Buying A Camera? Here's My 2 Cents

Camera is an optical instrument used for photography.

We normally hear about, or find the below four types of cameras:

1. Conventional with manual focus and picture-roll.
2. Digital one without roll with most of the functions performed automatically.
3. Video-camera having only video facility, also known as cine-camera and
4. Camera in mobile-phones and hidden detective camera.

Because, I am not much interested in the history of the camera and since we’re talking about buying a camera ‘today’, let me mention the details regarding present day digital cameras with different functions. They can be categorized in two typical types:

1. Simple Digital Camera: It is the cheapest one with practically all the functions set on auto mode. They are also known as point-and-shoot camera type. These are user friendly ones and can satisfy all general photography needs, plus these are very portable so easy to carry around.
2. Digital SLR (D-SLR) Camera: Single lens reflex camera. These are referred to as ‘professional cameras’ and are bulky and costlier.

Irrespective of the size, configuration and customizing options, following are some of the features all present day camera are linked with:

1. Shutter Speed: Amount of time for which the shutter (or the opening of the camera) remains open. This is normally measured in part of a second. Usual values are 5 seconds to 1/4000th of a second. In low light we need shutter to be open for longer duration so that more amount of light can fall on the sensor.
2. Aperture: The hole or opening which allows light to fall on the sensor. It is given as F-stops, like F3.5, F4.5, F5 etc. It is ratio of the size of the opening. Smaller the number, more is the opening size.
3. Zooming of lens and Shooting distance
4. Focus Lock
5. Frame: The contents of the given image of a ‘single exposure’ is termed frame.
6. ISO: This is the light sensitivity of the film or the roll. In digital cameras this is controlled by the voltage of the cells of the camera sensor. Normal values are ISO 100, 200, 400, upto 6400 in latest cameras. For less light situations, ISO should be set to higher values.
7. Sensor: This is the electronic component of digital cameras where the image is formed. The bigger the sensor, the better the pictures and also the cost increases.

Camera Care:

The camera of today is a precision instrument – any negligence will end in total irreparable loss of function. Before you buy a sensitive digital camera, you should be well aware of way of handling and maintaining a camera.

1. Avoid fingerprints or dirt on lens, clean the lens immediately with soft cloth or lens cleaning soft tissue soaked in lens-cleaning solution.
2. Wipe camera after use at seaside, desert or dusty area.
3. Never attempt to repair a camera oneself.
4. Take care of avoiding camera drop or intense shock exposure.
5. Keep a spare battery and charger handy.
6. Avoid keeping camera near hot place for long time like closed car in sunlight, sea-shore or desert.
7. If you are not using camera for some time, remove batteries to avoid damage due to leakage.

Camera Cost:

The known companies related to camera are Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony, Pentax, Fujifilm, Panasonic and Casio.

Prices of camera in India, as on 25-04-2012, are as follows (in Indian Rupees):

Digital point-and-shoot camera:

1. Fujifilm Fineplex L30 Digital                   INR 3999
2. Canon Powershot A1200 Digital            INR 4360
3. Nikon Coolpix Digital                             INR 5740
4. Nikon Coolpix S8100                            INR 12198

Semi-SLR:

1. Canon Powershot SX40                        INR 22305
2. Nikon Coolpix SZ 10 Digital                  INR 13199
3. Olympus SZ 10 Digital                           INR 13199

Digital SLR:

1. Canon EOS 1100 D SLR                     INR 29090
2. Canon EOS 555 DEF SLR                  INR 52285
3. Canon 550 D SLR                               INR 334915
4. Canon EOS 600 D SLR                       INR 65950

Camcorders:

1. Sony DCR SX 45 E Handycam           INR 15969
2. Terica MC-10                                     INR 3999
3. Canon Legria HF R 205                      INR 19395
4. Genius G Shot DV 505                        INR 4049

Now, you can plan for purchase of camera:

1. Decide budget.
2. Decide the purpose or need of photography.
3. Find out your own level of expertise: Beginner, experienced or professional.
4. For simple casual photos, 2 Mega-pixel camera can also do.
5. For closeup needs, decide zoon level 3X, 4X etc.
6. Check price of desired camera specifications on internet, market and different stores.
7. Avoid purchasing from grey market.
8. Get proper bill and warranty card duly filled with date and properly signed.

Special thanks to Kaushal Suthar for the evaluation and value-add to this article.