Suitable camera for a student?

[johndec]

Much to my suprise, my 15yo daughter announced tonight that she was considering studying photography as one of her HSC subjects next year.

For non NSW members, HSC is the Higher School Certificate, also known as VCE in Victoria or Senior High in the USA, you get the drift, it's the last 2 years of High School... gee, I wish I had choices like that when I was at school. Physics or Photography, hmm, I know which way I would have jumped

Anyway, my first thought was this was a perfect excuse to give her my D70 and upgrade to (hopefully available by early next year) a D200... However reading through the syllabus it appears that the course is film not digital based

I've got a couple of 20yo MF film SLR's (Ricoh and Minolta) but I doubt they would be suitable. I'm thinking if she goes through with this maybe a F80 off ebay may be suitable? Plus, I wouldn't mind having something like that as a back up camera. Opinions?

[birddog114]

NO, can't do that Dad!!!!!!!
A D2x for me and you keep your D70

Apart from it, I say film camera is better for HS, They'll use or taken photos with B&W and they'll play with dark room, that what they have to learn at school.

[phillipb]

Actually John, I think your old minolta would be better suited.
My daughter did a similar thing for her HSC. She ended up borrowing the school's Pentax K1000 because they preferred a completely manual camera to learn on.

[Jamie]

A friend of mine just finished VCE last year and they lent the students camera's to learn with, they were also fully manual.

It might be worth finding out her exact needs before paying out money on something she may not be able to use.

Jamie

[Nnnnsic]

I'd look at something like an F65 or an FE series. The F80 might be a bit too pro for a new-ish photographer... I used Dad's old Nikkormat FTN during Photography in my Year 11 (dropped out in Year 12 because it was all the same in Year 12 and I wanted to do Anthroplogy and Film Editing instead) and, like the FE series, worked a charm.

The fact that it lacks auto-focus makes it a better option because it means the photographer really has to work to get the image they want and not just rely on the camera's in-built functionality, which is what most students seemed to do.

[MCWB]

John: If you'd like a Nikon F50 with Nikkor 35-80 f/4-5.6 lens (I think?) I'd be willing to part with mine cheaply, as it's not getting any use these days!

[johndec]

Thanks for all the replies guys, but as Jamie mentioned, it may be better waiting until she starts the course as they may have restrictions on what cameras are allowed to be used. BTW, they are giving away film SLRs on ebay, this F80 just went off a few minutes ago:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... eName=WDVW

Nearly bought it just for the hell of it

[johndec]

John: If you'd like a Nikon F50 with Nikkor 35-80 f/4-5.6 lens (I think?) I'd be willing to part with mine cheaply, as it's not getting any use these days!

Thanks Trent, I'll keep that in mind but you may want to hang onto it if this ebay auction is any guide as to it's worth

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... eName=WDVW

Told you they were giving away film SLRs on ebay

[redline]

i don't want to be rude in anyway, but i remember that there usually was an interview process plus portfolio submission for most or all photography courses.
thats probaby one of the reasons i didn't apply many years ago.

[phillipb]

Redline, I think you'll find that John's daughter is only studying photography at school just like any other subject, eg english science etc.

[johndec]

Redline, I think you'll find that John's daughter is only studying photography at school just like any other subject, eg english science etc.

Correct.

[Nnnnsic]

Photography is a course you can take at high school if your high school runs it.

At Uni, Photography (usually associated with Fine Arts) requires an interview with a portfolio and occasionally some sort of arts test.

[gstark]

John,

I'd be very surprised if either the Ricoh or Minolta were not suitable for this purpose.

Next up you'll be buying a bulk film loader.

[Antsl]

Hi John,

I think that guys have covered most of the topics however I would make one suggestion ... after determining whether your daughter gets onto the course and whether or not she needs a film camera, get her started on the Ricoh or the Minolta but then look at getting her a Nikon F801 if she starts proving her interest and the ability to look after good gear.

You can buy an 801 for a good price and yet it has many desirable specs that you dont get to see on the F50, F65 and F80 cameras including high eyepoint viewfinder, fast sync speed and straightforward control system. It is the type of camera that she can easily use in a advanced camera course without feeling too out of place... if cameras like the D100's replacement have some of the features of F801 I would actually be happy!

Cheers,
Antsl

[shutterbug]

Hi John,

I have a F80 + grip that I will be selling. Under 10 rolls has been through it. Brought new this year as a backup, but decided to go fully digital. Already sold one on Ebay early this year. PM me if you are interested.

[redline]

whoops, i must of miss the first 2 lines of the post,
i guess it was pretty last for me.