As a consumer, I expect to have choices. I’m used to an entire aisle in the supermarket being dedicated to cereal. I know what ketchup I’m going to buy, but I assume it won’t be the only one available in the store unless I’m shopping at Trader Joe’s where they only carry their brand, which is fine because I chose to go to Trader Joe’s instead of all the other stores available to me, so it was still my choice.
Options are great, right? I guess so, but honestly sometimes I just find them overwhelming. Sometimes I feel like my head is going to explode. I can get a bit obsessive.
Recently, my husband said I could buy a DSLR camera with our tax return. I was so unbelievably excited until I started stressing out. How was I going to choose the camera? I narrowed it down to Canon and Nikon because well that’s what everyone else seems to narrow it down to. Then I narrowed it down to the cheapest entry-level DSLR from each brand, but then my husband said I didn’t have to get the cheapest. Great! But not so great because then I got overwhelmed again.
Nikon or Canon? Canon or Nikon? What if I get the wrong one? Maybe I should read every online review I can find? Canon owners love Canons and Nikon owners love Nikons and that’s that, but how many people actually own both a Canon and a Nikon because wouldn’t you have to own both to really know which one you liked better? I mean once you buy one over the other won’t you just say you like it more because that’s what you own? Should I buy one of each?
I read reviews until my eyeballs hurt. Way to suck the joy out of getting a new camera. I mean it’s just a camera. I’m not getting a transplant or something. In the end, I came to the conclusion that both manufacturers offer a good product. Still I had to make a choice as it is not really practical for me to buy one of each.
So after careful consideration, this is what I got…
It is a Canon Rebel T1i. What made me choose this particular Canon camera over any other Canon model? Well, within my price-range it offered the most for my money. Why Canon over Nikon? I went with Canon because I think their cameras are better looking than Nikon’s and also because the very first camera I ever bought was a Canon AE-1 so I have a sentimental attachment to Canon’s (I don’t think that attachment will affect the quality of pictures, I’m just acknowledging it).
It might seem silly or a bit ditzy to spend hours researching cameras only to buy the one I found most attractive and made me feel nostalgic, but the point I’m trying to make is that having a choice doesn’t mean one is right and one is wrong. I made a choice and I’m sure I will not regret it, but I bet you if I had chosen a Nikon I wouldn’t have regretted it either.
Disclosure: No cameras were provided to this blogger by Canon or Nikon. Perhaps, if I had been given a complimentary camera it would have been easier to make a choice as the choice would have been made for me.
I still think they should have sponsored this post and gone on to sponsor Sundays In My City. The more I learn about a camera, in two years, I just might buy the one I know most about (In 2 years my son will be in kindergarten and with my first paycheck *I’ll go back to work then*, ima buy a dslr!
Glad you made a choice you’re happy with!
I think nostalgia takes precedence in a lot of circumstances. Good choice, Mami!
Now you HAVE to let us know how you like it as you use it. There are others out here who would rather let you do the homework for us so we don’t have to.
Enjoy your new toy!
I’m so excited about it. I don’t know how to use it so I just bought myself a Dummies Guide to it.
set it to “P” and the camera will make all the choices for you. you’ll graduate to Av (aperture mode) and then start working in manual. It all comes together, and the blog I love the most for this stuff is phlearn.com — and no, I don’t get anything from them for telling you that!!!
Thank you. I too my first picture in “P” today. I’m reading the Dummies guide, but it’s a little too much info all at once. Baby steps. I love it, though. Thanks for the link, I’m off to check it out.
Way to go with the new camera, Mami! I hope you love it and can’t wait to see your pictures. It’s a tough decision and it sounds like you made a perfect choice.
I’ve just caught up on all your posts that I missed– The the pic with Put Pie and the baby together. I always find it so annoying when people ask if your going to have (more) children like it’s any of their business in the first place. But to ask if you still want a boy is just plain silly. I wonder how they’d feel if someone asked the same question of them. Sheesh.
