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Thursday, December 8, 2016

Camera Buyers Guide - Part 5



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!
• Brands
• Lenses
• Price

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

Software
If you are more serious about photography, then you may also want to start editing your images. Editing allows you to do things like adjust exposure, contrast, colour and much, much more. This can be used for dramatic creative effect, or it can let you create natural-looking adjustments that subtly enhance the look and feel of your shot.
Most cameras will come with some form of free editing software, but it’s likely to be much less powerful, and much less intuitive to use, than the paid options out there. If you want to upgrade from the basics, here are some of the pieces of photography software you may want to consider.

1. Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom (commonly known simply as Lightroom) is an image editing and management program.
Lightroom allows you to make a wide range of adjustments to your raw or JPEG images in a non-destructive fashion (The editing changes won’t overwrite the data of your original image – you’ll always be able to go back to the original).
With Lightroom, it’s easy to make adjustments to individual images, or to apply adjustments or presents to scores of photos at a time. Unlike Photoshop (more on that in a minute), Lightroom don’t allow you to work in layers, or to do advanced retouching.
Another key feature of Lightroom is its management capabilities, which allow you to access your entire library and organize your images using things like keywords and star ratings.
Lightroom also allows you to print or upload your images to social sharing sites directly from the program.
You can download a free, 30-day trial of Lightroom from Adobe.

2. Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop (commonly known just as Photoshop) is a pixel-based image editor. (Pixels are the tiny dots that make up a photo.)
Photoshop allows you to make basic edits to an image, but its real strength is as a tool for powerful retouching (removing distractions, smoothing skin, whitening teeth), compositing, and creative editing.
Note: - Photoshop is not an image management tool. Unlike with Lightroom, you cannot view your library or organize your images in Photoshop (though there are other programs, like Adobe Bridge, that can help you sort and organize your images before you bring them into Lightroom). Photoshop also lacks the printing and sharing functions as in Lightroom.
All that being said, Photoshop is a must if you need to do advanced retouching or editing. Lightroom takes home the prize for ease of use and versatility, but it comes close to Photoshop when it comes to retouching, compositing and other dramatic photo manipulation!
You can download a free, 30-day trial of Photoshop from Adobe.

3. Photoshop Elements
For photographers who don’t need all of the horsepower that Photoshop offers, Adobe offers a consumer level version of the program, called Photoshop Elements. Photoshop Elements offers a good number of the essential editing and retouching features a consumer would need, at a much lower cost than Photoshop. Photoshop Elements also includes basic organizing and sharing functions.
New photographers may want to consider picking up Lightroom and Photoshop Elements, and deciding whether to upgrade Photoshop Elements to Photoshop from there.
Anyone looking for powerful, advanced retouching may need the full version of Photoshop. It’s worth comparing the specs of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements to decide which will best fit your needs.
You can download a free, 30-day trial of Elements from Adobe.

4. Aperture/iPhoto & Photos
In the past, Apple has offered two types of photo software: iPhoto and Aperture. iPhoto is an inexpensive, basic all-in-one editing, organizing and sharing program meant for consumers. Aperture is a more advanced editing program, similar to Lightroom but for 1/3 of the price.
Apple confirmed that iPhoto and Aperture are being phased out, and will be replaced by the new Photos app, which will go live
Anyone thinking about investing in iPhoto or Aperture may want to hold off until more news has been released about Photos.


Where to Buy
1. Online
The internet has opened up a huge market for photography worldwide!
The biggest name in online camera sales is B&H. This is where you can purchase most of our equipment from. They stock the widest selection of camera gear and offer the best prices and also have a physical store in New York – it’s a photographer’s wonderland!
Amazon is another option when you want wide selection and low prices, particularly if you’re in the United States. International customers may find less selection and higher prices.

Websites from where you can buy cameras are (for INDIAN customers):
Photovatika.com
Snapdeal

Of course, the obvious downside of buying online is that you don’t get to see gear in person before you purchase it, so it’s best to make sure that any online shipper offers a fair return/exchange policy.

2. Specialty Camera Shops
Almost every city has a specialty camera shop. These shops cater to advanced hobbyist and professional photographers. Here you’ll find higher end cameras and a greater selection of lenses. You’ll also find a wider variety of higher quality accessories.
My experience with camera stores is that the prices are a little more variable (sometimes as low as online, sometimes not) and the service can be mixed.
But if you have an awesome speciality camera shop in your city, definitely consider supporting it. It can be worth paying a premium on your gear when it gets you access to knowledgeable staff and gives you ability to check out expensive gear in person.

3. Buying Used
You can save yourself some money by buying used gear. Check out eBay or your local classifieds (like OLX, Quikr or the good old newspaper). When you’re buying from classifieds, make sure you get the opportunity to examine and test the gear before you agree to purchase anything.

4. Warranties & Returns
Most cameras come with a warranty (usually 1 year). This is generally long enough to catch any serious problems with the equipment. Make sure to find out exactly what kind of warranty your gear comes with and what it covers – check the manual, read the fine print, or ask a salesperson.

5. Extended Warranties
Most stores will also offer the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty. It’s up to you whether you think it’s worth the price. Consider how careful you are with your gear, and whether you’ve needed warranties in the past. Also, consider the replacement cost of the item – an extended warranty will make more sense for a pricey piece of gear you’re hoping to hold onto forever compared to an inexpensive item you’re likely to want to upgrade in a couple years.
If you’re considering a warranty, see if you have the option to purchase the extended warranty at any time within the first year. If your camera breaks within the first year and is covered by the warranty, then you might want to consider getting the extended warranty in case it breaks again after the 1-year warranty expires.
If you’re purchasing the camera with a credit card, check to see if your credit card company offers any sort of automatic warranty extension. Some credit card companies will match the original warranty.

6. Returns
It’s a good idea to find out what a store’s return policy is before you purchase, in case you’re not satisfied with the camera. If a store doesn’t offer refunds, think carefully before making any big-purchases from them, even if they offer slightly lower prices than other places. We’re always happy to pay a bit extra if it means we have the option to send something back.

7. Reviews
Take your time to do some research before you purchase a camera, lens or any other pricey piece of gear. Read a review or two and see what other people are saying. When it comes to cameras, features and stats are awesome, but what matters more is how the camera performs in real-world situations!
Deep REVIEW
Deep Review is a great place for thorough reviews of virtually every camera! Just a note that the site is owned by Amazon, but we find the reviews pretty balanced. Be warned that there are often a lot of reviews, so it can be easy to get overwhelmed (information overload!).
Amazon and B&H Reviews
Another good place to check is the customer reviews on Amazon and B&H. Hearing the real-life experiences others have had with the camera you’re interested in can definitely help you make an informed decision.


Thanks for reading i hope to see you again in my next post.


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