looking to get into photography

[dipstik]

alright I don't really know where to start, so I'll just ramble for a little bit. I really want to get into photography, but don't have a lot of money (probably enough to get set up with a good camera, but not for additional lenses or too much extra gear). Also, I will probably end up teaching myself. I signed up for an intro to photography class at school but didn't get in because I'm not an arts major and because the class filled up quickly. Theres a chance I might be able to get in this upcoming semester if I talk to the prof., but I'm not really counting on it. If I don't get in this semester I might next year because I'll be a sophomore, but who knows.

Anyway I was reading the description for the intro course and they require you to have a manual 35mm camera. Taking the course or not, that seems like a good place to start. The thing is, I have absolutely no idea what to look for in a camera, or even what a good intro camera might cost. I'm thinking I want to spend around $300? maybe $350? (less if possible) So I guess I'm looking for recommendations on a camera, or even where to buy a camera. Is it the kind of thing you can just pick up at whatever store has it the cheapest or is it better to get it at a camera shop?

Lastly, my dad is sort of into photography, but doesn't know too much about 35mm cameras. He has a Canon digital Rebel and has probably 3 or 4 lenses ( including 1 telephoto) lying around that I could use. This would be a huge benefit for me in terms of saving $ on lenses and would just give me more to work and have fun with. Same deal with my neighbor, except he has quite a few more lenses, all Canon. I don't really know what kind, but if price is any indicator, he is always bragging about his new multi-thousand dollar lense or whatever, and tells me if I ever get into photography he would let me borrow them. I don't know if these lenses are interchangeable between different brands, but if not it would seem wise for me to get a Canon.

Basically, I'm looking for a 35mm camera to get me into photography for around $300-$350. I'm leaning towards Canon because of the availability of Canon lenses to me. I have absolutely no idea where to begin, and I'm looking for some direction!

Thanks.

[ak_powder_monkey]

use the ditgi and take as many picutures as you can. If you take 1000 pictures one will turn out really good, film is pretty expensive and you can upgrade once you get the basics of compasision down.

a few general principles:
the Rule of 3rds: don't have your subject in the center of fram (in portraits you subject is the eyes)
Framing: Having an object framing the subject in the forground to give depth and scale to the subject
Rule of Halves: Don't have an unbroken line go through the entire frame (horizens ect.)
A good photo captures the essense of something, good, bad, pretty or ugly.
Enjoy yourself, photography is fun

Good Luck Dude!

[Storm11]

If you've got access to Canon lenses, then go with Canon. It's what the majority of pro's shoot anyway. The Eos Elan 7NE is a GREAT beginner/intermediate camera. It has enough functions that you won't grow out of it for quite a while, and is around your price range. It also has eye controlled focusing, so it focuses wherever in the frame you look. Pretty cool and the only other camera that offers it is the $1200 Eos 3 (I think). check out KEH.com (they've got a good selection of used stuff and the rating system is pretty accurate and conservative. Even the 80-89% grade stuff looks mostly brand new)

[Superstar Punani]

Basically you need to find a hot chick who's at least 18....you'll need a copy of photo-ID or any government issues ID and save this for your records.

Next you'll need to set up a tripod in a soft-lit room. Try finding somewhere exotic, not your run-of-the-mill hotel room or bedroom. Exotic houses or locales are a plus. Examples include a poolside setting, a beach, or a bearskin rug by the fireplace of a skilodge.

Now you will need to pick a role. Are you a pool guy servicing the house of a hot MILF? Perhaps you're an electrician checking up the wiring at a Sorority house? A thief who happened to break into an empty house, only to find the teenage (18/19) daughter of the wealthy owners all alone? Or you could be the Pizza Hut delivery boy.

Stick with some cheesy lines like "Sorry I'm a little late delivering your pizza...this is my first time, you know!"

You know the drill now. Good luck getting into pornography.

[summit]

Ebay is your friend:

Canon Elan II or A2: ~$100-$150
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8: ~$60 ($69 new from www.bhphoto.com)
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5: ~$130-$170

This will be a great starter setup.

I have a fancy EOS-3/PBE2 setup but I still have my Elan II (EOS 50) because it is small, light, does everything, and has the best control setup of any camera ever (except maybe the Olympus OM4).

The Elan II was replaced by the Elan 7 but I still think that the Elan II is superior in many respects and the Elan 7 is really not worth the extra $$$.

The A2 is an even older camera but can be found on ebay for as cheap as $75 it has some superior features to the Elan II including 5FPS predictive autofocus.

