Going to school for Photojournalism

[stallbories]

I'm starting school in January for photojournalism and I'm wondering what would be the best camera for me to purchase? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Beowulff]

It'll help us a lot if you can fill out this questionnaire first...

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5111

Your question's a bit like saying you've just got your driver licence, and which car should you buy!

Cheers. :)

[speaklightly]

Usually most photo journalism departments have established very specific types of cameras and features that are appropiate to their specific course of study.

You might want to check on that first before making any camera decisions.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce

[stallbories]

Yea, I just saw the questionnaire, sorry bout that.

Budget = $800 or less

Size = Don't care too much about the size just don't want a lot parts sticking off that can be broke (eg. my old canon eos rebel had the removable flash that stood an inch and a half of the top)

Image Quality = very important. Megapixels and optical zoom, I don't know, that's why I'm asking.

Manual control = to have the option would be nice

General use= big prints, yes. Indoor photos or low light, yes. Sports and action photos, yes. The camera will be used on a lot of backpacking trips and music festivals as well as for indoor sports pictures (boxing mainly)

[speaklightly]

When backpacking is mentioned, I immediately consider camera size and weight. Currently the Pentax K-2000 DSLR Camera, the smallest and lightest DSLR, in a two lens kit (the Pentax DAL 18-55mm kit lens and the Pentax 50-200mm lens) is selling on Amazon for $539.00.

When you consider that the Pentax 50-200mm lens is currently selling for $200.00 that makes the K-2000 DSLR and kit lens worth just $339.00, which is a pretty amazing price.

I have also attached a K-2000 photo sample for you.

Sarah Joyce

[Csae]

I'd start with a 20D/30D/40D depending what lenses you're looking for.

Coupled with a 50 1.8 ( i sound like a broken record but for the price i love this lens and have used it more then my L lenses over the course of a 2 week trip )

It would make for a very cheap package for a studen to learn with and easy to resale if its not your thing.

The downside is the Af can be frustrating with that specific lens, and at the equivalent of 85mm you are a bit wide for some street type landscaping.

I do suggest starting with a prime though, a 35mm would be wider, if someone is starting in photography i always suggest a prime because it helps you to learn to pre-visualize your shots ahead of time.


Thats my advice, take it with a grain of salt amongst others and make your own decision, be sure to handle the cameras to get a feel for their ergonomics.

[raven15]

Slightly off topic, but speaklightly, that's a beautiful picture.

The Pentax K2000 is a good choice.

An Olympus E-620 is smaller and lighter, especially with the kit lenses, and the kit lens is a little better. I would suggest the E-620 plus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens instead though. It's larger and over budget, but much nicer and more useful.

The Nikon D3000 + kit lens seems very good, especially if you got the 16-85mm lens. That would also be over budget though. Perhaps get the 50mm f/1.8 instead.

Of course, nothing wrong with an older camera like a Nikon D80 or Canon 30D, or Pentax K20 either.

As far as lenses go, I think a zoom is a good idea for photojournalism instead of a prime.