To learn the way to get an unique 10% low cost from KEH Digicam on pre-owned digital camera gear, carry on studying.
Images just isn’t an affordable pastime. And whenever you combine journey into the equation its simple to be tempted to throw some huge cash into cameras and lenses to be able to completely seize your extremely anticipated trip.
I’ll aid you maintain more cash in your pocket with my 22 favorite ideas for getting extra bang in your buck out of your journey images gear.
1. Resolve on what you need
In case you’re dipping your toe into the DSLR world and don’t know the place to begin, an entry-level digital camera will seemingly do the job. When you’ve mastered that, then plan on upgrading to a dearer mid-to-high vary prosumer digital camera. Spending 1000’s of {dollars} on costly digital camera gear earlier than you’ve even labored out if you happen to’re really enthusiastic about images is an simple formulation to waste cash.
Digicam buying beginning factors (click on hyperlinks to test newest costs):
Compact digital camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 / Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 IV / Nikon Coolpix S9700
Entry degree DSLR: Canon EOS Insurgent T6i / Nikon D5300
Mid vary DSLR: Canon EOS 70D (what I take advantage of) / Nikon D600
Excessive finish DSLR: Canon EOS 7D Mark II / Nikon D610
Skilled DSLR: Canon EOS 5D Mark III / Nikon D4S / Sony Alpha A99V
Mirrorless (Interchangeable Lens): Sony a7R II / Samsung NX1
2. Purchase final yr’s mannequin
Costs of recent cameras at time of launch come at a premium, and have a tendency to drop barely inside just a few months. Not like different client electronics, digital cameras are likely to proceed in incremental enhancements between fashions. Typically a number of years can cross earlier than a brand new substitute mannequin is obtainable. Images gear, when handled properly, will final a very long time.
3. Purchase off model
Lenses from Sigma, Tamron and Tokina are often cheaper than lenses from the digital camera’s producer (Canon, Nikon or Sony). In some instances these off model lenses can provide even higher high quality!
While off model digital camera batteries can save some huge cash, they usually don’t final as lengthy, so you could must buy an additional one (or two).
So far as reminiscence playing cards, by no means go off model – it’s not value dropping your useful pictures. The very best manufacturers are Sandisk and Lexar.
4. Purchase 2nd hand
Buying a pre-owned digital camera physique or lens can save a whole lot of {dollars}, however the greatest threat is high quality. Shopping for from eBay or Craigslist is dangerous. KEH Digicam is the world’s largest on-line pre-owned digital camera and images tools retailer. What I like about KEH Digicam is that they fastidiously examine and grade each piece of kit so you realize precisely what you’re getting.
Most objects are backed up with a 180-day non-transferrable guarantee. So within the unlikely occasion one thing goes unsuitable quickly after your buy, you’re nonetheless lined. And along with digital camera our bodies and lenses, additionally they promote flashes, mild meters, filters, tripods and different equipment.
Get an unique 10% low cost on pre-owned digital camera gear from KEH Digicam with coupon code “TBEND10”. I don’t know when the low cost coupon will likely be pulled, so make the most of this low cost earlier than it is gone.
5. Promote, promote, promote!
Whereas good high quality digital camera our bodies and lenses will final a few years, their worth nonetheless diminishes over time. In case you’re not utilizing your digital camera gear for some time, contemplate promoting it. The longer you maintain on, the extra it goes down in worth. Or when it’s time to improve your physique/lens, promote your current gear and make investments these funds again into your new gear.
KEH Digicam additionally buy pre-owned digital camera gear. They supply clear pricing on what they’re keen to pay and the entire course of is totally hassle-free.
6. Borrow or hire
In case you’re undecided about spending all that cash on new gear, attempt before you purchase. There are a variety of on-line shops offering digital camera gear rental on a day by day price, similar to BorrowLenses.com, Lumoid.com, and LensProToGo.com. Or you possibly can go peer-to-peer with CameraLends.com. This web site can be a useful method to generate income out of your digital camera gear when it’s sitting round unused.
7. Be taught earlier than you improve
I’ve seen loads of instances vacationers with digital camera gear value over $2000 nonetheless taking pictures in auto mode. In case you’re going to spend that a lot cash on something, then please do your self a favour and spend the time to discover ways to use it.
There are such a lot of free assets for honing your images abilities like Digital Images College, Digital Digicam World, Digital Picture Secrets and techniques, and extra.
How are you aware if you happen to’re able to improve your primary digital camera gear? Right here’s a useful guidelines:
– You need to be conversant in each single function in your digital camera.
– You need to be capable to take superb pictures (that you simply’d really feel comfortable to print on a canvas and dangle on a wall in your home)
– You need to be taking pictures in RAW (not JPEG)
– You need to be processing your pictures in Lightroom (or related software)
– You’ve got a stable understanding of ideas like aperture, ISO, shutter velocity, and focal size.
