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Beginner photographer looking for a good, cheap camera!?

I am going to be taking a photography class this summer and then next fall for sure through my university. I am really starting to get into photography and I might even want to major in it, but I don't have a real nice camera. The Prof. told me that we are going to need a dSLR camera, but i don't want to spend anymore than $300 cuz..... I am a student. Can anyone help me? Thanks a lot!

Public Comments

1. You are going to have a very difficult time finding a DSLR for less than $300. Your best bet will be to look for a used one, i.e. a Canon Rebel w/ the kit lens. You might have a look on Ebay or check www.keh.com. B&H also sells some used equipment.
2. Good and cheap only go hand in hand in photography when the word "used" is added. Cameta Camera in Amityville Long Island has been a great source for me over the years for used equipment. They warranty what they sell. I've seen digital Rebels on there for around $400.
3. It's not the camera that makes the great photos..... It's the person behind the camera that makes the great photos...... I learned that when I took some of the New York Institute of Photography courses well over twenty years ago...... No matter which one you decide on, just read its manual, learn what the camera can do and what it can't do and go from there. Practice, practice and practice on your own. You might even surprise yourself of your present photo abilities. There's plenty of decent cameras like you're looking for in your price range. A camera store might let you try one out even before you buy it, if you "rent it for a day." Or, if you buy one and you don't like, they might even let you return it, and buy and try out another one..... If you have access to Photoshop or the like, play around with your photos there, too. Look at photos in the magazines, in the newspapers and on the Internet at such places as on Flickr, www.Flickr.com You can most likely learn a lot from viewing other peoples photos, too, on how to frame photos out and the like.
4. You are very limited at $300. Think about something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D100-w-28-80mm-lens-w-Nikon-SB-80DX-Speedlight_W0QQitemZ120220925294QQihZ002QQcategoryZ107913QQcmdZViewItem Not the 10+ MP of the new mid-line cameras, but the quality is more than worth it. In fact, the lens and flash are worth the current price of $270. -It's like everyone here is in sales, they can't read the $300 price limit.-
5. Check out the Pentax range you should get a second hand *ist DS within your budget. There are also some great older prime lenses of really good quality that can be used with any of the Pentax range available cheaply. You can get a new K100D for not a lot more than $300.00. Traditionally here in the UK every student had a Pentax, you just get more for your money. So they have finally dropped the film camera requirement for these courses then? Chris
6. I'd suggest going to your local camera store, (not best buy or wal mart) and asking if they have any used cameras, a lot of folks trade in their older models for newer ones. Also you can check http://adorama.com or http://bhphotovideo.com .. they both sell used cameras. You may be able to pick up a Canon EOS XT for just about $400 including the kit lens... or a bit less for the body only and pick up a 50mm 1.8 lens for about $80.00. Good luck to you :)
7. Keh.com is one of the best places to get used cameras. They have the best prices, are honest, and the items are often even better than the condition rating they give. For your budget you are probably looking at a used Canon Digital Rebel or Nikon D40. Most of the "starter" camera kits come with a really crappy zoom lens, so I'd put together your own camera by buying the camera body and lens separately (probably cheaper too). I'd recommend the Canon Digital Rebel body with 50 mm F1.8 lens. The body can be got for $250 - $350, and the lens is amazing quality for very little money ($20-$50 used). You might be tempted to go with a zoom lens because it seems like a fun gadget that gives you more options, but I promise you'll do better without it right now (and maybe forever). You'll train your eye better AND get better pictures by starting with a fixed lens. Plus a quality zoom lens costs around $1000. I suggest giving KEH a call and have them direct you to a lens and body within your budget. They'll even go to the stock to look at a product listed as Bargain condition and tell how it looks to help you get a deal while avoiding buying something that is too beat up. Make sure to ask about battery and memory card, which you will need and usually have to buy separately (and may be cheaper on Amazon, generic like Targus brand for batteries is fine, Sandisk and Kingston are good for memory cards). btw, if you look on the website, the digital camera bodies are under the digital section, but the lenses are under the 35 mm section (fixed focal length) because most lenses work on both film and digital cameras, just make sure you get ones that are compatible (talk to a rep to confirm you picked parts that go together).