Anubis, we can't buy used and the cheapest new one I found with a quick look was over $200. But, that got me thinking that if we could find a good film SLR cheap enough we might be able to afford the film and processing for this year with the hopes of getting more money for it next year with more money from the school and some fundraising. It's something I may consider. Thanks.
Anubis, we can't buy used and the cheapest new one I found with a quick look was over $200. But, that got me thinking that if we could find a good film SLR cheap enough we might be able to afford the film and processing for this year with the hopes of getting more money for it next year with more money from the school and some fundraising. It's something I may consider. Thanks.
Fuzzy, yeah the more I'm looking into it this evening the more I'm becoming convinced that I need to find a way to get either a DSLR or a cheap enough film SLR to be able to afford the film and processing. I thought I could get by with an advanced P&S, but I'd like to give them the best opportunity possible to really learn something about all the the possibilities of photography.
Mrvile
Lifer
- Oct 16, 2004
- 14,066
- 1
- 0
If you absolutely cannot afford a digital SLR, get a film SLR. The SLR system is the most "educational" camera system out there, and for teaching photography I would do with nothing less. I would be hard pressed to teach anything about photography with a P&S, no matter how "good" it was.
Woohoo! (I believe that's the first time I've used that phrase at AT.) Thanks for the links guys! Now these look like some really great possibilities that we could actually afford, especially the deal on the Pentax K110D with the bundle and rebate at Buydig. I knew the photographers at ATOT were the people to ask. Thanks for coming through for us!
Ika
Lifer
- Mar 22, 2006
- 14,264
- 3
- 81
Actually, Beach has the K110D with kit lens for $5 more with the same rebate, but they have free shipping. http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PKK110D1855
Mrvile, yep posting here tonight convinced me that I should try to find a SLR that we could afford instead of settling for a P&S. I'm so glad that they were able to point me in the right direction in finding something.
everman, yes I want them to learn it all and a film SLR would do that if we got one cheap enought to be able to afford film and processing, but you know how kids are these days. If I'd get them a film camera they would think it wasn't up to date enough even though I'd try to convince them of the quality they could expect from film. Looks like ATOT came through though and I won't have to deal with that.
Aflac, I just looked both of them over again and the shipping is free at Buydig as well. I did make the mistake of thinking the bundle at Buydig was included, but it's not, so we won't be able to get it right now. Neither one of them comes with a memory card, but I can buy one myself or on second thought, I might just go ahead and buy the bundle myself.
I've never bought from either BeachCamera or Buydig, but it looks like both of them are reputable dealers. If anyone has any reservations about using one of them I'd appreciate that information as well. Thanks again.
Are you teaching them basic composition, or are you also teaching exposure control (aperture, shutter, film speed) and more esoteric stuff like the tje colour wheel and the Scheimpflug principle? If it's basic composition, then all you need is a point-and-shoot camera and P mode. If it's exposure control, then go with a low-end SLR for sure. See if you can find a used Canon 300D Digital Rebel SLR. They can be had for less than $400 these days.
Get a film SLR only if the high school has its own darkroom facility. This will attract the hardcore photography nuts. If you don't have a darkroom, then I don't think kids will have much interest in working with film anymore.
Get a film SLR only if the high school has its own darkroom facility. This will attract the hardcore photography nuts. If you don't have a darkroom, then I don't think kids will have much interest in working with film anymore.
I have bought plenty of photo gear from Buydig with no problem but for your info Buydig is Beach Camera in disguise. If I were you I would buy SD memory from another source since it'll probably be cheaper then buying from buydig.
ultimatebob
Lifer
- Jul 1, 2001
- 25,134
- 2,450
- 126
Wait a minute... You're buying a $400 camera for a high school? Aren't you afraid that someone is going to break it or walk off with it?
Yep, this thread convinced me to go with an SLR and unless someone can give me a reason not to, I've decided to get the Pentax K110D with the kit lens from Buydig for a little under $400 with the rebate and free shipping. Then I'll chip in for a memory card and maybe the lens that todpod gave me a link for.
