Bitten by the Bug

Last week, one of my teacher's assistants, a young Lao woman of 20 quizzed me on what camera she should buy.. Her choices were the Sony Nex-3, Canon G12 or the beautiful Fuji X100.. I recommended either the Fuji (if she can stretch her finances, remembering salaries aren't that high in Laos) or the G12..

I noticed her enthusiasm.. I loaned her my old 20D/Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 to have a play with.. Within a couple of days she is already exploring Manual mode and putting together some good exposures .. She has already asked me about RAW files and ISO and what it does, and why we change the focus points to suit the subject.. All this after only a couple of days with the 20D..

Now,, I'm recommending she buys either a 500D or 550D.. The jury is still out..

Well done! That's nice of you to lend her your camera, I'm way too protective for that lol...sounds like either Rebel would be an excellent choice for her If she's on a budget she could still probably grab an 18-55 IS and a Nifty Fifty and be very happy and creative.

That's awesome.....maybe she can come by a used 20D at a reasonable price

Thanks Tamas..She's really keen, full of questions and always picking my brain..

I've been toying with the idea of running a photography course where I teach for the staff and high level students.. I've been asked by staff numerous times.. I taught photography for a few years some years ago, in the film era..

I've ordered a few books online last week and when they arrive I'll hit up the boss.. Nothing too in depth, just some basic digital photography,, I'll probaly ignore post processing for awhile..

jra wrote in post #11838567
That's awesome.....maybe she can come by a used 20D at a reasonable price

DSLR cameras, especially second hand ones are difficult to find here in Laos.. A few shops at the local mall sell new 500Ds and 550Ds with kit lenses but are 1200USD a piece.. Way too much..

Her only option is to ask her mum for an early birthday (May) present get down to Bangkok, which she does regularly..

Doesn't KEH ship to Laos? I don't know what the import restrictions are, but gee whiz, 1200 for a rebel? I could meet you at the airport with enough of those in my carry on to pay for the flight and a decent meal at a good hotel.

birdfromboat wrote in post #11840374
Doesn't KEH ship to Laos? I don't know what the import restrictions are, but gee whiz, 1200 for a rebel? I could meet you at the airport with enough of those in my carry on to pay for the flight and a decent meal at a good hotel.

Yeah,, I was a bit shocked at the retail prices for cameras here in Laos also..

Having said that, I've never bought a camera here but buy online out of Hong Kong..

PM'd

Al

yogestee wrote in post #11838609
Thanks Tamas..She's really keen, full of questions and always picking my brain..

I've been toying with the idea of running a photography course where I teach for the staff and high level students.. I've been asked by staff numerous times.. I taught photography for a few years some years ago, in the film era..

I've ordered a few books online last week and when they arrive I'll hit up the boss.. Nothing too in depth, just some basic digital photography,, I'll probaly ignore post processing for awhile..

That would be so much fun, to teach photography to a bunch of keeners!

LowriderS10 wrote in post #11845589
That would be so much fun, to teach photography to a bunch of keeners!

It is a lot of fun..

Hey Jurgen,

One of the BEST threads I've seen in a while!!!
Are HK prices the best you can get?
How about the refurb market?
Or 2nd-hand from here?

Postage for just the body (20D or 30D?) wouldn't be too much, and I see plenty of EOS Kiss cameras in the shops for low money, though I'm not sure of the exchange rate from there...

REALLY hope you can get your student some "OK" gear and start a class - I expect it would be fantastic.....

Simon,, I think HK prices are pretty good.. I've been buying from there for a number of years..

On an update on gear for my TA, I noticed a Canon Kiss x3 (500D)/grip/Canon 18-135mm, all new, today in a shop here in Vientiane.. They are asking about 840USD.. I've already emailed her and got an instant reply from her.. She's going to check it out.. As she's a local and the type of girl she is, there is no doubt she'll get a better price..

yogestee wrote in post #11845726
Simon,, I think HK prices are pretty good.. I've been buying from there for a number of years..

On an update on gear for my TA, I noticed a Canon Kiss x3 (500D)/grip/Canon 18-135mm, all new, today in a shop here in Vientiane.. They are asking about 840USD.. I've already emailed her and got an instant reply from her.. She's going to check it out.. As she's a local and the type of girl she is, there is no doubt she'll get a better price..

Fantastic!
Hope the deal comes off....if so, let us know, and get your student into POTN so we can see her work.
(Eeek! Gotta dash to conversation class now!)
Catch you soon...

Friends,, I managed to get my old 20D back off my TA.. Man did it take some persuasion.. Anyway, I promised her I'd burn her images to a disk so she can check them out and return the camera in the morning..

I put her images up in Photoshop..Many of the shots were taken on manual mode and she's nailing the exposure 80% of the time.. She's also exploring 1600 ISO and getting some good low light pics..

She asked me a question this afternoon,, "why is the background more blurry if I use 2.8 than if I use 5.6". I explained to her, in very simple terms DOF.. She understood..

I'm amazed how quick she's learning a DSLR after only a week's familiarisation..

Also, I noticed how she handles the camera.. She's not afraid of it and doesn't hold it like a fragile kitten..

Nice! Sounds like she's picking it up rather quickly!