My very first camera - which one should i pick?

Many, at least 4 have asked me what camera they should buy and after answering for a couple of time, and with my little experience when making the choice of buying my very first own camera, i think it is kind a good start for first ever photography-related post.

Before all this start, my advice would be more related to those who having the choices between Nikon and Canon.

Okay, let's get it started.

1) Budget.

The first thing ever that you should consider is of course, your budget.

Considering your buying power could really help you to settle down on your range of choice. Having say so, it should also not to limiting yourself, as certain people would wait for another few more months to save for a better camera (if you are the kind who can hold your temptation for a little longer)

Overall, for the ease of general population, main manufacturers have kind of sort out 3 category catered for different users or better still, just to let people have the feel of upgrading from one to another level (or I should use illusion instead) depends on the body they used. Which I will call it entry level, mid-pro, pro.

For a budget below 3k, you may considering buying entry level with a standard kit-lens of 18-55mm.

From 3k to 5k, mid pro and above that would be pro-level.

(this is really meant for first user which absolutely know nothing about camera and want to "learn" something from it, which is why I suggest they stick to the kit-lens)

*One special note on the budget topic is that, you should also consider about the other accessories that you are going to buy later. Thus, having the thought that over a bit of the budget to get a certain higher-end camera may actually make your "later life" suffer which in other words, you are eventually "stucked" for the same thing for a little longer time. Therefore, you should really plan out your path of needs, which I will discuss in the second point.

2) Needs.

People often say, buy what you need, not what you want. This may especially true in buying your very first camera gear. If you hanging on entry level, why don't you pay a bit more for mid-pro as it provides extra features. If you thinking to get mid-pro, why not just for the pro, as you know you going to use that like forever? You see my point? It will be a never-ending process that seriously drain out the very last blood-smelt-penny from your wallet. And we are just talking about the camera body, what if I include also the lenses? filter? tripod? flashes? and more and more....?

Together with the buying power, it might be good to consider also what other accessories that you would like to have in the very near future.

Of course, I know it is kind of unrealistic to speak this to the first user, as they dun even know what they will eventually need. But hey, to me, I really feel it is an important step to take note on.

I set my budget on 2 to 3k, and I eventually spend almost 4k because of other things that I failed to consider. (I would talk about this on my other post)

A bit off topic, back to the need theory.

First, you should keep remind yourself of the reason you wanted to get a DSLR, the purpose of using it.

Portrait? Event shoot? Simply leisure? Landscape?

A brief example, if you are about to use it to take family picture - the so-called "captures the moment" or use it to video your son's birthday and etc and eventually you share to the world via facebook, it is really unwise to get a mid-pro camera. Because in that case, higher burst mode, sturdy built, larger viewfinder, better cross-type AF system, longer battery with more shot, fast access to key features, and more... is not related to you at all. You spent on something that you not going to use it at all.

Okay, say if now you know you going to cover it for event, mostly indoor,

and you going to make use of it to make money, but you have not enough money to get the top level of camera.

So, in this case, not only getting the right camera is important to you, even the related accessories also. Spending whole of yourself only on body and kit lens could only satisfy you as much, you would get bored and learn slow eventually (personal opinion). Worst still, you are literally "stucked" with what you have now. Thus, if you are plan to learn to cover for events, talking in a budget of 4k, instead of spending the whole on a mid-pro camera, it might be more appropriate to get an entry level and get a better flash for yourself.

In some case, people go for macro, then you have to consider also the macro lens, tripod, ring flash for macro and etc.

So, to know what you really need, is the most crucial part in making the call.

*Side note: Know your future buying power - are you the one who able to save extra in near future? If yes, then you can probably make adjustment as appropriate to fulfill your need, optimized the available budget for the body and get the accessories in future, for example.

I know this post is pretty lengthy but I hope you do enjoy reading it and get the most out of it. (I am hitting two bird actually, learn to write and learn to share. :)).

More to come in the future!