Photography on a budget




Photography is an expensive hobby. The cost of equipment, films, and processing can quickly add up. However, you can build a complete and affordable system without sacrificing quality. Today's technology is allowing manufacturers to produce quality cameras and lenses as well as other photo accessories at much lower prices than before. If you are on a limited budget, consider one of the lower priced cameras from any of the major manufacturers. As I have mentioned on several other articles, cameras are not as important as lenses. A better lens on a lower price camera produces much better photographs than a cheap lens on an expensive camera. I could have taken all photographs you see on this site with any cameras currently available in the market (except program mode only models) regardless of their model or brand. If you need to decide between a more expensive camera and lens, choose the better lens. To produce sharp photographs, you need sharp lenses.

Pick a camera that has at least aperture priority and/or manual modes. Avoid a camera that has only Program mode. You need to take control over your photography. If you use program mode, the camera is always in control. Switch to aperture priority or manual, and you call the shots. 1-1/1000 sec shutter speeds is enough. Don't worry if your camera won't fire at 1/8000 sec. You don't need it. You rarely if ever need anything faster than 1/1000 sec. Slower speeds come in handy more often than faster ones. Most cameras made today go as long as 30 sec. If the model you are considering doesn't have speeds lower than 1 sec. it's OK. Select bulb setting (B) which comes after the slowest shutter speed and count the seconds using your watch. Other features such as exposure compensation, manual ISO setting, autofocus, and built in winders can make photography easier. Many affordable cameras include these features.

 For general photography a pair of zoom lenses can cover most of your subjects. Consider a 28-85mm or 35-70mm for your wide angle to short tele shots and a 75-210mm or a 75-300mm zoom for covering distant subjects. Most manufacturers now offer kits which include a camera and a 28-80mm or 35-70mm zoom lens at affordable prices. Some even have a two zoom kits which include either a 70-210mm or 75-300mm lens. The quality of these zooms are very good and if you ever switch to another camera, you can always keep the lenses. Independent manufacturers also offer quality and affordable lenses at lower prices than camera manufacturer lenses and should be seriously considered.

 Camera manufacturers are adding a pop up flash to their beginner and amateur line of cameras. This should be enough if you don't really need a more powerful flash. Save your money for a good tripod and purchase a flash later. A tripod is one of the most important accessories if you want to take sharp and well composed images. Avoid very light models. These cost around $30 but I guarantee that you will replace them soon for a better one if you are serious about photography. Spend a little more and buy a well made, steady tripod. For under a $100 you can buy a new solid tripod that can last you for a very long time. Good thing about tripods is that they never become obsolete. I wasted a lot of money on cheap tripods before I bought a solid model for $80, and still using it.

Many of the current beginner and amateur cameras have all the features you really need and are affordable. A pair of zoom lenses cost much less than a single zoom of only a few years ago and with much better quality. Don't think that you need to own a top of the line camera or lens for good photography. If you are on a low budget, pick a camera model and lens you can afford now and enjoy photography. If you ever purchase another camera or other lenses in the future, you can always use your current system as a back up. I still use my first lens. A 28-80mm zoom which has seen more action than some of my more expensive lenses.  

Recommended Lenses Tamron AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Wide Angle Zoom Lens Tamron's AF19-35mm F/3.5-4.5 is a affordable super wide-angle zoom ideal for travel, landscape, group portrait, adventure photography and more. Offering an authentic super wide-angle range with an angle of view of 97°- 63° and a close M.O.D. of 19.68 inches, this 19-35mm provides dramatic and fun image making. The lens is easy to carry anywhere as it weighs just 10.5 ounces and is only 2.66 inches long. It also features a fixed front element group and filter mount, facilitating the use of polarizing filters.

For Canon Tamron AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Wide Angle Zoom Lens, Canon

For Nikon Tamron AF 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Wide Angle Zoom Lens, Nikon