Holiday Shopping: Tips on buying your next Digital Camera

The holidays are here and it’s time to shop for gifts for your loved ones and even yourself! (What better excuse to splurge on your expensive hobby then Christmas?!)

I’ve done a fair amount of shopping for photography equipment, including cameras, DSLRs, lenses and tripods. So here are some tips from my personal experience:

1. Don’t be in a hurry to purchase a newly released camera or DSLR body - There are usually issues in the first batches of production. Wait for a few hands-on review and more discussions online before making the purchase.
2. Spend more on lens and less on the DSLR body - New DSLR bodies are released too quickly. It is impossible to keep up unless you’re loaded. (Please send me an email if you’re loaded with cash. I’m sure we can work something out :P)
3. Factor in extra costs for additional items like memory cards, spare battery, camera bag and tripod - Memory cards and a camera bag are a necessity and will add more damage to your wallets.
4. In countries with high humditiy, consider getting a Dry Cabinet to store your equipment - High humidity causes fungus to grow in your cameras and lenses. Once infected, it is very difficult to get rid of. So take extra care of your equipment!
5. Buy 2 smaller capacity memory cards instead of 1 large capacity - You never know when it will happen but when it does, you’ll be glad you took my advice A memory card can and will fail you when you least expect it to. I have heard horror stories of memory cards failing during a wedding, honeymoon and important projects. So split that 4GB SD Card into 2 x 2GB SD Cards.
6. Beware of scams - Lifehacker has a great article on avoiding “Bait and Switch” scams while purchasing Digital Cameras. Such scams typically start after you placed and an order:

Months later, you still haven’t received your camera. You call the vendor, and you’re given a song and dance about it being back-ordered because of X excuse, (but) would you like to buy the camera bundle with some accessories for $1,700? … If you fall for the up-sell … you’ll notice that your package bundle includes (only) the battery and charger (which are normally included with the camera for MSRP). If you give up and cancel the order, you’ve wasted a ton of time, you don’t have a camera, and the company has had your $600 for three months.

Personally,  I don’t like to place a cash deposit especially if the camera is not released yet. It binds you down to the retailer because there is no way that they will return you the deposit.

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments.