..When selecting a camera, the choice depends entirely on the way you intend to use it. It is safe to say, that a beginning photographer should start be using a basic 35 mm camera. They are both simple and powerful. The camera allows you to explore many avenues of photography while staying within a small budget for film. As your skills progress and your photographic interests become more focused, you may wish to obtain a different type of camera. However until that time the SLR offers many opportunites to experiment and learn.

Even deciding on a camera, whether it be a 35mm or a View Camera, the choice still narrows down to the make and model of that type of camera. For practical reasons we are only going to talk about 35mm cameras. Some major features will be listed below along with the advantages each offers.

 

...Built-in light meters - Virtually all SLR cameras built recently will have some sort of light metering device. A light meter performs a simple analysis on the subject or scenes lighting intesity and often provides a recommended setting for your f-stop. Some newer cameras will even do an automatic calculation and choose for you, to take some of the hassle out of taking the photograph. Reasons for not using a automatic would be that you may encounter a scene with unbalanced lighting or lighting that is coming from directions the meter may not see. Reasons for using an automatic exposure would be that it allows the photographer to not focus so much on the light availability, rather more on the scene itself and placement of the subject. Another reason would be a spontaniously provoked photograph or rapidly changing lighting. Most cameras can be expected to have a lightmeter, and an added feature would be the automatic light meter.

...Interchangeable Lenses - If you ever believe you will further develop an interest in photography, you should buy a camera that allows use of special lenses. Eventually you are certain to feel limited by using only one lens. Most newer 35 mm cameras have this as a mandatory feature. This is only a feature that will be of benefit as your skills develop and if you take photography to another level.

...Assorted Power Features - Some more advanced features such as shutter speed ranges, interchangeable viewfinders, electronic meter readouts, ability to take motor drives or winders, and so forth will all depend on your pocketbook. It does make much sense to buy more than you need at the time so that the features will be available as your skills develop.

 

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