Basics with Brian

 Choosing your DSLR 

When you are considering which DSLR to purchase for your photography there are a wide range of factors to consider beyond the price. Just about every DSLR on the market will have enough resolution for most photographer’s needs with 18 to 24 megapixels; so what else should you
consider when choosing a DSLR?

 Lens choice 

Key to a DSLR is the range of interchangeable lenses available. Do the right kind of lenses exist for your kind of photography?
For most general uses the answer is yes, either within the camera makers own lens range or third party lenses. For some more specialist types of photography such as architecture, product, wildlife and sports, the broader range of lenses from the big two - Canon and Nikon - will almost certainly have you covered.
Of course there are various lens adapters that allow lenses from a different brand to be fitted to your camera, but check to make sure you won’t lose auto focus or automatic aperture control.

 

 Full-frame or crop sensor 

Image sensor size is often a key decider for photographers.
Smaller sensors, so-called crop sensors, allow manufacturers to make smaller, lighter cameras, often at cheaper prices. Larger full-frame sensors mean bigger cameras.
In addition, with the area of a full-frame sensor being roughly double that of the common APS-C size, the individual pixels can be larger. Larger pixels tend to be more sensitive to light and less prone to blowing the highlights.
The highest resolution cameras have full-frame sensors as it allows more pixels to be packed on one piece of silicon.

 How does it feel? 

I can recall picking up cameras and knowing quickly that I would just have a hard time using them, and others that felt like they were tailored for my fingers exactly.
You can only judge this for yourself by picking up the camera - preferably fitted with a lens that you will be using.
The placement of key controls and buttons needs to be comfortable, and the functions easy to access.
To make super small lightweight cameras the buttons either have to get smaller or be put in less accessible places.
If you can borrow a camera or rent one before you buy it will help confirm your purchase plans.

 Your view on the world 

While the LCD is a big chunk of real estate on the back of most cameras, you are likely to be using the viewfinder most of the time so it is essential that the viewfinder is big, bright and clear. Smaller cameras, and those with cropped sensors will have smaller viewfinders. Various electronic viewfinder solutions exist, some better than others.
Only you can judge if a particular viewfinder is right for you. If you wear glasses you will need to decide if you will shoot looking through your glasses or move them out of the way. Glasses or not, everyone should adjust the dioptre setting on the camera viewfinder for their own eyes.
The camera LCD screen may be more useful if it can be freely positioned to allow you to view images either with live view or playback modes.
Several approaches exist, but if you shoot regularly with the camera low to the ground or held high above your head a multi- position LCD screen is more than helpful.
Movable LCD screens are really helpful for movie shooting too.

 Flash system 

The camera you choose may also influence the choice of flash system you can use.
While most cameras have a standard hotshoe that will be able to trigger studio lights just fine, others have an extensive range of AA-battery powered flashes that are much more portable and often highly controllable.
Whilst there are many solutions for off-camera flash with all kinds of triggering devices it is important to make sure that your flash options aren’t over complicated or require too many different units for a range of brands.

 Batteries and memory cards 

Your choice of camera will almost certainly determine which battery and memory cards you can use.
Many Japanese camera manufacturers use a standard test for battery life so it is possible
to compare battery life from one model to another. Bigger more powerful batteries tend to add weight and bulk to cameras though. Since you can’t take pictures without a spare battery, plan on picking one up with your new camera. Batteries don’t last forever and will lose their ability to hold charge over time. Using GPS functions on the cameras will often drain batteries faster than expected.
Memory cards are relatively cheap so make sure to get appropriate cards for your camera. Not all models can make the best use
of the fastest cards. Sometimes firmware in the camera needs to be updated to fully benefit from faster cards. If you shoot fast paced action, then faster cards will help to clear the camera buffer faster too.

 Wireless connections 

WiFi and more recently Near Field Communication (NFC) are common on many cameras to allow pictures to be transferred to a smart phone, tablet or computer.
Check the details to make sure that the WiFi you hope to use to send pictures to your computer can actually do it with the software you want to use.

 Software support 

While most mainstream cameras are supported in common applications like Lightroom and CaptureOne, it is always important to check before you buy.
RAW image files from each camera are not always compatible with older versions of applications. Canon cameras make RAW images with a .CR2 extension and Nikon use .NEF, but each camera model uses the files in different ways.
If you upgrade from an older camera you may find the need to upgrade your software with the new camera. Again, the manufacturers provide software with the cameras, though some charge extra for more advanced features.

 Service and support 

If a camera is going to be used professionally, then you also
need to consider the backup and support. The best camera in the world is no good if it’s in for repair when a big shoot comes up.
Check with photo equipment rental companies to see if you can get a loan camera to cover any times when your camera is being serviced.
Some of the service plans from the camera makers may include priority turnaround on service and even loan kit if the service cannot be done in time.
Cameras from well established brands have a wider range of rental companies with stocks of lenses and accessories.
If you need to rent a 500mm lens for a shoot then it is much simpler to find a Canon or Nikon lens to rent.

 Further Learning 

Decide what you think your main type of photography will be.
Does the camera need to be comfortable for prolonged use? Does it need to be smaller and discreet? What type of lenses do you think you will need to begin with?
Go to a camera shop and actually pick up the cameras! See how they sit in your hand.
Spec sheets on the internet can’t tell you how it feels or if you can reach the buttons easily. Feel the weight of the lenses, can you comfortably carry everything you want?
Talk to other photographers about their cameras. Did they change their minds after using the cameras? Do they do what they thought they would? What are their pros and cons?