Welcome to this edition of Adam Ginsberg's "Insiders" Newsletter. Each issue is designed to provide you with insights, tips, secrets and overall strategies on how you can build your online auctions business. I'm sure you love this issue! This week the topic is: Choosing the best Digital Camera for all your Photo Needs!

In our last newsletter issue, we discussed how to upload your images to eBay and how to potentially eliminate eBay picture hosting fees by using a 3rd party software provider or by having your own hosting service. If you missed that issue, you can review it again here: Last Issue of the Newsletter

In this issue, we'll be reviewing what you need to look for in a digital camera so that you can take the perfect photo. And, what's great about modern technology is that you don't need to be a professional photographer to take great pictures...the camera does almost the work for you.

Choosing a Digital Camera

As a preclude to this newsletter article, it's important to remember that your digital camera purchase is a tax write off. Certainly a digital camera is a real business expense for a real online business and therefore a legitimate tax deduction. You don’t need the most expensive digital camera, but this is one area where buying the cheapest camera you can find might not be the best choice.

Next - and this might sound a bit contradictory - but I would suggest purchasing your digital camera at a conventional retail photography store. The main reason is your ability to return/exchange the camera if your initial purchase is the wrong choice. You may be able to get a better deal online but if there's an issue you can't simply drive down to the local store, exchange it, and be back in business in a matter of hours.

Note: If you already have a digital camera but it’s more than two years old, you probably need a new one. Technology changes quickly and there’s a huge difference in today’s equipment.

A Frequently Asked Question – How Many Megapixels?

Whenever I have a conversation with someone about their digital camera selection, the question of "how many megapixels should my camera be?" always seems to come up. Typically, the newest cameras have more megapixels than previous models, even though most other features remain virtually unchanged. How many megapixels a camera has is only one indicator (and the not the main one) of which camera you should purchase.

Are you new to digital photography? If you are, you might be asking yourself "what the heck is a megapixel, anyway?"

Megapixel: Slang for 1 million picture elements. Mega means 1 million. Pixel is a contraction of picture element, or those dots that make up a digital image. An image composed of 1 million pixels is approximately the same size and resolution as the information displayed on a typical computer monitor. But to print a quality digital photo, you need more than 1 megapixel.

Today's digital cameras have a megapixel range anywhere from 3-megapixels on up to 10 megapixels or more. Obviously, the more megapixels, the better. An image composed of 9 megapixels contains far more information than the same shot at 4 megapixels – but you’re going to be paying more for the 8-megapixel camera.

Another way to look at it is this. The more megapixels, the larger your image is. However, online you don't want huge images. As we covered in the last newsletter issue, you want your image to be around the 50KB size. In this case, bigger is not always better.

For photos that you take for selling online, you don’t need a camera with anything more than 5-megapixels. As a matter of practicality, 3-megapixels will work just fine.

Camera Features Wish List:

1. If you have the budget, try to get an SLR camera. SLR stands for single-lens reflex, and it describes the type of camera that lets you look through the viewfinder and see exactly the image that you will take. Less-expensive digital cameras use separate viewfinders and lenses, which means that what you see is never exactly the image captured. Investing in an SLR saves you time when framing an image.

As an alternative you can get a small "point and shoot" digital camera. While they are more convenient if you are traveling - for your auction business you're better off with the SLR (if it's in the budget).

2. Get a camera that has manual focus. Avoid cameras with a fixed focal length or those that use automatic focus with no manual override. You want to make sure that the camera is focused exactly where you want it, not where the camera’s internal computer guesses is best.

3. Verify that the camera has manual overrides for the aperture and shutter speed adjustments. Nearly all digital cameras have automatic aperture and shutter speed, but you want to be able to adjust both or either value. For example, you might want to set the aperture wide open or very tiny, and you might want to adjust the shutter speed for a longer exposure if necessary.

These are advanced photo techniques that we will discuss in a future newsletter issue. However, you want to have a digital camera that you can "grow in to" and your knowledge base and experience increases.

Note: If you’re unfamiliar with these camera features, visit a retail camera store where you discuss your options with an educated camera salesperson.

4. Make sure that you can override or disable the automatic flash. This is a common feature on most any camera with a built-in flash. You'll want to take most of your photos without the use of an internal flash.

5. Get a large-capacity media card for your camera in the 256MB to 512MB range

6. Look for a camera with a macro lens. A macro lens is a closeup lens that does not distort the image. Because the macro len’s range of focus is very close to the camera, usually about 1 foot or less, this type of lens is ideal for taking pictures of small objects up close.

7. Get a tripod! The tripod is one of the best, most useful, and necessary accessories for your online photos. NEVER TAKE A PRODUCT PHOTO WITHOUT USING A TRIPOD! Your tripod will provide a firm, stable, yet adjustable base for your digital camera. It helps to ensure that once you’ve set up and framed your image, the camera – and the image it takes – remains consistent between shots.

Including pictures in your online auctions is a key component to your success. As such, be sure to choose your photo equipment wisely. Remember, "A Picture Is Worth..."

Until next time…

Knowing No Boundaries,