Hope you are feeling good and getting some rest with those two beautiful babes. I’ve missed you and am now hopefully black into the blogging cycle again.
xo jj
I have the Canon Powershot a1100IS. I know nothing about cameras, but this one has served me well. Most of the pictures I’ve posted were taken with it. I’m sure you’ll love your new camera!
Mami, in my view there is nothing silly or ditzy about it. When it comes to most products, especially those with a hefty price tag, I always do my homework before making a purchase decision. Appliances, cars, electronics, computers, and many other things…..I always research, read reviews and consult with Consumer Reports magazine.
Sure, for every product, there will be good and bad reviews. That’s inevitable. And there will always be people biased towards a particular brand. Ford people will never own a Chevy, and Chevy people would never be caught dead in a Ford. That’s just how it is. The same applies to camera brands. But I think you can’t go wrong with making an informed decision by researching and reading reviews.
For each of the last three camera purchases I made, I read oodles of reviews on a myriad of models and brands. And you know what? I always settled on Canon. And yes, there can be myriad of models that it makes your head spin. Been there, experienced that. But by doing your homework, you can whittle it down and make an educated decision.
Enjoy your new camera.
Matty
As with all choices once they are made, don’t look back and just enjoy all the good things the choice you made has to offer.
Excellent advice.
Wow! That is one fine camera — I can just imagine the Sundays we’ll see now!
🙂
Traci
nice new toy mami…i have a really sucky camera, probably why i dont take a lot fo pictures…
he he he I LOVE your disclosure. I think I’d have that same dilemma. I can’t wait to see the wonderful pictures your camera takes. My tax money was spent on an expensive fan that promises to bring us through the hot summer (we live inland SD so it’s hotter here.)
Did you happen to borrow that title from my post today? Seems strange that we would just happen to use the same phrase within hours. Just wondering.
I like your camera.
It was part of Napoleon Hill’s thought for the day, an email my husband forwarded me. I haven’t read your post yet.
I believe you and really it would not be any problem anyway. It’s just a phrase. But it does seem strange that this Hill guy would have a quote about that and you would use the same day I did. Well it is a good phrase that I used in the corporate world. Another odd coincidence to ponder. thanks for the reply
I believe Napoleon Hill predates either you or me.
This I get 100%. Choices? Yes I believe we should have them and that we should make them with knowledge. But then there are those times when I am like, seriously! it makes no difference! OR Please someone make this chocie for me. OR I wish I didn’t have to choose. I have gotten easier at making choices. I narrow it down through knowledge and choose what I feel like between the shortlist. It’s not science, but I trust that I know on some deeper level what is best for me. Mostly making choices for me is like closing my eyes and taking a leap of faith, hoping I get to walk on water after all. 🙂
ALSO – I know that no choice will ever determine my life, everything can be fixed, changed or used. That takes a burden off as well.
I still sometimes wish that things could be chosen for me, but I will never give up my right to choose.
PS – Love the cam. I have a EOS 450D. My very first cam was a Canon as well. Not digital, and I bought it for my photography course, but it got stolen. This one works wonderful and it simplifies my life wrt photos, at least.
Enjoy the cam and the photos you take with it!
“I know that no choice will ever determine my life, everything can be fixed, changed or used.”- That’s what I keep reminding myself, it’s just a choice, not a sentence.
Congratulations on the latest addition to your family. I know you will all live happily ever after! Oh and I agree, Canon should sponsor Sundays in my City!
I think you will be happy with your choice either would be awesome! I like how light the Cannon is and with a baby balancing on your hip and a toddler holding on to your skirt…that helps!
It really is very light.
You are so much more scientific than I am… I would have tossed a coin.
Tossed a coin? Oh, I’m not that reckless with money. What if I dropped the coin and it rolled away and I couldn’t find it? Then I’d be out twenty-five cents, which would just add to the price of the camera. Really, you should be more careful with your money.
