Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Camera Conundrum

May 31, 2011 5:11PM PDT

I've signed up to take an Introductory Photography course, and it requres:

"A 35mm Single Lens Reflex camera (film or digital) with manual focus and exposure capabilities is required"

I don't know much about cameras or photography, but I'm really hoping this class will give me a solid foundation. From researching what all of these terms mean, I've found some film cameras that satisfy the requirements (Pentax k1000, Nikon f10, Nikon n80), but I think I would rather invest in a digital camera. I feel silly asking this because I'm sure it's an obvious answer to a camera pro, but I can't really figure out which DSLRs meet the requirements listed and I don't want to buy the wrong thing. I'm not looking for anything really fancy or professional. For example, I would be happy with a Canon Rebel XS, would that fit the criteria?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
SLR
May 31, 2011 11:56PM PDT

All Digital SLR cameras fit that description.

The Canon Rebel XS will be fine.

Good for you, in taking that class.
You will learn the very important basics of photography.
A start for a lifetime of good pictures.

..

- Collapse -
Semantics
Jun 1, 2011 12:31AM PDT

I am sure it won't matter and the Canon XS will be fine for the course, but strictly speaking, it is not a 35mm DSLR. The XS has a APS-C "cropped" sensor, smaller in comparison to a 35mm film camera. There are digital camera with sensors the same size as 35mm film cameras, but they are the professional, i.e. expensive models.