Should I?
I have been thinking about investing in a DSLR camera but every time I get close to buying one I don’t. I have researched what I want and need in a camera and I have a budget. It came down to two cameras, one being the Nikon D40x and the other being the Canon EOS 1000D. After narrowing it down (online) to the two cameras I went into a store to actually look and get a feel of them. I instantly liked the Nikon better, it felt better, looked better and was more comfortable to hold, where as the Canon felt bulky and too “plasticy”. Although the Canon has some better features, I have been told.
I am an amateur when it comes to photography and only have basic knowledge on exposure, aperture and all that photo lingo. I am keen to learn though and I think owning a DSLR will push me to learn. The only problem is I just can’t seem to do it, to buy the camera.
I have never bought myself a solitary item worth more than $500, apart from my car which technically I don’t own until the loan is paid off. My laptop was my 20th birthday present from my mum, my engagement ring and other rings I obviously didn’t pay for, my gold chain with elephant pendant was a 21st birthday present and my video camera was a prize I won in a design competition. Somehow I feel guilty spending that much money on myself and only myself. If it were something for my family I would have no qualms as it would be a shared item.
Carl keeps telling me to buy it, and that I deserve it. I keep telling myself it will be worth it-that I can take pictures of my son growing up. But then I think, well I already have a camera that does a half decent job of taking photos, do I really need an SLR? I worry that what if I get bored of photography, that its only a phase like so many other things, or that I am really bad at it, that it will be a waste of money. Or what if I buy the wrong camera and regret it forever. Am I just being silly here?
We got a Nikon D40 a few months ago, which I thought was an unnecessary and extravagant purchase. I already had a nice little HP digital, and an older Kodak digital, so why buy something else?
After a few months of use, I’m glad we bought it, and barely touch the other cameras, except for the occasional mini video with the HP. The Nikon photo quality is exponentially better than the others, and I can shoot pictures in quick succession, so it’s easier to get that perfect shot.
My grandson is 16 months old, and moves pretty fast, and the Nikon is great for getting shots of him in action. With the other cameras, the photos aren’t as crisp, so the prints aren’t as nice.
Since you can afford it, I recommend that you go for it!
Comment by Debra Dalgleish - September 17, 2008 2:03 pm
I love Canon. I have a Powershot, which isn’t as good as the EOS by any means, and I’m very happy with it. It’s refurbished, a few years old, and not the best model, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how awesome it is.
Of course, I don’t really have any Nikon experience, so I can’t make a comparison.
Comment by Clem - September 17, 2008 8:42 pm
I’ve tried the D40, it’s a great camera. I’ve also tried different Canons too, I still prefer Nikon.
I say go for it. If you find yourself losing interest you can always sell it on ebay.
I sold my Olympus e-500 after a year and still got a pretty penny out of it and it’s lenses.
Comment by Kiera - September 19, 2008 11:15 pm
I got the EOS 1000D for my birthday this year, and I absolutely love it. It’s light, it’s small (I have small hands and I’m a weakling) and it does everything I need it to do and more. I definitely recommend it.
And yes you -do- need a dslr; once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever managed with ‘just’ a point and shoot!
Comment by Rachael - October 9, 2008 10:16 pm