asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

Just had someone else stop me (this seems to happen everytime I go out in public w/ a DSLR hanging from my neck) and ask me what kind of camera they should get. I love photography and answering questions about it but I've discovered that 90% of the people who ask this question don't really 'need' a 'camera'. To save time I now ask a few questions 1st.
1. What do you want to photograph?
2. How will you use it?
3. Do you have a 'smart' phone with a camera?
The vast majority of folks I talk to can take their 'selfies' (when the heck did we all become so egocentric!!!) and pictures of their kids - and their friends behaving badly and get them up on Pinterest or Facebook with their Mr. Smarty-Pants phones.
That being said, I do still have some very interesting conversations with people who are genuinely interested in photography and want to take the next step. In these cases I quite often direct them to the UHH blog!

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

The first question you should ask is how much money are you willing to spend! Even lower end DSLR Camera's cost more than many people are ready to spend.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Changed to a wrist strap and eliminated this problem completely.

BebuLamar

I always pissed them off by honestly saying that I don't know and only they would know.

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

Good point & a good starting place.... another quick way to cut through the chaff.

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

Which model do you use?

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

90% of my hand-held shots are made with one of the heaviest DSLRs on the market. It is actually to first camera I have ever owned that fits my hand. Unless the shoot involves a very large lens I always use a wrist strap. It is an Opti-Tech stretch material. A neck strap makes me feel like I am carrying an anchor. The wrist strap lets me know exactly where the rig is and what could possibly strike it. Just one man's preference.

Harley Man Loc: Atlanta, Georgia

I also found having a heavy DSLR having on my neck to be a pain. (Pun intened). I switched to a Black Rapid strap 3 years ago and love it. When I shoot events, I use the dual stop set up so to have my 24-70 and 70-200 at my side ready to get the shot.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! Regardless of size of configuration, there is a huge price spread. The second question would be what size do you want?

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Start with two questions. Do you want to print your pics? How big do you want to print your pics? Sensor resolution is the key here. If you're only going to look at a pic on a screen, then anything on the lower end of the sensor range for new cameras will work, and the price comes down accordingly. I don't see much coming out with less than 10 or 12 MP anymore. Not interested in printing bigger than 5x7, maybe 8x10 once in a while, or doing much cropping? Then go with smaller and hopefully cheaper sensor. But if you have deep pockets then go with the 50 MP behemoths.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

In my business, I take people on a photo walk through New Orleans, and the surrounding areas. I get this question with almost every client. One actually bought a camera at a local store for going on my walk. He arrived at the starting point with a brand new Canon 1DX, and a array of lenses. He never took a picture in his life, but wanted good photos of his trip to New Orleans. He was "had" by one of the local shops. So, when I ask, "Do have a camera now?" and get a no, I try and see if I can help them out. There are a few camera shops on Canal St. but they carry some Gray Market goods. I usually steer them to a bridge camera, with a fixed zoom lens. Brand is not a factor, since if they have not taken many photos, they just need to learn the very basic elements of photography. I'll even rent clients one of my spare bodies, 7D, or 50D with a Canon EF-S lens. After the walk, I usually dump the CF card onto a memory stick. 90% of my clients own a DSLR, and are prepared to shoot the basic sites in the Quarter, Street Cars, Zoo, and City Park birds, and the Sculpture Garden.

B

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

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Slider or Velcro?
http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_9_3?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=op+tech+wrist+strap&sprefix=Op+%2Celectronics%2C220

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

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Getting into the sensor size thing w/ a novice can be problematic. Some folks have a hard time getting their head around the fact that it's sensor size that really matters... not megapixels. (I blame the advertising people) I try not to get into this w/ folks early on as they often get a 'glazed' look on their faces... :) but sometimes it can't be avoided as print size really is the pertinent issue...

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

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Sounds like a great gig...... haven't had my blue crab fix in a while and it's getting to be that time of the year..... I love taking the coastal route in from Texas and stopping at promising spots for for blue crab in any form. (except for fried soft shell po boys... they kind of freak me out!!) I may just have to schedule a long weekender to the 'Big Easy' pretty soon!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Yes indeed here we go again, as someone immediately suggested that you ask a different first question. And several other people mistook this thread for a discussion on the virtues of different camera straps. So back to the topic....

Personally, I like your approach and your questions. Most people don't need to spend any more money to take selfies, videos and snapshots of events, and post them on Facebook. Smart phones serve that purpose very well.

You're doing good work keep it up!