– Most of your pictures are shot in both Aperture Precedence, Shutter Precedence or Handbook mode.
– You already learn images articles at the very least as soon as per week
Examine these 2 pictures:
Shot with a Canon 70D and equipment 18-55mm lens (worth US$1299):
Shot with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (worth US$699):
Which one seems higher?
8. Skip the equipment
If you realize what sort of images model you’re making an attempt to attain or have a transparent thought of your most well-liked topic (similar to portrait, panorama, structure, sport, avenue, meals, and so on), then skip the equipment lens bundled along with your digital camera and make investments these saved funds into a greater high quality lens that can do the job proper.
9. Defend your lens
Most digital camera lenses aren’t low cost, and as soon as they’re scratched, they’ll’t be un-scratched. An affordable UV filter helps to forestall unintended scratches and reduces the damage and tear on the glass.
10. Use a lens adapter in your new digital camera physique
In case you’ve upgraded your digital camera physique, however nonetheless wish to put these older lenses to make use of, spend money on a lens adapter.
The downsides of an adapter are picture high quality might be softened and focusing velocity sacrificed.
However on the upside, you’ll have a giant wad of banknotes again in your pocket.
For a extra in-depth information to lens adapters, click on right here.
11. Use extension tubes
Getting up near your topic often requires an costly macro lens. However it can save you cash with a cheap extension tube – simply connect this between your current lens and digital camera physique, and presto… prompt magnification! Stacking a number of extension tubes will increase the magnification, and an affordable set will set you again as little as US$20.
12. Good high quality digital camera backpack
Dropping or damaging your digital camera tools due to scrimping on a journey bag is the quickest method to waste your hard-earned cash. I take advantage of the Vanguard Sedona 45 backpack, which has saved my bacon on a lot of events. One time I bought caught in a torrential downpour in Langkawi, Malaysia while on a small boat in the course of the ocean. I believed my digital camera gear was accomplished for, however the water resistant lining of the bag saved the day.
13. Select a tripod over an costly lens
If sharpness is your purpose, it’s often cheaper to decide on a sturdy tripod over a high-end, quick digital camera lens. As well as, a tripod will allow you to seize lengthy exposures and evening scenes with ease. See which tripod I take advantage of.
14. Rechargeable batteries
Chances are high your flashgun makes use of AA batteries (or related). Resist the lure of low cost alkaline batteries and select rechargeable NiMH batteries to economize and create much less waste.
15. What the sheet?
One in every of my favorite home-grown images equipment is an previous black (or white) mattress sheet which serves as a backdrop for portraits.
16. Reflectors
Wrap a sheet of cardboard (lower from a field is okay) in aluminium foil and also you’ve bought your self an almost-pro-quality mild reflector. Angle this close to a portrait topic to mirror the pure or synthetic lighting, and also you’re in enterprise. A white Styrofoam board additionally works wonders so as to add extra mild to your scene.
17. Instantaneous mini tender field
That is useful for taking pictures small objects. Reduce out the underside of a white plastic cup and safe it the tip of your digital camera lens with just a little sticky or gaffer tape. Then place your topic on a well-lit desk or ground. Cowl the merchandise with the cup and the digital camera going through down. Right here’s a extra in-depth information or take the idea additional and make a DIY lightbox.
18. Flash diffuser
Whereas a flash diffuser isn’t all that pricy, each little saving may help. A easy mixture of white paper and a rubber band wrapped round a flashgun, or only a piece of opaque white/cream masking tape over a built-in flash works simply as properly.
19. Reminiscence card storage
I’ve used this tip for a number of years. Twist a lens and physique cap collectively to immediately create watertight space for storing.
20. Submit processing software program
In case you’re buying Adobe Lightroom, choices embody an outright license (round US$149) or subscription (for simply US$9.99 per thirty days). A subscription is the smarter choice if you happen to simply wish to attempt submit processing with out a substantial dedication, otherwise you’re saving pennies in your subsequent digital camera physique or lenses.
21. Free modifying software program
In case you actually don’t wish to half along with your hard-earned {dollars}, listed here are just a few free choices for modifying pictures:
Net-based instruments (no software program to put in):
Fotoflexer, Pixlr Specific, Photoshop Specific, Picmonkey
Downloadable software program:
GIMP, Paint.web, Photoscape, Uncooked Therapee, Fotor, On1 Results, Magix Picture Designer
22. Get insurance coverage
For amateurs, your own home contents insurance coverage ought to cowl images gear (however test the fantastic print). And if you happen to’re travelling, take a better take a look at your journey insurance coverage limits. You don’t wish to depart your appreciable funding in digital camera gear unprotected.
