I need a 35mm Digital Camera for next year, any suggestions of the best ones?

Question

My camera arts teacher says I need a 35mm Digital Camera for next year, but I have no idea what to get since I've always done film. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

For your sake, I really hope he doesn't mean a 35mm digital camera.  That would imply a full-frame camera such as the Canon EOS 5D, which costs around $2,000 even without a lens.

Most cameras have sensors that are smaller than 35mm.  This introduces a crop factor.  The Canon APS-C sensor has a 1.6x crop factor, which means a 50mm lens would actually have an 80mm focal length.

So a full-frame sensor is great because it has a 1.0x crop factor, meaning your lenses' focal lengths are unchanged and remain as wide as they should be.  But lordy are they expensive!

Answer 2

Look at your notes.  

A 35 mm SLR is a camera used in most beginning photo classes for the first few classes.  What your instructor probably said was that you need to get a DSLR that will use the same lenses you are using on your 35 mm camera.

So if you have a Nikon, buy a Nikon DSLR, like the D40.  

If you have a Canon, buy a Canon DSLR like the Rebel XT or 300D

Have your instructor help you with this.  I should be easy to figure out between the two of you.

Answer 3

What you probably mean is a DSLR.

Try the Canon XTi. It has the same 3:2 ratio as a 35mm film camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-10-1...

Most digital cameras today shoot 4:3 which means that they will be a bit more square than a 3:2 ratio (35mm) photograph.

However, if you have a bit more money to spend, I'd recommend the Canon XSi.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Came...

Answer 4

There is no such thing as a 35mm digital camera.  35mm means it takes 35mm film.  Maybe your teacher wants you to get a DSLR (digital single lens reflex).  To be sure, ask for some camera model suggestions.