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Camera Buyers Guide: Digital

   

DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex)
A "digital" SLR is just like a film SLR in that it has a viewfinder that allows you to look though the lens of the camera while composing. A DSLR also allows you to change the lens of your camera and can give complete manual control of all the cameras operations.

Many digital SLRs have a smaller "croppe sensor" than a regular 35mm camera as shown in the enlarged example below.



So a "normal" 50mm lens will become a 75mm on a Nikon (Nikon multiples the lens by 1.5 and Canon by1.6. i.e. 50mm x1.5=75mm)

If you would like a "50mm" lens you would need to buy a 28mm or a 35mm lens for the digital camera. (28mm x1.5= 42mm / 35mm x1.5=52.5mm)

Many of the kits come with a 18-55mm zoom lens.
This will function like a 27mm to 82.5mm lens on the digital body


Point and Shoot

18-55mm Zoom Lens

50mm

Canon and Nikon are the 2 top camera makers that the pros use. There are others but these are the best and most popular.

Canon Website This site has a good side-by-side comparison chart of the current Canon DSLR lineup.
A good starter camera is the Canon Digital Rebel t3i-t5i
These Rebels are a great place to start, they come with or without a lens. the one it comes with is not the greatest but gettng just a 35mm or a 50mm with it woudl be a great alternative. You can also find the lenses used.
Here are some other Canon cameras to check out, depending on your budget.
Canon 60D
Canon 7D Full frame (12.8 MegaPixel)

Nikon Website This site has a scrolling gallery of their curent lineup of cameras.
Nikon D3200 (6.1 MegaPixel) Click here to see buy online price
24.2 MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
3.0" 921k-Dot LCD Monitor
Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps
A good starter camera it, they comes with or without a lens. the one it comes with is not the greatest but gettng just a 35mm or a 50mm with it would be a great alternative. You can also find the lenses used.
Check their website for other DSLR models and prices.

Memory Cards
Stick to the major brands Sandisk and Lexar are the two most popular and reliable.

Digital Photography Review is a great site to read reviews and get updates on recent digital camera technology and buing guides.

Best prices are on Online
www.bhphotovideo.com Highly recommended
www.amazon.com also try Costco.

Photo Stores
The Looking Glass
New and used cameras, darkroom supplies, great customer service, camera rentals and good film processing
1045 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA 510.548.6888

Mike's Camera
7192 Regional Street, Dublin (925) 829-3670
New and used cameras -a good store within a short driving distance.
Best Buy
31350 Courthouse Dr Union City, CA 510.441.2130
4820 Dublin Blvd Dublin, CA 925.829.7041
3700 Mandela Pkwy Oakland, CA 510.420.0323

Point and shoot cameras
Stick with the major brands: Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony
Look for the type of battery it uses, "AA: or its own, how many Megapixels (5.0 and up is plenty), the size (the smaller it is usually the more expensive)


Canon Digital Rebel t5i


Nikon D3200

 


Compact Flash (CF card)

 


Secure Digital (SD card)