frozenhermitphoto

There has been some interest expressed in my area for a class for beginners in DSLR photography. I am strongly considering teaching this class, but there is just one little hitch; I only shoot Sony.

Sony is not widely popular, so most of my students would likely be using a new entry level camera from a big box store, or a used camera. In order to help people master their cameras, I need to familiarize myself with the menu systems and basic functions of cameras from different manufacturers, but since I am unfamiliar with them I am asking for suggestions.

I would like input from experienced shooters who are familiar with several different models of camera, even if it is only from one brand, about which single camera I could purchase (of each brand) that would give me a good general working knowledge of that particular brand's menu system and common features. I know that menu systems evolve along with the features on cameras, but I have no idea how much the other brands have changed over the years. I have considered simply purchasing a refurb entry level rig from each brand, but some brands have such a wide range that choosing one would be silly without prior knowledge of the systems.

I am asking that you keep in mind I have a limited budget, so please don't recommend professional series cameras. And please don't ask what my budget is. I will be looking at entry level or older model cameras that can be used as loaners for those who want to test the waters before they sell their P&S cameras.

Image quality, megapixel count, and bundled accessories are irrelevant at this point; I just want to avoid looking like a fool is someone brings a brand new olyfujicanikon to me and asks how to change a common setting.

I really appreciate any real help you can provide.
PS: I got the Sony brand covered, thanks. ;-)

Cibafan Loc: Virginia

I suggest you teach photography basics and tell each student to study their owners manual. Teaching a class of several people how to operate their own camera's will leave little time for composition, depth of field, exposure, white balance, effects of light and when it occurs in nature.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Yoy might just want to download manuals from each of the makers and read them so as to familiarize yourself with various models. Alot cheaper than buying the actual camera.P.S. buying tthe bodies used would be less than refurb

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

I shoot canon and I have a 40 d and a 5dII and I find the menus are very similar, I had a canon rebel for years and the main difference from the rebels menus is you have to go into LED screen to access them. I would think for you to get familiar with different brand menus. You could by a older canon rebel and something about the same in a Nikon. All the basics
Operations remain in about the same place. This would give you a hands on with both brands and you already know Sony so I think you would be in good shape.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I agree, teach the triangle of exposure, what each setting does to an exposure. Doesn't matter what make of camera. Good luck.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I second that. You can download all of Canon's manuals free at:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras

The T3i is a popular entry level camera. Study the manual and it will give you a good idea of how Canon's operate. The 7DII is Canon's latest entry and its manual would discuss the newest capabilities.
I assume you can download Nikon, Olympus, and other manuals the same way.

jbaird Loc: Coatesville, Pa

Most camera stores rent equipment also. You might wanna check what it would cost to rent for a day or two to familiarize yourself.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

You could also be upfront in the course description that the class is NOT learning to operate a camera but about actually just learning to take images.
You could ask for volunteers from the class that could help those that can't operate their cameras that they get together after class or before to help with that.
Every class I've taken I was expected to know my own camera. ;-)
SS

Edit: if camera operation is part of the class, then it's not the class for you to teach.

frozenhermitphoto

Gee, what a novel idea. I hadn't thought of telling people to read their owner's manual. Not everyone retains 100% of what they read, and if the need arises to remind someone of how to access a setting on a d5100 then I will look like some kind of jerk telling them to whip out their manual.

If I were paying to have someone teach me, and they told me that, I would lose confidence in their abilities. In Northern Michigan the word of mouth factor is very important; customer satisfaction is essential to survival. I want people to enjoy the class, and inspire them to learn the camera functions to support their quest for being a photographer, not make them afraid to ask questions because they know I will recite "RTM" constantly.

Thank you for your input. Do you have any advice in regards to the request I made in the original post?

frozenhermitphoto

I thought of that, but which model should I study to get the best general feel? If I download a bunch of them, read them, I still have not practiced using the gear.

Buying used is a good idea, but you never know what you are getting. With refurb you get a warranty and unused equipment.

frozenhermitphoto

Thank you Greg! I wonder if the same holds true for Nikon, Olympus, Fuji etc. And the bridge cameras? Hoping for more input like you gave.

frozenhermitphoto

Yeah, that twenty minutes will come somewhere in the first class meeting. I want to do more than that. I want to teach people how to use what they have to get what they want. They can look up the exposure triangle on the internet but it won't take them to the next step, and the next, and the next.

frozenhermitphoto

Thanks for the link! Do all Canons operate the same way? Will the T3i manual suffice if they bring in something newer or older? That is my quest with this thread, to find this out.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

If you are expecting to have a working knowledge of the menu system of every camera that a group of beginners could bring to a beginners class then I wish you luck. Even people who work eight hours a day selling cameras have difficulty doing that. You could buy a camera from each of the major manufacturers of DSLRs - Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sigma, but even within brands there are variations which nobody could be expected to master enough to quickly help a student who had messed up their settings. You could study the reviews of various cameras on DPReview where the menu systems are discussed in some detail, and download the users manuals for various cameras. Or you could wait until you see what cameras the students show up with and then familiarize yourself with those models by these means. You could, of course, advise your potential students that your course is on the ART of photography, not the mechanics and that you expect everyone to have read their manual and know how to adjust aperture, shutter speed and ISO.