Camera Advice

[DisneyDaniel]

Very well said, Alex!

The general population is overrun with consumers who buy DSLR cameras, but have no idea how to use it and simply keep it on "Automatic" settings. So, it becomes nothing more than a bigger, more expensive point-and-shoot.

A retail store such as Calumet San Francisco would be a good place to start if you want to visit a real camera store, versus a Costco or Wal-mart, etc. A camera store will have more models available for you to see, try, hold in your hands, and ask for buying advice from a hopefully knowledgeable person.

All Calumet Photo locations periodically hold events/workshops on various photography topics, such as "Understanding Your DSLR" which cost $50.

But the first step in learning how to use ANY camera is to READ THE MANUAL and then learn by trial and error. It's a basic concept, but most people never even bother.

I have strictly been using Canon cameras, since the days of film, so I usually recommend Canon-brand cameras, since it's what I know and I've owned and used numerous Canon-camera models over the years.

Canon's entry-level DSLR models are the Canon Digital Rebel. You can find older models for less money, but the retail price of a new EOS Rebel XS kit (which comes with a 18-55mm Image Stabilizer lens) costs $599.99.

For a lot of people, the SIZE and WEIGHT of a camera does matter. Some people are more likely to regularly use and carry around a small, light point-and-shoot camera. A DSLR model is potentially a better camera, but will you actually use it frequently if it does not easily fit in a pocket/small bag?

Again, I would go with Alex's advice and try to learn how to use your existing camera to its maximum abilities first, if money is a factor. Also, many point-and-shoot models actually have "Manual" settings if you want to learn by trial-and-error on our own, before investing in a DSLR.