What Camera Should You Buy?

That is a good question. Have you looked lately at the many options you have available to you? Do you know the differences between a Canon, Sony or Nikon? Which one would be the best one for you?

When deciding what camera to get for yourself, ask yourself what you will be using it for. This is very important. Are you interested in becoming more technically skilled in the photography world and want to learn as much as you can? Do you want to go into business? (if so, I would recommend learning more about what it means to operate a legitimate business first) Or, do you want to just take some snapshots of your family?

Do your research. Most Canons, Sony's and Nikons are superb cameras and range in price from under $1000 to over $10,000. Many are great beginner cameras with simple symbols and many have much more complicated details for seasoned pros.

More importantly, which camera should I avoid?

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as what is a great camera purchase! Here are four cameras we think you should avoid, depending on your answer to "what you will be using the camera for."

1. The Camera You are not Going to Take with You.

If you are wanting to purchase a camera that is mainly for snapshots of your family, you are most likely not going to lug around the latest and greatest DSLR with a 70-200mm lens. The lens and camera combined is pretty heavy. Plus, that lens choice limits your portrait options. So, if you do not think you will take a camera with you on family outings, travel, vacations, etc... it is good to avoid it. If you are going to invest in a camera, you should be using it.

2. The Camera that is the "Latest and the Greatest".

I have been tempted to purchase the latest and the greatest every time an upgrade to my current camera body is announced. But, do I really need it? The only "new" camera that I have purchased is a Nikon d750, and that was several years ago. My current cameras are two upgrades behind the "latest and the greatest" and they can still produce beautiful imagery.

Do you really need a camera that will photograph at 15 frames per second? Do you need a 50 mexapixel camera? Probably not unless you are a sports or commercial photographer.

3. The Camera that is Out of Your Budget

Purchasing things out of our budgets happens often. Especially now. We are often tempted by the newer, shinier, cool version of the camera we already have. But, do you really need it? We often try to convince ourselves that we will just make payments, or it is just a "little" more than we wanted to spend and then justify that expense. Sometimes it is necessary to upgrade; especially if we are in business full time.

I prefer to take the minimalist approach to life and do my best to keep it in perspective. If you are just starting out, there is no reason to purchase out of budget. Look into purchasing a used camera as they will do a great job for you. I still have three used cameras purchased over the course of my business that are workhorses that still produce beautiful imagery.

4. Buying Gear Just Because You Have Extra Money

Otherwise known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

You might know what this means. Perhaps it is not GEAR Acquisition Syndrome, but it is Shoe Acquisition Syndrome, or Clothes, or toys, or whatever word you want to substitute. For photographers, it often starts with not being happy anymore when looking at the imagery being produced. Often the gear is to blame...is it old...it is not working as well as it could (which can happen)...and thoughts often come to mind that new gear is needed to be a better photographer.

Cameras will wear out and need to be replaced. But, if purchasing new gear is happening frequently, then it really is not the gear.

Turn that thinking around. Think about education. Think about learning more with what you already have. Especially if you are just starting out. Learn about the exposure triangle, get certified by PPA, learn proper lighting techniques with what you have. Then, practice, practice, practice.

I believe that cameras, lenses, lighting, filters and all the other gadgets that come with running a portrait studio are just "tools". Of course we need those to create. But any camera when placed on automatic will produce a nice image, so where does the creating start? If pressing the button on a camera in automatic mode is the only thing happening, then the photographer is just "snapping" a snapshot. Where is the artistry? The photographer is the one that should be CREATING an image from start to finish, in my opinion. Just like a painter begins with the end in mind. The painter is the one who is the true artist and the paint and other items used in the painting are just the tools.

And, the way to create is to know what you are doing with the tools you have on hand. Not just setting a camera in auto mode and snapping some snapshots.

Unless of course, you just want to document your families activities, outings, and such every day. Then, you can probably use the camera on your phone.

What camera and lens did I use on the above images?

The one that is three upgrades away from the latest and the greatest. And, the one that was purchased used almost 8 years ago. Because Songs of Life is a full time portrait business, it is important to have the correct equipment so we can best serve the families who come to us. (and that equipment also includes post production tools) If our equipment and tools do not work, then our business is in trouble!

The above images were created with an end in mind-from start to finish-from the original vision all the way to the end of post production and that took lighting, cameras, computers, cables, monitors and software.

So, eventually, we will upgrade when we see the need. We will get the latest and the greatest, or perhaps the next used camera or lens up from what we already have. We actually still use an 85mm lens that was made for film cameras. It still does a phenomenal job.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that the best camera for you is the one you have right now for the purpose and goals you have. Whether that is to document your family every day, or to begin the journey of starting a portrait studio. There is training and education out there and there is a camera for everyone.

Want to learn more? Read on to learn how to have the best session with your photographer.

How to make your session a breeze!

And to learn more about us, give us a call!

406.580.6176

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