If you’re thinking you want to get some photographic evidence of the time you spend outdoors, now’s a great time to buy a camera. The prices on digital cameras have fallen a lot since I started shooting, and there are some fantastic cameras out there for very decent prices.
I’m not a big fan of point-and-shoots, but they’ve improved remarkably over the last couple of years. If you’re thinking about a Single Lens Reflex, though, you can’t go wrong with anything made by Canon or Nikon. The other brands out there have their merits, too, but nobody builds a camera like the two heavyweights in the camera world.
Now there are mirrorless versions of the SLRs, and that’s opened the door to Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and several other companies. With all these types of cameras to choose from, and so many manufacturers getting into the game, there are some great cameras out there, and the prices of all of them just keep dropping.
And you don’t have to buy the most expensive one, either. The price of the camera is nowhere near as important as the ability of the photographer.
The best thing about digital cameras is the instant feedback. When I first started shooting, I had to wait hours or even days for my pictures to be developed. Now, instead of waiting, I have a miniature version of what I shot right there on the back of the camera. I know immediately that I had it out of focus, or the light was wrong, or the strap was hanging over the lens. That’s usually how it happens.
I have gotten better, but I’m still learning. Chances are you’ll learn faster than I do. If you’re thinking of getting a camera, now’s a great time to do it. You’ll get more camera for less money than ever before, and you have all summer to learn how to use it.
