Camera Buyers Guide - Part 4

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Post was too long to read therefore it is divided into numbers of post. If you’re planning to own a brand new to camera, I recommend you to read it from start to finish, or may be for the ultimate learning experience.

But if you’re just interested in a certain topic, feel free to use link given below.

Simply click to where you want to jump!

• Types of Cameras

• Essential Features
• Ergonomics 
• Additional Features

• Brands

• Lenses

• Accessories

• Software

• Where To Buy

• Price

Let's Start again with our next Topic according to above list.


Lenses
Every camera needs a lens, whether it’s permanently attached or interchangeable. See, the lens contains pieces of glass that focus light onto your camera’s sensor. Without that light, you don’t have an image!
Not all lenses are created equal, and they’ll have a big effect on the look of your final images.

1. Lenses 101
To feel confident picking a lens for your camera you should first know a few basic things about lenses!

2. Focal Length
The focal length (measured in mm) determines the angle of view that a lens will capture. A wide angle lens will capture a lot of the scene, and a telephoto lens will capture only a small portion. Wide angle lenses range from 15mm to 35mm. Normal lenses are around 50mm, and most closely resemble what your eye sees. Telephoto lenses range from 85mm to 200mm+.

3. Aperture
The aperture is the hole inside the lens that opens and closes to control the amount of light entering the camera, and it is represented by f values (like f/2.8 or f/5.6). Lenses are described by their maximum aperture, which is the widest opening possible for that lens. So a lens might be a 50mm f/1.4, which means the focal length is 50mm, and the maximum aperture is f/1.4.
Now this might be a bit confusing: The larger (more open) the maximum aperture, the smaller the f value, and the more expensive the lens will be. This is because it has the ability to collect more light, allowing you to shoot in darker conditions, and it can also give you more background blur, which is awesome!
Similarly, Phone Camera would also be specified using aperture. Some of the popular smartphone like Samsung Galaxy have f1.7 and f1.8 in Nexus 6P.

4. Image Stabilization
Image stabilization (IS) helps to minimize blurriness that can occur when your camera moves at the same time that you take a shot. This is handy when you’re shooting in low light conditions (where you typically use a slower shutter speed), or other situations where you’re using a slow shutter speed without a tripod and want to avoid blur. IS can also be helpful if the lens is particularly heavy and therefore more likely to move around as you shoot.
A lens with image stabilization (typically labelled as an ‘IS’ lens) will be substantially more expensive than an equivalent lens without IS, so it’s worth considering carefully whether you’re likely to benefit from IS.

5. Zoom Lenses
A zoom lens covers a range of focal lengths (e.g. 24mm – 70mm) and allows you to shift (Zoom!) between any focal length in the range. Convenient! The downside to zooms is that they usually have smaller maximum apertures. Zooms with larger maximum apertures (like f/2.8) will be expensive.

6. Prime Lenses
A prime lens has a single fixed focal length (e.g. 50mm or 35mm). If you want to change perspective you have to move closer or further from your subject, or switch lenses. Prime lenses generally have larger maximum apertures, giving you better background blur, better performance in low light, and usually better image quality!

7. Kit Lenses
Most DSLR, Micro Four Thirds, and mirrorless cameras have the option to purchase the camera body with what is known as a “kit lens”.
A kit lens will typically be a cheaper, mid-range zoom lens (the most common range being 18-55mm). When you’re just starting out with your DSLR, a kit lens should serve you well. But as you progress with your photography, you’ll probably want to experiment with different lenses, like lenses that blur out the background more, allow you to get closer to your subject, or help you to zoom in on objects that are farther away.
The quality of the glass in kit lenses is also generally lower than lenses that don’t come with a DSLR, so you’ll find that kit lenses don’t always render colours well, and don’t produce the sharpest images. Basically you can expect to upgrade from a kit lens pretty quickly!

8. Beginner Lenses
I would always suggest you to start with an affordable prime lens.
As we talked about before, a prime lens is a lens Which can’t zoom in and out. This forces you to physically move around in order to compose your images, which gets you more involved in the process of taking a photo.
With prime lenses, compared to zoom lenses (kit lenses included), you typically get better image quality and more ability to blur out backgrounds.
In short, with prime lenses, you’ll create higher quality photos and spend more time thinking and learning about the process of creating images than with zooms.
Great prime lenses to start out with include the 50mm f/1.8 lens and the 28mm f/2.8.

9. Advanced Lenses
Eventually, you may find you want to upgrade your introductory lenses for higher quality models.
See, the quality of the lens will have a large impact on the quality of your photos. 
With pricier lenses, you’ll be getting faster apertures (for better low light performance and more background blur)
Higher build quality (with the possibility of weather sealing)
Better glass that produces better colour and sharpness.
For zooms, you may also get image stabilization.
Above all, remember that a better lens won’t automatically take better photos. It can help you create better image quality, but ultimately, you’re the one calling the shots!

