Camera Question from a Student

[harrylime]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and would greatly appreciate some advice. I was recently accepted to art school and will be attending classes this fall. Like most incoming graphic design students, I'm taking Photography I as a foundation course. The school has informed us that we'll need a digital camera that has the following capabilities:

At least 6 megapixels or larger in resolution, and manual exposure mode with easy control for setting f-stops and shutter speeds. Also recommended: An ability to shoot in RAW format, an active histogram display, aperture priority exposure mode, shutter speed priority mode, self timer or remote exposure control.

The thing is, I'm not a technology whiz and I generally find cameras to be a little tricky. I have no clue what brand or model will work best.

So my question is: Is there a particular camera, or cameras, that beginning photography/design students generally have success with? What would you recommend to a not-so-camera-savvy student on a budget?

Any advice you all have would be a big help!

Thanks!

 

[Sammie_Lou]

I don't know a lot about cameras and their capabilities, but I just bought a Nikon D3000 and I love it. It was very budget friendly. I spent $600 and got the body, the 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-200 mm lens with vibration reduction. I'm new to the world of DSLR's and this camera is proving to be a huge learning experience for me.

 

[ann]

Go into a local photo store. Calumet comes to mind as you are in Chicago.

Look at Nikon, and Canon, they are the big players . All DSLR cameras these days will fit the description. Handle various cameras in your budget range to get a feel for what fits best in your hands.

My sense from the way you asked the question, is that photography is not your first love in the art area and unless you fall in love with photography (which is always possible) there is no need to spend money on lenses, high end professional bodies, etc.

 

[gsgary]

For those spec's you don't need to buy new an old 10D,20D,30D will do fine

 

[Big Mike]

Any digital SLR camera will work just find. As mentioned, you can get a pretty decent used model for a good price.

 

[joealcantar]

Don't forget to show any document from your school that may get you a student discount on your camera gear etc., may as well start saving money where you can.
-
Shoot well, Joe

 

[subscuck]

In addition to Gary's suggestion, Rebel XT or XTi. Like Ann said, if you're not really that interested in photography and this is simply a camera for course work, go used and go cheap, but go with an SLR.

 

[gsgary]

In addition to Gary's suggestion, Rebel XT or XTi. Like Ann said, if you're not really that interested in photography and this is simply a camera for course work, go used and go cheap, but go with an SLR.

Too much messing about with the menu to set your camera compared to 10/20/30D

 

[NateS]

If you need to have a DSLR for a class and aren't too tech savy then you might as well pick up a used D40/D50 or Canon XT-XTI (as suggested) to save some money. If you don't need a DSLR and want something that will give you great photos with minimal effort, I'd suggest something like a Canon S95, Panasonic LX5, or Olympus XZ-1.

There's an S95 for sale in the buy/sell section right now and I have a Nikon D5000 for sale in that section as well...both great cameras it just depends on how much you want to "get into it".

 

[gsgary]

Another thing to think about is a sinc port for studio shoots, because the college should have a studio, most low end DSLR's don't have one

 

[Patrice]

Another thing to think about is a sinc port for studio shoots, because the college should have a studio, most low end DSLR's don't have one

Any camera with a flash shoe can be equipped with one of these for off camera flash/studio light synchronization.


Nikon AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter (Hot Shoe to PC) 3066 B&H

 

[gsgary]

Yes but they are a pain in the arse

 

[Patrice]

If you are not that interested in high end or the latest and greatest, a d70 ($250) and a 50mm AFD($80-$100) will fulfill all the requirements and then some.

Nikon D70 Kit, 2 Lenses and Nikon Zoom 300 Pack, Extras

 

[Patrice]

Yes but they are a pain in the arse

The suggestion of the hot shoe pc terminal adaptor was in response to the concern of cheap cameras not having a pc terminal. Now, how is the adaptor more of a pain in the arse that a body installed pc terminal?

 

[Mike_E]

That D70 also flash syncs to 1/500th (a good thing) and has a spot meter (another very good thing for a student).