Article Surfing Archive

It wasn't long ago that digital cameras were essentially forthe rich and the geeks; if you spent just a few bucks youdidn't get anything worth having, and if you really wantedsomething good.. well, you'd better be in the book about theRich and Famous.

Technology and costs have changed drastically in the last fewyears, and it seems as if today that digital cameras nearlyoutnumber all the classic film cameras, and to all but theclassic photography buffs, digital is the way to go.

Even traditional photography studios use digital, often incombination, with film.

Why? What's the attraction? Instant availability and theability to discard unwanted photos without cost penalty isone main attraction. The second is the ability to share,publish, store your pictures.

The purist will still argue that for professional gradephotography and the widest range of effects that film is theonly way to go. If he were shooting today, it is doubtfulthat Ansel Adams would be using digital.

For the rest of us, digital seems to be the way to go.

Now assuming you have not yet made the plunge, the biggestquestion is "Where Do I start?" or "What do I buy?" or"How Do I Compare?"

Articles have been written on just these subjects and if wewere to expand on all, this article would be a text bookinstead of just a primer. You can do a search on any of thepopular article sites to find many articles just on thatsubject, (one site for example is ArticleCity.com, but notto promote one over the other.. chances are you may beseeing this on an article based site). You can also usesearch engines.

But sometimes it's nice to have interactive expert advice.We suggest you read and research for background, but thenfor selection, visit you closest specialty photography orcamera store. One where that's all they sell.. not a generalall purpose discount or department store that probably hasthat department "manned" with part time help.. but go to thespecialty store. The person will know what to ask you andhow to guide you.

Your biggest question will end up being an ethical one:After you have been taught and guided, do you buy from thatstore, or take your knowledge and model to the internet or adiscount store and make your buy. If you do, keep in mindthat the full service store may offer just that.. serviceafter the sale; maybe an upgrade trade in policy, and otherintangibles that must be assigned value.

Before you venture out, choosing the right camera beginswith asking yourself "What do I want this for?" "What kindsof pictures do I expect to be taking?" "How many at atime?" (Addresses memory and storage issues). "What kind oflight will most of my pictures be in?" "Will I be carryingthis camera for long periods of time?"(Think of weight).And lastly, and this is important.. What kind of batteriesdoes this camera use; how available are they, and what dothey cost? Most digital cameras are real battery hogs, soit is important that batteries are readily available.. andpossibly rechargable.. but if you are on a 3 week safari inAfrica and you don't have chargers handy.. what are youroptions? How many pictures? Memory cards availableeasily? Or do you have to dump and download often? On along vacation you don't want to shoot all day and fill up..and then not have a computer handy to dump into?

Compared to film where it's just "pop a new roll" digitalcameras purchased that don't match the photographers needscan be a detriment, not an asset.

Once you choose, then you need to know how to comparepricing and benefits.. but that's the subject for anotherarticle.

Choose wisely and you'll love your new camera!