“Ok, hold still.  Just wait, don’t move.  Look at mommy!!! Ready? Smile!”

Taking a good picture is a matter of luck and timing. By the time I get my kids’ attention, asked them to stop putting their two fingers behind someone else’s head, I have either lost the shot or my temper, usually both.

I have gradually come to realize that I am using the wrong the kind of camera, a Canon Digital PowerShot, for the type of photography I want to do.

I recently took an online quiz at www.dital-slr-guide.com, to try to figure out what kind of camera I needed. If you answer yes to the following questions, you may need a new one too.

• Do you want to take more professional-looking photos?
• Do you want to be able to change the lens attached to your camera?
• Do you want more control over the photos you take?
• Do you take a lot of photos of pets and children who are in constant motion?
• Do you take a lot of indoor photos?
• Do you need a faster shutter speed?

I actually answered yes to five of the six questions. I want to be able to zoom in and take action shots. Currently, I only have one shot at getting a good photo, after that it takes another 5 seconds before my camera is ready to shoot again.

So what options do I have? The SLR (SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex) digital cameras, are the kinds of cameras the pros use. More and more “prosumers” are buying them because the technology is very good, and they are becoming increasingly affordable. Well, more affordable.  An inexpensive digital SLR camera starts around $500 before you add the lens. Be prepared to spend at least an additional $100 on a lens. The one I want to buy starts at $1,079, and that’s just the body.  Add on an extra $639 for the telephoto lens. OUCH! Compared to a Canon PowerShot at $350, SLR cameras are NOT cheap.

I am doing a lot of research before I pull the trigger. Depending on the manufacturer, there are very few differences between the models.  I have visited the following websites to try to help with my decision.  But one thing I have noticed, there are “ProCanon” salespeople and there are “ProNikon” salespeople and no matter how much interest you show in the other brand, they won’t even talk about them with you.

Digital SLR Camera Reviews

1. reviews.Cnet.com
2. www.digitalreview.ca
3. www.pcnews.ca
4. www.nytimes.com

If anyone has any option on digital SLR cameras and would like to throw in their two cents, I welcome your comments.  I will keep you posted on the final outcome.

Cheese,

Julie

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 24th, 2005 at 1:25 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.