Buying a camera

I will admit that I am a computer guy, but I have never claimed to be a camera guy. However the digitalization of cameras makes them feel more like computers than anything else.

I will offer my humble advice. Go to kenrockwell.com. Read his article on recommended cameras. Buy the camera from the links on his site.

• This guy is an expert on cameras.
• This guy can write in a way that "normal" people understand.
• He frequently updates his site.

I did all my research on his site and then purchased my camera from National Camera Exchange because I wanted to "buy local." The service was crappy and I paid a lot more money. (They offer courses for free with camera purchase. Those classes are offered only once a month and they are usually booked 3-6 months out.)

Ken links to reputable sites that sell the cameras at great prices. That is the best place to buy these things.

If you feel compelled to shop for a camera at Best Buy, remember this: the employees on the floor don't make on money on the sale of the camera. They only make money on the sale of the service plan. This leaves them with little motivation to learn about the cameras. You might luck out and find a camera geek. But you could also end up with someone who was recently transferred from major appliances.

Good luck, and remember: Cameras have nothing to do with taking great pictures.