My dream camera costs $3,000. I don’t have $3,000. Perhaps that’s why I don’t own my dream camera. Santa still hasn’t delivered my Dyson, so I’m thinking he probably isn’t going to be filling my stocking with a Nikon D800 any time soon. As much as reality bites, I know I am not alone. While there are dozens of high-quality, luxury DSLR cameras on the market, most people don’t have the funds to purchase them new. For shutterbugs looking to get their hands on cutting-edge picture-taking tools without breaking the bank, there is the used camera option. High-tech cameras can … Continue reading →

Here’s a lesson my sister-in-law learned the hard way while crafting my parents Christmas gift: Disable your camera’s date and time stamp if you plan to use the images to create a photo calendar. My mom and dad received a gorgeous 2012 calendar from my brother and sister-in-law this morning. It is filled with colorful pictures of my young nephew’s first trip to Disneyland, Sea World and Legoland, plus dozens of candid shots of other family members. However, each of the images also features tiny numbers listing the date and time the photo was snapped. The date and time are … Continue reading →

If you have been dreaming of upgrading from a basic point-and-shoot camera to an advanced digital SLR, but didn’t think you could afford the move, now is the time to act. During the fall, camera manufacturers roll out new SLR models and phase out older versions. Consequently, you can snag amazing deals on SLR cameras, though you’ll have to wade through a flood of options in order to find the one that suits your shooting needs. For those of you looking to upgrade to a fancier camera, SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. Basically, the camera is designed to allow … Continue reading →

The prospect of shopping for a new digital camera can be daunting, especially if you are moving from a simple point-and-shoot to an elaborate DSLR. Initially I was thrilled to graduate from my tiny point-and-shoot, but once I got to the store and started testing out expensive DSLR models, my confidence level plummeted. DSLR cameras come equipped with a litany of features, some of which you may never use a single time during the course of your ownership. I would highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the camera’s menu and its features prior to purchasing. Some camera menus are a lot … Continue reading →

Now that my daughter is more fish than kid, I’m thinking of investing in a camera that will allow me to snap shots underwater. Since neither of my parents swim there is little chance that they will ever get to see their one and only granddaughter navigate below the surface of the water. By purchasing a waterproof camera I can document life under the sea, so they can see the fun my daughter has flipping and twirling in the deep. Waterproof cameras come in a variety of shapes, sizes and price points. If you are planning to take just a … Continue reading →

It happens to all of us at one point or another. Your digital camera’s shine begins to fade; whether it’s the zoom that doesn’t extend all the way or the white balance feature that works only when you tap the upper left hand corner of the camera with a sharp object. When your camera suffers damage or experiences other mechanical problems, you eventually must decide if it is better to repair it or trash it. Depending on your budget, this may be a difficult decision to make. If you own a high-end DSLR camera, then you are almost always better … Continue reading →

Now that Easter is over it’s time to focus one of the most anticipated holidays of the year—-Mother’s Day. While most moms are quick to deny that they want anything on their special day, save for love and admiration from their offspring, we all know deep down they’d heart some bling. Of course, if you can’t deliver diamonds, then why not buy mom a new digital camera? If you are working on a tight budget, consider gifting mom with the uber-popular Kodak EasyShare C433 Zoom Digital Camera. The cool looking camera is priced at less than $100, but comes loaded … Continue reading →

In my opinion, it is nearly impossible to take a bad photo with a digital camera. With all the high-tech gadgetry built into deluxe digital picture-taking devices, you really have to go out of your way to take a bad shot. And when you do, there’s a good chance that it can be fixed thanks to photo-editing software. I have yet to snap an image that can’t be improved with a little Photoshop detail. While you don’t need to be a tech whiz to work a digital camera, it helps if you are not afraid to experiment with various buttons … Continue reading →

Over the years I have had several different cameras, some film and some digital. One thing that I have learned is that what you know about your camera has a dramatic impact on what you are able to achieve with it. A camera is just a tool, and the better you get at using it, the better results you will have. It seems so obvious, and yet that is not what many advertisers would have you believe. Camera ads aim to convince you that their camera will take the best pictures. The truth is, cameras don’t take pictures any more … Continue reading →

All I want for Christmas is a new DSLR camera. I say that every year, but this year I really mean it. Really. If Santa’s reading this blog, I just want to make it crystal clear that I would accept any DSLR camera package. Nikon’s D80 package includes the camera plus a litany of other tools. It retails for nearly $1,300; however, if you consider that the camera body plus a single 18-135 mm AF lens alone costs about $950, you are getting a ton of extras for just about $400, including additional Nikon lenses, a filter kit, a tripod, … Continue reading →