Lessons Learned from Buying Our First dSLR Camera

Our digital camera buying decision was simply done by trimming our choices into one category - that which fits our budget limits, plus the consideration that we are newbies in this moments-capturing hobby.

According to the photography mentor of a friend, the ideal dSLR camera for photography beginners are either Nikon D60 and Canon EOS 450D. Some say that if you want durability, go for Nikon; if you want quality shots, go for Canon. With this, we decided to buy Nikon D60, not just because it would save us a few thousand pesos, but also because of the attested durability. This trait is very important for us photography beginners because we would be experimentally tinkering the new digital camera. At least it can hopefully withstand our experimental errors.

But when we were actually in the camera shop already, the shop owner, sensing that we are photography newbies, sweet-talked us to buy the Canon EOS 1000D instead, a model which we did not know about until then. He emphasized the Canon EOS 1000D's Live View feature and offered us freebies and a not-so-attractive camera bag but we took his deal anyway. This is where the importance of really knowing what you want, knowing your camera preferences, and studying the different digital camera models in advance (by reading many reviews by expert photographers) before making the purchase. It would also be helpful if you can windowshop and check the actual dSLR cameras first before buying. But in our case, it was our first time to visit that camera shop. It is not located in accessible malls. We really set aside time to go there because the price difference between mall shops and the shops there is really substancial. (In my next post I will narrate our experience in going there.)

When we left the camera shop, we were in a quandary as to the judiciousness of our camera purchase. First, we were overwhelmed by our first ever dSLR, being used to the camera phone and compact digital camera. I found it monstrously huge and heavy, hehe, really showing my greenhorn exposure to this hobby. We were doubting if such a camera was what we really needed. This is where the importance of knowing your purpose and needs for buying a digital camera comes in. We were really not so clear as to what level of photography we want to expose ourselves.
As I have said in one of my previous posts, "know thyself, then know thy camera."

Then we were also bugged by the idea that we were just sweet-talked. But Mr. Owner looked sincere. Anyhow, after resolving our photography goal issues, and reading favorable reviews, we have become quiet satisfied with our digital camera acquisition. Afterall, we have no set standards to benchmark the new dSLR with. The good thing is that we became even more resolved to begin dSLR photography seriously. This blog helps me note down things I learned along the photography highway, including this digital camera buying experience.

My learning and notes-taking continue with my succeeding posts. And I hope you also continue learning and following my virtual notes in photography...