How to Pick a 35mm Camera

Since you will be investing a decent amount of money in buying a 35 mm camera, taking the time to choose the right one is important. If you have already decided to buy a film camera and not a digital camera, you have taken a step towards choosing the best camera. But you still need to decide between the many different features that are available. A quality camera that takes great shots will be an investment that you will enjoy for many years.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebook
• Pen

How to Choose a 35 mm Camera

1. Outline your goals for your new camera. What is the primary thing(s) you will be photographing? In your notebook, compile a written list of the main subjects you will be photographing with your new 35 mm camera. This will help you choose a camera with the right features.

2. 
    
   A typical SLR Camera

   Decide whether you want a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera or a regular point-and-shoot camera. SLRs are more like professional cameras, with interchangeable lenses and more user controls. When you use an SLR, the image you see in the viewfinder is exactly what the lens is seeing. A point-and-shoot camera has a viewfinder that shows a slightly different image than the lens sees, which can cause you to cut off people's heads when taking pictures if you are not careful.

3. Decide how much zoom you want on your camera. In most cases, the more zoom you have, the more expensive the camera will be. You can add zoom capabilities to an SLR using extra lenses.

4. Decide on a budget. When it comes to purchasing a camera, you can spend as much or as little as you want. Plan to spend at least $150 if you want a good quality camera.

5. Visit a camera store that has display cameras available. Try to find a store that allows you to pick up the cameras and does not keep them tied to a table. Handle some cameras that have the features you want, looking through the viewfinder and pretending to take some pictures. Make notes in your notebook about what you find as you check out the different cameras.

6. Look at online reviews before purchasing a camera. Find out what others say about the models you like best. This will tell you about hidden problems, like a low battery life or a flash that breaks easily.

7. Choose a camera that has the features you want and feels comfortable to use. Consider the weight of the camera, because it will likely be strapped around your neck or hung over your shoulder from time to time.

8. Choose a camera that has user controls you can understand and manage easily. A surplus of buttons and levers does not necessarily make a camera a better fit for your needs. If you do not understand how to use those controls, they will be worthless to you, and they may cause you to mess up an important shot.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider your future needs when buying a camera. For instance, if you are thinking of starting a family, choose a camera that will make it easy to capture pictures of kids.
• Never purchase a camera without handling it first. Even if you do not buy the camera at the camera store, visit the store and feel the camera to make sure it is comfortable for you to use.

Resources

• Consumer Reviews on 35 mm Cameras