SC my main reason for not posting is going through pieces that are already posted thus making a 4 page post.
In any case first. the need to know what the course will teach, you can'y buy a car if you might need a suv. So I'm going to treat this as a normal photography fine arts course.
More then likely there will be a need for B&W film for sure, and it's use in the dark room. Usually part of most courses. That makes digital pretty much out of the question.
So a film slr seems to be the logical choice, I read about the K1000, a good sturdy body but thats where it ends, the meter is not percise it has no control over pre viewing depth of field. These two factors are a must , As well the photo you think you see in the view finder is not 100% of what you might think you have composed. Because it is totally manual with a cheap light meter built in, not so different from just buying a hand held meter and camera with no meter, this will because of the generations past may not even be found.
I agree with SC very much, if you need to go film, there are some good choices out there, Pentax MX and LX, Nikon, F1 F2 F3 FM, FE These because of the available system would allow for growth.
Canon other then the F1 I am not all that familiar with models but any price point camera for the retail market as the AE-1 are not the best choice. I am sure a few other Cannon bodies are capable if they have the features I have writen.
Some of the better bodies will have a center meterring area which is more accurate then others.
I have left out newer generation SLR cameras like the Nikon F-4 F-5 and Cannaon equivelents. Most would be over a grand and maybe closer to two depending where you are, I caution EBAY, and others, if you go to a camera store you get some warrenty on Ebay you get luck. To save a buck for what might cost you 2 makes little sence.
So I suggest Cannon or Nikon with the features I mentioned above, Minolta makes o couple good bodies going back several generations but the system is small, and getting resale Cannon and Nikon are going to do the best in this area.There are a few others I have left out as they would not allow to grow like Olympus in the older generations.
If your looking for technology right up to date,Canon and Nikon both have starting bodies in the 1000+ range new older bodies FM etc in the 2-3 hundred used., don't get fooled in the package body/lens combination, it might sound like a good deal but the lenses are mass produced for the general market. As much thought if not more must be put into the lens as the body. Focal length, speed, zoom, fixed speed and other issues are part of choosing the right equipment. Then there is the family of lenses, zoom, wide angle, fixed, macro or Micro, and tons of other accsesories I'm sure she will need.
Several items left out and perhaos the most importand is a sturdy tripod, and a solid head . No one can hand hold a camera as solid as a camera on a tripod, read any good book especially nature and Tripods are right up there in the must have list. Most quality ones, Manfrotto, gitzo, amoung others most in the $100.00 and up range give great performance and life long capability of use.
SC now you can see why I did not want to post here, I could continue, but could go on forever, such as changable focus screens, flashes, and as I'm sure you know it really does not end, for me some $25.000 dollars later I am still not finished. The prices are based on Canadian and not major cities where the price is usually more.
Some suggestions, find a local camera club and see what they would suggest and maybe have for sale, most will be knowledgable and no what is needed. Go to the net do a google for nature fourms and post a thread look at other posts, you can get a good idea.
As to cut this short if it's possible don't preasure buy a good photographic consultant will take needed time to help you choose what is with your input best for your situation.
Darrell
