I'm Planning To Get A DSLR And Here's Why

Ok, so here's what's new right now with me. I'm planning to get a DSLR. I've mentioned before in my other blog that I was considering a DSLR before but got myself a digicam instead. Actually, during that time I thought to myself that I should just get a digicam and decide later whether I would need/want a DSLR. Now, that time has come, I am having the need to get a DSLR.

The DSLR that I have in mind is the Canon EOS 650D 18-135mm kit. I like it among all the rest because of the touch screen LCD. I know that it may seem like just a luxury to get a touch screen DSLR, but when you think about it, at present time who doesn't have a full touch phone? Right? So I think learning to use a touch screen in a DLSR would be easy as 1-2-3!

Canon EOS 650D 18-135mm Lens

Of course as with any new gadget I consulted my gadget buying guide (5 Things To Consider Before Buying A New Gadget) and here are my justifications:

Looks

It's a DLSR how good can it get? DSLRs variety on design are so minimal so it's not hard to like something based on their looks, unless you're particular about the colour. I know other camera manufacturers that make DLSRs with different coloured bodies and some, even lenses. As for me I just like the classic black look. It feels like a real camera. By real I mean it doesn't feel like a toy. And I'm the kind of person that passionately engages in a task especially when I have the right tools for it. Not to mention that I want to encourage myself to take a shot at photography (professional photography that is).

Function

Its a DSLR so the main purpose is pretty obvious, taking photos! But not only taking photos, I have my digicam and camera phone for that, I want to take great photos, artistic photos, photos that are poetic if you will. I used to do a bit of modelling so I know the works in front of the camera, this time I want to know the works behind it. This camera also has good video capabilities as per the reviews, this is a function that I am not very likely to use but then again, its not bad to have the option. I'll just leave that function alone until the situation demands for it and hey, we'll never know right?

Price

So its not the cheapest camera available. Also the 600D comes in at a cheaper price now because of the 650D release but I think its value will make up for the price. Also I have a few trips planned already so there will be occasions that I will use the DSLR. I'm also not a fan of buying outdated gadgets I always tend to buy the latest so I'll settle with the 650D.

Reviews

The 650D has good reviews but still these are based on user experience. I want to read a review based on the same perspective as me, though its very rare to find but I still hope to do so. But if the time comes when I purchase my camera and I still haven't read a review that I can relate to then I'll just have to learn my lesson the hard way, personal experience.

Lifespan

I think this is as futuristic as cameras will get. I can see this camera lasting for years if not a lifetime and I see no reason to plan an upgrade or worry about compatibilities whatsoever. So I think this camera is a very good deal.

So those are my reasons to persuade myself to buy a DLSR. I have always wanted a DSLR I just didn't have the resources, now I do so I want to get one. And who knows, maybe it will serve it purpose in time. We'll see.

5 Things To Consider Before Buying A New Gadget

I was supposed to write about "Things to consider when buying a new phone" or "Things to consider when buying a laptop" but then I thought that there so few things that you can consider especially if your not comparing it to another product so I decided to write about things that you should consider when getting a new gadget in general.

Over the years I was able to acquire different kinds of gadgets, from watches to phones to computers but since I didn't have my own money (I was still in school back then), I had to really think about it when I buy gadgets. So to help others that are in distress and can't decide on which new gadget to get (or give in case you intend it to be a present), here are a few guidelines that helped me over the years and hopefully will help you too.

1. Aesthetics

Okay, so if your going to get a new gadget it should first and foremost look good! You don't want to carry around a cheap looking piece of gadgetry that maybe does the job but doesn't present it with justice. Well if you are trying to keep a low profile, cheap-looking maybe what you want but for everybody else (and let's admit it we like flaunting our new "toys") we want it to look at its best. Nowadays, gadgets are thought of more as a functional accessory rather than a device for work, especially now that gadgets are becoming more and more portable. So when you get a new one make sure that YOU like it and YOU look good with it, make sure that its looks suit you, your lifestyle, your activities and generally the occasions with which you'll use these gadgets frequently.

