Do I really need a DSLR?

Hmmm!! This is the question I have been asking myself for the past 2 days!! I tell you!! If you are alone!! And the only time pass is to surf the web; read reviews; read blogs!! You sure will end up getting temped to buy something very facinating and that faination might well lead you into the buy and you end up buying it too.

How do I know?? Thats what happenned to me now. I surely had it in my mind that I wanna buy a DSLR. Coz its a "nice to have" gadget. Simply superb. Many of my frnds have it. I have seen them using it and surely thought! "Well!! I can as well use it!!".. I tell you, these frnds who have these kinda tempting gadgets must be kept away for your good.

So, I used to once in a while surf the web to see the new arrivals, check their specs and say "Wow.. Wonderful!!". One of my frnd (Sharada Prasad) recently bought a Nikon D300 for a whooping $4500(including lens and accessories) and made me revisit and rethink my decision on owning one of those masterpieces on earth.

While I was in the US, I was temped a lot there too; coz once when I had been on a city tour, one of my mates carried it and when I used it a couple of times, I really went wild on it and deperately wanted it. Then, I sat down calmly and thought and convinced myself, "Not this time, I am in savings mode for my wedding". I came over it and stopped looking for them on the web too. I eventually returned from the US and was in no mood to even think of buying it as I was lost in my calculations of wedding expenses.

Then came this opportunity of travelling to Brussels. I was in no mood to travel. I wanted to enjoy my pre-marriage courtship and what more wonderful city to enjoy it than Bangalore!! But I was eventually "the chosen one"for travel. I very very reluctantly agreed to my boss's words for travelling. Even though, till the last min I jus hoped and prayed god, something to happen out of the blues and stop my travel. But it was not destined to be!! I eventually landed in Brussels on the fine Monday Morning of 28th Jan 2008. This rejuvinated in me the desire to own a DSLR. Why? Coz I had enuf "vonga" in my account for my wedding and planned on it too. I jus needed another 30-40k which I can make it up very easily. So, announced to "My Chittu" and my Bro that I will be buying a DSLR.

Then started the whole adventure of looking out for one. But I was lost for a day and then said to myself "Wait!! Fix a budget for it!! Or else I might end up sparing all my Brussels Allowance on it"

Ok.. 350 to 400 Euros (i.e., $600 to $700) I thought was a good one. And I must be able to get a good one. I went out on Sat in the Brussels Shopping malls looking out for some cameras!! Oops!! I suddenly felt my budget was short by another 50 euros and decided to check the US deals sites. I later discovered that Belgium has 20% extra VAT and that summed up my experience in the malls.

So, the next one and half day, I spent browsing almost each and every deals site in the US to find the best deal. Meanwhile, decided that the Canon EOS Rebel XTi (a.k.a 400D) was a good option for me, it being my 1st DSLR. Though facinated by the "self lens cleaning" technology or rather to put it technically "Dust protection enabled" camera; I was open to any other camera that anyone could suggest me in "my budget". Even then, whenever I took a break from searching, I've been asking myself "Do I really need a DSLR?" And each time, I have not been able to go against my decision in what ever way/angle I have given it a thought.

Infact, when Vignesh said he cannot carry it for me as his luggage is full, I gave up my thought on buying it and thought that I would buy it the next time I go to US myself. But on talking with Rahul, and he pampering me that he too had bought the same one 4 months back (when he had visited US almost when I was there); it gave me a boost that I too have to "own it". That is when I discovered that desires are so strong in humans! I keep advising my mom not to spend money un-necessararily and I was now here all set to buy a DSLR. Wonder what my mom would say when I tell her that I bought the camera for INR 25k!! I can imagine she literally yelling at me and going mad at me!! She had done it when I bought the camcoder when I was in the US!!

Anyways, once decided, I am not the one to go against it at any cost!! So, my search continued!! Adorama Camera gave me a good deal and that was the best one I had in my mind for almost 60% of the time I was looking out! I wanted to finally decide on it, and wanted to zero-in on it, and gave a last shot to pricegrabber and thats when I discovered that I was getting it for a more $30 cheap and that too with free Ground shipping!!

I decided that the DSLR will be Canon EOS Rebel XTi(400D) and told Rahul to book it!! But again when I was looking out on reseller ratings, I got frightened as the rating of Butterfly was not that good (6.83/10 as of when I saw). So, told Rahul to hold so that I could check with Srivatsan and Vignesh about the stores as I remember Vignesh buying a HD TV from the same reseller.

I had to wait till Monday (today) morning for it as tats when I get to speak to both of them. When both gave a positive opinion on the reseller and their service, I mailed Rahul confirming the order!!

I guess by now Rahul must have ordered for My Canon EOS Rebel XTi. Now, I am a proud owner of a Canon DSLR!! Though I will only be able to collect it from him once I get back to Bangalore (he is scheduled to return just before me); its a great feeling!!!



At last!! MY DSLR!!!! BTW!! I got it for $565.99 with the kit lens of 18-55mm!! :)