Reading mode: Light Dark

Camera for College Class

Go to last post
C

Chimily

New member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hello,

I just signed up for my first photography class and was told to get a "DSLR camera with RAW capabilities that can work with jpegs." The email also said that we will be using manual functions in the class so that we can learn the functions of ISO, shutter speed and aperture.

I am new to all of this terminology and need help finding a camera that meets these requirements. Any suggestions? I don't want to spend a ton and am looking for the cheapest camera that will get the job done. Thanks in advance!
 
Any DSLR can be used in manual mode, and every DSLR on the market shoots RAW.

Buy used or refurb for sure. Something like a used D5000 in really good condition should cost about $300 used, including a basic kit lens. Canon and Pentax have DSLRs brand new for $500 with a lens or two included.

I like the idea of asking the professor what camera they will be demonstrating with in class. Not only will it make the instruction easier to pick up, but having a camera that the professor is knowledgeable about will be a bonus.

Even if you don't get the exact same camera model as the professor, at least having the same brand will be helpful.

I'd also ask about what software is required / suggested, and what software the professor will be using in class.
 
chuxter said:
The brand doesn't matter, but understand that being a human, you will get attached to whatever you buy. Some people turn their purchases into "religions" which totally ruins their lives. Don't go there. A camera is like a hammer; it just drives nails. :-0
Click to expand...
I wouldn't drive nails with anything but a D300. And even with a D300 I wouldn't go over 6d.
 
bikinchris said:
Don't buy a new camera. Get a used Nikon or Canon. Even former top of the line models will do five for your class and sell cheap. My advice would be post a "want to buy" and explain that you don't want to spend a lot of money. You want a dslr with a good battery and one or two lenses. The nice thing about Nikon is you can get a dslr body and use an old manual focus lens with it.
Click to expand...
Only if you get the correct body. Some Nikon bodies don't have AF motors and they will not AF with some of the older lenses.
 
Leonard Migliore said:
chuxter said:
The brand doesn't matter, but understand that being a human, you will get attached to whatever you buy. Some people turn their purchases into "religions" which totally ruins their lives. Don't go there. A camera is like a hammer; it just drives nails. :-0
Click to expand...
I wouldn't drive nails with anything but a D300. And even with a D300 I wouldn't go over 6d.
Click to expand...
I hear that D3s drive up to 8d nails...see video on Utube. ;-)

I knew when I wrote that last sentence it would be parsed creatively.
 
chuxter said:
bikinchris said:
Don't buy a new camera. Get a used Nikon or Canon. Even former top of the line models will do five for your class and sell cheap. My advice would be post a "want to buy" and explain that you don't want to spend a lot of money. You want a dslr with a good battery and one or two lenses. The nice thing about Nikon is you can get a dslr body and use an old manual focus lens with it.
Click to expand...
Only if you get the correct body. Some Nikon bodies don't have AF motors and they will not AF with some of the older lenses.
Click to expand...
 
Agiledogs said:
chuxter said:
bikinchris said:
Don't buy a new camera. Get a used Nikon or Canon. Even former top of the line models will do five for your class and sell cheap. My advice would be post a "want to buy" and explain that you don't want to spend a lot of money. You want a dslr with a good battery and one or two lenses. The nice thing about Nikon is you can get a dslr body and use an old manual focus lens with it.
Click to expand...
Only if you get the correct body. Some Nikon bodies don't have AF motors and they will not AF with some of the older lenses.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
My advice, as both a professional photographer and a college-level photography instructor, is to talk to the instructor first. There may be specific reasons for those specifications. On the other hand, in an entry-level course, I can't think of any reason why you must have a DSLR as opposed to, say, a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera or even an advanced compact or "bridge" camera.
 
Jacques Cornell said:
My advice, as both a professional photographer and a college-level photography instructor, is to talk to the instructor first. There may be specific reasons for those specifications. On the other hand, in an entry-level course, I can't think of any reason why you must have a DSLR as opposed to, say, a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera or even an advanced compact or "bridge" camera.

--
The way to make a friend is to act like one.
http://jacquescornell.photography
http://happening.photos
Click to expand...
I can. Cost. The D100 and two lenses I listed can be bought for under $200 if the student shops carefully.

And more importantly, can be sold for around $200 after the class.

--
Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race." ~ H.G. Wells
 
Last edited:
Particularly for manual mode shooting, a twin dial camera is a lot better than a single dial camera like the Canon Rebels or the Nikon D3x00 or D5x00 series.

The newer Pentax K50 may be easier to find - essentially the same as the K30. Mirrorless twin dial cameras available 2nd hand include the Panasonic GX7 and Sony NEX 6. Both very capable.
 
Agiledogs said:
chuxter said:
bikinchris said:
Don't buy a new camera. Get a used Nikon or Canon. Even former top of the line models will do five for your class and sell cheap. My advice would be post a "want to buy" and explain that you don't want to spend a lot of money. You want a dslr with a good battery and one or two lenses. The nice thing about Nikon is you can get a dslr body and use an old manual focus lens with it.
Click to expand...
Only if you get the correct body. Some Nikon bodies don't have AF motors and they will not AF with some of the older lenses.
Click to expand...
chuxter...which part of manual focus lens did you not understand? see bold text.
Click to expand...
You're missing the point: yes, as long as the lenses are manual focus there's no need for an AF motor.

But many people are advising the OP to buy his gear second-hand. If he buys an AF lens that needs a motor in the body he'll regret buying a body without one ... and advice to buy such a body is bad advice.
Agiledogs said:
Manual focus does not mean you will be using AF so an in body motor will not really matter. Now if you are looking at the af-d series lenses then you would want to look for something like a d80 if you want auto focus. If manual focus is not an issue then an older d60 or even d40 would be perfectly fine for learning the basics in a classroom setting.
Click to expand...
 
bikinchris said:
Jacques Cornell said:
My advice, as both a professional photographer and a college-level photography instructor, is to talk to the instructor first. There may be specific reasons for those specifications. On the other hand, in an entry-level course, I can't think of any reason why you must have a DSLR as opposed to, say, a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera or even an advanced compact or "bridge" camera.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Agiledogs said:
chuxter said:
bikinchris said:
Don't buy a new camera. Get a used Nikon or Canon. Even former top of the line models will do five for your class and sell cheap. My advice would be post a "want to buy" and explain that you don't want to spend a lot of money. You want a dslr with a good battery and one or two lenses. The nice thing about Nikon is you can get a dslr body and use an old manual focus lens with it.
Click to expand...
Only if you get the correct body. Some Nikon bodies don't have AF motors and they will not AF with some of the older lenses.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
My first camera was a Pentax ME Super, and it's a delight to use. I still can't let go of it even though I have a Canon A-1 now. I never expected something that small and budget-friendly to pack that strong a punch. You get both full Manual and Av in a tiny SLR and great Pentax mount lenses are not really hard to come by nor super expensive since a lot of third party brands used it as well and there's quite a few lying around in the markets.
 
Bob said:
Well played, Chimily.
Click to expand...
The good news is, all the recommended cameras in this thread can now be had at pretty good discounts. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top