RE: Need to get a camera (Page 2): Well, why didn't you say so? Now I'm with you. A DSLR is good. But it doesn't have to be DSLR ... as long as it has a decent sized sensor and the...

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

bsprague wrote:

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!

Well, why didn't you say so?
Now I'm with you.
A DSLR is good.
But it doesn't have to be DSLR ... as long as it has a decent sized sensor and the ability to change to a large variety of different lenses.
I don't have a problem with your rant now.
I don't think the teacher would have a problem with someone turning up with an A7R or an X-T1.

Hammer Loc: London UK

Aunt Wawa wrote:

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

Hi,

I am relatively new to photography and two years down the line I can honestly confirm the comments made about the creative aspects of photography. The composition/artistic aspects are far more important than the equipment and technique. As my wife says, I have loads of equipment but take uninteresting photos

IMHO an understanding of perspective and vanishing point are important and can also highly recommend a book previously suggest on the HO :
The photographers eye, by Michael Freeman, its mind-blowing

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Hammer wrote:

Hi, br br I am relatively new to photography and ... (show quote)

Yes, I can very much second this recommendation.
It is one I have made on here many times.
Simple to read, easy to understand, with very accurate powerful images to support the advise.
The follow up companion book is well worth the price as well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240824261/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687642&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0240809343&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YKKWAZ0Z8W4NXFPJZRZ

Hammer Loc: London UK

lighthouse wrote:

Yes, I can very much second this recommendation.
It is one I have made on here many times.
Simple to read, easy to understand, with very accurate powerful images to support the advise.
The follow up companion book is well worth the price as well.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240824261/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687642&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0240809343&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YKKWAZ0Z8W4NXFPJZRZ

Hi,

I think it was on your recommendation that I purchased and I slo got the follow up , its brilliant , many thanks .

Impressionist

Nikon and Canon are the most popular DSLRs, thus your niece will find other students with lenses etc that will work with the system she chooses if she stays with either. You will find a Nikon or Canon system on Amazon or one of the big stores like B&H and Adaroma that have slightly older systems that will do just fine at your price point. Pretty hard to go wrong if you stay with these. There are other good companies like my much beloved Sony but these are for discovery once your niece gets comfortable.

We could start a whole new thread on why bother teaching film to beginners. Is APS on the way out? Photography is undergoing major changes and it will be awhile before the dust settles. Principals of light and exposure will remain. Stay with one of the two Nikon or Canon and let your niece enjoy her first few quarters. She will join the on going debate here in no time.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Hammer wrote:

Hi,

I think it was on your recommendation that I purchased and I slo got the follow up , its brilliant , many thanks .

I'm glad my advice was useful to you and appreciated Hammer.

Hammer Loc: London UK

lighthouse wrote:

I'm glad my advice was useful to you and appreciated Hammer.

Hi,

Believe me , it is very appreciated. This is an incredible forum, there is such a vast range of knowledge and willingness to help.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Aunt Wawa...If your niece is enrolled in a degree in digital photography she will definitely need a decent dslr. I would suggest having her call B&H Photo. If she is going to be using this camera in future classes, I would suggest that she purchase the Nikon D7000, which is available from them for $429, body only. A 50mm f1.8D lens would run app. $130. The two purchases should keep you within budget and would be a good combination with which to start. Note...do not get the 50mm f1.8G lens which will cost double and is not necessary for the D7000. The only real difference is that the G has a motor in the lens for focusing which is not needed on the D7000.

Note: The D7000 is not the latest release from Nikon, but was released about four years ago and is an excellent camera. It was $1100 new when first released. I have one and was amazed by the photos it took right out of the box. She'll like it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Aunt Wawa wrote:

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

Cameta has a nice selection of refurbs.

http://www.cameta.com/refurbished-digital-slr-cameras.cfm

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Aunt Wawa...If your niece is enrolled in a degree in digital photography she will definitely need a decent dslr. I would suggest having her call Amazon. If she is going to be using this camera in future classes, I would suggest that she purchase the Nikon D7000, which is available from them for $509, body only. A 50mm f1.8D lens would run app. $130. The two purchases should keep you within budget and would be a good combination with which to start. Note...do not get the 50mm f1.8G lens which will cost double and is not necessary for the D7000. The only real difference is that the G has a motor in the lens for focusing which is not needed on the D7000.

Note: I see that with Amazon there is the option to purchase this camera with the Nikon 18-55mm lens. This lens would be more flexible than the 50mm, but not work as well in low light. It might be the better lens for a beginning photo class. It does get good reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D7000-DSLR-Body-Only/dp/B0042X9LC4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426677171&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d7000+for+sale

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi AW. I can understand the limit of 8 mp's but not the camera.??? I help a friend at the JVS here and we take any camera they can afford!! It is not the camera doing the work. It is the nut behind it!:) If you can get the phone number of the teacher, I would call him/her and ask why.:) Oh! Take a look at the new Canons. They have an SX50 and SX60. They will do more than my big camera on the long side.:):) But that would give the teacher heart failure :):)

Aunt Wawa wrote:

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

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

Having an SLR for a photography class seems like pretty reasonable requirement to me.
A (used) Canon T3 or T4 with a kit lens or two and maybe the 50mm 1.8 ($125) should get you what you need for the class for a very modest cost.

Of course there are plenty of other choices from several other manufacturers but used T3is should be very plentiful....it was a spectacularly successful camera, a big seller.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

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....

I agree with this.
How many parents can afford such an expense?
Nothing wrong with a bridge camera or some such similar camera, and why 8MP?
Is this teacher not teaching technique, composition and the basic principles of photography? All that can be accomplished with my box Brownie.
Just ranting as well.

h1h1d4mje

Think about a Sony A58

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

It is still early to suggest not using the schools $600 kit. At least until we know what is in it. Maybe the school struck a great deal and the kit is a bargin. Don't know until we see what is in it.