10. Special Lenses
Beyond the range of lenses designed for regular use, there’s a whole world of specialty lenses out there, meant to produce particular effects. We generally consider these lenses to be extras, but depending on what kind of photography you’re into they may be your kind of essentials!

11. Macro
Macro lenses are designed to allow you to get extremely close to your subject, letting the subject occupy much more of the frame than they would with a normal lens. Macro lenses are commonly used in advertising and food photography, as well as in nature photography, where the photographer needs to get closer to the subject to show details. Macro lenses are made for a range of camera types, including DLSRs, mirrorless systems, and even point-and-shoots and camera phones.

12. Tilt Shift
Tilt shift lenses allow you to control the plane of focus in your image by bending the angle of the lens relative to the sensor (fancy!). They’re typically produced to work with 35mm DSLR cameras, as well as medium format cameras.
Tilt shift is commonly used in food and architectural photography, where it’s important to control the plane of focus or the appearance of converging lines, and is becoming more popular as an artistic tool in portrait photography.
Tilt shift lenses aren’t cheap, and it takes a lot of practice to learn how to use them well, so we recommend renting (or borrowing) a lens before you buy, to make sure it’s going to be worth the investment.
You can learn more about tilt shift photography in our two-part series from the blog:

13. FishEye
Fisheye lenses are ultra wide angle lenses that create dramatic distortion, producing images that look almost semi-circular in their perspective. Though you’ll see them used in a variety of contexts, the photographers who get the most use out of them tend to focus on landscape and extreme sport photography/videography. Fisheye lenses are made for a range of camera types, including DLSRs, mirrorless systems, and even point-and-shoots and camera phones.

14. Super Telephoto
Super telephoto lenses are lenses whose focal length extends beyond 300mm. These lenses effectively let you get close to things that are very far away, without physically moving yourself. Super telephoto lenses are serious expensive. Unless you’re a serious wildlife or sports photographer, chances are you won’t ever need one of these – but you’ll probably want one.

15. PinHole
Pinhole lenses let you mimic the aesthetic of classic pinhole cameras (think grainy, sort of mysterious) using your interchangeable lens camera. Inexpensive pinhole lenses exist for a range of cameras, but a quick web search will show you that it’s pretty easy to create your own pinhole lens!

16. LensBaby
Lensbaby is a lens manufacturer that creates inexpensive special effects lenses for a wide range of cameras (DSLRs, mirrorless, camera phones, etc.). These lenses can be used to create effects similar to fisheye, wide aperture and tilt shift lenses. The resulting image quality generally won’t match what you’ll get with the more expensive specialty lenses, but they can be a fun way to experiment with different effects without shelling out a lot of money.

Accessories
Necessary Accessories(Must Have)
You don’t need a lot of accessories for your camera! Don’t get pressured into buying lots of it. Shop around, and start by getting only what you absolutely need. You can always get more toys as you shoot more!
Here are the essentials that you’ll need to keep your camera going.

1. Memory cards
You’ll need a memory card in order to record images taken with your camera. Try to stick to a major brand name (like SanDisk, Strontium & Lexar). As per our experience, brand name cards are more reliable and less prone to errors. They cost more, but they’re worth it!
Cards are generally classed into different categories, depending on how fast they’re able to read and write data. The ‘Extreme’ (formerly ‘Ultra’) class of card, made by SanDisk, has always suited our purposes well (portraits, weddings, travel).
Note: - There are different types of cards out there (SDHC, SDXC, CF, etc.). Make sure to check which kind of card your camera needs before you buy anything.
Regarding capacity, if you’re shooting raw, or taking a ton of photos each time you head out to shoot, you’ll need more memory space than if you’re shooting JPEG or shooting quite casually.

2. Spare Batteries
It sucks when your camera battery dies right when you are about to take an epic shot. Don’t let it happen to you! Make sure to keep a fully-charged spare battery on you anytime you’re shooting.
Now, most cameras take special batteries that can’t be found in local stores. But here’s the good news: batteries can often be purchased online for a quarter the price of original batteries. They may not last as long, but sometimes the cost savings still make them a worthwhile purchase.
Not all cameras come with wall chargers. Without a wall charger, you’re going to have to plug your entire camera in anytime you want to charge the battery – not very convenient. Having a wall charger will allow you to keep using your camera (with a fresh battery) while the exhausted battery charges up. Wall chargers generally run about the same price as batteries.