I can keep typing on that for pages, but trust me. That setup will take you far far far and you can get professional results from it if you do the right things behind the camera.

REMEMBER: The camera is just a light proof box that holds the film. The lens is more important but the lens behind the viewfinder is far more important than the one on the camera.

I will be happy to help you any way I can (as I'm sure the other shooters here will be too).

[dipstik]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I will probably end up going for the setup Summit reccomended. What I'm wondering now is how much can I expect to pay for extras, stuff like film and developing? Also, what kind of film should I be looking to get?

edit: I notice a lot of the cameras on ebay are not sold with their chargers....is this a big deal?

[summit]

Film cameras dont usually use rechargable batteries. The ones that I listed use a 2CR5 lithium battery that should last you for ~1000-1500 pictures.

Accessories:
If you get the Elan II, snag a BP-50 which lets you use AA batteries (and you can use rechargables) and/or a 2CR5. It also gives you a vertical grip and vertical shutter release (very very nice). The VG-10 for the A2 will do the same thing (except it doesn't do batteries). IIRC these go on epay for $15-$35

Lens hoods: $10-$20 usually and very nice protection plus they reduce flare (increase contrast)

Circular Polarizing filter: not necessary but a nice accessory (price depends on size and quality. these start at ~$10 on epay)

Film is pretty cheap to buy: www.bhphoto.com
There are all kinds of film. Which one to buy depends on the application and your personal taste.

Fuji Superia and Press offer great quality for $1.50-$5 per roll of 36. Kodak B&W like TX TMX TMY and Ilford FP4 and HP5+ Delta 100 & 400,are outstanding and are usually $2.50-$4.50/roll 36. Kodak and Fuji consumer and professional slide film is usually $2.50-$6.50/roll 36.

I like Kodak TriX and TMAX 400 a lot in 35mm (TMX in 4x5) as well as Ilford. I like Fuji Provia 100F and Velvia 50 (I'm starting to like the new 100F velvia) slide films. I like Kodak Portra, Fuji Superia, and Agfa Optima and Ultra color print film. That's my taste.

Developing slide film is usually $5-$8/roll of 36 from a quality place. Color print developing is usually ~$1.50 to just develop or $7-$12 for developing with quality prints (with individual attention) from a pro or quality mom & pop place. B&W is usually similar but often takes a little longer. Photo CDs are usuall an extra $2-4. Where I am now its all on the higher end of that spectrum. When I did it for a job and didn't live in the mountains, the costs were at the lower end.

Now... go follow Superstar Punani's advice and post the pics!

[Big E]

This sounds like me about a year ago.

I picked up an A2 off of e-bay ($75 ?!?! sounds a little low, but maybe they've come down that much in a year?), included the 50mm MkII lens, lots of other goodies, barely used. Been very happy with it, although injury prevented me from shooting many ski stuff

Digi is good for the instant gratification aspect, but it is a big initial outlay to get something that will do reasonably well for action, and a really big outlay to get a digi with all the features (other than film) of something like an A2.

[Spats]

I'm with AKPM on this one. Spend $0 and use your dad's digicam. The instant feedback you get from a digi will improve your skills so much more quickly than trying to deal with film. You'll know instantly whether you got the shot or not.

Also, the only fulltime pro photographer I know shoots digital now. It's still very expensive to get film quality on digital, but this price drops every year.

[Lynx]

i know a couple ppl are cool with ebay, like midget, i think most of what he owns was bought on ebay or currently for sale on ebay, hehe, but i have to admitt i dont really trust it for things like used camera gear. so if you're sketched like me, check out the used camera bodies from places like KEH.com, adorama.com, or B&H bandhphotovideo.com? you might need to google that one. they have a rating system for used equipment so you can get a general idea of the condition and you know that experienced ppl have given the camera the once over and cleaned it up a bit before they sell it.

[mtbakerskier]

Get the canon A2 its the best bang for you buck out there. Try KEH.com they are slightly more expensive than othere places, but they are honest.

[summit]

What Lynx said is true. You are taking a risk with ebay. I've had good luck and saved a lot of money. I always ask sellers questions before buying. 1/2 my photo gear is from ebay. Others have not had so much luck. It's up to you.

I agree 100% with MBS and Lynx that www.KEH.com is an outstanding and completely reliable place to buy used. If they say it's in excellent condition then it is in excellent condition if not better (The two times I bought from KEH items were better than described. I got a my PB-E2 for 60% off retail and it was marked in bargain condition which turned out to be a just few paint scratches.