Cameras & Camcorders

[cjhutch]

I have an 18-yo son that may be taking his first photography class.  The class requires a 35 mm camera with adjustable exposure controls.  I am entirely new to this.  Is this possible in a digital camera? What exactly does it mean?  Can anyone make a recommendation on a decent, not real expensive camera that fits the bill? 

Thanks so much!

[Rrrrrrr]

Yes a digital SLR has adjustable exposure controls. BUT he will need to ask his instructor if a digital slr is permissable. If they require a 35mm, I'm betting they want them to use film cameras so they also learn to develop film also.

Head over to the nearest camera shop (not a chain one) and see if they have any used 35mm cameras. A Canon AE-1 is a great camera thats durable an dcan be found cheap (seen one with 2 lenses for $150). Nikon made great 35mm also.

[Entropy]

If the class does not allow DSLRs (they probably do since it's getting to be very difficult to buy film cameras nowadays), old film cameras can be found dirt cheap on fleabay. Film has such a stigma associated with it that often photographers buy film camera auctions because the accessories someone is selling are underpriced due to being bundled with a film camera, even if the accessories work with newer DSLRs.

[Allan-BBY Community Connector · Accepted solution]

Hi cjhutch,
 
I've taken many photography classes in my time, and they always require the student to have a camera that allows them to manually control all the aspects of the exposure. When I was in college film still ruled the world of photography (not to date myself), and I was required to have a 35mm SLR film camera that could control the film's exposure manually. 35mm film is nearing obsolescence (if not already obsolete), and digital cameras now rule the world of photography. I would be willing to bet that the professor wants your son to get a DSLR camera that can control all aspect of the exposure manually, but Rrrrrrr could be right that the professor wants your son to learn how to develop film and wants your son to get a 35mm SLR film camera. I would have your son ask his teacher for clarification on this point before purchasing a camera.
 
Film cameras are going to be much cheaper, and you can actually get a fantastic deal on film cameras many places. If your son is supposed to get a DSLR there is a wide range in prices, but they all should be able to control the exposure (any many other aspects of the image creation) manually. The DSLR cameras we sell range in price from $499.99-$2999.99, and if you want some specific recommendations I can suggest the Nikon D60, or the Canon Rebel Xti. I hope this helps out!
 
Thanks for posting,
Allan
Community Connector
Best Buy® Corporate

[Hopalong]

If your son is going to be required to use a film camera, the best camera for learning the basics, IMHO, is the venerable Pentax K1000. It's a rock solid basic all-manual 35mm camera for learning the rules of exposure. These rules also apply to DSLRs should he decide to continue with photography and upgrade. A quick check on a certain online auction site (the name is persona non grata on this board) shows there are some K1000 cameras with lenses bidding at under $100.

[Entropy]

I agree on the K1000.  For a LONG time it was THE student camera.

Also, unlike Canon and Nikon, you can use old Pentax K-mount lenses from the K1000 era on Pentax DSLRs, even the newest ones.  One of my favorite lenses (f/2 50mm SMC Pentax-M) was originally sold as the kit lens for the K1000.

[Rrrrrrr]

You can use old manual lenses on Nikon DSLR also. Canon is the one with the multiple mounts.