Photography equipment for school

[tommon]

My take, being an ex school photographer, the students probably owns better equipment than you and probably take better pix than your staff. If it's just for snap shots, get cams like Coolpix P50 or 5100 with SB400. These cams are more smaller and less intimidating from lay people's point of view, esp ladies.

1. Form a photo club and have your students or parent volunteers to cover schools events. Get some pros (like myself haha) to give some talks on tips in event coverage, sporting events, photo retouching, etc.

2. Conduct a yearly photo contest to select school student photogs. Have a panel of advisors (from seasoned photogs and pros) to be judges to ensure fairness.

These has helped me develop my skills and interst thru the years.

 

[Hobbesyeo]

The school I'm working in is getting a DSLR setup.

As we are just casual photographers and have been mainly using the Minolta 7Hi prosumer for the past 4 years, the DSLR world is unchartered territory for us.

We have, however, agreed to buy the Nikon D40.

As I have no experience in the DSLR system, I seek advice and recommendations on the lenses and flashlights that should be use in a school hall environment, especially the stage, where the lighting is always a challenge for photographers like us.

Recommendations for additional equipment and accessories to complement the system is also appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I think in order for you to get more useful advice, you'll need to provide more details, like the main purpose of the camera (is it more for just staff usage or to set up a student photography club?) and your the budget.

The D40 is a good camera but as others have pointed out, you must be aware of its limitations (ie: must use AF-S lenses)

Your budget will also need to take into account buying some "must-have" accessories - like a dry cabinet, charger + rechargable AA batteries, spare camera battery, camera bag, spare memory cards and a good tripod.

 

[zac08]

What you get actually depends on the teacher or HOD in charge.

If they are savy enough to teach the kids how to use the better cameras, then they will get better ones. But if they are not tech savy or photographically inclined, then they may opt for lower end cams like PnS or Prosumers.

Personally, I feel that a good club should have a range of such equipment, from PnS up to DSLRs. Throw in a couple of SLRs if you have the budget, it's good practise for the kids too.

 

[drafting88]

Thanks for the overwhelming advice and recommendations.

Will try to reply to the questions tonight.

 

[ceecookie]

Exactly!

Just like his canon 30D is obsolete, so we should discourage everyone else from buying ?

No rite? :think:

hehe...i bought it 2nd hand...but TS is buying a new D40/x so its a diff issue:sweat:

 

[lsisaxon]

hehe...i bought it 2nd hand...but TS is buying a new D40/x so its a diff issue:sweat:

Aiyoh.. There are still no product to replace it how can it be obsolete? ;p I feel that even D100, D70, D50, D70s and D200 are not obsolete yet.

 

[Keith37]

What you get actually depends on the teacher or HOD in charge.

If they are savy enough to teach the kids how to use the better cameras, then they will get better ones. But if they are not tech savy or photographically inclined, then they may opt for lower end cams like PnS or Prosumers.

Personally, I feel that a good club should have a range of such equipment, from PnS up to DSLRs. Throw in a couple of SLRs if you have the budget, it's good practise for the kids too.

Agreed. The teacher-in-charge is very important. Check with the in-charge and find out about his/her plans for the club and if he/she is willing to factor it into the school IT plan for your club.

IMO, I think if your school has good mentors, can try getting a D80, SB600 and the 50mm f1.8. This setup allows is flexible, and allow students to play with large aperture, fast lens, flash setup, and it has a reasonable zoom (18-135mm). I feel that cost would not be an issue if the school is willing to factor it into IT plan, and has clear desirable learning outcomes for its students through the purchase of these equipments.

Closing date for submission of IT plan 2008-2010 is 31 Jan. Dun miss the boat. Just my 2 cents.

 

[drafting88]

Thanks for the reminder of the closing date of the submission. I was only told about the plan to buy the DSLR system last week. Havent got the time to do some research until now. I was also told to that the school has also factored in a budget for a DSLR system - the amount which I do not know.

The system is going to be bought for the use of the school teacher-photographer and will be mainly used to cover important events of the school: concerts, sporting events, simple portraits of the children etc. We will also probably be buying a couple PnS cameras for the use of the other teachers.

From the replies, besides the D40, it seems the D80 is also highly recommended, based among others, its ability to use a wider range of lenses, inclusive of 3rd party ones. We will also take into account the need of the no less important accessories, such as the dry-cabinet, extra batteries and so on.

Will discuss the information form this thread with the IT HOD and I'm sure some suppliers will be getting a call for us for their recommendations too.

TIA.

 

[lsisaxon]

Thanks for the reminder of the closing date of the submission. I was only told about the plan to buy the DSLR system last week. Havent got the time to do some research until now. I was also told to that the school has also factored in a budget for a DSLR system - the amount which I do not know.

The system is going to be bought for the use of the school teacher-photographer and will be mainly used to cover important events of the school: concerts, sporting events, simple portraits of the children etc. We will also probably be buying a couple PnS cameras for the use of the other teachers.

From the replies, besides the D40, it seems the D80 is also highly recommended, based among others, its ability to use a wider range of lenses, inclusive of 3rd party ones. We will also take into account the need of the no less important accessories, such as the dry-cabinet, extra batteries and so on.

Will discuss the information form this thread with the IT HOD and I'm sure some suppliers will be getting a call for us for their recommendations too.

TIA.

Since there is no budget allocation, put up a few options and see which one they can afford.
1) D3 + 24-70/2.8 + 70-200/2.8 + SB-800 --> ~$13.5k
2) D300 + 17-55/2.8 + 70-200/2.8 + SB-800 --> ~$8k
3) D300 + 18-200VR + SB-800 --> ~$5k
4) D80 + 18-200VR + SB-800 --> ~$3k
5) D80 Kit + SB-800 --> ~2.3k
6) D80 Kit --> ~$1.7k
7) D40X VR Kit + 55-200VR --> ~$1.6k
8) D40X VR Kit --> ~$1.2k

 

[chanxj]

Frankly speaking if they have budget of 5k and above, i would personally get multiple sets, in this way more people have the chance to use it. But D80+18-200VR+SB800 seems a good choice though a standard 18-135 D80 Lens + 55-200(for events like sports meet) + SB800/metz flash should be more than enough for a starting budget setup.

O yes i fogot, a tripod too. Very useful when shooting tele or even the occasional group photos.

 

[Henessy]

It would be better for us to give you practical suggestions if you could give us the budget. No point we discuss a lot and give you really very good suggestions on what to buy, but at the end the day,the school's budget does not permit so

 

[Henessy]

Since there is no budget allocation, put up a few options and see which one they can afford.
1) D3 + 24-70/2.8 + 70-200/2.8 + SB-800 --> ~$13.5k
2) D300 + 17-55/2.8 + 70-200/2.8 + SB-800 --> ~$8k
3) D300 + 18-200VR + SB-800 --> ~$5k
4) D80 + 18-200VR + SB-800 --> ~$3k
5) D80 Kit + SB-800 --> ~2.3k
6) D80 Kit --> ~$1.7k
7) D40X VR Kit + 55-200VR --> ~$1.6k
8) D40X VR Kit --> ~$1.2k

Very good and practical summary.

18-200 VR is actually quite gd for school event coverage. I used to propose my school to buy it, but in the end...

 

[Henessy]

I am sorry if I sound harsh with my statements. But that is what actually happen to my school.