Watch this before you buy your first camera

Buying your first camera is a big step, so if you’ve decided to take it: congrats! There is a lot of information you’ll stumble upon and it sure can be overwhelming if you’re new to photography. But this video from Jeff Rojas will give you some guidelines and ultimately help you to make up your mind about your very first camera.

As a professional photographer, Jeff has been getting a lot of questions from people looking into buying their first camera. I hear you, Jeff, it’s been the same for me and I’m not even a pro. I rarely got this question from folks who already know something about photography and just want to upgrade their gear. It’s usually from those who just want a better camera for their everyday shots – my non-photographer family and friends.

And I don’t mind these questions, I really don’t. I’m just never sure what the right answer will be. We all have different needs, budgets, expectations, and skills, and this is something Jeff addresses in this video.

So, whether you’re buying your first camera or responding to someone’s question “which camera should I buy?” here are the answers that should help.

1. Buy what you can afford

Note that everyone’s lifestyle is different. Perhaps I earn way less than you and you could easily get a fancier camera than my outdated Nikon D7000. Or I earn more than you and you can’t afford the same gear as I have. In short, you can’t compare and contrast with people who have a different budget.

Similarly, for professional photographers, buying gear is a business expense. o if a professional photographer spends $4000 on a camera, it’s an investment that should pay itself over time. As a hobbyist, buying a camera will be a pure expense for you, so that’s something to keep in mind.

2. Buy what you need

Buy the camera with the specs that you need, not the specs that sound awesome. Think about your criteria and your needs. For example, do you really need 8K or 4K video? If you don’t shoot ad campaigns or do any professional work, you most likely don’t need it. So stay realistic and think well about what you’ll use the camera for.

3. Buy for your level of commitment

As a professional photographer, Jeff must be taking lots of gear on vacation, right? Well, nope. In fact, he only carries a smartphone. It’s convenient and it doesn’t take away from a moment that he’s there to enjoy. He’ll drag a bunch of gear to commercial shoots, that’s what his job requires, but he’ll leave it at home when he’s taking a break.

So, if you don’t plan to carry a heavy DSLR and two lenses with you on vacations, field trips, photo walks… don’t buy them. Sometimes all you need is a point-and-shoot camera or just your phone, and that’s perfectly fine.

So, if you’re just entering the world of photography, these are some things to have in mind. And if you’re a photographer getting a lot of “which camera should I buy?” questions, you can refer people to this article and help them determine their budget and needs. It will be much easier to choose a camera from there.

[Watch This BEFORE You Buy Your FIRST CAMERA | Jeff Rojas]