What is a good camera for a beginning photography class?
Isabeau asked:
I am thinking of taking a photography class at my local community college. What is a good “starter” camera?
It has to be 35mm with f-stop and shutter controls.
I am completely clueless and don’t know what those things are or where to look. I’d like to spend as little as possible.
Thank you!
I am thinking of taking a photography class at my local community college. What is a good “starter” camera?
It has to be 35mm with f-stop and shutter controls.
I am completely clueless and don’t know what those things are or where to look. I’d like to spend as little as possible.
Thank you!
film or digital?
if digital get a entry level DSLR
if film get a SLR, they are all good
try ebay, ring your tutor and ask them
a
Any of the current Digital SLRs are ideal for anybody starting out in serious photography.
They have all the manual adjustments of aperture (fstop) and shutter speeds you need to take full control of your pictures as well as automatic and semi-automatic modes to help you get started.
I’m a Nikon guy so my answer might be a bit biased.
I’d recomend the D40, its $490 at Adorama, my favorite photo retailing site.
That kit comes with the camera, a zoom lens, and a memory card, everything you need to start taking pictures. The camera has both f/stop and shutter controls, but isn’t technically 35mm, its actually 24mm (if I remember correctly.) They aren’t really any ’starter’ 35mm digital cameras, you’d have to spend well over a thousand dollars for a 35mm digital. I’m sure your photo teacher just means it can’t be a point and shoot. If he really means it has to be a 35mm film camera, then your choices are near limitless, but you’re almost certainly going to be buying used.
The great thing about the Nikon (or Canon) system is that it can grow with you. If photography is something you get into you can buy new lenses and accessories to complement the camera you have, and when you want to get a new camera, it will work with the lenses you’ve already bought.
_________________________________________
Edit - It looks like the other responders are certain you really do need a film camera. If the class has anything related to developing and working in a darkroom then you definitely DO need a film camera.
I’d still recommend a Nikon, especially an older one. Nikon lenses are MUCH easier to find, just because in the company’s ~50 year history of making SLRs the lens mount hasn’t changed (though certain other things about lens compatibility have) whereas old Canon lenses don’t work on new Canon camera and vice versa. I completely agree with the responder who recommended the FM-10, available here with a lens for less than $200 (used).
By “35mm” I’m pretty sure you mean a film SLR camera. Film is usually preferred over digital in photography courses because the cameras offer only the raw fundamental settings- aperture and shutter speed. Digital are stuffed with more and more novelties and many manual setting require diving into the menus.
Some of the best film 35mms are those manufactured by Nikon, the F-series. However, despite being film, prices are not exactly cheap (they run into the hundreds). Other comparable models would be those from the likes of Minolta, Canon, etc. Anyways, hoped the helped =)
I’m sorry that you got 3 recommendations for digital cameras when that is not what you are looking for. In case you don’t know it, just disregard the first three answers unless they make some changes. Since you sonfess to being clueless, I am just afraid that you will not realize these are digital cameras and go out and buy one. If you shop in a store, be sure to ask how to load a roll of film in your camera and that will prevent you from accidentally buying a digital camera.
A good new camera would be either Nikon or Canon entry-level 35mm cameras. You can get one with a lens for less than $300 or so. Look for a Nikon FM-10 or Canon Rebel K2.
A great used camera would be a Pentax K1000, which has helped thousands (possibly millions) learn basic photography. There are no bells and whistles - no automatic functions - but you can find them on eBay or Craigslist for a hundred bucks with a lens.
You can probably also find a basic Nikon or Canon for similar money. There are too many models to list, so just ask the seller if you can’t tell from the description.
Or, ask the instructor of the course what to buy. He/she might love the K1000 and scoff at anything else. You may as well buy the one that will be favored in the course.