Do I still need DSLR to take photography course?

[rronald_25]

Hi Guys,

For my free time, I decided to take a photography course, and I am about to buy the equipment. However now I am not sure whether to buy Dslr or Mirrorless for the course.

Is it still compulsory to have dslr for the course or mirrorless is catching up?

If it is, which mirrorless is good enough for that purpose?

Thanks

 

[Tom_N]

Hi Guys,

For my free time, I decided to take a photography course, and I am about to buy the equipment. However now I am not sure whether to buy Dslr or Mirrorless for the course.

The instructor is probably going to want you to have a camera with

• Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority, Program, and Manual modes
• A viewfinder
• Maybe interchangeable lenses
• Maybe a flash hot shoe

In the old days, this would be a 35mm film SLR. These days, either a DSLR or a MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens) camera would probably be fine. But you should ask the instructor (not us) if there is any doubt.

 

[rronald_25]

The instructor is probably going to want you to have a camera with

• Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority, Program, and Manual modes
• A viewfinder
• Maybe interchangeable lenses
• Maybe a flash hot shoe

In the old days, this would be a 35mm film SLR. These days, either a DSLR or a MILC (mirrorless interchangeable lens) camera would probably be fine. But you should ask the instructor (not us) if there is any doubt.

Thanks for your reply,

I will definitely ask the instructor or the school regarding that.

Its just for now i need to know my options. And also because Mirrorless and Smartphone cameras are catching up, so I was thinking it would be great if I can use only mirrorless just because of the smaller size

 

[Tom_N]

And also because Mirrorless and Smartphone cameras are catching up, so I was thinking it would be great if I can use only mirrorless just because of the smaller size

I'd be surprised if the instructor allows smartphone cameras. And whatever you think of MILCs, smartphones are in no way "catching up" with DSLRs.

 

[rronald_25]

I'd be surprised if the instructor allows smartphone cameras. And whatever you think of MILCs, smartphones are in no way "catching up" with DSLRs.

Of course, Im just saying the technology is faster with smartphones camera or at least leaning towards smartphone camera.

Im not even sure if mirrorless is allowed, except for sony mirrorless dslr

 

[mamallama]

Hi Guys,

For my free time, I decided to take a photography course, and I am about to buy the equipment. However now I am not sure whether to buy Dslr or Mirrorless for the course.

Is it still compulsory to have dslr for the course or mirrorless is catching up?

If it is, which mirrorless is good enough for that purpose?

Thanks

I am sure the prerequisites and equipment needed will be among the requirements given for the particular course you are enrolling in. Any advice from this forum will be shooting from the hip.

 

[Tom_N]

Im not even sure if mirrorless is allowed, except for sony mirrorless dslr

Sony doesn't have any "mirrorless dslr"s. They make some mirrorless cameras, and they made some DSLRs. But a "mirrorless DSLR" is a contradiction in terms.

The "SLR" in "DSLR" stands for "single lens reflex" – the technology that allows the optical image from the lens to go to the viewfinder or the sensor. Part of this is a "reflex" mirror that can alter which path the light takes.

Mirrorless cameras do not have mirrors, and their viewfinders are electronic. Some of them can simulate what exposure parameters will make the picture look like before you take it. A few don't have viewfinders (LCD only) or have only optional viewfinders.

 

[PhotoTeach2]

You may still have an "old-timer" dSLR-snob that indeed insists upon dSLR.

But as mentioned, virtually any camera that has PASM modes should suffice and I personally would ignore any such demand and use MirrorLess. It should not make any difference.

You could even use a fixed-lens (super-zoom) bridge camera, (FZ or RX).

I do recommend a camera w/ EVF, (vs only rear-LCD), but that should also not be required.

 

[rronald_25]

But as mentioned, virtually any camera that has PASM modes should suffice and I personally would ignore any such demand and use MirrorLess. It should not make any difference.

I do recommend a camera w/ EVF, (vs only rear-LCD), but that should also not be require

Thats what I thought at first, and then Im worried about the lens & is there something dslr can do that mirrorless cant

In that case, which mirrorless would be sufficient (preferebly under €1000), as if I have to buy dslr I might buy D7500 or 2nd hand A7 II

Thanks

 

[Dutch Newchurch]

Any modern DSLR or mirrorless should be fine.

(I use the word 'modern' to suggest you shouldn't look at second-hand models that are no longer available new, and which were first launched more than about six years ago.)

If the course had more specific requirements, I would expect the paperwork to make that clear.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

I'd be surprised if the instructor allows smartphone cameras. And whatever you think of MILCs, smartphones are in no way "catching up" with DSLRs.

Of course, Im just saying the technology is faster with smartphones camera or at least leaning towards smartphone camera.

Im not even sure if mirrorless is allowed, except for sony mirrorless dslr

I'd question the credentials of any course provider who requires a DSLR over a mirrorless camera for a beginners' course.

