I am often asked by people to suggest a camera for them to become better photographers, which is a question I always find confusing for several reasons. The first one being I don’t know what type of photographer some of these people are and secondly, I don’t know what they want to use the camera for. I often add to the confusion by pointing out that buying an expensive camera my help them produce better quality photographs but it won’t make them better photographers. Last is what are they aiming for? As in what is their goal are they going to take it on holiday and then take photos of the children opening their presents on Christmas day? Or are they aiming to be the next David Bailey or Cecil Beaton?
I shoot with Canon cameras and lenses from various manufactures for no particular reason and if there was one I have long since forgotten reason I started buying this make. I don’t prefer this brand above others like Nikon or Sony however; I have continued to buy this make simply because all my lenses fit and I know my way around Canon cameras, simple as that. I cannot make an argument about Canon as opposed to Nikon because I have never used a Nikon other than a small compact I bought at a supermarket on a whim. As well as the fact I don’t see the point and will leave that to others to procrastinate on.
So what do I advise when asked? First of all as I said “buying an expensive camera won’t make you a better photographer” and I explain why. What do they want to photograph and where. The logic being there is no point buying a heavy DSLR and super long lens if they just want to take pictures of the children on the beach or birthday parties. On the other hand if they choose to be wildlife photographers a compact camera isn’t going to capture an eagle in flight over Kilimanjaro is it, that said some of my best work has been done on a £45 compact I bought from ASDA.
I tend to recommend a DSLR of people are serious about making a hobby of photography that way they can changes lenses as their interest change. Most come with a small zoom 18-70 for example. If they are going to print their own prints, I point out the larger the print the more megapixels’ required. No point trying to get a six foot print made from a 6 megapixel shot. On the other hand if you are just taking “snaps” for Facebook why buy a 50 megapixel camera and a 100-400 zoom?
I was always told “buy the best you can afford” most likely from a camera salesman in some shop or other. Camera magazines tend to recommend cameras ( and everything else) from the companies who advertise with them most. I never tell people to buy camera X or Y however; I do tell them to think about it and that maybe a high spec compact is better than a low spec DSLR and automatic only is always a bad thing. I also tell people to think about what you want to photograph and why speak to as many photographers you can before you choose what type of camera you really need. However; do not take the advice of the ones that tell you buy this brand or that brand think about what you want to achieve with the camera. Think about the type of photographs you want and not the ones other people think you should be taking.
Remember what you need is not always what you want.