Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

A small sensor with low Mp for up to 8x10 prints gives you enormous leeway for beginners. I just opened eBay and saw Nikon s7000 (new $300) for $80. But there are thousands there to choose from. Have them check with you before ordering to make sure it meets your needs and looks like a good seller (eBay will back up guaranteed returns). They go under $50 for pretty good starters (with manual mode) and pretty versatile zooms, and all the familiar brands are good. Today eBayers ship very fast and often for free. I look for a seller who knows about the product, not just somebody clearing out an estate.

If they want new, see if a camera store can get you a deal for what you want. Their suppliers might give them a school discount. (Probably not a big box store--they may not be able to make deals.) If you have local camera clubs, they may be willing to contribute older gear.

k2edm Loc: FN32AD

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Teaching photography at this level should not be encumbered by learning how to use a camera. It really should be about learning how to see, compose and record the world around them and what the students want to learn. One of the most valuable skills you will teach your group is how to be self-critical. That is really all you need to teach them.

You may want them to learn how to manually control a camera, but if the group is young, I think that would be a mistake. As they learn to use their phones with greater skill and emphasis on content, the rest will come in time.

Rmalarz's and others suggestion is stellar! A cellphone with a good manual photo app like those described here, would be far more manageable with better outcomes.

https://www.androidauthority.com/manual-mode-mobile-photography-984189/
https://iphonephotographyschool.com/iphone-camera-controls/


Besides, settling on a single or at most two apps for the cellphone cameras will make your job easier with everyone being on the same page. Just think about how many adults there are on this forum that struggle with the basics. Keep it simple, make it easy, they will learn, they will improve right before your eyes.

dkburrows72 Loc: Lake George, NY

I would recommend buying used entry level cameras from somewhere like KEH.com, MPB.com or bhphotovideo.com. You can get older model entry level camera bodies for around $200 such as the Nikon D3200 and they are still fairly modern digital cameras with high resolution sensors.

awesome14 Loc: UK

I don't want a camera that many owners want to get rid of. I want one that is scarce and costly on the used market.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Fair enough--resale value is a factor, but market value is not always what I like... there are plenty of scarce and costly cameras that I don't want, such as the $5,500 used Leica black and white digital camera.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Wait, what? I must be getting old I guess. I'm not sure I'm understanding this. Are you actually looking for a used rare camera that is expensive for you to buy?

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Kinda, isn't that what collectors do? Nothing wrong with that...

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Yes I completely agree, but I thought the original question was to find a "good camera for a beginner"?

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Hi - Ebay will have lots of good older DSLR's for sale in that range. But here is my big tip.... tell everyone to buy the same brand (canon or nikon) - that way you all can share lenses, and it will make teaching easier. I tell my students to get any Canon Rebel they can afford, any rebel starting with a " t " in the name, (t3, t7i etc..) If you take your time and read the descriptions you should be able to find many nice cameras for under 200 on Ebay.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Here are a couple that I would recommend to my students:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133885178664?epid=100127676&hash=item1f2c2db328:g:MjcAAOSwVGdhS4Gi

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194386337298?hash=item2d42541e12%3Ag%3AASEAAOSwgLZhTOiu&LH_BIN=1

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

I agree as well - the Rebels and D3xxx models are your best choices. The kit lenses can also be purchased used for <$100. If the goal is to teach beginners, these cameras/lenses will work fine.