The Doctor Is In

At gatherings, it used to be the doctor getting all the questions and complaints about pain and unease. That has changed over the past years and now it's the digital photographer getting the "house" calls.

Besides the ubiquitous, "What camera should I buy?"; we're getting more substantive questions about printers, lenses and other photographic paraphernalia. And we answer these without a degree!

I've spoken to some photographers that revel in the attention, sometimes holding court as the expert in the house. Others shy from the limelight, unsure about what to say or feeling inadequate about giving advice.

One of the predictions I made a few years ago has come true this past year; digital single-lens reflex cameras coming down in price, well under the magic $1,000.00 barrier. They are now almost to the price point of 35mm cameras, prior to when digital technology made film cameras almost redundant.

Last night a friend called me, ready to purchase a new family camera and wanted some help in making her decision. She has two teenage children, that play soccer, and needs a camera with enough lens to get some images of the kids playing, but also be able to take the regular family vacation and birthday pictures.

The photographic industry has a wide cache of available camera models and the DSLR models span far more manufacturers today than ever before. Most of the time, when I hear others answering a prospective buyer's questions, I sense a bias towards the photographer's current camera model.

I believe I need to remain agnostic to brand and really listen to the questions, before offering opinions and, when I do, have anecdotal evidence handy to back up my claims. Especially in the current economic climate, I think it's important to give a prospective buyer the benefits of practical knowledge encompassing both an entry level expenditure, as well as a road-map for future purchases.

For instance, does a home/hobbyist photographer need $600-$800 zoom lenses, when a less expensive one will suffice, and a road-map which will include the possibility of adding third-party brands, such as Sigma, Tamron, Tokina? What benefit would a family derive from a full-frame sensor over that of an APS-C sensor (wouldn't the magnification factor be an advantage for the soccer-mom)?

It's far easier if you are speaking with other professional photographers, as you can toss around technical terminology, knowing you both are speaking a common language. People just entering the digital camera market usually have a limited vocabulary based on film cameras or just point-and-shoot models.

Last night, Mrs. Soccer-Mom and I had a long conversation about her needs; how she viewed using the camera; and came to some conclusions. She decided to buy a Nikon D40 and an 18-135mm zoom as her starter package.