35mm help

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography. I think they want all work done on their professional course with a 35mm camera. What SLR is the best one to get? I want to learn on the same camera that I will use if I were to do weddings or what have you.

Any suggestions? I ask so I can compare and contrast what everyone says and hopefully find one that is suggested and I am comfortable with the price.

Thanks!

That kind of depends on a few things. First, do you want a manual-focus or autofocus SLR? Many places like to have you learn on full manual SLRs so you learn to work with the camera instead of depending on the auto functions (focus, aperture, shutter speed, etc). Second, you should decide what company you want to go with. If you have a relative with an old Nikon manual SLR and lenses, you may want to pick up a Nikon SLR like the F3 so you can buy some of their used lenses off of them. Maybe you like Canon's lenses more so you decide to pick up a used Elan 7E. No matter what anyone says, no one brand is better than another, here. They all have strong and weak points. Most people go straight to Canon or Nikon and skip Pentax, Minolta, Contax, and other SLR manufacturers. Canon and Nikon produce tons of lenses, a good array of bodies, and many accessories... all at reasonable prices. It's also easier and cheaper to find parts and service for those two companies' cameras than a camera like a Contax.

If you want to go manual-focus, I could suggest the Nikon FE2. It can be found for a decent price, is VERY well built and reliable, is small, and has every function you'd want in a manual-focus camera.

For autofocus, you could pick one of many cameras. Nikon's N80 and Canon's Elan 7E (I've seen more than a few wedding photographers using Elan 7Es) are good mid-high range cameras. Nikon's F100 and Canon's EOS-3 are great prosumer/professional cameras that would most likely be more than enough for most anyone. Nikon also has the F5 (with the F6 rumored to be coming soon) and Canon has the 1V.. both are full top of the line pro cameras with TONS of features and high price tags. Those are a bit of overkill for most anyone, though.

My personal suggestion would be the Nikon FE2 for manual focus and Canon Elan 7E for autofocus but that's just my personal opinion.

drsprite said:

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be
taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography. I think
they want all work done on their professional course with a 35mm
camera. What SLR is the best one to get? I want to learn on the
same camera that I will use if I were to do weddings or what have
you.

Any suggestions? I ask so I can compare and contrast what
everyone says and hopefully find one that is suggested and I am
comfortable with the price.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

drsprite said:

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be
taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography. I think
they want all work done on their professional course with a 35mm
camera. What SLR is the best one to get? I want to learn on the
same camera that I will use if I were to do weddings or what have
you.

Any suggestions? I ask so I can compare and contrast what
everyone says and hopefully find one that is suggested and I am
comfortable with the price.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I would seriously contact them and find out.

If they demand 35mm I would also ask what they are thinking since there is nothing that 35mm can do from a teaching stand point better than digital [assuming manual options in your digital]. Unless the goal is to prove darkroom chemicals are toxic and adversely affect your sinuses and often gives soar throats.

I have 40 years in photography and if it were my choice I would not consider teaching anyone using film [My expirience includes 5X7, 4X5, assorted 6cm (2¼") sizes, 35mm and a few odd ball sizes] I have spent so many years in the darkroom I still have difficulty in the bright sunlight.

If they demand 35mm and you can not find a good school that is based on current technology I would buy the least expensive new or better yet a decent used camera and lenses that fit their requirements since once the course is completed you will probably Not use it for much more than a door stop for your computer room [mine does not get that much use].

It would be assinine for me to suggest you purchase a Nikon or Canon for the ability to use their lenses with a DSLR since the market is changing so rapidly there is noway to objectively wich will be the better in 2 years when you finish your classes or even if they wiill still be top dogs [that should get a few howls] or if they are will it still use the same lens mount etc.

--
Ray
RJNedimyer

RJNedimyer said:

If they demand 35mm I would also ask what they are thinking since
there is nothing that 35mm can do from a teaching stand point
better than digital [assuming manual options in your digital].

Click to expand...

How about providing proper control over depth of field?

• Chris

I called and they said I can use a digital SLR, but I would have to have it printed out and submitted, which isn't a problem. Like I said, I have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, should I use that, or is there a better digital slr camera out there that I should use?

For example, I know the Canon EOS 10D can swap lenses, the D7i can't.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Well, often what they are really looking for is simply the ability to control depth of field (through aperture), shutter speed, and exposure through use of your light meter. As long as your camera can do that, you're fine. Unless they have something specific that requires interchangeable lenses...

k.

drsprite said:

I called and they said I can use a digital SLR, but I would have to
have it printed out and submitted, which isn't a problem. Like I
said, I have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, should I use that, or is there a
better digital slr camera out there that I should use?

