Okay.

I've been looking into doing some sort of photogrophy course. What would be a good started camera thats not ridiculous in price but will get me some nice quality shots and not laughed out of the course. I assume digital is the way to go now but there are so many to choose from.


Thanks

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FUJI-FINEPIX-S5100-36x-ZOOM-DIGITAL-SLR-2-BONUS_W0QQitemZ140129520508QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3138 8QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is this one any good.

Get a 2nd-hand manual SLR if you really want to test the theories that you learn. It's all about the lenses. Unfortunately, a good digital SLR starts around 800 or so?... A manual one may require you to develop the films that you take. It is still cheaper than a digi-SLR.

SO how much is a manual one gonna cost. What type of film do they take, How much for good film etc. I don't mind if its manual I just thougt digital would be the way to go.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FUJI-FINEPIX-S5100-36x-ZOOM-DIGITAL-SLR-2-BONUS_W0QQitemZ140129520508QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3138 8QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is this one any good.
I do not know whether that model is any good. I know the body looks like a SLR, but it is not a digital SLR with full functionalities. I hazard a guess that you cannot use various lenses on it. It is classed as "SLR-like", which means that it has some functionalities that a SLR have, but it is a standard camera with some set lenses that a 35mm may have. It's cheaper as it is not a digi-SLR. I have a Canon G5 which is like that too as my first digi-camera. It served me well, but I'm not sure how I can test the theories of lenses if it is not a SLR. I was thinking of getting a manual SLR too.

Have a look at this:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Hope that explains it a bit.

It might be worth checking with the course leaders, as there may be some specific functions they want your camera to have.

SO how much is a manual one gonna cost. What type of film do they take, How much for good film etc. I don't mind if its manual I just thougt digital would be the way to go.
I think you can get a good decent one for around 100-200 or so. It is the lenses which are expensive. It depends on how long you want to practice and use it for.

Films can be around 2-4 quid a roll, depending on which type you buy, and where. A lot of amateurs buy their films from online. Some more sensitive films you gotta keep in the fridge.

Digi-SLR can allow you to see the photo on screen, but it would not allow you to see the actual print. If a digi-SLR starts around the 800 mark, imagine how many rolls of films you can get? Plus, how much will it cost to have another lense for it too? A manual one can allow you to get a couple of lense for experimenting with. I would look in Jacobs and Harrisons for second-hand ones.

Anyway, it depends on which photography course you are going on, and whether they require you to have a SLR camera.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-REBEL-EOS-300X-SLR-CAMERA-T2_W0QQitemZ330134592556QQihZ014QQcategoryZ30033QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How about this one. I will check with course leaders before purchasing but just looking for ballpark figures. I had a look at the site you suggested bago but way too many options that I don't understand

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Minolta-Dynax-404si-AF-35mm-SLR-plus-Minolta-28-80-Zoom_W0QQitemZ300122813527QQihZ020QQcategoryZ15237 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Found this on EBAY its on my price range and read web reviews that say its good as a starter Manual SLR.

ANyone had any experience with it!!!

Thanks

A good DSLR doesn't have to start at 800, I bought my Canon EOS 400D about 4 months ago and the Body + 35-55 Lens was £500 I think. Yes I also bought a zoom lens, bag, tripod, etc etc etc and ending up spending £1200, but that's coz I got carried away.

I have to say its the best investment I have made. The photos are great, its eay to use and so many functions.

There are also cheaper ones out there, the EOS 350D for example.

As long as you get a decent body, you can invest in the expensive Lenses at a later date.

Good luck
BB.

Even though I would much prefer digital. I just can't justify spending that much. Even if it is only 350 or whatever. I think Ill buy manual and if i get the bug then Ill get a canon eos of some sort or one of the lowere end nikkon.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-F55-35mm-SLR-Camera-with-28-80-Lens_W0QQitemZ260128706541QQihZ016QQcategoryZ30035 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or maybe this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-F65-Autofocus-35mm-SLR-35-70mm-AF-Zoom-Lens_W0QQitemZ300122818830QQihZ020QQcategoryZ30035 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Okay I think I have settled for this. Gonna purchase it this afternoon unless antone screams at me not not.


Reviews/Comments please


But now I found this as well.

WHich One??????

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-MZ-60-plus-Pentax-28-80mm-Zoom-Lens_W0QQitemZ300122807680QQihZ020QQcategoryZ15240 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

I've got a Minolta X-300s you can have for nowt if you want it - just pass it on to someone else learning photography when you've outgrown it.

It's manual focus only though.

PDF manual here. (http://http://www.biowriters.com/emmanouil/images/x-300en.pdf)

It's got a 27-70mm zoom lens with a macro.


I should point out that I've not used it for several years and, although it was working last time I used it, the battery is flat now so I can't check if it still is.

I found this too, which I thought was an okay pricing for everything.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=229847