11.04.08
Where Do you Want to Take Your Photography?
Hello Ladies and Gents!
So I do apologize for my extended leave of absence, but I have had a very busy couple of days and simply haven’t had the chance to sit down and write to you, as my deviant art account can attest to (322 un-viewed deviations >_<). heh, I need to catch up badly I guess, but I start here, with you!
Now, there are many things I can talk about right now. but I’m going to limit myself to just one topic (hey, I need something to write about tomorrow don’t I!). now, this is a subject that has come up a time or two in my experience, both working here at the shop (yes I’m at work right now) and in my professional experience. here is the scenario, your out shooting, nothing high end, or professional, and not using terribly high end equipment, but you drop your camera and your lens shatters! first of all, too bad you didn’t have a UV Filter over the lens, its not 100% guaranteed, but often times the Filter will take the brunt of the damage and possibly save you the trouble of what you now face in having to buy a new lens. well, often times the lens you broke is the kit lens to the camera, for Nikon and Canon the standard 18-55mm. first off, very few stores will carry that lens in stock, some might be willing to break a kit for you to get that lens, but you might pay a small premium for the lens due to the inconvenience it may cause the shop in having to replace to lens in the kit they broke up for you. now, most people will expect that lens to be a real cheap basic lens, often anticipating between 50 and 100$, sorry to burst your bubble, but even that kit lens sold separately will run you closer to 200 to 225$. now seeing that price tag on the lens you just broke, your heart sinks (now you wish you had spent the extra $15 on a UV Filter). Now you look around to see what other options might be there, but if your looking at price alone, you will only really find one lens cheaper than that, the 50mm F/1.8, which runs between 100 and 150$. price on that lens might be tempting, but you realize that that lens give you no zoom power, so it can be limiting for those of you who just want to walk around and have fun with your camera, also if you’re a Nikon shooter, depending on what camera you are using, you might also lose your AutoFocus. now you get even more discouraged so you ask for suggestions, and the guy behind the counter will be very happy to show you some. but prices could range from 300 to 500$ much more than the 50 to 100$ you where originally expecting. now, many of these lenses that the clerk is offering you will offer incredibly zoom ranges, some from 18mm to 270mm, and some lenses the clerk will say offer higher quality than your original 18-55mm Lens. this is where you need to make your decision. this decision from a question stand point is fairly simple, but when personal interests come into play it becomes MUCH more complex. the question becomes, where do you want to take your photography? if you simply want the cheapest lens you can get, your best bet would be to just have them break the kit, be forewarned if you take this rout, you might end up buying a second lens later wanting more range for farther distance shots. if you aren’t looking to move forwards into making some money in photography, and don’t mind spending a little extra money right now for a very convenient lens, then go with the SuperZoom lens, most people who just do walk around shooting, but aren’t looking to really move into the profession so aren’t worried about having the highest quality are VERY happy with these lenses and barring another drop incident, will never have to buy another lens again. but if your thinking you might want to start possibly making money off photography, then quality is of great importance, you want to give your customer (someone who is paying you for the quality a professional photograph implies) the best quality image possible so that they can spread the word to others about your photo’s and others will see you for the quality you offer.
So, the decision to make is simple, where do you want to take your photography…
