Student to pro, which way should i go?

[FdYphoto]

I will start studing photo journalism at Brooks Institute of Photohraphy in july. i've been a photographer for my newspaper in JC and find it very exciting. I understand that the entire photo journalism industry is now digital (i've worked media events and have talked to pros). I want a DSLR but i don't have the cash to spend on a D1. What camera should i buy? I here Nikon is behind in the digital age. I need a camera that i can learn with and that is profesonal to take a beating or two on assighnment. thanks for the help.

note: i'm leaning towards a D10 and i've found some great packages on ebay for it.

[Tom W]

I will start studing photo journalism at Brooks Institute of Photohraphy in july. i've been a photographer for my newspaper in JC and find it very exciting. I understand that the entire photo journalism industry is now digital (i've worked media events and have talked to pros). I want a DSLR but i don't have the cash to spend on a D1. What camera should i buy? I here Nikon is behind in the digital age. I need a camera that i can learn with and that is profesonal to take a beating or two on assighnment. thanks for the help.

note: i'm leaning towards a D10 and i've found some great packages on ebay for it.

At risk of flames, what kind of equipment (lenses, flashes, etc.) do you own? That may or may not influence your decision.

[Vegas Poboy]

Tow is correct, if cost is a factor & since you're going to Brooks I'm sure it will be one way or the other I suggest purchasing a camera that you can interchange with hte equipment you already own.
Good Luck I've heard great things about Brooks if fact 4 professors @ my school studied there.

[FdYphoto]

Well, if i go digital i will be starting fresh. I own a canon Ftb with a 100-300mm zoom, 28mm, 50mm, 30-80mm zoom, and a 15mm fisheye w/ built in filters. my flash is a vivitar 9.. (i forget)I love my camera but they are all F-mounts i have about $2000 saved in my college fund and found this kit on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=43454&item=29 7478110 let me know what you think.

[FdYphoto]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2977254264&category=43 454

this is the right link, i think.

[scottbergerphoto]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2977254264&category=43 454

this is the right link, i think.
You know the old song "Pennies from Heaven", well how about "Saving a Few Pennies for Headaches"? Kidding aside, buy your camera equipment from a reputable dealer. If you can get the camera much cheaper then www.bhphotovideo.com, or www.JR.com, it's probably not legit. Watch out for grey market cameras, overpriced accessories that must be bought or magically the camera's not available, or rediculous shipping charges. If you do a search on "where should I buy?" you'll get a real education.
Scott

[DaveG]

First off, ask Brooks what kind of gear they want you to have. Then (if you can) speak &/or write to actual Brooks' students so THEY can tell you what you will really need.

The Brooks calender should also have a list of equipment & supplies they require, so have a look there too. I'm guessing that they won't specify a particular brand but will suggest lens options and so forth.

There used to be a Brooks' store where students could buy equipment at some kind of discount. If it exists and deals are to be had, you might want to put off some of these purchases, until you get to school.

There is also likely to be requirements for computer equipment and almost certainly Photoshop CS. Once again discounts for students should be available at the school or directly from the manufacturer.

[Vegas Poboy]

I would not trust the Ebay Deal, it may be good but to me the only VALUE is the camera, big-ed and the flash.

I agree with DaveG I would first check with Brooks and see what they expect you to have. The Canon gear is still good so don't get rid of it. I also know that you have to learn all aspects of photography @ Brooks so you don't want to purchase digital until you really have to. Check to see what student discounts is avalible to you. Here in Southern Nevada students gets discounts from Mamiya, Bogen and many more, its well worth the time to check out your perks, It can save you Big $$$.

[Cordell]

First off, if you are strapped for cash and you are a student stay away from ebay for this particular purchase. Although I have purchased many items on ebay, you don't want to risk money for your class education on someone who may rip you off.

Secondly, I think you should find out positively what lenses the instructors wish you to have.

As for the camera I would say don't go by brand name when it comes to your dslr if you don't have lenses already for that make. Look for features on a camera. I would say that all of the dslr makers (only 4 that I know of) have good equipement. It's all about what feels good in YOUR hands in terms of use and what you can afford. For instance, do you need a 10D? A second hand D30, and especially a D60 will do just as well for most of your training use (I would also suggest other makes but this is a Canon forum). Both cost less but are extremely capable cameras. This also saves you money to get the lenses you will need.

As for PS CS, I don't think I agree with DaveG 100%. Most instructors that have some knowledge of photo editing will tell you that PS is the standard. Is it the only professional editing tool. NO WAY! Corel Photo-Paint does EVERYTHING PS can do except RAW imports/conversion (and PS is only recently doing).

However, does your initial classes require film or digital. If film, keep saving your money for the digital you want.

Good luck

[DaveG]

As for PS CS, I don't think I agree with DaveG 100%. Most instructors that have some knowledge of photo editing will tell you that PS is the standard. Is it the only professional editing tool. NO WAY! Corel Photo-Paint does EVERYTHING PS can do except RAW imports/conversion (and PS is only recently doing).


Good luck

I would expect Brooks to have any number of Photoshop courses and no Photo-Paint courses at all. So except that PP won't make .psd files (which you can share with the mainstream PS classmates and instuctors), won't work EXACTLY like PS (so the class you take in PS means something) and won't have hundreds of third party reference books readily available; it may have some merit.

[Tom W]

Well, if i go digital i will be starting fresh. I own a canon Ftb with a 100-300mm zoom, 28mm, 50mm, 30-80mm zoom, and a 15mm fisheye w/ built in filters. my flash is a vivitar 9.. (i forget)I love my camera but they are all F-mounts i have about $2000 saved in my college fund and found this kit on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=43454&item=29 7478110 let me know what you think.

That's an interesting (and older) set of equipment you have there. I still occasionally shoot my FT, though since getting the Elan last year, it has spent quite a bit of time on the shelf.

I can understand your wanting to move into a new setup - while there's nothing wrong with what you have, it simply isn't compatible any more. Don't throw it out - there's plenty of life left in the FTb and those lenses.

[Burninfilm2]

You are doing well by going to Brooks, a school with a fine reputation. I am a working pro using both Nikon & Canon. The Nikon gear (D-1) is what the newspaper I shoot for furnishes to it's photographers. It is fast, rugged, very dependable and generally well suited to photojournalism. The Canon gear (my own stuff) that I sometimes use on assignments (I used both today) has truer color resolution, superior white balance, generally sharper images & much better flash/body interface. It isn't as fast or as rugged, but it's what I choose when I really must have a great quality photo, My guess is that your professors will be happy to give some imput and may even have requirements.

You will have to transition to digital and I am not aware of any major paper, or smaller one for that matter, that still uses film. The last film I shot was April of 2003 while shooting in Brazil, but only because of concerns about being able to recharge batteries for the digitals. You might also check into the National Press Photographers Association. (www.nppa.org) The NPPA offers a great magazine, student memberships and great seminars as well as a mentoring program. Best of luck with your career .. Hope this helps some... Bob