5 tips for buying your first dSLR

In the last few years photography has experienced an explosion of not only new cameras but also new photographers! There has been a massive amount of new digital camera offerings bringing about Photography Version 2.0. The ability to take a photograph and then retake it if it does not look good on the camera's LCD screen is nothing but revolutionary compared to where we were in the good old Film days.

Due in part to lowering cost as well as fast performance, the Digital SLR (or dSLR) is one of the hottest electronic items today. But where do you start, how to decide what camera is best for you? Read on and pick up a few things to look for when you decide.

1) Try it on for size! - Before buying a new dSLR go to your local camera retailer and handle a few. For me, Canon just seems to fit better in my hand then other brands. The controls work well for me, but that's just me. You need to go to the store and see what works for you. It may be a small consumer model, such as the Canon XTi or Nikon D40, or perhaps a larger body will work better for you. There is only one way to find out!

2) Megapixels don't matter (that much!) - Lets be honest here. Have you ever made a print larger then an 8x10? Are most of your prints 4x6 or 5x7? Then 4 megapixels are enough. Today's offerings of 6, 8 or even 10 megapixels in a consumer dSLR is plenty, so don't base your choice on megapixels alone. It is more important to consider image quality.

3) Get an extra battery - Most dSLR cameras come with great battery systems, capable of taking hundreds of shots without recharging. But what do you do when the battery runs out? Dropping in a few AA batteries is not an option. Be sure to get an extra battery so you don't run out when you cross paths with a great shot.

4) Buy a fast Memory Card - Your camera will bog down with a cheap, no name memory card. It's important to buy a card that will keep up with your camera and given how inexpensive they are today its a no brainer! I prefer Sandisk Ultra memory cards for my cameras, don't skimp when buying yours.

5) Don't buy a deal that sounds too good to be true! - Too many people have fallen victim to scams when they fall for the deal of a lifetime. There are many camera stores that advertise a low (way too low!) price for an expensive camera, only to try to sell you hundreds of dollars of "required accessories" that you don't need or could buy on your own for just a few bucks.

When you turn down the offer for the accessories (perhaps for the fourth or fifth time!) all of the sudden the camera will no longer be in stock! Ordering online is not an easy way around this either! They will call you to confirm the order and then try to up-sell you, and when you turn them down, again, it will out of stock. Just walk away, it is not worth getting involved with these shady companies. Go with a reputable store like B&H, Adorama, Calumet and other good businesses. This is a great time to search for them on resellerratings.com to see what kind of a business they run.

BONUS Tip!!! - When you buy a camera you are buying into a camera system. Make sure that the camera line you buy into will be able to grow with you. Some camera lines have more lenses, flashes and accessories then others. Take this into consideration when it is time to buy.

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter." - Ansel Adams

Good luck with your new camera!