• Business and Finance
• Family
• Computers and Internet
• Auto and Trucks
• Education
• Health
• Hobbies
• Home Improvement
• Legal
• Marketing

• Home
• Arthur's Articles Home
• Browse Categories
• Browse Authors
• Submit an Article
• Search for Articles

Home » Computers And Internet Articles » Beginning In Photography Choosing A Camera

Beginning In Photography: Choosing A Camera

You've been snapping away with your nifty little point and shoot camera for a while now and you've discovered you really like taking pictures and want to get more creative and have more control over your photos. Naturally the next step is to upgrade to an SLR camera. But which one? There is a ridiculous number of products out there with all sorts of buttons and dials that do this or that. This article attempts to give a brief overview of the things that are actually important when considering which camera to buy.

Firstly, let's dispel one of the most common myths associated with upgrading equipment. Buying a new camera will not make you a better photographer. Repeat: it will NOT make you a better photographer. Not instantly, not in 2 years time, not in 10 years. What will make you a better photographer is you. Your willingness to learn and develop your skills. Sure a high end camera will give you more control over your image making, but that's just it; its you controlling the camera, and therefore the end image. Ok, now that we're on the same track, a few things to think about.

How many megapixels do I need?

We are going to assume that you are looking at digital cameras here, although I should point out that there are some excellent film cameras around at much less expense. So don't discount film altogether (it's not dead just yet!). But to answer the question, we first need to answer another: What do you want to do with your photos? If you only want to post your photos on the web, e-mail them or make small prints to put in a photo album, the resolution you need for this is quite low. To give you an idea, a camera with 2 megapixels will create an image that can make a good quality 6 x 4 print (standard photo album size). Most entry level SLR cameras start at around 6 megapixels. Therefore if this is all you want to do with your images, the amount of megapixels does not need to be a major concern. If, however, you want to make large sized prints, you may need a higher resolution camera. While entry level SLR's often produce very good quality prints up to a certain size, more pixels gives you the freedom of being able to enlarge even further. While image software programs can increase the size of your photos they will lose some quality. Starting with a larger image means that fewer pixels are added by the program and less quality is lost.

Is brand important?

Not as important as some would have you think. While photographers will continue to debate the Nikon vs Canon issue, my belief is that it is a moot point. Both companies produce some excellent products and some pretty ordinary ones. What should be foremost in your mind is build quality. How many plastic parts does the camera have versus metal ones? Metal parts can be replaced, while plastic parts are usually set into a mould and cannot be. Potentially this could mean the difference between having to buy a new part or a new camera a few years down the track. Check how the camera feels in your hand. If it feels solid and sturdy, it probably is. Quality between brands doesn't differ greatly until you get into the higher end cameras. This is where Nikon and Canon come to the fore and other brands that don't target this market drop off. However if you decide you don't need a higher end camera, don't discount other brands.

What about features?

Cameras come with all sorts of different modes and features. Some of them seem to be included for no other reason than to be a selling point for that particular model. It takes a little research to discern which are actually going to be useful. There are, however, some that you should factor into your considerations. Firstly, what mode settings does the camera have? Many entry level SLR's have similar settings to point and shoot cameras. I.e. Portrait, landscape, low light etc. While these make things easy, the point of moving up to an SLR camera is to gain more control over your photos. You will never gain the control you want without learning how to use a camera in full manual mode.

Other features, such as a built if flash or cable release socket, may be important to you depending on the type of photography you want to do. If you like to shoot portraits, a built in flash can be a huge help in lighting shadows. If you are interested in landscape photography, you will at some point want to set you camera up on a tripod to capture a low light scene. Using a cable release allows you to press the shutter without actually touching the camera, removing the camera shake that blurs a picture.

One final consideration.

This is possibly the most important of all. Make sure the camera you choose is comfortable and easy to use. Check that you can reach all the buttons easily while shooting and that the dial and menu configurations are logical. This allows you to learn your gear easily so that you can concentrate on the most important thing: taking pictures.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Christmas Loans – Taking Care Of Financial High Tide of Yuletide

Can you feel the chill in the air? And there it begins to snow! Vast open spaces, roof tops, trees.... â€" all covered with layers of white pure snow. Sure sign that Christmas is not far. Everything changes during Christmas time. Psychologically it breeds happiness, fun frolic, everything good and worth looking forward to. Another thing that is inevitably related to Christmas is expenses.

With so many people neglecting Christmas when it comes to saving for, implies borrowing in one form or the other. When you are borrowing then the best way inarguably is Christmas loans. Many people think that credit card is a better way to pay for Christmas expenses. But if you are thinking of borrowing for longer time period than Christmas loans offer better value for money.

"Christmas loans" is specific name for personal loans for Christmas. There are huge advantages of taking Christmas loans over any other alternative form. The personal loans for Christmas have lower interest rates than credit cards or overdraft. This certainly implies that your monthly repayments will be smaller and also you will be able to pay back your loan faster. The interest rates for Christmas loans are usually fixed. This means you pay fixed monthly payments for the entire loans term. This helps the borrower to plan budget effectively when a set amount goes in the form of repayments. The loan term with Christmas loans is also fixed. So you know exactly when you are going to be free of debt.

Taking Christmas loans will enable you to make the purchase you want to make and not settle for a compromise. This freedom is indeed desirable. Make your budget and then apply for Christmas loans. Christmas loans can help sticking to that budget by assigning a limit to expenses. This limit might be missing in a credit card and prevent borrower from making unnecessary expenses.

There is no compulsion on how the borrower uses Christmas loans. He can spend a part of Christmas loans on shopping and other part he can save and use for any future use. Or he may not use it for shopping at all and pay for some other necessity with Christmas loans. Lenders have no say on how you use the money.

Time for taking Christmas loans should coincide with when you feel is right. Usually people apply for Christmas loans when Christmas is around the corner or when they start shopping. This is ideally the appropriate time to

Start looking for Christmas loans. Approval time would vary from lender to lender. However, faster approvals are now provided by lenders and you won't be hanging around for approval. However, if you have missed the bus and failed to apply even after Christmas is over â€" you still can beat the overspending hangover. Christmas loans can help you pay for expensive credit card and overdrafts.

Christmas loans are available for amount £500-£50,000. Homeowners have the choice between secured and unsecured personal loans. Christmas loans cater to tenants also - both private and council tenants, as well as tenants of housing associations. And if you think Christmas loans outcast those with negative credit â€" you are wrong! Christmas loans are available for those with CCJs, defaults, arrears, late payments etc.

Before shopping for Christmas don't forget to shop for Christmas loans. Consumers can save many pounds by carefully looking around for loans. If one is borrowing why not borrow what is financially good. This is possible by going around different sites and looking for what they have to offer. Christmas loans Lenders will offer attractive offers which may or may not be that attractive for you. Check the rates that are offered to you as an individual. Therefore don't settle for the first Christmas loans you find suitable. Ask for quotes and compare various Christmas loans and then make your decision.

This year one in four people are ready to borrow money for Yuletide. While making shopping spree this Christmas, make sure the interest doesn't extend to the time when you next see the snow. One sound financial decision will make sure the fun lasts. Christmas loans when used appropriately are an investment â€" an investment in something worthwhile, which lasts forever â€" family.