- Jan 2, 2006
- 10,455
- 35
- 91
I've bought from both Beach and Buydig. Both were fine. Get the camera with the kit lens, maybe a cheap ~$150-200 70-300mm zoom, and you should be good to go.
Film is really out of the option. Film processing can really destroy a budget, as well as seriously frustrate students when they bring back 24 horrible shots out of a roll of 24 when they're surrounded by digital cameras that can give them instant review of their shots. They might start to wonder and even get angry at why they have to learn on such "archaic" equipment when they can just go out and get a digital camera for $150.
My university offers photography classes, and like most I assume, they force the students to start out with B&W film photography, and only after an entire year do they even move to color, but still using film. I respect film as much as the next guy, but it's just not practical in this day and age, especially if you're training for a job in photography because 99% of your clients are going to want digital. You need to learn digital, you need to learn how to post-process in digital, you need to know how to color manage, how to have an efficient workflow, how to organize and archive your data, and how to print and maybe even frame. This is what's relevent in today's marketplace.
OMG this is actually kinda exciting, teaching newbies the joys of photography
Thanks for the information, .paldo, that makes me feel much more comfortable buying from them for the school. I'll probably just look around at some of the local stores to try to find a good buy on as much memory as I can afford.
Well, the kids breaking it is certainly a concern, but I've been letting them use my own Digital Rebel since August and they've been very careful to put the strap around their neck first thing whenever it's handed over to them, and they've just been very careful with it overall. I trust them, but yes accidents could happen, that's just a chance you have to take. As for someone walking off with it, stealing is pretty rare at our school, but we'll take the proper precautions and probably get it insured through the school as well.
Aharami
Lifer
- Aug 31, 2001
- 21,205
- 165
- 106
i agree that DSLR would be best for teaching photography. But if you're looking at a P&S, the Canon S3IS is a very good camera. I just got this camera as a Christmas present from my gf and Im still learning how to use it properly. It has much more manual settings than Im used to. Ive shot christmas dinner and nye party at my friend's place with the S3IS. Low light performance is not as great as I was expecting, but then again Ive never used a DSLR, so I dont know how much better that would be (im sure it would be better, just dont know by how much). I keep on getting camera shake when not using the flash, even with IS on. But Im probably not using it right, and with time, Im sure I will do a better job taking low light pics w/o flash. With all that said, Im blown away by the PQ of the S3IS. I'm moving up from an Canon A85.
Other P&S I looked at was the Panasonic FZ7 and the FZ50. I actually checked out the FZ7 in CC, and although I liked the way it held in my hand better than the S3IS, I didnt like the PQ, the LCD, or the EVF of the FZ7. Didnt check out the FZ50 in person, and although Im sure it's an overall better camera than the S3IS, dpreview and dcresource commented extensively on heavy handed noise reduction employed by Panasonic's Venus III engine which reduces PQ. And frankly, I wasnt too impressed with the sample pics on those sites. Also its a much bigger camera than the S3IS (but has a lot more features).
Another camera I looked at is the Fuji SD6000fd. I was really impressed with this camera's sample pics, but it didnt have IS and I wanted IS standard.
Other P&S I looked at was the Panasonic FZ7 and the FZ50. I actually checked out the FZ7 in CC, and although I liked the way it held in my hand better than the S3IS, I didnt like the PQ, the LCD, or the EVF of the FZ7. Didnt check out the FZ50 in person, and although Im sure it's an overall better camera than the S3IS, dpreview and dcresource commented extensively on heavy handed noise reduction employed by Panasonic's Venus III engine which reduces PQ. And frankly, I wasnt too impressed with the sample pics on those sites. Also its a much bigger camera than the S3IS (but has a lot more features).
Another camera I looked at is the Fuji SD6000fd. I was really impressed with this camera's sample pics, but it didnt have IS and I wanted IS standard.
Just so you know, I have bought things from Cameta on ebay and they are great.
28-80mm really is all a beginner would need.
