I need a new Camera for my GCSE Coursework and exams!

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ella16

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Hi
I need an SLR Camera for my GCSES. I need a good one but don't have thousands- I have about £500 to spend, any ideas?
 
Do you really need an SLR? My daughter did her GCSE using a Panasonic bridge camera which my son is now using to do his GCSE.
 
Well, I want to be a photographer so...and the coursework is mainly to do with everything, until my a levels! and yeah i'd really like an slr, ive been saving for years :)
 
Second hand or brand new? What do you want to shoot?
 
ella16 said:
Well, I want to be a photographer so...and the coursework is mainly to do with everything, until my a levels! and yeah i'd really like an slr, ive been saving for years :)
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Why not wait a short while and discuss it with your teacher as to what would be recommended. Are your friends buying new cameras for the course ? Maybe worth getting the same make so you could possibly try out other lenses each of you get ?
Do you want new or are you happy with 2nd hand - you'd get more for your money 2nd hand.
Another thing you'll hear a lot is invest in glass,
 
Fair enough. Try and get to handle a few and find the one you feel most comfortable with. Any recent camera will give you decent quality - the most important bit is the bit behind the camera - you.
 
Digital or film?
 
Alastair said:
Digital or film?
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great question. i started with manual focusing, manual metering film when i was little, that's the proper way to learn basics of photography. not current DSLR's auto ISO, point and click.

personally i really don't see any point in getting good DSLR just for coursework. what is the coursework about? if it's real photography course, then composition and the idea behind the photo would worth more points than getting a sharp meaningless photo.

just remember, a DSLR won't magically made your photos great, it's only a tool like a pencil. you can use any pencil to draw a great image.
 
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wuyanxu said:
great question. i started with manual focusing, manual metering film when i was little, that's the proper way to learn basics of photography. not current DSLR's auto ISO, point and click.

personally i really don't see any point in a teenager getting good DSLR just for coursework. what is the coursework about? if it's real photography course, then composition and the idea behind the photo would worth more points than getting a sharp meaningless photo.

just remember, a DSLR won't magically made your photos great, it's only a tool like a pencil. you can use any pencil to draw a great image.
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Why not? He wants top get into photography and he's saved for a dslr why the hell shouldn't they get one because they are a teenager? Bit patronising don't you think. You could argue buying one to achieve a qualification is a better reason than just buying one for a hobby like most of us have.
 
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apologies for sounding patronising. the point is i was making is that DSLR is not be all end all requirement for photography. you can achieve just as good photos with a phone camera if lighting and composition works.
 
Well I am very happy with my Canon 500D which was bought second hand. I think they go for around £300 these days (maybe less) which will give you some room for another lens.

I started with a bridge and then moved to an SLR, and to be honest, I wish I had saved for the DSLR initially.
 
Alastair said:
Digital or film?
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Is a good question. College courses all seem to want the students to start the first year using film.

However, if you do want a DSLR, then it's also worth looking at who's got what on the course as there may be the opportunity to swap/share lenses. You'd probably end up looking at Nikon or Canon. I don't know Nikons, but as a starter, you could buy a Canon 500D for under £300 second hand, leaving money for lenses. You can pick up the original kit lens very cheaply (around £40), or maybe the 17-85 for £200.

A good place to look for second hand kit is: www.mpbphotographic.co.uk
Always good stuff, decent prices and they are super critical on the description. I've always been surprised by how good the kit is I've bought from them.
 
ella16 said:
Hi
I need an SLR Camera for my GCSES. I need a good one but don't have thousands- I have about £500 to spend, any ideas?
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Which specification is the GCSE?

Until you know what the course requires it's very easy to buy the wong thing, probably best to wait until the course starts and see what the teacher recommends. For example, the EdExcel specification includes film and digital photography as well as video. I can't find a summary of the AQA specification.

Once you know what the course demands you can make a better choice, or come back and tell us what you've been told to buy.
 
wuyanxu said:
apologies for sounding patronising. the point is i was making is that DSLR is not be all end all requirement for photography. you can achieve just as good photos with a phone camera if lighting and composition works.
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No, you can't. A DSLR is what is required and a DSLR is the best tool for the job if learning photography. Yes, composition and lighting are very important but it will be difficult to learn about the technical aspects of cameras if using a phone camera!
 
