I am no professional photographer, but I love taking pictures.  For the longest time I have wanted a “real” camera to snap some shots with.  No point in shoot, but a cool on with one of those twisty things out the front –

It may be possible to guess that I know nothing about buying a camera, which is the main reason  I haven’t gotten one.  However, when I went to India this past October, I decided that as soon as I had the money I just had to get me one.  I tried going to various brand sites and looking at the specs for their models, but I think it might have actually been more helpful if they were written in French.  I was overwhelmed by the complicated jargon about lenses and ISO and viewfinders.  ¹  I have given up the search about six times since October, and within ten minutes of each attempt.

I have found my godsend.  Digital SLR Guide dot Com.  It assumes you’re an idiot and explains everything in plain simple English and walks you through every step of figuring out what camera is right for you, starting with “what kind of photographer are you” because, as it turns out, that matters.  See, it’s already helping me.

Then after you figure it out if you want to take pictures of every detail of your kids drool or cars going by, it allows you to compare cameras by a number of different ways: cost, size, speed, features, you name it.  Then it walks you through all that.  The first place I went, of course, was by cost, and personally, I appreciate the website for not judging me for it.

What I like best about the site, is the guy has a clear love for cameras and spends a lot of time making sure his sites is the most helpful it can be.  There’s something about enthusiasm on top of knowledge that is really appealing.  Not to mention, the site allows you to read as much or as little as you need to make a pretty informed decision (even on accessories and lenses) and when you think you’re ready, the website walks you right up to the buying process, including it’s own store. 

I haven’t had a chance to read the entire site, but from what I have read, I have already learned a lot from, so if you have any interest in graduating from “point-and-shoot” to a “real” camera, check it out.