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The Camera Calculator
a SelectSmart.com Selector
This camera selector is a guide designed to give you a recommendations as to which cameras would best suit your own particular needs. Your specific individual results are based upon your stated preferences. Consider your results as a "second opinion". You might find that these questions will give you some points to ponderer that you may not have considered before. This selector includes links to cameras for sale--many at discounted prices.
1. What kinds of camera have you used the most in the past and how did you feel about the experience?
Typical point and shoot; satisfied
Typical point and shoot; greatly frustrated
APS point and shoot; satisfied
APS point and shoot; greatly frustrated
Single-use (throw-away); satisfied
Single-use (throw-away); greatly frustrated
35mm SLR; thrilled
35mm SLR; hated it (or hardly ever used it)
Digital point and shoot;
had fun playing with the cutting edge of technology
Digital point and shoot;
frustrated, found it to be more like the 'bleeding edge'
Digital SLR; tickled pink
Digital SLR; disappointed
Medium/large format; enjoyed it
Medium/large format; too difficult, too bulky, or too confusing
You don't know what kind you used
You've never used a camera before in your life
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



2. Generally speaking, how far away are you going to be from your subject?
Normal
Far (e.g. on the sidelines of a soccer field)
Way far (e.g. photographing birds in trees)
Close (kids, pets, etc.)
Way close (flowers, bugs, etc.)
You are not sure how far but you know you need a zoom lens
You are not sure how far but you know you need macro possibilities
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  


3. What do you see yourself using for the next 10 years or so? Would your ideal photographic set-up be comprised of one simple, self-contained camera or would it be flexible, scaleable, and include a selection of interchangeable lenses?
One self-contained camera
A camera with an assortment of lenses
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



4. What is the number one reason you are considering buying a new camera?
To take family snapshots
To take pictures while traveling
To take pictures for your job (insurance, real estate, etc.)
To make serious artistic statements
To learn with during a photography class
To take better pictures than your current poor quality camera
To upgrade from your creatively-limited point and shoot
To make a little money taking portraits and wedding pictures
To make a little money with a digital studio business
To have a back-up for your SLR
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



5. What kinds of subjects do you see yourself photographing the most?
People
Children
Places you visit
Pets
Intramural and family sports
Professional sports
Adventure sports
Flowers
Natural landscapes
Sunsets and sunrises
Product shots
Architecture
Close ups
Abstracts
Shadows, lines, patterns, perspective, etc.
Wildlife
Underwater Scenes
Aerial Scenes
Snow scenes
Baby on a bearskin rug
Night scenes: lightning, fireworks, the moon, etc.
Flowing (time-lapse) waterfalls, rivers, traffic lights, etc.
Small objects like insects, stamps, coins, etc.
The family during holidays
Candids
Special effects
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



6. How do you envision yourself using your photos?
Putting 3x5", 4x6", or 5x7" prints into an album or scrapbook
Getting 8x10", 11x14", or bigger enlargements;
possibly framing these prints/posters for display on the wall
Presenting them in slide shows
Emailing them to friends and family
Sharing them via a Web site
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



7. Do you have a need of immediate results?
Yes
No
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



8. Do you already know you want one of the following?
A digital camera
A film-based camera
Either one
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  


9. How much do you plan to spend getting your images developed at a photo lab?
$0 (and you love your computer)
$0 (you want to use your own darkroom)
Under $5 a roll
Under $10 a roll
Under $15 a roll
Over $15 a roll is fine
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



10. Does the thought of handling negatives or film frighten you? Have you ever brought the whole camera into the lab and asked the person behind the counter to remove the film for you?
Yes
No
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



11. How do you feel about panoramic photos?
You love em! Gotta do them all the time
You like the idea of stitching photos together with a computer software program
You like to take them occasionally
Could not care less
What's a panoramic?
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



12. Do you generally treat things like cameras with extreme care or do they get banged around a bit?
You are meticulous and careful
You're a little more relaxed
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



13. Do you have any special needs? This camera will:
Get slightly misted from time to time
(light rain, waterfall mist, a day at the beach)
Occasionally go underwater with you
(snorkling, scuba diving, etc.)
Preferably be the topic of many party conversations
Need to be relatively small (to fit into your pocket or purse)
Need to be extremely small and discreet (like a spy camera!)
Need to have manual override possibilities
Need to have auto-everything
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



14. How much are you willing to spend?
Uncheck only those that are outside of your price range:
Under $100
$101-$200
$201-$300
$301-$400
$401-$500
$501-$600
$601-$700
$701-$800
$801-$1000
Over $1000
  Priority on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  

   

Feel free to give us feedback on how you liked this selector. Was it helpful? If you felt it was missing your favorite camera or if you did not agree with the results, let us know how we might improve it.