No Chris, any camera with PASM or just M modes is good for learning the technical aspects. It may be a DSLR or it may be a better compact, or it may be a SLR, rangefinder or even a Holga. I think I'd prefer to teach people using a Holga than a 300D/400D or D3000/D5000 type camera (the ergonomics of "entry-level" DSLRs are a PITA for teaching manual modes).
 
ernesto said:
No, you can't. A DSLR is what is required and a DSLR is the best tool for the job if learning photography. Yes, composition and lighting are very important but it will be difficult to learn about the technical aspects of cameras if using a phone camera!
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a DSLR is required? next, ipads will be required in schools. (oh wait, it's already happening :cuckoo: ) i'm sorry, i don't believe in technologies in schools.

if it's manual mode you are talking about, Alastair has a good point with Hulga. :clap:
 
wuyanxu said:
a DSLR is required? next, ipads will be required in schools. (oh wait, it's already happening :cuckoo: ) i'm sorry, i don't believe in technologies in schools.

if it's manual mode you are talking about, Alastair has a good point with Hulga. :clap:
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Money is not the issue here tough is it. She could buy a bridge for £150 with manual controls as i'm sure she has looked at, but she wants a dslr, so much so she has saved for years to get one.

Ella you have a good budget to buy an entry level camera from either Canon or Nikon with its kit lens along with one of there 55-200mm zooms as well. I recommend you visit a store and having a feel of them and see what feels right. Nikon entry level camera the d3100 has a learner menu system which gives you hints and tips when shooting. Canon may do to i'm not sure.
 
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Ignoring the debates above for now and just offering information based on our experience, my daughter has just completed her AS level using a combination of my old Nikon D70s [quite old technology now but a great & CHEAP learning tool and VERY capable of doing the job you need] usually married up to the original kit lens, an 18-70, you could pick up both for well within your budget. Plus a nikon F80 slr film camera. Not the cheapest nikon film option, there are others that will cost you less s/h but unless prices have changed dramatically recently, you should still be able to get all 3 within your budget, the lens can be used on both cameras and should leave you a little change to leave in the pot for future expences.

Do talk to your teacher, though if anything like beths, you won't get much advice, but obviously it varies teacher to teacher. ;)
 
A good lens can be expensive. Most people report a big upgrade when they replace the entry level kit lens with something better. Saying that, you only have £500 to spend so you may want to get an entry level kit from either Canon or Nikon. Nikon entry level cameras look better on paper to me, so that's what i'd probably go for.
 
What about the Canon 1100d.

For your money you could get the camera, a couple of lens, and a few other accessories to get you going.

Buying as a bundle would set you up for the course at a good price.

Go to a camera shop and get a feel for the cameras, I'm recommending canon but that is because it's what I have always used but you would get the same with a nikon.
 
In the Nikon world, rather than buy a new entry-level camera I'd spend the money on a used model further up the hierarchy.

E.g. Rather than a new D3100, I'd get a D90. The top plate LCD will be useful for your studies I'd think, and the in-body motor will save money by not needing to buy AF-S lenses for AF.

Try to avoid lens fixation - it's easy to get carried away and have a bulging kit bag of stuff you hardly use. Start with a mid-range zoom, and then add a normal (something in the 35 - 50 mm range) prime for playing around with shallow DoF.

Discussing with your teacher before buying is a very good suggestion. I'd also recommend finding a shop with a range of bodies (even better if they have 2nd hand too) to handle and see what you like. Have an idea of what features you NEED and some that you'd like and use this to help you decide. And don't feel pressured into buying on your first visit if you're not sure.

Finally, don't worry too much - any camera will take good pictures in skilled hands, and it's the skill you're learning. You'll change cameras many times in your life, so focus on learning the craft and not stressing about your first kit. Whatever you buy, you'll have great fun - enjoy it!
 
Llamaman said:
In the Nikon world, rather than buy a new entry-level camera I'd spend the money on a used model further up the hierarchy.

E.g. Rather than a new D3100, I'd get a D90. The top plate LCD will be useful for your studies I'd think, and the in-body motor will save money by not needing to buy AF-S lenses for AF.

Try to avoid lens fixation - it's easy to get carried away and have a bulging kit bag of stuff you hardly use. Start with a mid-range zoom, and then add a normal (something in the 35 - 50 mm range) prime for playing around with shallow DoF.

