Building a Digital SLR Camera System

Philip Greenspun:

This article explains the different kinds of digital SLR cameras available, how to choose the right one for you, and what to do once you get it home from the shop. … This article shows you how to choose and buy the basic items first and the more expensive and hard-to-use components later.

Whenever anyone asks me for advice on buying a digital SLR camera, I point them to this article. Greenspun covers everything you need to know to get started. My only quibble is that he recommends the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens without mentioning that Canon makes a very comparable lens, a 28mm f/1.8. Both lenses cost about $400. The Sigma’s only advantage is that it’s a half-stop faster. The Canon is lighter (310g vs. 430g) and will also work with full-frame sensors.

I have the Canon 28mm f/1.8, and use it almost exclusively these days.

★ Monday, 30 April 2007