zoossh
Senior Member
Share a retail list with y'alls. but bear in mind it is mainly for DSLR as I'm not familiar with other systems. also added a small portion on travel photography
all product listing follows this nomenclature
country of origin - brand and series/model name (link specified to the country)
Links to backup posts
1. General buying guide
2. retail sites & links to price guides
3. Product Listing: Digital Camera system/bodies
4. Product Listing: Film/other Camera system/bodies
5. Product Listing: Interchangeable lens & filters
6. Product Listing: Tripod/support systems
7. Product Listing: Camera Bags
8. Product Listing: Lighting & Studio products
9. Product Listing: Viewfinder, Maintanence, miscellaneous accessories
10. Product Listing: Photo storage, Post-processing
11. Binding services
12. Regarding travelling...
General buying guides
Solarii's "Everything You Need To Know Before & After Buying Yr 1st dSLR" (payable), 2nd edition
will be adding very slowly as i come across some reviews.
Comparison of wide/ultawide angle lens
Ken Rockwell ultra-wide 2006
Nikonians ultra-wide 2005-2006
Macro & close-up photography
Guide from Nikonians.org
Guide from Digital Photography Blog
Before considering DSLR upgrading from compacts
1. Always consider the weight and bulk of a DSLR first
- does it affect the mobility and your mood in bringing it around and using it to shoot?
- how heavy are you willing to bring around?
- always remember one thing: the likelihood of you bringing out the camera is the 1st and foremost single most important factor before anything else.
2. Would a bridge camera with manual settings suffice?
- consider intermediate weight/bulk
- consider non-interchangeble lens
3. Consider entry-level v.s. midrange DSLR
- go for the entry level if you do not know about SLR and manual settings, start small and slow
- go for midrange pricing if you are already confident about manual settings and have extra to splurge, or if you know you are very likely to upgrade from an entry level becos you are more than sufficient to handle an entry level
4. Consider which brand of camera system
- consider the lens pricing you are willing to expand to
- consider the format of the aspect ratio - whether you like 4/3 (1.33) or wider (1.5)
- know your needs of the focal range, if not just start with a kit lens, play until comfortable before considering new lens that does not cover your range.
5. When & where to buy?
- anytime as prices take a long time to depreciate, not worth waiting and not shooting
- avoid buying too short before going overseas (one of the most common reason to get a good camera), play around well with your camera before setting out.
- avoid settling the deal with the various fairs, as prices is poorly competitive, gives you junk freebies and often poor customer services + lack of time to consider your purchase with higher likelihood to buy on impulse without due information from retailers.
- call up the shop to get the e quotes to compare, dun be shy about it
- go to the shop you are comfortable with, best with a friend who knows the shop already
- avoid going for less known shops if you have no general idea about the market, start off with a safe shop listed here, venture off when you feel more comfortable about the market
6. What do you need to check at the shop?
- of cos that it is working and has the various components included (a gd habit), but this is less often the case once you are comfortable with the shop, especially when it is more or less reputed
- warranty. yes, confirm that it is warranty from the manufacturer and if their service centre is in Singapore. Grey set means it is parallel import without going through the distributor and hence does not carry warranty. If so, warranty may be covered only by the shop and yet nothing is stated on paper and often not spelled out too, even verbally. Next thing is whether the item is covered by local or international warranty and how long is it. wanted to be more confident and dun get bluffed? search for warranty information online first.
7. What accessories do you first consider to buy almost immediately after the camera system?
- a UV filter to protect the front element of the lens
- a dry cabinet to keep your camera and other stuff (can consider a mid to big size as chances of upgrade is high)
- extra battery
- a lenspen
- a starting reading material e.g. Understanding exposure by Peter Bryanson, and maybe a good magazine to spice up your interest, e.g. photography monthly, practical photography, digital camera world
- a shoulder bag, the most common camera bag format. bags is something that most people will remain unsatisfied with and largely dependent on individual preference. start with a shoulder bag first, then slowly consider what you want to change to, e.g. brands with better straps, backpack, SBO types? dun worry, it is common to have a few bags and still remained undecisive on what's best.
8. What accessories would you slowly consider on adding on?
- more memories
- circular polariser and neutral density filters
- tripod and ballhead
- external flash
- graduated neutral density filters
- a more complete cleaning kit
- more and better bags
- a good editing software
- monitor calibration tools
9. Is it ok to ask in the forum still if you are unsure?
- sure you can.
- BUT make sure you state at least two things
1. what is your needs? what kind of pictures are you most likely to take? What is your concerns and worries, e.g. weight, image quality, file size, cost?
