View Full Version : SLR recommendations for Photography A-Level
Seeing as there's quite a large number of photographic experts/enthusiasts floating around these parts I wonder if someone could recommend an SLR camera for use in an A-Level photography course.
All my sister has been told is it needs to be SLR (non-digital), with full manual control.
Doesn't narrow it down immensely. Budget is also something I've not considered so disregard that for now, just a decent camera that will serve her well throughout the course. :thumbs:
Any suggestions much appreciated !!
Cheers
JD
raymondlin
08-09-2004, 15:33
Go for Canon budget model or a secondhand semi pro model. EOS range, and then you can use the lens when you upgrade the body. I doubt she can afford a digital SLR.
Canon EOS 300V for around £200. Does that seem like a reasonable amount / feature set ?
With 28-90 non usm Lens from Unbeatable for £199
With 28-105ef Lens from Best Cameras for £199
(those Lens definitions mean nothing to me :help:
http://www.eos-magazine.com/System_EOS300Vspec.html
I'd definitely go for a slightly older second hand canon or nikon semi pro body. I've an eos 5 and its superb, bullet proof, fully manual but with lots of gimmicks as well, the eos 33 is also meant to be very good. I picked mine up second hand for just over £100. Get the 50mm f1.8 to go with it and you've a cracking starter system.
From memory the 28-105 is a far better quality lens that the 28-90. It also has a slightly better range.
Like raymondlin says a second hand better body would make a good buy as she wouldn't lose so much on it when she comes to sell. Nikon is the only other make I would bother looking at as Nikon and Canon have the best range of accessories and the best upgrade path.
I wouldn't worry too much about getting lenses just yet, a good body and a 50mm prime should do to start. The lecturers will probably advise on what else is required as the course goes on.
I'm shortly going to be selling my old Canon EOS 1000FN and my Canon EOS50e film cameras (both in excellent condition, but now I've gone digital I can't see me using them again). If you're interested drop me an e-mail.
raymondlin
08-09-2004, 17:46
here is an idea for secondhand market
Canon EOS 30/33 or EOS 5
50/1.8
28-105 MK2
There should be no shortage of the bodies in the secondhand market, lots of people are selling them to go on to digital SLR. /check mirror inside for dust or damage. Check shutter for any bend or damages, do not touch either no matter what.
I'm shortly going to be selling my old Canon EOS 1000FN and my Canon EOS50e film cameras (both in excellent condition, but now I've gone digital I can't see me using them again). If you're interested drop me an e-mail.
Never used a 1000FN but I have a 50e which is a great camera the predecessor of my other body an Eos30. They nave full manual controle and good auto metering systems.
johnbown
08-09-2004, 19:39
How about a classic Canon AE-1P for the that full-on chrome 70s styling look.
I had one back in '92 when I did my BTEC Diploma. Solid Camera, complete with the canon 'squawk' shutter!
Last seen at around £25 - £50
decosta1228
08-09-2004, 19:52
What sort of things do you do for Photography A-level?
I have a Minlota Dynax 700si body
minolta lenses are cheap on ebay because they don't have a digital body out yet
hardly used, boxed, i'd describe it as mint, as close to new as you can get
no idea what it's worth but it cost me over £500 for the body :(
mail me if it's of any interest
TBH I won't be giving it away though
chillster76
08-09-2004, 21:14
If you are learning photography you can't do much better than starting with a Practika MTL3. Fully manual, and loads of great lenses available. You can get the camera and all the lenses you need for under £50.
You'll probably be doing some lovey arty-farty stuff on your A-Level (well I did anyway) so get one with full manual control, and ideally a 'bulb' setting, and a depth of field preview is invaluable.
An old Canon EOS 600 has pretty much everything - although even at 10 years old they are still commanding £100ish second hand - but a brilliant camera.
Also, if you can afford it, try and get two of the same camera bodies, so you can keep a monochrome film in one and a colour film in the other. This would have helped me a great deal as I was often completing more that one project at a time.
Also, if you can afford it, try and get two of the same camera bodies, so you can keep a monochrome film in one and a colour film in the other. This would have helped me a great deal as I was often completing more that one project at a time.
That must be a flash course I only get to do B&W at my college.
mattymoo
08-09-2004, 23:25
How about an Olympus OM1 or OM1N. One of the lightest SLR cameras ever, very well built and top quality lenses.
Just check you can still get batteries for them though - although I think that is more of a problem with the OM10 fully automated body.
DeadKenny
08-09-2004, 23:55
Try ebay.
There are a number of old Nikon F body cameras knocking around for £50-ish, some including a 50mm lens. The first SLRs from Nikon. Mechanical shutter so no reliance on electronics.
Lots of suggestions there, much appreciated.
Sisters still only in her 1st week back at school/college and I believe the tutor will be dishing out some more specifics as to what is desirable and some other recommendations to take on board.
I'll start looking at some of the bits of kit mentioned in this thread already and weigh up our options.
For second hand gear is ebay the best bet ?
Thanks for the offers in this thread, I'll do some more looking around :thumbs:
I've also got a Nikon F601 with a Sigma 28-105mm zoom, just put a new battery in it and run a roll of film through it to test it still works OK (it does)
£100 inc if it's of any interest
bluescrn
13-09-2004, 21:46
They do a photography A-level?..... a complete A-level?.....
Another recommendation for a 2nd hand Canon EOS here. I've got a Canon EOS 33 and it's superb. It is can be operated fully manually but also has a host of electronic support too.
As for lenses to go with it. I'm also going to echo the crowd.. Go for a Mk2 50mm 1.8f (the Mk2 is cheaper, it has a plastic vs metal mount on the Mk1 but optically is the same) and ideally a 28-105 USM. Those two lenses are the sweets spots with the Canon range in terms of £/quality (all IMHO of course).
Also don't be afraid of 2nd hand gear, all of my gear is 2nd hand and I've saved a mint :)
craig1912
14-09-2004, 07:57
How about a classic Canon AE-1P for the that full-on chrome 70s styling look.
I had one back in '92 when I did my BTEC Diploma. Solid Camera, complete with the canon 'squawk' shutter!
Last seen at around £25 - £50
Still using my AE-1 which was bought 28 years ago- solid camera and the quality is superb. Iwas taking photos at a wedding using my AE-1 and somebodies newer (2 yr old Nikon). The Canon has by far the more solid feel and you can't tell any difference in the pics.
I've also got some film SLR kit going spare after the change to digital - Canon EOS 30, with the Tamrom 24-135 lens, which is superb, but the AF is just a bit too slow to keep up with my 1-year-old daughter, and a remote release cable for the EOS...
she should definitely buy this
http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=317776
its the only way to be sure of an A :lol:
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