Best way to practice photography without spending a lot of money?

[frostyeel]

I took a black and white film photography class in high school last year and really enjoyed it. A few weeks ago I started to become very interested in digital photography and now I want to get a DSLR at some point. Currently my heart is set on a T1i (besides the newness factor I also really want video) but it is too expensive for me to afford right now. So in the mean time while I save up money I figured I should practice photography, both to improve my skill and to make sure that I am really interested enough to make spending $800 or so on a T1i worth it. So here are my options:

1. Continue film photography

My current equipment:
Canon AE-1
Canon FD 24mm f/2.8
Canon FD 50mm f/1.8
Canon FD 50mm f/3.5 Macro
Tokina FD 80-200mm f/3.5

I'll be starting college in a few weeks and there are at least two darkrooms on campus. I don't yet what fee there is for using the darkroom so I'm not sure on cost but it will be cheaper than buying any new equipment.

2. Buy a Point & Shoot

Pretty self-explanatory, I'd probably buy something around the $200 price range. Although it may be possible to convince my parents that they should really upgrade from their 5 year old point & shoot and then I could get the old one for free.

3. Buy an old used Canon DSLR

10D bodies seem to be going for around or under $200 on ebay, and 20Ds are going for more like $300. I could buy an FD to EF adapter for $40 or so and use my current lens collection.

4. None of the above

It will be my first semester in college and I may find that I don't have enough free time to prance around shooting photographs. I could just spend some time practicing photoshop / GIMP. Or I could go with option #1 and just leave my camera sitting in my dorm unused when/if I don't have any free time.


I was originally planning to go with #1 until I realized that 2 and 3 are also very possible. What do you think?


Bonus: some of my prints from my photo class so you can tell me if I have potential or if I should skip this hobby and find something else to do
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6963/00000001large.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6724/00000003large.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/699/00000004large.jpg

[krb]

The FD to EF adapters all suck so I'd skip on that option. But since the EF 50mm 1.8 is less than $100 you might want to get a 10D or 20D and get just the one lens for it. And once you have the body you can always get other lenses along the way.

[Grimes]

I would get at 20D and then the 18-55IS used also. That would be a really nice budget option.

[frostyeel]

The 20D + 18-55 IS is getting toward $400 which is more than i really want to spend.

As for the FD to EF converter, what i've read is that when used without the glass it doesn't reduce image quality, just doesn't allow focusing to infinity. So I could get full use out of my macro lense at the very least, maybe just specialize in macro photography until i could afford a new lense. But of course i could also put in the glass and use my other lenses and shoot for fun.

[ckckevin]

i like that thought!

[bsaber]

If $400 is more than you want to spend, how much are you willing to go? You could always go for a used Rebel + 18-55 for cheaper.

[darosk]

Befriend a rich person.

[bsaber]

Befriend a rich person.

Are you rich? If so, can I be your friend? :p

[darosk]

Are you rich? If so, can I be your friend? :p

Sadly, I am not rolling in the Benjamins :( :( :(

You can still be my friend though ;)

But in all honesty, frostyeel - if you have friends who are into photography, you might ask to borrow their gear. It's not the best solution, but if money is an issue then it's the cheapest way I know.

Another route might be to go with a used 20D or 30D like you mentioned, and get some decent manual focus glass. Super Takumar 50/55 mm primes + m42 adapters can be had for as little as $50 if you shop around, ($80-100 for more minty condish) and the image quality is astounding.

[bsaber]

Sadly, I am not rolling in the Benjamins :( :( :(

You can still be my friend though ;)

But in all honesty, frostyeel - if you have friends who are into photography, you might ask to borrow their gear. It's not the best solution, but if money is an issue then it's the cheapest way I know.

Another route might be to go with a used 20D or 30D like you mentioned, and get some decent manual focus glass. Super Takumar 50/55 mm primes + m42 adapters can be had for as little as $50 if you shop around, ($80-100 for more minty condish) and the image quality is astounding.

I second this suggestion.

[ryant35]

I started with the 20D brand new for $1000 and sold it for $300. It was a great camera and going to digital was awesome. For you $300 will pay for it self in film costs in no time. I also feel digital helps encourage creativity, you will take for chances if each shot isn't costing you money. And if you are already shooting manual focus you're not going to miss anything shooting with your existing lenses. I also 2nd the comment about the new 50mm f/1.8 II. You can probably find one even cheaper used.

[RDKirk]

I believe your best option is to start with a used DSLR, with a used 20D being the best choice. You might find a used 10D cheaper, but the 20D was a magnitude of difference better in handling than the 10D--it was the first of Canon's consumer DSLRs that approached even the cheapest of film cameras in handling performance.

You said that you lack both money and time, but continuing to learn with film will cost you more of both.

I am a consummate film technician--I was teaching color processing and printing 'way back in the late 60s--before some of the people who claim today you must learn film were even out of elementary school. I was a serious Zone System advocate.

Yet, I will say there is nothing you need to know any longer about photography that can't be learned more cheaply and with less time wasted with a digital camera. Certainly, there are a lot more shortcuts you can take with digital, but that's a matter of personal discipline.

[frostyeel]

Thanks for all of the opinions. It is helpful to see that everybody seems to be unanimous in suggesting I get a DSLR. After seeing a list of the differences between the 10D and 20D it seems that for $100 it's definitely worth it to spring for the 20D.

My qualms about spending too much money at first are mostly caused by the fact that my parents are spending a lot of money on my education, and so I feel I need their approval before I spend a few hundred dollars on a camera instead of books or other school supplies. I'd rather get a body and FD adapter first and then spread out purchases of additional lenses and accessories over time. Maybe I'll wait until Christmas before getting some lenses (the EF 50mm f/1.8, the 18-55mm IS and the Super Takumar lenses all sound like good options).

[Chinsing]

Hi Frosty:

Here are my 2-cents worth, from the perspective of a parent w/college age child and as a casual photographer.

Film has become so dated, it's now retro, so there's a certain appeal about that. Also, the fundamentals of composition, exposure, etc. are timeless and transcend media (i.e., film or flash). AND since the school will very likely offer access to top-grade photo lab equipment for very little to no cost, it's a great time to take advantage of these.

The added benefit of delayed gratification with digital equipment is that it's always getting cheaper and better, so the later you wait the more your $'s will buy later.

Before blowing your budget on equipment or adapters that will yield marginal results, hone your skills on film and then share the fruits of this passion with your family. Who knows, what the next holiday or birthday will bring!

Chinsing

[krb]

Film has become so dated, it's now retro, so there's a certain appeal about that. Also, the fundamentals of composition, exposure, etc. are timeless and transcend media (i.e., film or flash). AND since the school will very likely offer access to top-grade photo lab equipment for very little to no cost, it's a great time to take advantage of these.

Even "at cost" there is still a cost. And he didn't say he was giving up on film, just that he wanted to supplement with digital for cost savings. Compare $300 for a camera that can take unlimited pictures vs $300 for a few months worth of film and this seems to me like a no-brainer.

[j37r]

I use an FD to EOS adapter on my 350D, that way I can share my FD lenses between the 350D, the T90 and F1n.

I do not agree that these adapters suck, I've been using one for 2 years now and have got some really good pictures with it. If you are on a budget this is one way of making your existing lenses go further.


this picture was taken with a Sigma 70-210mm APO FD on my 350D, judge for yourself.