I'm taking a photography course at our community college and the advisor told me i'll need a traditional SLR

Question

she also explained that there are some cameras that are dgital and slr in one, where you develop your own film or put it on the computer. Can anyone suggest a good camera that does both?

Answer 1

There are digital SLRs and film SLRs. A few cameras have interchangeable digital backs (very expensive). AFAIK, there is no 35mm format camera that can do both at once.

If by "traditional" your teacher meant film, there are a few film SLRs available new and many many used for pennies on the dollar.

I would check www.keh.com for used SLR bodies and a 50mm lens. That combination used to be what every aspiring photographer started out with, and is still a great combo for film. You could get a Nikon F100 in great shape and a 50mm f/1.8 lens for under $400 if you shop carefully. Or a manual Pentax, but it would be older. Your neighborhood camera store might have a good used camera department, or maybe even the pawn shop. Canon still makes the film Rebel, I believe, which you might find at the big box retailer or WallyWorld. Nikon has the reasonably priced FM10 manual camera, (actually made by Cosina) and the flagship F6 which is a few bucks for a beginner to drop on equipment. www.bhphoto.com is a reliable on-line dealer.

Answer 2

A 'traditional' SLR will almost always refer to a film camera, but not always. Look at what you are going to study. If it includes darkroom work (developing, printing, etc.), which most community college courses do, then you will need a film 35mm SLR.

In new cameras, the Canon Elan 7 is a very capable camera at about $500.00 US including a decent zoom lens as part of the package. It will produce just as good a picture (with the right lens) as my $1800.00 Canon 1V. Having switched from Nikon to Canon several years ago, I haven't paid much attention to what they have, but there will be something equivalent and Nikon has a big advantage, it will use many of the older Nikkor lenses which can be found all over the place. With the Canon, you will need to use their EF mount lenses which aren't as readily available used. There are other manufacturers and if you go with one of them, pick one that can use Nikon lenses. Then, when you go digital, you can keep using your lenses.

If you have someone knowledgeable available who can help you choose, a pawn shop is often a good place to get a film camera. Perhaps your adviser could help. The pawn shop won't know a damn thing about any camera equipment they sell, so don't expect them to be of any help.

If you need to buy a lens, like a telephoto or wide angle, and you can't find a good used lens, then both Sigma and Tamron make some very good lenses that cost less than the manufacturers lenses

You should be able to get into a good to very good basic film setup for around $500.00 or less, depending on whether you go new or used and what features you want.

Answer 3

Nowhere does your description say whether you need film or digital. Usually, unless explicitly stated otherwise, you would need a film camera. However, a price target of $1,500 wouldn't make sense for a film camera. So I'm going to guess that the course either accepts or is based on digital photography. It is true you should ask the instructor before making any purchases. I will point out that you should be sure the camera you are looking at is an SLR and not a "bridge camera". They can look similar. An SLR by definition has a mirror and prism, but they also should have interchangeable lenses and full manual control. At least for the purposes of taking your class. I would say that, as long as it has all these features, price is no matter.

Answer 4

Medium format cameras from such makers has Mamiya and Hasselblad have the ability to shoot either digital or film depending upon the back your are using. However, you will need to invest a minimum of $12,000 into one of these cameras.
As you may have been told there are lots of camera designs. SLR or single lens reflex is just one of those designs which allow you to see through the same lens that takes the photo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-lens_reflex_camera. SLR cameras can be either film or digital, and like I had mentioned some medium format SLRS can shoot either or but not both at the same time.
Anyhow what you need is a 35mm SLR or digital SLR.
I would suggest buying used perhaps either a used Nikon f5(35mm) or a used Nikon D100(digital). Go to Keh.com and look at what they have. You can even call them and ask one of their reresentatives what they would suggest. Whatever you do, check with your teacher to make sure that the camera you are buying applies to the type of printing they are doing.

Answer 5

unfortunately there is no such camera that is a combination of both digital and film which it is going to be one or the other.
if your instructor had requested a traditional SLR which would be a 35mm SLR and still readily available.

Answer 6

There is no camera that actually does both. There are cameras with interchangable backs. You can attach a film camera back, then switch to the digital camera back. See an actual camera store for examples.

Answer 7

sounds like your alittle confused, dont worry theres alot to learn.

traditional SLR means a film camera, if you ever want to be any good you are best to learn film and exposure it will seperate you from all the digital users that dont know what they are doing when you go digital


tattoo this on your body - i must learn light and exposure, you learn that and it will out you in the top 1% of camera users, you will be able to make images instead of taking pictures

go hard

Answer 8

Your teacher was making a joke...there is no digital/film camera that works. Many have tried, but all have failed.

Answer 9

You can't shoot film and digital at the same time. A good digitalSRL is the Nikon D40 OR D80 depending on your budget.