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Jojo11

Jojo11

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Jo Stapleton
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I’m here to find out, just the absolute basics to give me some idea of what type camera to buy for my daughter for her A-level course that will last until she can afford a decent one for herself. An old Canon with lenses isn’t much to go off, when I know absolutely nothing at all about photography. I’ve just got to be careful that I don’t catch the bug, looking at all of the photographs on here.
 
Hi and welcome to TP

Can I ask?
When you say "An old Canon with lenses isn’t much to go off...."
Are you saying that is the only advice the course tutor tells students with no other indication of the advised lens & focal lengths?

I can understand if they recommend a brand e.g. Canon as commonality means "they' know that brand and it's general controls layout.

As for places to buy and get hands on advice, I would suggest LCE ( London Camera Exchange) this as a company normally has staff who 'know their stuff' and just possibly if a branch near might even be aware of your daughter's school/college course preferences?

All the best with your research and your daughter's photography course.
 
Thankyou for the advice and yes that’s all I’ve been told. We’ve been reading up and I’m thinking that a canon EOS 70D would be ideal with a 55-135 lens to start with. She photographs an awful lot of trees on the moors where we live, just with her iphone, she’s a Beth Moon fan. She thinks a 2000D would be easier to handle but it doesn’t look very robust. I’ll phone the LCE today
 
Jojo11 said:
Thankyou for the advice and yes that’s all I’ve been told. We’ve been reading up and I’m thinking that a canon EOS 70D would be ideal with a 55-135 lens to start with. She photographs an awful lot of trees on the moors where we live, just with her iphone, she’s a Beth Moon fan. She thinks a 2000D would be easier to handle but it doesn’t look very robust. I’ll phone the LCE today
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FWIW
I was a Canon user for many years (from 1989, sold off the gear in 2016 when I switched to Olympus micro four thirds format) and apart from my full frame 5Dmk3......the standout body was my 40D, beautiful clean low noise (at higher ISO) image files. (NB in my opinion, in case tempted, avoid the model 7D.....I regretted owning that one.... awful noisy images that needed considerable taming though modern noise reduction software would likely handle that better now!)

I am non too sure if the 70D inherited the sensor from the 40D

Incidentally, did the course notes also advise about post processing/editing software ?

PS photography can be an expensive hobby over time. AFAIK yes the 2000D is lighter and in broad terms either would because good initial learning tool but that is why a visit to LCE can be a good idea because then she can then handle the cameras.
 
Your photographs are absolutely amazing and I really wish we were closer to your exhibition. That would definitely inspire her but we’re up in North Yorkshire. So far the course is all academic, no course notes, nothing but I’m waiting for her school to call me. She just wants to get out there. I’ve quickly realised how expensive it is. I was relieved when she gave up riding, I think that may have been the more economical option now. I hadn’t even considered editing. I’ll show her this group and I’m sure, just following the posts on here will be a big help.
 
Jojo11 said:
Your photographs are absolutely amazing and I really wish we were closer to your exhibition. That would definitely inspire her but we’re up in North Yorkshire. So far the course is all academic, no course notes, nothing but I’m waiting for her school to call me. She just wants to get out there. I’ve quickly realised how expensive it is. I was relieved when she gave up riding, I think that may have been the more economical option now. I hadn’t even considered editing. I’ll show her this group and I’m sure, just following the posts on here will be a big help.
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Thank you, I am pleased that you like them.

Here at TP there is much to see, read and appreciate and there is no such thing a daft question plus as you might have noticed there is also a "Beginners" sub-fora.

My question about software was because you spoke about a digital SLR I surmised that the course will be majoring on digital photography. Though perhaps I would like to think they might cover the history and maybe allocate a bit of time to film photography but without the students needing to get too deeply 'into it'.

Therefore as it will all be digital:-
I assume the students will have access to school computers using the schools choice of editing software.....so no rush to go and buy your own. However, should she (or the course tutor advised it?) wish work on her editing at home then of course she will need a PC at home. Of note and AFAIK the software that has gained traction in school/college environment is Adobe but again AFAIK they have "student licensing " at very deep discounts.

But the more modern software tends to need a computer with (forgive the pun) a bit of more horsepower compared to just browsing and office like tasks. NB there are free versions of suitable software but their learning curve is I surmise different to the aforementioned Adobe programs.

PS re: the kit ~ secondhand kit is good at all stages in photography but a godsend when starting out. Yes, it can become expensive but you don't need cutting edge technology and top of the range kit to take great photographs. All of us here at TP were starters at one time or another.
 
Hi @Jojo11 welcome to Talk Photography, also have a look at https://www.mpb.com/en-uk for used cameras and lenses.
It sounds a bit daft but how a camera feels in your hands is quite important, if your daughter has small hands then an Olympus or Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera might be more comfortable, such as an Olympus EM10.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum :)
 
Hello, and thankyou Sirch. How the camera feels is a top tip. She had to swap her guitar because the neck was too wide.
 
I’ve just discovered the course covers traditional but mainly digital techniques, theoretical knowledge, darkroom work and research into contemporary and historical photographers. There’s also an assignment, last years was “circles”. You then have to base your portfolio on that theme to develop a narrative using manipulation, composition, sequencing and light manipulation. I just hope she doesn’t get given urban landscapes or else she’ll need a rail card too.

As for editing, she has an old iMac, I’m hoping that will be enough and we’ll definitely look at AFAIK. Thanks again for your help.
 
Jojo11 said:
I’ve just discovered the course covers traditional but mainly digital techniques, theoretical knowledge, darkroom work and research into contemporary and historical photographers. There’s also an assignment, last years was “circles”. You then have to base your portfolio on that theme to develop a narrative using manipulation, composition, sequencing and light manipulation. I just hope she doesn’t get given urban landscapes or else she’ll need a rail card too.

As for editing, she has an old iMac, I’m hoping that will be enough and we’ll definitely look at AFAIK. Thanks again for your help.
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Re: iMac
Disclaimer ~ I am a Windows user.

AFAIK (the same very applies to Windows) most Mac software requires (minimum) specific versions of the MacOS
So, if you post what MacOS is on her old iMac and if possible what the CPU is........that will aid any Mac users insights to offer you as to software to look at.
 
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