Boy do I get this question asked pretty often. I’ve decided to start sharing emailed questions as they come in. I figure that if one person has this question, then others may have the same.
This question comes from a friend rather than a reader. I’ve cut and pasted the question then my response without editing (so no remarks on my grammar or spelling please).
Hey Damien-
> Its Brent’s baby sister. I was wanting to buy a new digital camera and thought you would be the right person to ask about the which brand or type to buy. I would like one that has features like black and white, sepia, and fun things like that. My budget is about $250-300 so if there is a good one can get for that price that you know of I would really appreciate it!
> Thanks again!!
>
> Lara
Great question really. Here’s my response:
Hey Lara,
By happenstance I was going through my junkmail folder and found this email from you. I rarely do that because I get lot’s of junk mail so I’m glad I did.
Buying a new digital camera is a tough thing to do these days. There are a lot of marketing ploys that camera manufacturers will use to make their digital cameras seem “better”.
The truth is you don’t need features like sepia and black and white capture in a digital camera. Not at all!
You can turn any color photograph into black and white or sepia with whatever image editing software comes with your camera. They make it super easy to do and you’ll have more options. The problem can occur when you’ve captured an image in “black and white” and want to put it in a scrapbook or collage with color photographs, you’ll wish you had it in color.
As for your price range, you have many, many options.
The easiest thing for me to do was find a forum thread that might help you out.
http://forum.digitalcamerareview.com/showthread.php?t=7448
It’s a question and answer type thread in a Camera Review community that usually does a good job. Remember that all “shutterbugs” have their favorites, but the two answers towards the bottom are great.
Personally I use Canon cameras because I like their interface and I’ve grown used to knowing where all the buttons are no matter what Canon camera I pick up.
This is something to think about, because in a few years you’ll probably going through the same thing. Try to find a camera that fits your hands comfortably and is the right “size” for you. And lean towards the bigger companies like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus.
Heather and I used to have a larger FujiFinePix that we used for vacations, but it was so bulky we never carried it around. I think its the same model as your brothers and he’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. You can’t fit the thing in your pocket, so it never got used. Now we have a smaller Canon that is about twice as thick as the average cell phone so it can go in Heather’s purse or I can slide it in my pocket.
Write down the cameras make/model and head to a camera store or Best Buy and try those cameras out. The one that is most comfortable for you will work best.
If you’re not that crazy about the models listed in the thread shoot me back an email and I can certainly do some more research from you.
FYI, if you find one at Best Buy that you like, don’t buy it immediately. Write down the price and then check Amazon (not eBay) to see if you can find a better deal (only buy new!). If Best Buy is cheaper you can go back and get it or order it through their website as well. Another website with good camera deals that are trustworthy is B&H which is where I get most of my gear. They usually have good prices.
I hope this helps.
Also, in case you didn’t know (and you probably didn’t) I run a website that helps people learn photography. I try to gear it towards beginners, but we do get advanced from time to time. Don’t worry it’s free. You can actually subscribe to the website through email if you want to get an email when a new article comes out or via RSS reader if you do that as well.
Damien
So, how would you have responded to Lara? Did I miss anything I should have shared with her?
If you have a question you’d like to ask me just use the contact form tab at the top of the page or email me at damien[at]yourphototips.com (don’t forget to use the @ sign in place of [at]).
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I have a Fuji Finepix S6500fd, which while bulky, does an amazing job. The little versions of the finepix perform well too.
The thing I would suggest looking at is the ease of menu. I have chunky fingers so I hate going through too many buttons. On the finepix everything I need is only one button away - ISO, flash, macro mode. It makes switching between subjects a lot easier!
In the event that anyone has any questions about film cameras, Brian has a whole lot about them over here on Epic Edits. (Hope you don’t mind the link?)