Oh, honey, I’m not that irresponsible… I’d make sure it was someone else’s coin.
Looks like a good camera! All is good as long as you are satisfied with your choice! (and it ought to work out in the long run)
I used to be a Canon girl all the way but I got a little Nikon point and shoot a couple years ago and it takes really great pictures too. I think they’re probably both pretty darn good choices and it just does come down to personal preference!
Have fun with your new toy =D
Your point and shoot camera takes great pictures!
You. Will. Love. It!!!
I think so! I’m pretty excited about it. It’s just going to encourage me to take pictures even more.
Okay, lol… I loved this post, but my favorite part was the disclaimer! You know, that is so true, I need a good camera but my choice is easy considering I don’t have enough money to even look at them, lol. But I would have the same difficulty. I mean, if I were able to get one. 🙂 I’ve heard both are great and have heard tons of good stuff about those Rebels.
I totally know what you meant!!! It’s so hard when you have TOO many choices. 🙂
I totally know what you meant!!! It’s so hard when you have TOO many choices. 🙂
I totally know what you meant!!! It’s so hard when you have TOO many choices. 🙂
I totally know what you meant!!! It’s so hard when you have TOO many choices. 🙂
I totally know what you meant!!! It’s so hard when you have TOO many choices. 🙂
I have the Canon T2i and LOoooooooooooooooOOVE it!!!!!!! The T1i is the model right before and the one I was going to get-til I found a great deal on the newer version.
These are GREAT cameras and have so many wonderful things about it.
I’m with you-I don’t know why really, but I have a strong affiliation to Canon over Nikon.
ENJOY!!!!!
Awesome choice!
I’m glad you decided! I’m the Canon owner in our family while hubby owns 2 Nikons. You can’t go wrong.
Enjoy your new camera! We will all benefit!
Good for you, I am so happy. I have a Rebel too, it’s a different model but I got a great deal at the time from Costco so I went with it. It takes beautiful pictures. I have a lot to learn so I still grab my point and shoot often. I even went and got the For Dummies book for my model. Now I just have to take the time to read it.
My dummies book is coming tomorrow. So excited.
Just as you said – Nikon owners like Nikons….
Both are good brands. I’m sure you will like that camera. My daughter has a Nikon and a Cannon – likes both for different reasons!
Good Luck!
i’m going shopping this weekend and maybe i buy a new canon camera. that one mentioned above is my favourite, too, i think you made the right choice.
can’t wait to see your new lovely snaps!
betty xoo
Congrats on the purchase! I have a Nikon and I chose that one because I had a Nikon point and shoot. It’s easier to learn the camera that you’re already accustomed to, so it was probably the best choice for you.
Canon was the right way to go, IMHO. I had a Rebel Xsi and now have a 60D, no complaints with either. So many lens choices, and every pro I’ve checked out is using the Canon 5D MKii so they can’t all be wrong! Have fun with it.
Well you can probably guess that I think you’ve made the right choice! 😀
I don’t think it’s silly at all to do lots of background reading before buying. It’s an expensive item and you’re hopefully going to have it for a long time, entrusting it to record important family moments. I hope you’ll love it.
So funny and so true! I did the exact same thing last year…which one, Nikon or Canon. It was only when the salesman said this one thing, that I could finally make my decision. He said it always seemed to boil down to which camera felt better in the customer’s hand. Once he said that, I picked up each of the two I was looking at, separately (like I was going to take a picture), and instantly I had my answer. For me, it was the Nikon! But, seriously, I really think both brands are wonderful cameras, and I’m sure you are lovin’ yours!
I have long used Canon products as well, both in cameras, scanners and printers, Canon photo paper, etc. In speaking with a camera shop that sells many brands, they ranked the quality of Canon lenses over Nikon lenses… Oh, and by the way, you can also use the Tamron brand of lenses on a Canon which are wonderful too!