLR bodies |
| that will take a short movie, for recording stupid | | | | start around $600 and go into the thousands. It is |
| things your teenager does that you can use | | | | unreasonable to expect to get a quality lens for |
| against them later. These cameras usually take | | | | less than $300-$400. Most professional quality |
| excellent photographs but the file format (jpeg) | | | | lenses start at over $1,000 and long telephotos |
| used to record the images doesn't process well | | | | are easily $8,000. Try and purchase a lens that is |
| with image software. Also remember that they | | | | the same brand as the camera. There are some |
| are made to take average types of images. You | | | | companies that make excellent aftermarket |
| probably won't be able to safely zoom up close to | | | | lenses that have mounts that fit most popular |
| that grizzly in the park or focus as close to that | | | | cameras. They are Tamron, and Sigma. Avoid |
| flower as you like. These cameras may have | | | | Vivitar, Phoenix, ProOptic, and Quantaray as well |
| limited options for creativity but everything is set | | | | as the less expensive Tamron and Sigma lenses |
| up to safeguard against most camera shooting | | | | as they are low quality products. |
| mistakes and for general shooting they produce | | | | One more feature worth considering is sensor |
| excellent images. These cameras cost $150-$350 | | | | size. When DSLR cameras first came out the |
| and, for the price, are way better than anything | | | | sensor coverage was less than that of 35mm |
| made five years ago. | | | | film. The focal length of a lens is partially |
| If the lag time in shooting with point and shoot | | | | determined by the size of film or sensor in the |
| cameras is starting to bug you and you have | | | | case of digital cameras. On my camera the factor |
| started taking your camera off "auto" to gain | | | | is 1.5 so my 20mm lens is actually a 35mm. Quite |
| more control over your images then a digital | | | | a disappointment when I expect to get a nice |
| single lens reflex (DSLR) camera might be your | | | | wide angle image that is truly 20mm. There is, |
| choice. These cameras have removable lenses so | | | | however, an advantage to this for wildlife |
| you can use different focal lengths and more | | | | photographers. Their 300mm is now a 450mm |
| choices in file formats, focus, exposure, shooting | | | | and their 600mm is now a 900mm. Great for |
| modes, etc. By experimenting, reading books, and | | | | those grizzly bear shots at a safe distance. When |
| or taking classes these cameras will serve as | | | | buying your camera find out if it has a DX sensor |
| learning tools for many years and have more | | | | (small) or a FX sensor (full size). Also remember |
| technology than most people will know or use. | | | | that if you buy a DX lens and later buy a camera |
| When looking at these cameras make sure it | | | | with a full size sensor the image circle of the lens |
| feels comfortable in your hands and has easy | | | | may not completely cover the larger sensor. |
| access to important features like the white | | | | Anyone into photography knows that the |
| balance, exposure, focus, shooting modes, ISO, | | | | technology changes rapidly and it can sometimes |
| formats, quality and image size without having to | | | | be less expensive to upgrade your car rather |
| go to a menu to change them. | | | | than your camera. With every new camera there |
| The advantage of the DSLR is the negligible | | | | is upgraded software, memory, and storage to |
| shutter lag time and the ability to buy different | | | | buy. So what camera should you buy? How deep |
| lenses for the type of shooting you wish to do. | | | | are your pockets? |
| If you like flowers you can get a nice macro lens, | | | | |