For example, I know the Canon EOS 10D can swap lenses, the D7i can't.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/romosoho (not much there yet)

Chris Birkett said:

Chris Birkett said:

If they demand 35mm I would also ask what they are thinking since
there is nothing that 35mm can do from a teaching stand point
better than digital [assuming manual options in your digital].

Click to expand...

How about providing proper control over depth of field?

• Chris

Click to expand...

--
Ray
RJNedimyer

There is no requirement for interchangable lenses... I just think that feature could be very beneficial..

kaiyen said:

Well, often what they are really looking for is simply the ability
to control depth of field (through aperture), shutter speed, and
exposure through use of your light meter. As long as your camera
can do that, you're fine. Unless they have something specific that
requires interchangeable lenses...

k.

Click to expand...

well one of the schools here that has a decent photography program (georgetown in DC) has an entire year long course on the zone system. They also have several classes on color darkroom work (and from what I have heard from both students and teachers I will never work in a color darkroom). They also have some classes that require the use of LF, but they also have scanners and such for digital work

RJNedimyer said:

drsprite said:

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be
taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography. I think
they want all work done on their professional course with a 35mm
camera. What SLR is the best one to get? I want to learn on the
same camera that I will use if I were to do weddings or what have
you.

Any suggestions? I ask so I can compare and contrast what
everyone says and hopefully find one that is suggested and I am
comfortable with the price.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I would seriously contact them and find out.

If they demand 35mm I would also ask what they are thinking since
there is nothing that 35mm can do from a teaching stand point
better than digital [assuming manual options in your digital].
Unless the goal is to prove darkroom chemicals are toxic and
adversely affect your sinuses and often gives soar throats.

I have 40 years in photography and if it were my choice I would not
consider teaching anyone using film [My expirience includes 5X7,
4X5, assorted 6cm (2¼") sizes, 35mm and a few odd ball sizes] I
have spent so many years in the darkroom I still have difficulty in
the bright sunlight.

If they demand 35mm and you can not find a good school that is
based on current technology I would buy the least expensive new or
better yet a decent used camera and lenses that fit their
requirements since once the course is completed you will probably
Not use it for much more than a door stop for your computer room
[mine does not get that much use].

It would be assinine for me to suggest you purchase a Nikon or
Canon for the ability to use their lenses with a DSLR since the
market is changing so rapidly there is noway to objectively wich
will be the better in 2 years when you finish your classes or even
if they wiill still be top dogs [that should get a few howls] or if
they are will it still use the same lens mount etc.

--
Ray
RJNedimyer

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info everyone... I have one more question,

What's another digital camera that has an interchangable lens feature like the Canon EOS 10D?

Thanks again!

drsprite said:

Thanks for the info everyone... I have one more question,

What's another digital camera that has an interchangable lens
feature like the Canon EOS 10D?

Click to expand...

Canon (used): EOS D30, EOS D60; (new EOS 1D, EOS 1Ds.
Nikon (used): D1; (new D1H, D1X, D2H, D100
Fuji (used): S1; (new S2
Sigma (new): SD-9
Kodak: a whole bunch of models

All of these are pretty expensive, even used.

My recommendation, if they do require an SLR, would be to spring for a second-hand manual-focus SLR from the 1970's or 1980's, plus a nice prime lens or two. Being simple devices, they'll give you a very immediate feel for photographic technique and are great learning tools, you can get image quality that's better than on today's best DSLR's, and they're a lot of fun to shoot with. Also, they won't set you back more than a couple of hundred dollars for the whole set-up, and you can always sell them for more or less what you paid for.

I've got a Canon AE-1: it's probably the archetypical classic auto-exposure SLR. You'll find equally good models from Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, and Olympus.

Petteri
--
Portfolio: [ http://www.seittipaja.fi/index/ ]
Pontification: [ http://www.seittipaja.fi/ ]

Fuji S2 Pro, Nikon D100, Canon D60, Canon D30, Nikon D1, Canon 1D, Canon 1Ds, Nikon D1H, Nikon D1X, Kodak 14n, Sigma SD9, Fuji S1 Pro, etc...

drsprite said:

Thanks for the info everyone... I have one more question,

What's another digital camera that has an interchangable lens
feature like the Canon EOS 10D?

Thanks again!

Click to expand...

drsprite said:

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be
taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography. I think
they want all work done on their professional course with a 35mm
camera. What SLR is the best one to get? I want to learn on the
same camera that I will use if I were to do weddings or what have
you.

Any suggestions? I ask so I can compare and contrast what
everyone says and hopefully find one that is suggested and I am
comfortable with the price.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

--If you are going to/or want to buy a DSLR, it's cost is going to be HIGH...

If you can Afford it I would say go n buy either a Fuji S2 Pro or an EOS 10D...But you will also have to buy a Lense or two....Lots of money but either of these will last you a long time.....If Not....Then see if you can Borrow a 35mm from a friend or buy one second hand for the course....

