[[Black and White I Camera Guide|Start]]
[[CFA Photography|about]]
[[Table of Contents|toc]]
This guide was produced by Vincent Zeng, with references from Black and White I\nfaculty. It's written in twee and powered by tiddlywiki.\n\nFor more information about the CFA Photography program, [[visit our\nwebsite|http://cfaphoto.cfa.cmu.edu]]
[[Home|Start]]\n[[Author|about]]\n\nStep 1: [[Camera Requirements|step-1]]\nStep 2: [[Where to Start Looking|step-2]]\nStep 3a: [[Adopting a Camera|step-3a]]\nStep 3b: [[Buying a Camera|step-3b]]\nStep 4: [[Final Tips|step-4]]
This tool aims to give you a starting point for acquiring a camera outfit of\nyour very own!\n\nInformation on specific models, market rates, and availablity might not be\naccurate all the time, so keep this in mind when you're searching for your\nperfect setup. This is not intended to be an instant push-button-get-camera\nsolution.\n\nStep 1: [[Camera Requirements|step-1]]\n<<if visited("step-2") gte 1>>Step 2: [[Where to Start Looking|step-2]] <<endif>>\n<<if visited("step-3a") gte 1>>Step 3a: [[Adopting a Camera|step-3a]] <<endif>>\n<<if visited("step-3b") gte 1>>Step 3b: [[Buying a Camera|step-3b]] <<endif>>\n<<if visited("step-4") gte 1>>Step 4: [[Final Tips|step-4]] <<endif>>
<b>Step 1: Camera Requirements</b>\n\nFor Black and White I, you are required to have a 35mm SLR film camera with manual\nfunctions. Additionaly, your camera should have a built-in lightmeter.\n\nSome 35mm cameras have program or automatic modes; this is acceptable, as long\nas you have the ability to manually set the aperture, shutter speed, and focus.\n\nThe course will cover everything you need to know about camera operation, but\ntry to make sure you get a camera that meets these requirements!\n\nNext: [[Where to Start Looking|step-2]]
<b>Step 2: Where to Start Looking</b>\n\nIf you had a friend who took Black and White I in a previous semester, check\nwith them to see if you can borrow or buy their camera! If it worked for them,\nit's likely to work for you.\n\nIf not, check with older family members, especially if you'll be home or\nvisiting over break; chances are fairly good that someone you're connected to\ntook a photography class in college in the 80s.\n\nIf you end up getting a camera from a friend or family, read about [[adopting a\ncamera|step-3a]]\n\nOtherwise, continue to [[buying a camera|step-3b]].
<b>Step 3a: Adopting a Camera</b>\n\nA good first step is to get the manual for your adopted camera! Google for the\nmake and model of your camera, plus 'manual', and you'll probably find one. If\nyou end up at butkus.org, you're in the right place; that website is run by Some\nGuy who collected PDFs of every camera manual he could find.\n\nAsk when the last time the previous owner put a roll of film through. If it's\nbeen more than a few years, the battery will probably be dead. Most drugstores\ncarry a variety of battery types, so get yourself a fresh one before the\nsemester starts!\n\nCheck to see if the lightmeter turns on, and if you can fire the shutter and\nmove the film advance lever. Some cameras have an electronic shutter, which\nmight not work if the battery is low. Rarely, some cameras won't fire the\nshutter unless film is loaded.\n\nIf the previous owner has different lenses or other accesories, those can be\ngood to bring back to campus!\n\nNext: [[Final Tips|step-4]]
<b>Step 3b: Buying a Camera</b>\n\nWhen buying a camera for this course, keep in mind that you'll likely be picking\nup a used camera that's older than you are. Some of the 35mm cameras made in the\n70s and 80s are extremely durable and reliable, more so than newer/more modern\ncameras.\n\nExpect to spend somewhere between $200-$300 for a working camera and lens with\nappropriate functions. Good models to look for are the Nikon FM series (FM,\nFM-2, FM-10, etc.), Olympus OM series (OM, OM-1, OM-2), Canon AE-1, Minolta\nX-700, Pentax K1000.\n\nTry to get a camera with a 50mm prime lens if you can; if you need to cut\ncorners on cost, you could make do with a cheaper zoom lens (like a 35-70mm).\n\n<i>Good Sources</i>\n\nThese are retailers that specialize in camera equipment, and have an excellent\ntrack record for pricing, quality disclosure, and addressing problems.\n* [[KEH|https://www.keh.com/shop/cameras/film-cameras/35mm.html]]\n* [[Midwest Photo|https://mpex.com/film-cameras/35-mm.html]]\n* [[B&H|https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/35mm-Cameras/ci/3017/N/3607616145]]\n\n<i>Okay Sources</i>\n*Amazon: Their return policies are okay, but individual sources are widely\nvariable, and quality control is difficult.\n*eBay: You can sometimes get fantastic deals here, but it's fairly risky, and\nreturning can be very difficult.\n\n<i>Sources to Avoid</i>\n\nLocal pawnshops, Craigslist, Goodwill/used junk shops, any place that seems\nunlikely to let you return a nonfunctional camera.\n\nNext: [[Final Tips|step-4]]
<b>Step 4: Final Tips</b>\n* If you need a manual for your camera, there's probably a PDF available online! Google for your camera make/model and 'manual'; you'll probably end up at butkus.org for a free manual download.\n* If there's a serious problem with your camera, it will likely cost more to have it repaired than the camera is worth. If this happens, save the lens, because you can use that on a different camera body! Bring your camera to campus anyway, because our faculty/staff might be able to troubleshoot it.\n* Plan to have your camera on campus within the first week of classes; you won't need it right away, but it's good to bring it in sooner so you have time to troubleshoot problems.\n* If you're having equipment issues, the CFA Photography equipment office may be able to get you a loaner for about a week at a time, but do not rely on this as a long-term solution.\n\n[[back to home|Start]]