So You Bought a New Camera

It’s exciting to bring any new purchase home for the first time, expecially a new high tech “toy”. Digital cameras are no exception. Hopefully you did your research to find the best camera for you and your lifestyle when you bought your new camera, but when you got home with it, did you say, “Now what?”

There are some things you can do when you get a new camera to make sure you get the most from your purchase.

• Read the manual. This is the most important thing to do after making any new purchase, but all too often we’re just too busy or too impatient to take the time. However, reading the manual for your new camera is very important. The information that the salesperson gives you about the workings of your camera is no substitute for the infomation you can get from the manufacturer’s manual. If your camera has a good manual (and all the major camera brands do), it will tell you about every feature and function of your new camera and may even give you tips on taking good photographs. Study your manual carefully.
• Protect your purchase. A brand name camera will come with a warranty from the manufacturer, and the store may even supplement that with their own warranty. Read any warranty literature that comes with the camera to understand how it works and exactly what it covered. Sometimes you have the option of buying additional insurance, but read any insurance information before buying it to make sure you’re getting a good deal. While you’re at it, be sure to register your new camera purchase with the manufacturer. Some warranties require registration of your purchase for the warranty to take effect, so make sure you do this as soon as possible. Finally, if you buy a very expensive professional camera, you may want to check into additional insurance programs as well. These may be available as a rider to your home insurance policy.
• Use your new purchase. The best to learn how to use your camera is to actually use it! Even if you have no special subject to shoot, just take pictures around the house or around your neighborhood to get a feel for you new camera. Keep the manual handy while you practise, and you’ll be able to refer to it if you aren’t getting the results you want. By learning to use your new camera through practice, you’ll save time when you have real photographs that you want to shoot. When you buy a new camera, spend the time to learn as much as you can about your new investment.