Although Digital is Takeing Off in a Big Way, the Colleges/Univercities here in Wales do Prefer the Students to use 35mm because it's by far the Best Media to teach you the Skills of Photography.....

It's Make Your Mind Up Time!!! Before Final Desicion, Phone the College one more time & ask a few more Questions.....
Good Luck..
MrScary (DennisR)
Swansea, Wales. UK

http://www.pbase.com/dennisr
http://community.webshots.com/user/mrscarecrow
http://digiden.photoshare.co.nz

drsprite said:

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be
taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography.

Click to expand...

If I was running the course (God forbid!), there is no way the students would be allowed digital cameras or even autofocus cameras for their coursework submissions.

I love digital cameras and all the techno-widgets, but I also think of how much more I learned in the "good old days" of manual SLR's and rangefinders - Rolleiflexes - Hasselblads etc etc. It sounds pretty old-fashioned now, but there was a joy in strolling around with an ancient and battered Leica body, 35mm and 90 mm lenses - and guessing the exposure. But in the end you had a good appreciation of the craft of photography.

I find it slightly scary that both the College and the student are slightly vague on the requirements here.

Having had my romantic moan and groan - if you want to learn about Photography, you will learn more using a manual or manually focussed auto camera - Nikon FM/FM2/FE, Olympus OM, Canon A1/AE-1, Pentax LX/MX, etc - with primary lenses as opposed to zooms. Sure it makes it technically harder - but you understand what you are doing and what the physics of light is all about. Handy if you end up shooting calendars on a 5x4 view camera in later life!

After that, auto-everything zoom cameras and digital is a breeze! Good luck if you take the course!

The school isn't vague, it's the new york institute of photography, I'm sure they know what they're doing. The school isn't asking these questions, I am. Sure I should ask the instructor, but... I'm not even enrolled yet, so I really don't have any contacts over there except for the registrars office. Soon enough, though! Oh well, I'm trying my best to learn everything I can before I take the course, that way I don't go in completly clueless, Just like everyone else who works 50 hour work weeks, it's tough to balance everything in life...

Thanks for the tips, I'm sure I'll learn a lot about this form of art.

Mike Waddington said:

I find it slightly scary that both the College and the student are
slightly vague on the requirements here.

Click to expand...

Mike Waddington said:

drsprite said:

Hey everyone, I currently have a Minolta DiMAGE 7i, and I might be
taking a course with the New York Institute of Photography.

Click to expand...

If I was running the course (God forbid!), there is no way the
students would be allowed digital cameras or even autofocus cameras
for their coursework submissions.
I love digital cameras and all the techno-widgets, but I also think
of how much more I learned in the "good old days" of manual SLR's
and rangefinders - Rolleiflexes - Hasselblads etc etc. It sounds
pretty old-fashioned now, but there was a joy in strolling around
with an ancient and battered Leica body, 35mm and 90 mm lenses -
and guessing the exposure. But in the end you had a good
appreciation of the craft of photography.

I find it slightly scary that both the College and the student are
slightly vague on the requirements here.

Having had my romantic moan and groan - if you want to learn about
Photography, you will learn more using a manual or manually
focussed auto camera - Nikon FM/FM2/FE, Olympus OM, Canon A1/AE-1,
Pentax LX/MX, etc - with primary lenses as opposed to zooms. Sure
it makes it technically harder - but you understand what you are
doing and what the physics of light is all about. Handy if you end
up shooting calendars on a 5x4 view camera in later life!
After that, auto-everything zoom cameras and digital is a breeze!
Good luck if you take the course!

Click to expand...

Mike my only comment is that although I've literally spent years of my life in a real studio darkroom. IMHO I can not reccommend it NOW. At the school he is speaking of you live at home and work at home and if you use film you either hand it over to someone who does not care or do it yourself. If you do it yourself you must have a darkroom.

Even a cheap dark room will cost much more than a great computer these days. It will also take much more time and be mostly useless when he completses the class.
--
Ray
RJNedimyer

RJNedimyer said:

At the school he is speaking of you live at home and work at
home and if you use film you either hand it over to someone who
does not care or do it yourself. If you do it yourself you must
have a darkroom.
Even a cheap dark room will cost much more than a great computer
these days. It will also take much more time and be mostly useless
when he completses the class.
--
Ray
RJNedimyer

Click to expand...

Yes I take your point Ray and I perhaps phrased it badly - I wasn't intending to cause any offence.

Photography after all is about capturing great images and the technology in getting there should be transparent. In 10 years time when we all have 50MP digital cameras and silver is a billion $ an ounce, we won't be having this conversation, but the "old way" is how we all learnt about the realtionship of depth of field to aperture and focal length etc etc - and thats hard to grasp with a techno-wizz automatic digital camera in your hand.