3. Camera Bag
If you’re going to be using your camera away from home frequently, you’ll need to get a camera bag – both to keep the camera safe and to make it easier for you to carry. Look for a bag that’s small enough (and stylish enough!) that you’ll be happy to take it with you everywhere.
Before you buy a bag, check out the review if buying online to see what other photographers think of the model you’re considering.
Pay attention to their comments about ease of use – 
Can you quickly and easily get the camera out of the bag when you need to take a photo?
Are the different compartments easy to access, and are they large enough to store your accessories (spare lenses, spare batteries, spare memory cards)?
If you’re planning to do a lot of outdoor photography, find out how the bag holds up in the rain and how well it cushions your gear.
Another option instead of a dedicated camera bag is an insert (An insert is a protective case that you can slip into an existing backpack or bag, and can be a great option.) We’ve often used these when travelling.
Finding the perfect camera bag for your needs is a challenge, so take your time looking around!

4. Memory Card Reader
Most cameras include a USB cable that you can use to connect your camera to your computer in order to upload your photos. I have found these to a bit clumsy to use, so use a memory card reader.
Check your computer and laptops to see if they have a built-in memory card reader. If you’re looking to buy a card reader, a basic model would cost you less than few hundred INR.

5. Cleaning Accessories 
Keeping your camera clean is important! You don’t want to spend hours editing out dust spots in all your awesome photos, after all. Happily, you need only a few tools to keep things spiffy.
Lens Pen
A lens pen allows you to clean smudges and dust off your lens. This is a must-have! We keep a few extras in our camera bags at all times. And is the best way to clean Camera Lens.
Microfiber Cloth
You’ll want a microfiber cloth for cleaning everything from lenses, LCDs, camera bodies. Easy, cheap, and versatile.
Rocket Blower
A rocket blower is great for gently removing dust from lenses and sensors.

6. Screen Protector
The simple, clear adhesive screen protectors that you stick right onto the LCD can be fantastic little accessories. We didn’t use them when we were first starting out, and we have the scratched-up screens to show for it!

Optional Accessories 
These accessories can certainly be useful, but don’t feel like you have to purchase them in order to get by!

1. TriPod
Many new photographers think a tripod is a necessity and spend a considerable amount of money on one. Then that fancy stand just sits in the closet collecting dust! Unless you’re planning on doing a lot of landscape or long-exposure photography, you don’t need an expensive tripod.
If you want to try out landscape or long-exposure photography, pick up a cheap tripod and see if you use it enough to make the more expensive model worth the investment.
Another option is a Gorilla Pod. It’s far more portable than a standard tripod, meaning you’re more likely to take it with you and actually use it!

2. Battery Grip
A battery grip lets you power your camera from multiple batteries, seriously extending the time you can shoot before changing the battery. It also changes the shape of your camera body, making it more comfortable to shoot with the camera in the vertical position.
But battery grips tend to be expensive, and make your camera heavier and bulkier. I recommend trying out your camera without a battery grip first to see if you think you really need one. From there, see if you can borrow one from a friend before you finally decide to buy.

3. Filters
Filters attach to the front of your lens, and serve a variety of purposes.
At the most basic level, filters protect your lens from scratches. But their real purpose is to improve the look of your images, primarily by influencing light. The most common type of filter is the UV/Haze filter, which acts to reduce the look of haze in your images, particularly when you’re shooting landscapes. Other common types of filters out there include neutral density, and polarizing filters.
The downsides to filters is this:
When they’re cheaply made, filters can actually reduce the quality of your photos.
Not good! If you’re going to spend the money, make sure you buy a high-quality filter that won’t adversely impact the look of your shots.
I use filters to reduce the chance of scratches.

4. External Flash
Photography is all about light, so you might feel like it’s important to have an external flash. But whether or not you need a flash is about where you are shooting.
Light is available everywhere, from the sun to indoor lighting, and it can produce incredible results. In fact, learning to use available light is one of the first skills a new photographer should develop, long before you start thinking about a flash!
If you’re frequently shooting in very dark situations (like wedding receptions) then an external flash will be useful. But you don’t always need the most expensive model. It’s more important to learn about light, and how to control it, than to get a super fancy flash.

5. Remotes
Remote controls can allow you to trigger the shutter wirelessly. This can come in handy for self-portraits, for photo booths, or if you’re creating stop motion sequences. They can be lots of fun, but they’re generally not a necessity, especially given that most cameras have a built-in self-timer.
Check if your camera model allows the use of a smartphone app as a remote, which can be a cheaper and more convenient option.

6. HardDrives
If you’re planning to shoot in raw or take a lot of video, chances are your digital storage needs will quickly expand beyond what your computer can provide. If that’s the case, you’ll need to invest in an external hard drive are also a must if you want to reduce the risk of losing your images in the event of computer hard drive failure or anything else that can wipe your computer out, like theft or disaster.

Portable external hard drives are a very handy type of hard drive. They’re smaller, making them easy to travel with, and a great option for offsite backup.



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