Wanting to take a photography class, but I don't know what camera to get?

Question

I think it would be fun to take a photography class at a community college for one of my elective courses, because I'm looking at buying a nicer camera anyway, but I don't know what camera would be best to get.

The class description is this:

"Students learn basic digital camera skills beginning with exposure control, including bracketing, reciprocity, exposure modes, and the use of the histogram. The creative techniques of depth of field and movement control are explored as well as techniques for low light and night photography. Image processing skills are introduced using Adobe PhotoShop, including basic digital workflow management, density and contrast control, basic black and white conversion, dodging, burning, cropping, and retouching. Print presentation and archival storage methods of prints and digital media will be explored."

And it also says:

"Students are required to have any fully-adjustable digital camera with a resolution of 4MB or greater. Photographic Imaging majors are required to have a digital SLR camera with a resolution of 6MB or greater. Students must provide their own memory cards, storage drives, CD-Rs,DVDs, ink jet paper and some other supplies."

Since I'm not a Photographic Imaging major, I don't need an SLR camera for this class, so would a camera like this [ http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=15207 ] do the job? I'm not sure if it's fully adjustable or if it has a resolution of 4MB or greater. If anyone knows if it would qualify, that'd be great, but if it's not the right kind of camera, suggestions or helpful info would be really helpful.

Thanks!

Answer 1

You might want to take a wander over to dpreview.com.

And their requirements kinda stink.  I'm assuming what they mean is 4 megapixels or greater, not 4 megabytes (MB) or greater.

The S5 is an 8 megapixel camera and has aperture and shutter priority modes, so I'm assuming it has a full manual mode, too.  It doesn't have an uncompressed format (RAW) mode, which may be something you'll want down the line.  

But that sounds like a good camera for what they want.

Answer 2

In a nutshell and based on the information you have given I would have to agree that this camera would meet the requirements. BUT, you can always ask the instructor to clarify a little more and ask the specifically about this camera. Show them a print out of the specs.

Now, on another note. I understand you do not currently "need" an SLR because your not a photo major. BUT, if you are already interested in photography as a hobby I have a silly suspicion that you will really enjoy your class and the fun you have taking the pictures and seeing them come to life. With that I feel that this camera while a good camera may become to limited for you. By that I mean you may find you want to explore different lens options ect... and with this camera you are unable to do this and will either "settle" for the limitations and deal with the frustrations of the limitations OR you will become fed up with the limitations and turn around and buy the SLR, OR option #3 give up on something you enjoy because of the limitations and not wanting to spend the money on an SLR. Personally I would rather see #1 happen than #3 but the choice is yours. So what I would suggest considering is this

Ask yourself "what will I want to do if I enjoy this more than I thought?"  "What will I do if I don't enjoy this at all?" "If I really enjoy this do I want to be limited to the type of pictures I can take or do I want to be able to choose?" By choose I am refering more to lenses ect... You will learn about these in your class.

Then after you answer those questions ask yourself "if I spend $350 on this camera and want to move up to an SLR how much more will I spend and can I afford it"

or

"If I spend $350 now and the upgrade and spend $600 later will it be worth it to me or should I just spend $600 now and save the $350 to put towards another lens to enjoy this even more?"

Not to mention you have already chosen a very good brand and all of there cameras take nice pictures but if your serious about wanting to do more than point and shoot like everyone else in the world almost and actually learn about the technical aspects of taking good photos then my advice would be to spend the extra money get something that can grow with you as you learn a new hobby. Consider a Canon Rebel XTi or if you can afford it the 40D

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ca...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Ca...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...

Just my 2 cents worth.. hope it helps and happy shooting!

By the way, I started like you are except I bought the SLR 13 months, 3 college classes, and 5000 pictures ago and am very happy I went with a Canon 30D. I loive my camera and am very happy with it but now I want to move up to the 1D Mark III or the 1Ds Mark III.  

Answer 3

get a cannon

they work great