Photography Equipment

EQUIPMENT

There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photograhy are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.

—Ernst Haas

Photography is a technical art. As a consequence of this, many photographers become equipment junkies, and the many options available to the digital photographer certainly can satisfy the equipment junkie’s cravings. But all these options make choosing a camera more di?cult for someone new to the world of digital photography. Ultimately, when it comes time to head out on the shoot, every photographer should be looking at ways to minimize the amount of equipment and weight needed for the type of photography he or she likes to shoot. None of us wants a camera bag to get in the way of what we love to do: shoot photos.

This chapter is dedicated to helping you choose a digital camera that ?ts your needs, your budget, and, ultimately, your photography. Don’t lose sight of the fact that the camera is a tool, and the primary function of that tool is to make photographs. The best camera on the planet won’t turn you into a great photographer, but an inadequate camera can interfere with your ability to get the shot. I’ve compiled a list of sage advice for camera selection based on more than 30 years as a professional photographer. If you’re a ?rst-time digital buyer or the prosumer moving up to a top-of-the-line model, this chapter will help you ?nd the right gear for your needs.

THE FIRST-TIME DIGITAL BUYER

You’ve been taking photos for many years and you’re contemplating making the big switch to digital. What are your needs? Will your existing body of 35mm equipment become obsolete? How much of your ?lm equipment can be used with the new digital technology?

Since you’re reading this book, more than likely you were a 35mm point-and-shoot or a 35mm SLR (single lens re?ex) user. Easily providing the most functionality and depth of equipment, 35mm was the benchmark in upper-end consumer and professional photographic gear. The benchmark for digital to the working pro happened when the quality of the digital image ?nally equaled that of the 35mm ?lm image—and that time is now.

The last decade has been witness to the evolution of ultra-sophistication in camera gear. More technology and better glass were added to a broader range of cameras than ever before. Highly capable auto-exposure and auto-focus became standard with almost every level of camera, and this trend has continued in the digital realm. Digital cameras are evolving at a blistering pace, with new cameras improving on the quality and speed of their predecessors. So how do you buy the right camera so you don’t feel like the day you walk out of the store your equipment is already outdated? With all the voices giving advice on the Internet, whose advice should you follow?