The Best Camera…

“I love that picture…what kind of camera do you have?”

When asked that question, first and foremost, I am grateful for the nice words and hopeful that my passion for photography is able to touch and inspire others.  Having first said that, I always find it a challenge to answer the equipment question, let me attempt to explain.

To answer the immediate question, I have several cameras:

• Canon EOS 60D
• Canon PowerShot HS50SX
• Fujifilm FinePix XP-70
• Samsung Cell Phone
• GPS with a Camera

Which one is the best?  The answer is simply, the one I have with me!  I did not coin that phrase but wholehearted support the idea that the gear is far less important than what you do with what you have.  More importantly, it is getting out and experiencing what is around us far outweighs the image that is captured.  My goal is to try to refocus the discussion on the experience and using the tools available in far more affordable cameras to capture exciting images than wasting precious resources for equipment and capability that won’t be used.

It is natural to assume that it takes a really nice (and expensive) camera to capture great moments.  So, here’s the quiz, match the following pictures with the camera used to take it:

If the point I am trying to make is that the camera doesn’t matter, the next logical question is why do I have so many cameras?  The simple answer is that they all have different uses which have far less to do with photography and far more to do with the experience.

• The Canon EOS 60D is my DSLR. With a couple extra interchangeable lenses, this enthusiast-level DSLR gives me the greatest photographic options and controls. It is not a professional-level camera and is very reasonably priced for the capability it offers. This is not intended to promote any brand or model of camera. An entry-level DSLR offers many of the same widely-used controls and many brands have exceptional entry and enthusiast-level cameras. I just happened to find this model attractive at the time.
• The Canon PowerShot HS50SX joined the collection after dragging the 60D equipment up the mountain a couple of times along with a full backpack. I quickly realized that something much smaller and lighter was a necessity! This point-and-shot camera was appealing because it was much smaller and lighter but still gave me a reasonable amount of lighting control.
• The Fujifilm FinePix XP-70 is waterproof and relatively inexpensive. We enjoy various watersports and it’s not worth risking the other equipment.
• Cell phone camera…who doesn’t have one of those?
• GPS camera…never use it!

While my point is that it’s less about the technology and more about the experience, get out and have some fun!!  There are definitely some unique situations where very specific gear is needed.  When photographing the night sky, I pretty much need the 60D.  Photographing wildlife in the backcountry from great distances needs to have a strong telephoto lens.  Fast-moving objects need a quick focus and fast shutter speed.  Most importantly, capturing great moments is all about the photographer.

So, when someone asks me what type of camera to get to really start learning photography, I usually ask what they are looking to take pictures of.  If they aren’t looking to understand depth of focus, focal length, aperture, shutter speeds, etc., a simple point and shoot is great.  If they want to learn more, I suggest an entry-level DSLR.  Once they learn, they can then decide where they want to invest their resources.  The entry-level DSLR is a great back-up camera.  My daughter showed an interest in photography to start taking pictures of her young kids as they grew.  We got a Canon Rebel with an extra telephoto lens that came as a kit.  I think she has some talent!

Looking for some photo tips?

• Photography…In the Zone
• Putting a Little Light on Exposure
• Zoom Into Focal Length
• My Composing Eye
• It’s All Perspective

If you were wondering?

• Helicopter was taken with the PowerShot
• Mountain climbers taken with the phone camera
• Kayaking shot taken with the FinePix (waterproof)
• Waves hitting the rocks taken with the 60D

Enjoy!!  Get out!! 🙂