Discussing with your teacher before buying is a very good suggestion. I'd also recommend finding a shop with a range of bodies (even better if they have 2nd hand too) to handle and see what you like. Have an idea of what features you NEED and some that you'd like and use this to help you decide. And don't feel pressured into buying on your first visit if you're not sure.

The d3100 is cheaper comes with a 2yr warranty, IQ is equal and there menu system is designed for learners in mind.

The d3100 will be cheaper come with a 2yr warranty. Image quality is as good and menu system is designed for learners in mind.
Finally, don't worry too much - any camera will take good pictures in skilled hands, and it's the skill you're learning. You'll change cameras many times in your life, so focus on learning the craft and not stressing about your first kit. Whatever you buy, you'll have great fun - enjoy it!
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I'm amazed by everyone's fascination with the d90 on this forum. They have a massively over priced used price with d300 being less than £100 more and in many cases around the same price. What ever thread is started someone will come along and recommend a used d90. As you mention don't get lens fixation, and with even Nikons current budget offerings costing and performing the same as any old lenses knocking around from the film days i can't see where the money savings are. With the exception of the 50mm af-d which is £100 cheaper than a af-s, but the £140 35mm f1.8 is better suited to aps-c cameras anyway.
 
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wuyanxu said:
a DSLR is required?
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Yes, that was the requirement in the OP. I have just repeated that as a reminder while people go off suggesting camera phones and holgas.
If somebody wants a DSLR then let them have a DSLR. It is not as though you can go wrong with one even if other options comes close.

Don't shoot the messenger!
 
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wuyanxu said:
a DSLR is required? next, ipads will be required in schools. (oh wait, it's already happening :cuckoo: ) i'm sorry, i don't believe in technologies in schools.

if it's manual mode you are talking about, Alastair has a good point with Hulga. :clap:
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ernesto said:
Yes, that was the requiredment in the OP. I have just repeated that as a reminder while people go off suggesting camera phones and holgas.

Don't shoot the messenger!
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OP requested an SLR, there was no mention of digital and as pointed out many courses will require the use of film (easy to check negs ;)) I would probably lean towards nikon as they have the best lens range that works with virtually all their cameras, you can get a cheap DSLR to try stuff and hone your skills then commit your coursework to film if necessary using the same lenses. But I'd say above all go play with cameras and buy what 'feels' right in your hands.
 
Also check out DSLM/CSC/mirrorless. They tend to be fairly cheap, the lenses tend to be cheaper and smaller although no less quality (many are better than the equivalent DSLR lenses) and have a multitude of adapters for old manual lenses (and viewfinders that make it easier to focus with manual lenses over entry DSLRs!) very cheaply.

At the end of the day, I would expect your primary needs to be for a camera that can drop into aperture, shutter and manual modes, has a bulb mode, can shoot raw and you can change the lenses on. I would expect everything else to be secondary and certainly ANY body you buy now will be very outdated by the time you go to any further education at aged 18.
 
puggie said:
OP requested an SLR, there was no mention of digital and as pointed out many courses will require the use of film (easy to check negs ;))
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Good point. If after an SLR then just get one for £100 and buy your mum something nice with the remaining £400.
 
If it's film that's needed an Olympus OM1,2,10 or whatever will be more than enough. I picked my OM1 up with a 50mm lens for less than £50. Joyous little thing to use!

If it's digital I'd buy an old mid range camera. I'm sure all of the manufacturers have equivalents but a Nikon D70 or D50 can be had for £100 these days. They'll do everything that is required to learn on and leave a huge amount of change for all sorts of other useful learning tools, like a lens or two, a flash, a tripod, filters etc... Would be a shame to blow the budget on the latest whizz bang entry level DSLR.
 
wuyanxu said:
great question. i started with manual focusing, manual metering film when i was little, that's the proper way to learn basics of photography. not current DSLR's auto ISO, point and click.

personally i really don't see any point in getting good DSLR just for coursework. what is the coursework about? if it's real photography course, then composition and the idea behind the photo would worth more points than getting a sharp meaningless photo.

just remember, a DSLR won't magically made your photos great, it's only a tool like a pencil. you can use any pencil to draw a great image.
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Do you really think that is the case, even in this day and age?
 
My daughter has just enrolled for A level photography. All of the colleges we saw said that no camera was needed to start the course and to wait until she was sure what she wanted. They also have cameras and lenses to lend out, so it might
Be an idea to match the make so you can 'borrow' the lenses.
 
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