DSLR Help for School - RECOMMENDATIONS?

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/09/2007 06:55:43 PM · #1

Our school just received a grant to buy some new photographic equipment for use with yearbook and other school activities. The budget is $1000 and will need to supply both camera, lens, etc. I think the school will also need to get a photo editing program - Elements or other.

The teacher using the equipment currently has a Nikon SLR (N55), but any of the major brands would be okay.

My questions to you are:
What camera system and lenses would you recommend to get us under $1000 but provide good quality?

What lenses would you recommend beyond the kit (or just get the body and buy lens/ lenses separately?

What inexpensive and simple photoediting program would you recommend?

Do you know of any companies that give non-for profits a break on cost?

Thanks!!!

Peter

Almilan

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

02/09/2007 07:15:49 PM · #2

Knowing that school equipment - although you do not mention the type of school - may get hammered, then I think you should look at the super zoom digicams - something like this for example.

As for software, I imagine Adobe does educational licensing on Elements, so you could get a multi-licence for more than one pc or why not take a look at the photoshop version of Gimp - Gimpshop. It's free. Ok it is not simple, but it could prove a useful way to get students used to the real Photoshop. A good way to prepare them for the real world and it runs on Windows.

Just a few ideas.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

02/09/2007 08:17:21 PM · #3

Bump
Other ideas?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

02/09/2007 08:34:35 PM · #4

First question: what Nikon lenses do they already have? If they have lenses that are usable with a Nikon DSLR, then that's your best choice by far. The lenses need to be recent enough to have AF, otherwise you won't really be able to make use of them (camera will not meter).
Either the D50 or D70s are good choices. The D50 with a 28-105mm lens, plus a faster 50mm lens, plus memory card is going to push you close to your budget.
For editing, look at picking up Photoshop Elements 5.0; the academic version is $69.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/09/2007 08:38:14 PM · #5

[quote=kirbic] First question: what Nikon lenses do they already have?

The lens they have is really not much of anything - a DSLR kit lens would be a big upgrade. SO, we are essentially starting from scratch.

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

02/09/2007 08:40:01 PM · #6

Look at the Canon 400d xti with a 50/f1.4 lens - roughly within your budget.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

02/09/2007 08:51:07 PM · #7

Originally posted by pccjrose:

...we are essentially starting from scratch.

So then, either a Canon or Nikon body will do you well. Stay away from the Nikon D40, it's kinda crippled. The D50 or the Canon 350D (Rebel XT) are great choices. An example of a possible solution:

Rebel XT body+2GB card, $559
50mm f/1.8 lens, $80
28-105 zoom lens, $220
Bag, $30
Photoshop Elements 5.0*, $70
Total, $959

All prices are per B&H Photo, except PS Elements.

*Educational price

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

02/09/2007 08:59:11 PM · #8

Originally posted by pccjrose:

The lens they have is really not much of anything - a DSLR kit lens would be a big upgrade. SO, we are essentially starting from scratch.

Any old 50mm prime will likely give better results than a modern kit lens.

If a requirement of that yearbook is to include some formal portraits then a flash may be something you want to think about. IMHO, good controlled lighting will get you consistently better results than anything else.

bazz.

Elvis_L

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/09/2007 08:59:51 PM · #9

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by pccjrose:
...we are essentially starting from scratch.

So then, either a Canon or Nikon body will do you well. Stay away from the Nikon D40, it's kinda crippled. The D50 or the Canon 350D (Rebel XT) are great choices. An example of a possible solution:

Rebel XT body+2GB card, $559
50mm f/1.8 lens, $80
28-105 zoom lens, $220
Bag, $30
Photoshop Elements 5.0*, $70
Total, $959

All prices are per B&H Photo, except PS Elements.

*Educational price

I would agree with that. I would also agree with not getting the nikon d40. it doesn't do a few nice things that would be good for students to learn to use.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/09/2007 09:03:38 PM · #10

Originally posted by kirbic:

Don't Canon cameras still come with PS Elements?

EBJones

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/09/2007 09:08:02 PM · #11

Well, buying on a budget like that, I was going to recommend the D40 as a good starter body, but I would read up on it first and figure out how much abuse it's likely to suffer. It is a bit crippled, but still a pretty good camera (from what little I have read) that may meet your cost requirements. (Popular Photography and Imaging has a write up on it this month, calling it a pretty good entry level DSLR.)

As for software, Adobe does have educational pricing on CS2($299), Elements($119) and Lightroom ($99). Check out the Adobe Educational store for more details.

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/09/2007 09:20:20 PM · #12

If your district is big enough to have a purchasing department, check with them on prices. Our district was able to use their buying power to get the Adobe Web bundle (CS2, Acrobat, DreamWeaver, Flash, Fireworks and something else) for $180. They can also get your equipment for much less, which allows you to get alot more for your money.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

02/09/2007 09:22:07 PM · #13

rjkstesch Thanks for the idea. This is a small Catholic school and doesn't have a lot of buying leverage.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

02/09/2007 09:33:40 PM · #14

Don't Canon cameras still come with PS Elements? [/quote]

Not as far as I can tell.

krafty1

Nikon D80

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/09/2007 09:33:55 PM · #15

Basically I agree with Kirbic when it comes to the Nikon gear though you may consider the following.

Nikon D50, 6.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF $700
Nikon SB-600 Speedlight $185
Photoshop Elements 5.0 (Academic Pricing) $63
Memory Cards (1x2GB Sandisk Extreme III's) $55
Total $1003

I figure someone could chip in $3

You could always switch out the flash with:
Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens $114
Giottos Rocket Air Blower - (Large) 7.5" (You'll need one of these...welcome to digital) $12
Another memory card for a backup $55
For new total: $999

Kirbic is right about the D40. It only autofocuses with the latest AF-S lenses.