Equipment

I am often asked about the “best” camera or equipment to buy and my answer has always been, “it depends”. Depends on a multitude of factors- your budget, your need for convenience, compactness, the need to override settings, etc. Since it is difficult to have one singular recommendation, I have made some very broad assumptions and divided photographers into three categories.

You are a minimalist if:

• You will make do with your smartphone.
• You prefer to spend time elsewhere than on great “picture taking”.
• You are willing to learn to use some apps and composition skills
• Your our budget is pretty much zero, except for carrying your smartphone, you do not want to invest in any more equipment.

Click here to see what I recommend for you. You may also want to read my Learn from a Boring Flower Vase post. It will give you an idea about what you can expect if you start carrying a small camera around.

You are an enthusiast if:

• You do not mind carrying a separate camera
• You want to take good photos in dim light
• You are willing to learn slightly more advanced composition skills
• You are willing to put some money down towards a decent camera.
• However, you are not too interested in learning about camera principles, light levels, shutter speed, aperture, etc.

Click here to see what I recommend for you. You may also want to read my Learn from a Boring Flower Vase post. It will give you an idea about what you can expect if you start understanding camera settings, use a better sensor and a bigger lens can do for you.

You are a semi-professional or an advanced amateur if:

•  You are willing to invest some time along with money to take your photographs to the next level.
• You do not mind carrying, not just a camera, but also some accessories like a flash, tripod, filters, etc.
• You either know how light level, shutter speed and lens aperture interact, or are getting there.
• You are willing to invest in your hobby because you gain enormous satisfaction from your photos.
• You do not mind learning a new software, you may have already dabbled with the likes of Photoshop Elements, Picasa, etc.

Click here to see what I recommend for you. You may also want to read my Learn from a Boring Flower Vase post about the differences between various camera formats available today and the advantages of each.