I'm looking to get a camera to start learning a little bit about this stuff. I'm a student looking to go into tv/film production and thought learning a bit about photo cameras and shooting would be good. So a few things I'm looking for. Low cost (300 max..?). Most likely will by used and older model considering money. I'm not looking to do professional things with this camera, just want to learn the basics of lens', lighting, etc so just want somethin half-way decent I can get things for as time goes on and that I can learn with. I'm assuming most everything is digital now? I have a good handle on photoshop so I'm also doing this to excell my skills in that.
Any advice would be great. Thanks
(great forum by the way...I really enjoy reading the critique on each others photos...alot of talented people here)
Not really. You'll be looking at a second hand camera and, with no existing investment in lenses, you might as well flip a coin.
Well, ok, that's not true. But the point is that if you want to just test the proverbial water, then any dSLR will do.
Go do a shop, literally get a feel for the cameras and try to get one second hand that feels the nicest. Find out which one has the most logical/instinctive controls and menu structure.
A Canon 300D or Nikon D70 could probably be had for very little. If you want to get an idea of what a D70 feels like, just try a bit of hands-on with the D80. And for the Canon 300D, you can try the 10D/20D/30D/40D. The Canon 350D and 400D are smaller though.
You should be able to pick up a used Pentax K-1000 (one of the finest student cameras ever produced) with a 50mm lens for under $200... for under $300 you should be able to get a Nikon FM2n with a 50mm lens...
Both cameras are all mechanical cameras - the only electronics is the meter and are nearly indestructible...
If you have access to a darkroom, you may want to consider learning to bulk load the film... I can shoot and process plus-x for $.50 per roll... Having the lab process film can get expensive fast...
