Cameras
When deciding what kind of camera to buy, a
detailed checklist of questions is a useful way to help you determine
which product best suits your needs. Some of the relevant issues
are:
- purchase price
- processing costs
- automatic and manual exposure
controls
- image capture format
- presentation size and
format
- durability
- compatibility with existing
equipment
- expandability
- size and portability
Purchase Price
Generally, for equivalent features, you will find that
prices increase from 35 mm to APS (advanced photo system) to digital
cameras to digital camcorders which have camera modes. However, at
the least expensive end of the spectrum, the difference is hardly
significant.
Since 35 mm photography has been around so long, the
broadest range of selection exists in this format for cameras,
attachments, and film. However, if you are interested in a camera
which is largely automatic in operation, then the issue of
accessories selection is almost irrelevant.
Some companies have developed fairly sophisticated cameras
in the APS format, with most of the manual and automatic features you
would find in the 35 mm format. However, there are relatively few to
choose from.
In the digital format, which at the consumer level is
relatively new, the product selection is fairly limited, with a few
cameras that stand out. The most important issue in selecting a
digital camera is in the size of the image you capture as measured in
pixels of width and height, and the quality of the lens and capture
hardware. The more pixels there are per exposure, the crisper the
images will be. If you already have a personal computer and a colour
printer, then there is nothing else you need to produce your own hard
copies of the pictures you capture with your digital
camera.
Processing Costs
In general terms, the relative processing costs are the
reverse of the purchase prices, with digital formats being the least
expensive, 35 mm more, and at the present time APS being the most
expensive per image. The rationale for this line of reasoning is as
follows.
With the digital camera, you need the camera, a personal
computer to download the images to, an internal or removable disk to
store the images on, and a printer to make hard copies of your
pictures. Most every digital camera will come with a software package
to load on your computer to download the images from your camera,
manipulate them, and print them out. The memory in the camera is
re-usable, so there is no ongoing cost for film. You are doing your
own processing in downloading the images to the computer, and
printing out those you want to have on paper. So, aside from high
quality paper and the cost of printer ink, plus your time, there is
no significant processing cost. Even if you print out an 8" x 10"
print the cost of coated paper and ink will work out to about $1.25
US per image, which is a lot cheaper than the cost from a dealer for
a custom cropped 8" x 10" print. On the other hand, the quality of
prints is dependent on the quality of your printer. This methodology
requires the most time and effort from you, but with the least
material costs once you have the camera, computer, and
printer.
The 35 mm camera will require film, and processing for each
roll of film, and more processing if you want to have the images
enlarged or translated to a digital format you can manipulate on your
computer (whether by your own scanner, or by a dealer). However, the
format has been around so long, that the initial processing costs are
less expensive than for APS. The APS format forced photo dealers to
buy new equipment for processing, which they in turn pass on to
you.
Automatic and Manual Exposure
Controls
If you want total control over the exposure, then
you will be spending more to get a camera with the controls you
desire. On the other hand, if you want the camera to determine the
proper exposure so that you can enjoy other things, then a simpler
and less expensive camera will suit you just fine.
Image Capture Format
The images will be captured on transparency (slide)
film, colour negative (print) film, or as a digital file. For 35 mm,
the choices are slide or print film in the entry level price ranges
we are covering here. For APS, generally you will be using print
film. And for digital cameras, you will be saving the images as an
electronic file.
The most detail, and therefore best pictures will be
captured using 35 mm equipment. The negatives and slides for this
format are larger than for APS. The bigger the negative, the more
detail is captured. Also, the current film technology is better at
capturing colours accurately and with greater detail than the
consumer level digital equivalents.
So for the quality of image, the best is 35 mm, next best is
APS, and then finally digital. However, depending on what you intend
to do with your pictures, the differences may be acceptable to
you.
Presentation Size and Format
If you intend to view your pictures on your
computer monitor, or transfer them to a VHS tape to view on TV, then
the quality you will get with a digital camera will satisfy your
needs. If you intend to print post card size images, and nothing
larger, then any of these formats will deliver acceptable
images.
If you like to enlarge some of your images to 8" x 10" or
more, then 35 mm is the best choice, with APS next
best.
Durability
Try to find a camera with a metal body, that is
water resistant. Water resistance will be easier to find than a metal
body. Any camera you buy is a sensitive piece of equipment, but with
proper care will serve you well for many years.
Compatibility with Existing
Equipment
For point and shoot cameras, this is a minor
issue. If you are going to purchase a 35 mm or APS camera which has
replaceable lenses and a means to attach filters, then it is
something to be aware of. For digital cameras, make sure that your
personal computer has everything necessary to receive the images your
camera produces without adding memory, disk space, a special port to
download images, or even an image capture card. Or if you do need any
of these features, factor that into your purchasing
decision.
Expandability
Unless you are going to buy a camera with
interchangeable lenses and filters, this is not an issue. If you are
going to buy such a camera, find out how many other models you can
use your accessories with. In the 35 mm format, you will find most
lenses fit a whole product line. In the APS format, there are few
cameras with interchangeable lenses, so be careful about how much of
your equipment you can still use with another, more expensive camera
if you intend to upgrade your camera as your skills
develop.
Size and Portability
Most of the entry level cameras are fairly small,
and come with a carrying case, so portability is pretty much a given.
If you buy a camera that has interchangeable lenses and attachments,
then you will need a separate bag to hold them. As far as camera
size, look for designs that fit well in your hands, with control
buttons and dials that are easy to reach and manipulate while you are
trying to frame the shot.
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