What Camera Should I Get?
I won’t bore you with specifics as to how digital cameras work. Frankly, I’d be taking the fun right out of it if I were to do so. Besides, I learned most of what I know from just getting out there and experimenting. However, if you want a quick run-down before you start combing shops for gear, give this a read. It’s the best online user guide out there, and will give you just the right amount of knowledge to deflect all the salesman babble and get at the heart of what you need. As for the big hitters – Canon, Nikon – it really comes down to personal preference in the end. Really. For me, I’ll always shoot Nikon. Why? Well, for one, I like the warmer tones that Nikon produces. Second, I have big hands, and when it comes to ergonomics, Canon stubbornly continues to make DSLR camera bodies that look cheap and are extremely awkward to handle. Furthermore, I like to avoid flash whenever possible, and, regardless of what many Canon enthusiasts will tell you, Nikon has far better ISO performance. That is, its sensor is far more sensitive to light which, in turn, results in cleaner images with minimal noise (grainy looking flecks). I shot this at Club Circle in Seoul without any flash. In my books, Nikon is way ahead in that department.
If you’re just starting out and aren’t prepared to shell out big bucks, that’s fine. There are plenty of affordable options out there. Just keep in mind, that many standard DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras are not full frame, meaning that the final image will be cropped somewhat. If you want your pictures to turn out as you see them through the view finder, then you’ll have to get a full frame camera. An expensive option, but a good one at that if you’re looking to start taking the craft a little more seriously.
And on that note, I’m going to start getting some food write-ups on here starting this weekend.
As a fellow (but still new) Nikon owner, I’m very proud with some of the shots I’ve taken thus far. I’ll refrain from the fan-baiting or flaming, but I’m proud of what the camera has come out with.
As for the full frame, only the most expensive cameras are full-frame – the rest will have a crop factor worth considering when it comes time for lenses. If you’re just getting started in the DSLR world, there are a lot of other things to learn how to do – things like manual focusing, learning what all the buttons do, and so on. Buying a camera is only part of the equation
Yep. This was just a gritty, bare bones write-up. All the literature out there can seem a little daunting and often keeps newcomers at bay instead of out there fiddling with the mechanics of it all. The best way to really get a handle on things is to just get out and find your style. Experiment with it.
And you’re spot-on about the camera only being part of it. For serious users, buying the right lens is pretty essential.
Is there a store or seller in Seoul that you recommend for first time buyers? I’m pretty sure of which camera I want but I have no idea where I should buy it. I do speak Korean fairly fluently but not 100% fluent in it and I don’t want to get scammed. I was thinking of going to Yongsan but I’ve never been there and I heard that not only is it so immense it’s easy to get lost in it all but that there are also a lot of bad sellers there ready to rip you off.
@Gregory: Yeah, one of the most *headdesk* inducing things is when I see folks only buying the kit lens, instead of looking into buying just the body and finding a different lens. So many kit lenses are POS plastic things and are barely worth their materials, but an uneducated newcomer has no clue about that. *sigh*
Grace, Yongsan may not be the place to start off with. Sure they have a ton of selection, but it’s a huge sprawl of a gazillion options. May be a little overwhelming. Try Namdaemun – there’s a long line of camera shops there. Again, you don’t really have to concern yourself with the language barrier so long as you as know exactly what you want going in. Feel free to write me with any questions and I’ll do my best to help out (hermithideaways@gmail.com).