And a 'Sony mirrorless DSLR' is a contradiction in terms. The one overriding factor that defines a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera compared to any other digital camera is the presence of a mirror.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

But as mentioned, virtually any camera that has PASM modes should suffice and I personally would ignore any such demand and use MirrorLess. It should not make any difference.

I do recommend a camera w/ EVF, (vs only rear-LCD), but that should also not be require

Thats what I thought at first, and then Im worried about the lens & is there something dslr can do that mirrorless cant

At your level of photography the answer is 'NO'.

In that case, which mirrorless would be sufficient (preferebly under €1000), as if I have to buy dslr I might buy D7500 or 2nd hand A7 II.

The Sony A7 series are ALL mirrorless. Personally I would not suggest any of them as beginner cameras, but the Sony A6000 series would be a sensible choice and there are other makes of mirrorless cameras that you could consider.

Similarly, I would not particularly recommend a D7500 for a completer beginner, as you seem to be.

 

[yardcoyote]

Why are you asking us? Consult the course requirements.

 

[Tom_N]

In that case, which mirrorless would be sufficient (preferebly under €1000), as if I have to buy dslr I might buy D7500 or 2nd hand A7 II

You could build a Micro Four-Thirds system around one of the entry-level bodies that have a viewfinder. These include the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II and Mark III. You could also check European prices on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4.

For a starter lens, you could get the the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, by itself or in a kit. The 40-150mm makes a good telephoto add-on lens, but I don't know if your instructor is going to give you any assignments where you would need it.

The Micro Four Thirds system is not a bad choice for a MILC. There are two companies (Olympus and Panasonic) competing for your camera body business, and the system has been out long enough to attract a reasonable number of lenses.

That said, I would not recommend running out and buying this (or any other) camera until you verify the requirements for the course.

 

[baloo_buc]

I'd be surprised if the instructor allows smartphone cameras. And whatever you think of MILCs, smartphones are in no way "catching up" with DSLRs.

Of course, Im just saying the technology is faster with smartphones camera or at least leaning towards smartphone camera.

Smartphones gap has widened not narrowed. They just get above the minimal threshold to be considered decent camera in ideal conditions. Smatphone cameras have no aperture control (now they have rudimentary aperture control in Samsung S9 but that control is 1990s technology of the cheapest compact cameras.

Im not even sure if mirrorless is allowed, except for sony mirrorless dslr

You must understand that mirrorless cameras are not dSLR cameras. They are compact cameras with interchangable lenses. therefore mirrorless and DSLR are incompatible terms.

I support asking the instructor first but also think about the future. If you want to have photography as hobby or not. Buy a camera for what you will use not for the course. Just make sure that the course requirements are respected by the camera.

Buy an entry level or second hand from a reputable seller that gives some kind of checking of the cameras.

 

[Michael Fryd]

...

Thanks for your reply,

I will definitely ask the instructor or the school regarding that.

Yes. We can only tell you the sorts of cameras that are reasonable for an introductory course. The important consideration is what the instructor requires.

Its just for now i need to know my options. And also because Mirrorless and Smartphone cameras are catching up, so I was thinking it would be great if I can use only mirrorless just because of the smaller size

Be careful with your assumptions, Some DSLR cameras are actually smaller and lighter than some mirrorless cameras.

Don't assume that every mirrorless is smaller than every DSLR.

There are a wide range of mirrorless and DSLR cameras out there. You have a lot of good options to choose from. The good news is that almost any current model Interchangeable Lens Camera is capable of producing excellent results.

 

[BBbuilder467]

Hi Guys,

For my free time, I decided to take a photography course, and I am about to buy the equipment. However now I am not sure whether to buy Dslr or Mirrorless for the course.

Is it still compulsory to have dslr for the course or mirrorless is catching up?

If it is, which mirrorless is good enough for that purpose?

Thanks

Check with the course itself, but it might be related more to the using the optical viewfinder vs: the EVF with the liveview, as well as the ability to manually focus.

 

[bobkoure]

If you're not sure what camera system you might eventually want, why not rent something for the course? To the extent that the course focuses on camera-holding, exposure and composition it will all transfer to whatever system you eventually get.

Yes, renting costs more than just buying what you'll eventually buy a bit sooner - but it doesn't sound like you know what that is, yet.

Check your local camera shop for rentals, also rentlenses and borrowlens. I think Adorama and B&H also rent.

Hope you have fun!

 

[davesurrey]

You did read that the OP mentioned a price in Euros didn't you and if you check you'll see he is in Amsterdam? Not New Amsterdam (ie NY) but the old version in the Nederlands!

So I guess your suggestion of hiring from B&H and Adorama isn't that useful.

 

[bobkoure]

You did read that the OP mentioned a price in Euros didn't you and if you check you'll see he is in Amsterdam? Not New Amsterdam (ie NY) but the old version in the Nederlands!

So I guess your suggestion of hiring from B&H and Adorama isn't that useful.

I missed that. Yeah, not useful. But there are places to rent in the EU, so, again, for a neophyte, why not rent?