2. what is your budget? state one you think you are more comfortable with. state one you think you can afford to stretch if the deal is good.
all product listing follows this nomenclature
country of origin - brand and series/model name (link specified to the country)
Links to backup posts
1. General buying guide
2. retail sites & links to price guides
3. Product Listing: Digital Camera system/bodies
4. Product Listing: Film/other Camera system/bodies
5. Product Listing: Interchangeable lens & filters
6. Product Listing: Tripod/support systems
7. Product Listing: Camera Bags
8. Product Listing: Lighting & Studio products
9. Product Listing: Viewfinder, Maintanence, miscellaneous accessories
10. Product Listing: Photo storage, Post-processing
11. Binding services
12. Regarding travelling...
General buying guides
Solarii's "Everything You Need To Know Before & After Buying Yr 1st dSLR" (payable), 2nd edition
will be adding very slowly as i come across some reviews.
Comparison of wide/ultawide angle lens
Ken Rockwell ultra-wide 2006
Nikonians ultra-wide 2005-2006
Macro & close-up photography
Guide from Nikonians.org
Guide from Digital Photography Blog
Before considering DSLR upgrading from compacts
1. Always consider the weight and bulk of a DSLR first
- does it affect the mobility and your mood in bringing it around and using it to shoot?
- how heavy are you willing to bring around?
- always remember one thing: the likelihood of you bringing out the camera is the 1st and foremost single most important factor before anything else.
2. Would a bridge camera with manual settings suffice?
- consider intermediate weight/bulk
- consider non-interchangeble lens
3. Consider entry-level v.s. midrange DSLR
- go for the entry level if you do not know about SLR and manual settings, start small and slow
- go for midrange pricing if you are already confident about manual settings and have extra to splurge, or if you know you are very likely to upgrade from an entry level becos you are more than sufficient to handle an entry level
4. Consider which brand of camera system
- consider the lens pricing you are willing to expand to
- consider the format of the aspect ratio - whether you like 4/3 (1.33) or wider (1.5)
- know your needs of the focal range, if not just start with a kit lens, play until comfortable before considering new lens that does not cover your range.
5. When & where to buy?
- anytime as prices take a long time to depreciate, not worth waiting and not shooting
- avoid buying too short before going overseas (one of the most common reason to get a good camera), play around well with your camera before setting out.
- avoid settling the deal with the various fairs, as prices is poorly competitive, gives you junk freebies and often poor customer services + lack of time to consider your purchase with higher likelihood to buy on impulse without due information from retailers.
- call up the shop to get the e quotes to compare, dun be shy about it
- go to the shop you are comfortable with, best with a friend who knows the shop already
- avoid going for less known shops if you have no general idea about the market, start off with a safe shop listed here, venture off when you feel more comfortable about the market
6. What do you need to check at the shop?
- of cos that it is working and has the various components included (a gd habit), but this is less often the case once you are comfortable with the shop, especially when it is more or less reputed
- warranty. yes, confirm that it is warranty from the manufacturer and if their service centre is in Singapore. Grey set means it is parallel import without going through the distributor and hence does not carry warranty. If so, warranty may be covered only by the shop and yet nothing is stated on paper and often not spelled out too, even verbally. Next thing is whether the item is covered by local or international warranty and how long is it. wanted to be more confident and dun get bluffed? search for warranty information online first.
7. What accessories do you first consider to buy almost immediately after the camera system?
- a UV filter to protect the front element of the lens
- a dry cabinet to keep your camera and other stuff (can consider a mid to big size as chances of upgrade is high)
- extra battery
- a lenspen
- a starting reading material e.g. Understanding exposure by Peter Bryanson, and maybe a good magazine to spice up your interest, e.g. photography monthly, practical photography, digital camera world
- a shoulder bag, the most common camera bag format. bags is something that most people will remain unsatisfied with and largely dependent on individual preference. start with a shoulder bag first, then slowly consider what you want to change to, e.g. brands with better straps, backpack, SBO types? dun worry, it is common to have a few bags and still remained undecisive on what's best.
8. What accessories would you slowly consider on adding on?
- more memories
- circular polariser and neutral density filters
- tripod and ballhead
- external flash
- graduated neutral density filters
- a more complete cleaning kit
- more and better bags
- a good editing software
- monitor calibration tools
9. Is it ok to ask in the forum still if you are unsure?
- sure you can.
- BUT make sure you state at least two things
1. what is your needs? what kind of pictures are you most likely to take? What is your concerns and worries, e.g. weight, image quality, file size, cost?
2. what is your budget? state one you think you are more comfortable with. state one you think you can afford to stretch if the deal is good.