Honestly, if you can find a good 50mm prime for cheap that would also be a good lense for beginners. Forces them to think more about composition and all when they are stuck with a single focal length. Also teaches that legs can zoom
28-80mm really is all a beginner would need.
Honestly, if you can find a good 50mm prime for cheap that would also be a good lense for beginners. Forces them to think more about composition and all when they are stuck with a single focal length. Also teaches that legs can zoom
D70, 300D (Digital Rebel) and D50 are all in that price category (used). I'd suggest one of those. Good luck!
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
I've bought from both Beach and Buydig. Both were fine. Get the camera with the kit lens, maybe a cheap ~$150-200 70-300mm zoom, and you should be good to go.
Film is really out of the option. Film processing can really destroy a budget, as well as seriously frustrate students when they bring back 24 horrible shots out of a roll of 24 when they're surrounded by digital cameras that can give them instant review of their shots. They might start to wonder and even get angry at why they have to learn on such "archaic" equipment when they can just go out and get a digital camera for $150.
My university offers photography classes, and like most I assume, they force the students to start out with B&W film photography, and only after an entire year do they even move to color, but still using film. I respect film as much as the next guy, but it's just not practical in this day and age, especially if you're training for a job in photography because 99% of your clients are going to want digital. You need to learn digital, you need to learn how to post-process in digital, you need to know how to color manage, how to have an efficient workflow, how to organize and archive your data, and how to print and maybe even frame. This is what's relevent in today's marketplace.
OMG this is actually kinda exciting, teaching newbies the joys of photography
Thanks, Fuzzy, between you and .paldo I've been convinced that Buydig will be okay to order from. I'm printing everything out tonight and taking it to school tomorrow so that we can get the order under way. (Have to follow all the rules and regulations for ordering through the school.) We can't afford another $150-$200 right now, but I might get the lens that todpod linked me to for $29.95 + $12.00 shipping. It's not much more reach, but every little bit helps and I can afford it.
Yeah, I figure they'd be kind of bummed about having to learn with a film camera, especially after they've already been learning some with my Digital Rebel. It would probably also make them feel like they were going backwards instead of moving forward in photography. I also recently purchased PhotoShop 5.0 and I'm going to put in on the computers in my classroom to teach them some PP skills. We don't have a photo printer in my classroom, but the school does have one that we'll have some access to and maybe we can get one of our own in the future.
I took a photography class through the Journalism department back in college and we did B&W film and fun in the darkroom. Of course, back then digital wasn't an option. I really enjoyed the class though.
Yes, I'm pretty excited about teaching the newbies the joys of photography.
Thanks, Aharami. Yeah, it takes a while to get comfortable with any new camera no matter how much experience you have in photography. I like the sample pics I've seen from just about every Fuji I've looked at too, but I've decided to go with the Pentax K110D deal mentioned above. That should be enough camera to teach them some things for starters and then maybe we can add more to it later on.
Originally posted by: FilmCamera
Just so you know, I have bought things from Cameta on ebay and they are great.
28-80mm really is all a beginner would need.
Honestly, if you can find a good 50mm prime for cheap that would also be a good lense for beginners. Forces them to think more about composition and all when they are stuck with a single focal length. Also teaches that legs can zoom
Thanks for the info on Cameta, FilmCamera. I'll probably get the lens from them that todpod linked me to. Some of the photos I posted that they've taken with my camera were with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens and you are correct about teaching them that they have to use their legs to compose the shot. They had to be told to move forward or back.
Yeah, those would be great cameras for them to learn on. They've been learning a little using my 300D, but unfortunately we can't buy used when purchasing through the school because of the warranty. Thanks though.
todpod
Golden Member
- Nov 10, 2001
- 1,275
- 0
- 76
If you are getting the kit lens I am not sure you really need the lens I linked to, they are really covering most of the same ground. Remember this camera can use the old k-mount manual focus lenses, A place like www.keh.com sells a bunch of different ones fairly cheap. KEH does offer warrenty on there used stuff.
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