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After
reading an article by a similar name in Popular Photography, December 2003
written by Mason Resnick, I wanted to share with you some highlights from
that article as well as adding a few more. As scrapbookers, images are our
mainstay...without them, our scrap-possibilities are limited. We might be
tempted to buy the very best--most expensive equipment we can afford, or
save our money and buy only what will get us by. To Save or To
Splurge?...that is the question!
Cameras (SLR) - save -- It isn't always necessary to buy the very top
of the line because nowadays, even the entry level SLR's have many of the
custom features and options of the higher end cameras. If you don't need
the rugged durability that the upper end cameras offer, save your money!
Resnick suggests making a list of the options that you think you "must have"
and look at cameras from bottom up that have the options you need. You can
find some really great cameras with most of the bell and whistles for under
$500.
Cameras (point and shoot) - splurge -- With point and shoot cameras
you'll probably find that the more you pay: the more options that are
available to you; the better the focusing range and quality; the better the
make and durability; the better the images! However, my personal advice is
that if you are willing to pay $200 for the best point and shoot make sure
you research some SLR's in that range. In the long run, SLRs simply offer
more choices with the amount of lenses (and filters) available.
Lenses - splurge -- All the way baby! Splurge! What is a picture?
An image...right? What makes or breaks the image? The lens! If you are
serious about photography or want images that are true to life, the
higher-performing lenses are the way to go. Get the best you can
afford--your pictures will thank you.
Are there exceptions to this splurge rule? Yeah... If you rarely enlarge
images past 5x7, image quality differences are harder to detect and so a
lower-performing lens may be all you need. If however, you like to enlarge
to 8x10 or larger better-performing lenses are a must. Also, low light or
sports photography can't always be done justice with the "little guys"--fast
glass (lenses with large aperture possibilities f2.8 or larger) may make
your belly flop and your heart sing! Trust me.
Consider what type of photographs you like to take (portrait, landscape,
sports, macro (close-up), etc... Spend your money on the best lens you can
afford for what situations you photograph the most. (personal note: Before
a recent vacation, I wanted a wide-angle lens (something below 35mm) to
photograph beaches. However, I knew that architecture and broad landscapes
weren't something that I shoot a lot of. In fact, I imagined counting on my
fingers and toes the times I planned on using this lens in the future. What
did I do?-- I saved. The amount of use--for me--justified saving my money.)
Filters - save -- As long as you stick to some trusted brands of the
filter biz and pick glass filters over plastic, there is no need to spend a
ton of money on them. Cokin, Tiffen, Hoya, Sunpak (to name a few) are all
reputable manufacturers of filters. Figure out what you need, check if it's
made by one of these guys and buy the cheapest you can find. Your future
lens purchases will thank you for it. (personal note: If you splurge on
your dream lens, don't forget a UV filter to protect your splurge from dust
and scratches...)
Film - splurge -- Buy often. Buy a lot. Buy all kinds of brands. Buy
all ISO ranges. Stick 'em in your fridge and don't worry about shooting
that one perfect frame; take a bunch of frames of the same thing or pose.
Sometimes it takes 10 to get you 1 great shot! If you are like me and can't
make it to the developer within 48 hours of shooting a roll, get the cheap
stuff. The more expensive film is very sensitive and often requires
processing quickly after exposure or the color advantages that made the film
cost more in the first place will end up being the downfall. If you are
taking really special pictures and want great color and skin tones, get the
good stuff and developed it immediately after exposure. You can stick the
stuff in the fridge and that will buy you a few days until you have a breath
of free time to take it in. The cheap stuff however, does just fine on the
counter after exposure as long as it isn't in the direct sunlight...that'll
buy you a few weeks. :)
It's nice to splurge on film so that you can experiment with different makes
and "models" and see what you like best. It's also nice to have film on
hand whenever the need (or mood) fits. So, what are you waiting for? Go
buy some film!
Flash - save -- Oh, I've been tempted here a million and a half times
and I've done fairly well resisting most temptations. Read your camera's
manual and find out what your camera can handle before you buy. It is
possible to buy an after-market flash that is "more" than what your camera
needs or can handle. Often, manuals will suggest flash units that are most
compatible. Ask a pro for an after-market make that will work well with
your camera (Sunpak--for example); that could save you a ton of money!
Tripods - splurge -- Let me put it this way: Would you rather ride a
three legged horse? No? Afraid it might tip over? Would you rather put
your precious gear of a sturdy and strong base or a flimsy, tip over at the
slightest breeze rig? "Nuff said. Tripods matter! What to look for?
Carbon-fiber tripods cost more but are lighter and stronger than others. If
money isn’t something you want to spend or weight isn’t something you want
to lug around, consider a monopod...you’ll save money and they won’t give
you a hernia.
Camera bags - splurge -- You don’t need to find a camera bag that holds
4 lenses if you aren’t planning on lugging all 4 around with you all the
time or if you only have two and don’t want them rattling around in empty
space--crashing into each other as your yank the bag out of the car... ehem.
But, you do want something that protects your expensive gear from the
weather and your clumsiness. It should to be padded but doesn’t need to
look like a spy case. So, after that is said...get the bag that your gear
needs and that your shoulder can handle and one that will protect it and
haul it all in one. (personal note: I like Lowepro... the Nova 1 is small
but can hold my camera body with lens, an extra lens, some filters and a
manual).
So, before you are faced with your next purchase...Splurge or Save.
-- Kate Nelson
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