What is the best digital camera for serious high school photography students?

What is the best brand or model of digital camera for serious photography students, that would be within a decent price range? Any reccomendations?

Answer by DoogieOwner
A digital SLR from either Nikon or Canon is usually the best for the serious digital photographer… both companies make digital SLR’s in all kinds of price ranges, but you are looking at $ 500 at least for a good one. Either way, make sure you get an SLR for the best digital photography, you can change out the lenses on them and manually do everything you can do on a 35mm.

Answer by fhotoace
You are serious, so I will assume you will be going on to college and taking photo classes there as well.

At this time, no college photo class starts the student out using a digital camera. The camera of choice is a 35mm SLR.

That said, save your self some money and get either a Nikon or Canon SLR (used) and a good medium zoom lens (24-85mm is a good range for both 35mm cameras and DSLR’s)

If you spend your money now on a compact digital camera, you will not be ready to learn photography when you get to college and you will have wasted some good money.

By the time you are ready to buy a DSLR, they will be much better than they are now and you will be able to use the lenses you have accumulated while in school

Answer by Dr. Sam
The pros above me are obviously correct, but is it possible for you to talk to the teacher before you buy a camera? He/she may have a very strong recommendation and that would be the right one to buy.

Answer by cabbiinc
The best brand or model for YOU would be the one that feels right for you. The controls on many different cameras are set up differently. Go to a good camera store that doesnt have just one brand advertised everywhere. If you walk into a place with nothing but Nikon posters, they are going to tell you to buy Nikon. Same with Canon, Sigma, Pentax, etc… I say get the digital SLR. Hell they’ve been out for a decade (or close to it). All of the classes I have looked into specifically say wether its digital photography or film.

If you feel that you are going to have to get a film camera get one of the same brand, since you will be able to use the same lenses from the film camera on the digital camera (in most cases).

I have a Canon Rebel Xs 35mm and a Canon XTi 10.1 megapixell camera. I swop lenses all day long, with the exception that the digital only kit lens that came with the XTi wont work on the Xs film camera, but the kit lens from the film camera will work on the digital.

Also the controls on both cameras are much the same. So think of this purchase as not so much just a camera, but your buying into a system. Something not to be taken lightly, and you certainly shouldnt make this decision online.

Additional….

Taken straight from the University of Washingtons web site:
“The Photography program at the University of Washington provides an environment that fosters creative exploration and critical inquiry in the production of contemporary art. A robust facility of analog AND DIGITAL IMAGING, a diverse and sequenced curriculum, and a supportive and challenging faculty, all aim to aid students in their individual journeys as artists.”

Answer by d5canon
Yow will need a digital SLR which will accept interchangable lenses. The cameras of this type in the Canon/Nikon type SLR series cameras are all good. Pick the one that fits your needs and budget and go for it.

If you are planning a career in photography, do not, I repete not, choose any educational facility that does not teach using digital cameras. I have owned a studio for over 40 years, and while a good background in film photography is nice, less that 1% of all still photography done for money in todays market place is done on film. The times have changed!

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Nephew


Image by hall.chris25
We spent a week in Squaw Valley after Christmas and I’m going to post a few pics of that trip for the next few days. Figured I’d start with this great shot of my nephew Oliver.

Gotta say that the contrast and sharpness on this 50mm f/1.4 lens is just outstanding. And I’m so far thrilled with the ease of the Canon 7d. By far the best digital camera experience I’ve ever had.

I am looking to purchase a digital camera.. I wanted to know the best brands, why they are the best, and I would really like a camera with excellent quality at a reasonalbe price!!

Answer by racegirl001
canon because of the quality

Answer by Manish
There is nothing better than canon yet.

I am a canon user, i own Canon EOS 10D Digital SLR with three lenses and the quality is excellent. I have my pictures accepted in 3 photo libraries too. The image sharpness that you can get from canon is not possible with any other camera. Colours are more natural, looks similar to a film camera but not same.

If you are looking to buy a compact digital camera, I would suggest going to Canon IXUS range of cameras. They have the best lenses. When you print the pictures taken from other cameras, they look like digital, you can tell by looking at its digital sharpness. But pictures from canon are more near to that of a film camera.

I work in a photographic company in London, and I always suggest my customers to go for Canon.

Answer by registrations001
You´ll have to be more specific than ´reasonable price´ for anyone to recommend specific models, but I agree with racegirl that you can´t go wrong with Canon (at any price range). For compact cameras, Kodak is a good option too. If your budget is over $ 600, you can shop for digital SLRs. Here, Canon and Nikon are your best options.

Answer by Marieta
canon’s digital elph

Answer by Joff
Depends on what you are looking for. I’m an avid photography. Spent a lot of time researching cameras. I have 2:

Nikon D70s. This is an SLR camera. It’s big and not cheap but what you need when you want to get that amazing photograph. Removable lens, can take 3 pictures per second, 6MB photos (so can blow up pictures to 8×10)….

Sony Cybershot DSC-T9. This is a super small point and shoot camera. I carry this one in my pocket when I don’t want to haul around the Nikon. Big screen on the back, good lens, tiny (think camera jewelry)….

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