RE: Need to get a camera: Not sure if I'm putting this in the right section, but I only have a few minutes to post. My niece is beginning a photography course and has to upgrade to a...

Aunt Wawa

Not sure if I'm putting this in the right section, but I only have a few minutes to post.
My niece is beginning a photography course and has to upgrade to a new camera.

Her words - So I'm gonna have to get a new camera for my classes. A Digital SLR camera with an interchangeable lens system, 8 megapixel minimum, and a RAW file setting. My current camera is perfect for the job, except I can't change lenses.

The school has a camera kit that she can purchase for $600 but if she can go cheaper, that would always be nice.

Any suggestions for her?

If so, thanks so much and you all have a great day!

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

What is there kit camera?

blankmange Loc: down on the farm...

I'd be curious as to the kit offered by the school also...

or something along these lines, too:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/982527-REG/pentax_10894_k_50_digital_slr_camera.html

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Aunt Wawa wrote:

.... A Digital SLR camera with an interchangeable lens system,....

My suggestion would be to find a different teacher. Putting students in a position to spend money on the lowest common denominator might be an elitist attitude. The teacher may be trying to pad his/her appearance of knowledge by having expensive gear. The art of photography is not having a DSLR. It is training the head behind the camera, not having a DSLR camera.

Just ranting....

Aunt Wawa

I agree with the head behind the camera. My niece does have a great head already - she's very creative both in drawing and art and behind the camera already.
I think the kit from the school contains a canon rebel?? I'm waiting to hear back from her this evening for more details.
She had a Nikon a few years ago and LOVED it and I think she really would like to upgrade to something she's actually going to love using but... time will tell.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Aunt Wawa wrote:

Not sure if I'm putting this in the right section,... (show quote)

Seems strange but teachers often require minimum equipt for classes. The local community college here requires students to start with film. The more advanced classes use digital. The biggest camera shop in the area sells (and buys back) and rents film cameras and gear just to help students meet the requirement.

What is this kit the school sells for $600?

Follow this link to Walmart and you get many choices in that price range. (a couple of these kits are available in store, no wait, check your local Walmart)
http://www.walmart.com/browse/electronics/digital-slr-cameras/3944_133277_1096663

Costco and Sam's Club have selections in the same range, just not as big a selection.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

robertjerl wrote:

Seems strange but teachers often require minimum e... (show quote)

How many students have used it? Check out Adorama and B&H refurbished

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

bsprague wrote:

My suggestion would be to find a different teacher. Putting students in a position to spend money on the lowest common denominator might be an elitist attitude. The teacher may be trying to pad his/her appearance of knowledge by having expensive gear. The art of photography is not having a DSLR. It is training the head behind the camera, not having a DSLR camera.
Just ranting....

Yes, but your RANT is ludicrous!
And your kids were pulled out of every class you didn't agree with?!
It's always a student/parent choice to take an elective class or not. Bill, you want to see expensive, take band!
I've taken lots of classes and the syllabus clearly states a real DSLR is required.
In the classes where it's not required the students suffered because the one or two trying to use bridge cameras just could produce the quality of the other students.
There are plenty of used inexpensive cameras like a Canon 20d or other equivilant that are very inexpensive.
I would look on Craig's list for a good used system if you don't want to go with the schools system, or let us know what that package is! ;-)
SS

Aunt Wawa

it is for the Pittsburgh Art Institute - Associate Degree in Digital Photography.
That's what I know for now, until I talk to her later.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

warrior wrote:

How many students have used it? Check out Adorama and B&H refurbished

Say what?

Are you commenting on the link to Walmart for the OP's niece's requirements or the section where I noted that the local college here in CA requires film in the beginning photo class?

If the latter, I doubt anyone here will resort to B&H or Adorama, they are nearly 3000 miles from us. The local shop will sell or rent the gear, give instruction on how to get started, sell film, provide processing service and when they are done with the class buy the gear back if the student doesn't want to keep it.

If I ever get up the motivation I will take a ton of old film gear over to trade for a few pennies on the dollar towards more new toys. (I became the family depository of old cameras and have 6 or 7 film SLRs and lenses that work plus several fixed lens 35 mm cameras, one medium format with 2 lenses and one 4x5 Speed Graphic

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

bsprague wrote:

My suggestion would be to find a different teacher. Putting students in a position to spend money on the lowest common denominator might be an elitist attitude. The teacher may be trying to pad his/her appearance of knowledge by having expensive gear. The art of photography is not having a DSLR. It is training the head behind the camera, not having a DSLR camera.

Just ranting....

Yes you are ranting.
And your rant is a load of bollocks.
The tools required for the job is NOT the lowest common denominator (whatever you mean by that).
Teaching skills is always about theory and practical work.
I understand perfectly why they want the photog students to have a DSLR with minimum specs. $600 is hardly an expensive requirement. 3 text books can easily cost that.
I would think an interchangeable lens system would be the minimum requirement.
How else will the students get hands on experience about the full system, and how different focal lengths and types of lenses affect composition etc, if they do not have access to it to practice?
How could the teacher, teach them available light night photography, with a noise riddled bridge camera, with a sensor not much bigger than a matchhead?
You don't want to be teaching inadequacies, you want to be teaching achievements!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Aunt Wawa wrote:

it is for the Pittsburgh Art Institute - Associate Degree in Digital Photography.
That's what I know for now, until I talk to her later.

I just looked that school up, does not appear to be a good idea.
They seem to be a for profit diploma mill. And over priced to boot. Several ratings and reviews of unhappy customers, esp when it comes to required gear and software expenses.
Better to take photography at a community college or other state/public school associated institute. At least here in California were have a state controled and regulated system of 2 year community colleges. Does Pennsylvania have a similar system?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

SharpShooter wrote:

Yes, but your RANT is ludicrous!
....

With humility, I beg your forgiveness. My excuse it that I've become a mirrorless addict. It is the "SLR" part of the requirement that I object to. Not, the lens part. I've gotten used to not having noisy mirrors flapping around!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

lighthouse wrote:

Yes you are ranting.
And your rant is a load of bollocks......

Please forgive me. I'll try harder not to do that again!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

bsprague wrote:

My suggestion would be to find a different teacher. Putting students in a position to spend money on the lowest common denominator might be an elitist attitude. The teacher may be trying to pad his/her appearance of knowledge by having expensive gear. The art of photography is not having a DSLR. It is training the head behind the camera, not having a DSLR camera.

Just ranting....

A VALID RANT!!!