So, you need a quality camera. Your smartphone just isn’t cutting it anymore, but your business needs images to survive. Do you know how to save money on your first camera? You would prefer not to drop a ton of cash; photography helps your business, but it isn’t your business. So, how can you save money?

How to Save Money on Your First Camera

Opt for Fewer Features

Unless you are a professional photographer, chances are the advanced features will, at best, never be used, and at worst, cause you problems. When searching for a camera, look for those that are basic models and they adjust to light and weather conditions on their own. As an added benefit, the features on a basic camera are less likely to become obsolete as time goes by, so you can expect this camera to be a long-term investment.

Try Before You Buy

If possible, borrow or rent the camera you are thinking about buying. If you have a friend with the same camera, see if you could try it out for the day. If not, look into a camera rental service at your local camera shop.

As a side note, if you don’t actually think you will use the camera that often, a camera rental service could be the way to go.

Buy Used

The lifespans on DSLR cameras are incredibly long. You could buy a camera that is several years old and still get at least a decade of use out of it, if not more. These cameras do not really break down on their own or through use; only an accident would be a concern.

Compared to new models, you could save up to 50% by buying your camera used. Be sure to purchase from a reputable source and inspect the camera to ensure all is well. However, this is the one factor that will offer you the biggest savings.

Look into Lesser-Known Brands

Canon, Nikon, and Fuji are great. However, so are plenty of brands you haven’t even heard of. Don’t be afraid to try a brand you are not familiar with. Yes, you should read reviews and make sure you are making a good choice, but the truth is that these other brands make great cameras, and they sell them at a fraction of the cost of the big brands.

So as you shop around for your camera, keep these tips in mind and save yourself some money.