When beginning to dive into the world of photography, most fans are usually drawn in by super high quality photos. I see a lot of green horns get discouraged after one or two photo shoots because they think their photos don’t look like others do. This often causes photographers to think if they purchase expensive camera products their photos will be better. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. When looking online for camera attachments, the most expensive products are usually the first results you see. Some Youtube channels make top ten lists to try and help newer users to get started, but there is one small problem. Most Youtube videos that people watch are mostly product placement by companies just trying to sell you more of their gear. Instead of spending a fortune on these super high quality lenses, instead take a chance to look at what you already have. Pull out your owner's manual, if you still have it, and give it a quick once over. You may find it surprising how much information you may not know about your camera. Once you have caught up on your camera, look at the lens to see what kind of glass you are working with. Find the focal length, maximum zoom capacity, and what bodies it fits on. If you are not familiar with any of those terms, you can refer to a post I have that explains those terms in depth. You can also reread the owner's manual to your lens as well if you have one. Once you have this information gathered, see if what you have will work for what kind of photos you're looking for. If you find yourself still not getting the correct pictures, here are some things to take into consideration when buying new items for your camera. First rule in my book is to always find the best price. Start at the manufacturer's website to find the exact lens or camera body that you are looking to buy. I find that starting with the manufacturer is best because they usually have the highest prices. Next, research other sites such as Amazon or Ebay to see if you can find competing prices. Finally, make sure the lens or camera body will capture the right kind of photo you are looking for. Most websites give example photos that can help you visualize what picture quality you will get. If you follow these simple guidelines, your next purchase will be money well spent.