2. Function

Of course we don't get a gadget to put them on display right? (or do you?), we get them because we need them, we need the things that they are capable of. When you get a new gadget check its features and see if you'll be using these features now or in the near future.

For example, I got myself an Olympus Water-proof digital point-and-shoot camera last February. I was thinking about getting a Canon EOS back then but I decided to go with the Olympus because of the water proof capabilities, the following summer I had a trip to the beach and I was able to utilise all the features of the Olympus camera, plus I didn't have to worry if it get's wet (or soaked for that matter). So it was a really good deal for me.

That being said make sure that whatever gadget you get, you get to use most if not all of its features within a year (this is so that if ever you overuse it its still under warranty).

3. Price

So I put price on third, this is because if you didn't have the money you wouldn't even be thinking of buying a new gadget right? If money was not an issue I suggest you get the latest model of whatever gadget you want to buy, remember technology moves forward (and fast) so whatever technology fails to catch up gets left behind (Yes beeper, I'm talking about you). That being said you don't have to worry about compatibility because eventually the functions that you'll need will catch up and what you have might be outdated sooner than you think. But if you have a tight budget (like me) then you should consider price versus value, make sure that the gadget you'll get is worth every penny. Let me give you an example, last March I decided to get myself an iPhone, I bought a White 64GB Contract-Free iPhone 4s, so you can guess how much that cost me (and I didn't use a credit card either I bought it in cash, I had to save up for it). It was expensive, yes, but I use every inch of it, from messaging to phone calls to email to FaceTime and all the other 3rd party apps like the "MTR Next Train", "HK Observatory" and "Numbers for iPhone", I even use Siri whenever I'm alone (because I feel I look crazy talking to my phone in public). So you see I maxed out all of the possible uses that I could do with it and maybe there are still more that I can do that I have yet to discover. That being said, make sure that you can use every inch of the gadget you'll buy otherwise it becomes a waste of money.

4. Reviews

This one is very important, not everybody has the financial capacity to try and try until they succeed, gadget buying shouldn't be trial and error, you want to make sure that what you get is the best for you. Read reviews, ask friends, get recommendations. Remember it's one thing to THINK that a gadget is good for you and another to KNOW that it is. Get as much opinion as possible before you make a decision. There are a lot of resources available to get as much information on a gadget as possible. You can visit the product website, go to a retail store to try it out and may know someone that already owns the same device and get their opinion. You can never be too gadget-meticulous after all you'll be the one spending your hard earned money right? You deserve the best!

5. Lifespan

Lately manufacturers have been putting the label "Future-Proof" on their devices, so what does this mean? It simply means that no matter how far in the future technology innovates your current gadget will be as useful then as it is now (or so they say, Yes beeper, I'm still on you). As a long time gadget user I give my gadgets one year lifespan, yes one year only, because that's only as long as the warranty will cover it, after that if something happens to it even if its caused by wear and tear you'll still be the one responsible for the repair charges. So when you get a new gadget make sure that you will use it frequently up until the last day of the warranty after that you can upgrade (meaning get a new one) or retain and maintain it. Most gadgets are manufactured to last more than a year of course but that comes at a price, when you buy a gadget you don't just purchase the features but also durability (have you ever seen a cheap diver's watch?). Some gadgets are so durable that they can last for years, one good example is a desktop computer, no matter what OS update come its way you can still use it almost the same way you used to. Make sure that what you get will last you a year (or two *cough* smartphone contract *cough*).

