Ways to Better Assist Guests

[deebatman316]

Hello and welcome or welcome back to the Gear Guide Forum. We assist all users in this forum in regards to new gear purchases. Below are some helpful tips that can help us understand your needs.

1. We need a budget amount to spend on any gear that's being purchased.
2. Why is it that you're purchasing new gear for.
3. If you own any gear please list the items you currently own with full names of all items.
4. What are your needs as a photographer or videographer.
5. Are you new to photography? 
6. Do you have any specialties that require certain features in a camera or lens.
7. Are you using the camera for stills only, video only or are you a hybrid shooter.
8. If you have a current camera and are upgrading it why are you upgrading.

[justadude]

Excellent list, Demetrius!  I hope new members read this list.

I wish this list was pinned at the top of various Facebook photography groups.   Although here, experienced members always seem to respectfully ask some of these questions on a post.  In the Canon Facebook groups when new members ask for opinions, too many people tell you what they think you should buy, without knowing the other person's needs or budget... AND they assume everyone besides themselves is brand new to photography.

[ebiggs1]

"We need a budget amount to spend on any gear that's being purchased."

Number 1 has a problem or at least has more than one part. There a several aspects to budget and what is the best gear for the inquirer.  There is always what is the best *item in question*. There is always the best *item* made period. And, there is also what is the best *item in question* available that resides in the person's budget. Those two can be, and often are, very different. The best *item* is always the one you have as opposed to to the one you wished you had.

I never like to ask "what is your budget" first because if that is the number 1 factor most people would be fine with their iPhone. No budget at all. No more money out lay at all. Perhaps a better first question would be, what do you expect and want? Do you want that butterfly sitting on top of a wild flower or do you want your son's/daughter's facial expression as they make the one play on the sports field? There are even more factors that come into play before we get to what can you afford.

So, IMHO, budget should be last or very nearly at the bottom of the list. My 2 cents and worth every penny spent on the electrons to reply. 😊