What Camera for a Beginning Digital Photography Student?
First of all, let put your mind at ease, you need not spend a huge amount of money to obtain a very good digital camera. While new, current models can cost upwards of $700.00 to $800.00, you can purchase used entry level models for $250.00 to $400.00 by shopping around.
There are two categories of digital cameras that will work for this class: digital SLR (single lens reflex) and super zooms.
Digital SLR cameras are distinctive because they have interchangeable lenses, super zooms are similar in appearance to digital SLRs but have a fixed lens that cannot be changed. Superzoom cameras are usually less expensive that digital SLRs but are also less versatile in the long run and I find that students quickly outgrow them.
Used cameras can be a bargain, Murphy's camera on Bardstown road in the Highlands has a decent selection of used cameras, as does Chuck Rubin Cameras, also on Bardstown Road (Near Jack Fry's restaurant). Many of my students have also had success finding good used cameras on eBay.
The one feature that any camera we use in digital photography must have is a MANUAL MODE, in other words, the user must be able to take total control of the camera. All digital SLR and most all super zoom cameras have a manual mode, if you are in doubt go to Murphy's Camera on Bardstown Road and ask to look at various camera models and ask for about Manual Mode. Most compact cameras (usually small square things about the size of a deck of cards) will NOT work for this class as they do not operate in Manual mode and lack the features that allow the student to connect them to our large studio flash lighting when we do that unit in the winter months.
Both Nikon and Canon make an excellent digital SLR, I prefer Canon for the ease of use and more logical layout of menu items and controls, however that is a personal preference, others have a strong preference for Nikon or Olympus.
Some entry level cameras to consider are:
Canon Rebel series, Rebel XT, Rebel XS, Rebel XTi, Rebel T2i, Rebel T3i The T4i and T5i are currently Canon's top entry level cameras
Olympus makes an excellent compact digital SLR, the E 510, E610 are excellent older digital SLRs (the E510 can be purchased for around $250.00 on eBay) they currently they make the E520 and E620, both excellent cameras.
Some entry level Nikon cameras are: Nikon D50, D70, both older camera that can be purchased for $200.00 - $300.00 on eBay D3100, D3200, D3300, are more recent models. All 5 models are excellent cameras, as is any DSLR made by Nikon.
Pentax makes an excellent camera as well, however I am not familiar with their models so don't feel comfortable suggesting any particular model, they make a fine camera.
I am not a fan of Sony cameras, they have a very non-standard way of connecting with a studio flash unit, rendering then unusable by the student during the flash and portrait sections of the course.
You really can't go wrong sticking to one of the four major brands listed above, they all make fine cameras that take excellent pictures (in the right hands!) now let's get to work making your student's photography skills at least as good as the camera they chose to purchase!
I am looking forward to a great school year.
First of all, let put your mind at ease, you need not spend a huge amount of money to obtain a very good digital camera. While new, current models can cost upwards of $700.00 to $800.00, you can purchase used entry level models for $250.00 to $400.00 by shopping around.
There are two categories of digital cameras that will work for this class: digital SLR (single lens reflex) and super zooms.
Digital SLR cameras are distinctive because they have interchangeable lenses, super zooms are similar in appearance to digital SLRs but have a fixed lens that cannot be changed. Superzoom cameras are usually less expensive that digital SLRs but are also less versatile in the long run and I find that students quickly outgrow them.
Used cameras can be a bargain, Murphy's camera on Bardstown road in the Highlands has a decent selection of used cameras, as does Chuck Rubin Cameras, also on Bardstown Road (Near Jack Fry's restaurant). Many of my students have also had success finding good used cameras on eBay.
The one feature that any camera we use in digital photography must have is a MANUAL MODE, in other words, the user must be able to take total control of the camera. All digital SLR and most all super zoom cameras have a manual mode, if you are in doubt go to Murphy's Camera on Bardstown Road and ask to look at various camera models and ask for about Manual Mode. Most compact cameras (usually small square things about the size of a deck of cards) will NOT work for this class as they do not operate in Manual mode and lack the features that allow the student to connect them to our large studio flash lighting when we do that unit in the winter months.
Both Nikon and Canon make an excellent digital SLR, I prefer Canon for the ease of use and more logical layout of menu items and controls, however that is a personal preference, others have a strong preference for Nikon or Olympus.
Some entry level cameras to consider are:
Canon Rebel series, Rebel XT, Rebel XS, Rebel XTi, Rebel T2i, Rebel T3i The T4i and T5i are currently Canon's top entry level cameras
Olympus makes an excellent compact digital SLR, the E 510, E610 are excellent older digital SLRs (the E510 can be purchased for around $250.00 on eBay) they currently they make the E520 and E620, both excellent cameras.
Some entry level Nikon cameras are: Nikon D50, D70, both older camera that can be purchased for $200.00 - $300.00 on eBay D3100, D3200, D3300, are more recent models. All 5 models are excellent cameras, as is any DSLR made by Nikon.
Pentax makes an excellent camera as well, however I am not familiar with their models so don't feel comfortable suggesting any particular model, they make a fine camera.
I am not a fan of Sony cameras, they have a very non-standard way of connecting with a studio flash unit, rendering then unusable by the student during the flash and portrait sections of the course.
You really can't go wrong sticking to one of the four major brands listed above, they all make fine cameras that take excellent pictures (in the right hands!) now let's get to work making your student's photography skills at least as good as the camera they chose to purchase!
I am looking forward to a great school year.