Bonus

6. The *gasp* Factor

Okay I did say 5, but I really wanted to add this one for fun. You know that feeling when you see a new shiny piece of gadgetry? Whether its in the mall or a TV commercial or held by your not-so-techy-but-rich-uncle? I get that feeling when I see a new piece of gadgetry that I like. I look at it, eyes wide open, smile up to my ears and do a very rapid gasp. The moment I do that I know that I'll get myself one of those. I have proven and tested (on myself only of course) that whenever I do that to something I will surely get it but of course before I do I use my 5 things to consider list.

So there you have it, these are the guidelines that helped me over that years and are still helping now when I decide to get a new gadget. I hope these will help you decide whether you'll get that new gadget or not, by the way these guidelines also apply to gadget-upgraders after all upgrading is like getting a new gadget all over again.

My Apple Devices And How I Use Them

Okay, there have been a lot of times when I heard people say "You don't need that, you already have the other one." and by "that" I mean another apple product. I have four apple products to date, an iPod 6th generation, an iPhone 4S, an iPad 3rd generation and a 2011 11" Macbook Air. Okay, so I may have one of every product category but even so I still have a use for each and every one of them and here are those.

Macbook Air

My MBA is my mothership, its the do-it-all, with it I can text (via iMessage), call (via FaceTime), email, browse the web, edit videos and more (you get the idea). Before I bought my MBA I used a NEO Tablet Laptop, It was a very good laptop and lasted a good three years. When it finally gave up on me I decided to get a new one and its the MBA. I got it because its light and everything is so simple. I'm not and IT person so I don't do a lot of computer tinkering so the simplicity of the Mac is very good for me. With this new computer in my hands I had so much power in such a light package! What I normally use my Mac for is downloading content like music and movies, even if some content like iPhone apps can be updated directly from the iPhone I still update using my Mac and sync it to my phone so that my Mac and phone are always synced. I also use my Mac if I'll multitask on the web, I can also do this on my iPad but not as fast. When I'm reviewing something I want to open a lot of articles all at the same time and sometimes compare them, I can do this on my iPad but the speed at which I do it can only be done through my Mac.

iPad

My iPad is the exploration ship, as I usually say its the extension of my Mac, it has almost as much function but comes in an even lighter package! (lately I'm feeling that the MBA is quite heavy because its the heaviest of all my apple devices! ha ha!) I bought my iPad primarily for reading, weather it be books, websites, blogposts etc. basically when I stop searching for articles and want to read them in a more ergonomic way I pick up my iPad and read from there. I also use it for photo storage (though I don't have a lot of photos there yet) and viewing, with its size and user interface its a good way to show others photos. There are also a good number of photo editing apps on my iPad, some have filters, others, stickers and others more with different ways to play with your photos. I usually edit photos on my iPad because of the variety of photo editing apps available.

iPhone

The drone, this is the most compact and most portable of all my apple devices (next to the iPod of course). I usually put it this way, my iPad is the extension of my Mac and my iPhone is the extension of my iPad. Generally I do very little (or minimal) tasks with my iPhone. I use it like how you should use a phone, calls and texts. I also view other content with my iPhone like email and social networks but I limit my actions only to viewing and leave editing to my other devices mentioned above. I have my iPhone with me almost anywhere so I make sure that its synced with my Mac and iPad all the time. I also have photos and music on it of course but that's just for cases where I need to access these media quickly, if I have time then I'll turn to my other devices for help.

iPod

Last but not the least of course. I use my iPod for (you guessed it!) music. I was fortunate enough to get the 6th generation iPod before they became obsolete, because of this I have a real portable music player with me. Plus I got myself a wrist strap where I can attach my iPod so I can also use it as a watch. On the gym I also use it as a stop watch to time my exercises and lastly it has an FM Radio Tuner so if want a more random music playlist or just want to listen to my favourite radio show I can.

There you have it, that's the list of my apple devices and the ways with which I use them. This basically answers the question "What do you use it for? You already have the other one." So for all you out there who want to get more than one apple product for yourself consider the ways that you use each one of them and the situations that you may be in with each one, because for others, you can have too much but as for me I can say that I have enough.