most durable DSLR Camera

[tallaght_spur]

<p>hi all,<br>

im lecturering in a university and have been asked to make the switch, slowly, to digital photography from film. we have been teaching a photography module for years but the feedback from the students has been an additional elective in Digital photograhy aswell as the solely film based one they currently undertake. Mu question is what camera should I get in ? I would like to stick with canon just through personal choice, but we will be llooking at getting in a couple of cameras that will get ALOT of use by students who may not be delicate with them. are their any opinions on the best option for such an amount of use? we would be talking around 100 student per semester... also do any of the canon DSLR cameras have an option of fully manual or a way of checking if the photograph was taken using the maual mode rather than the students going off and shooting in auto mode... currenty I am considering the 550d<br>

anyway, sorry if it comes across as many questyions but any advice would be welcomed.<br>

Thank you</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<blockquote>

<p>a way of checking if the photograph was taken using the maual mode rather than the students going off and shooting in auto mode</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Read the Exif data 'n yo' in like flint, revealing all for teacher's eyes. Of course any junior hugh kid knows how to strip that shit out and/or edit data fields.<br /> <br /> All EOS can be used in both manual focus and exposure modes. Hell you can use an adapter and fit an ancient manual focus lens and use stopdown metering if you really wanna torture them.</p>

[joseph_wisniewski]

<blockquote>

<p>currenty I am considering the 550d</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That's the most fragile camera Canon makes. Consider 60D.</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>I have a 60D and it feels about the same as a Rebel series. After all, both sport metal frames with polycarbonate plastic shells (albeit polycarbonate can be more durable than many metals). The main diff in terms of durability is the 60D has some weather seals albeit not as good as the 7D. Of course the 60D is much nicer in terms of features and control surfaces...</p>

[brad_trostad]

It is too bad there isn't a canon sponsored program to buy and refurb the original 5d's for your purpose. A wonder full frame sensor,

no live view so all shots would require traditional viewfInder focusing, no movie modes, simpler focusing system, etc. On another note

I think I once saw mention of a specialized 7d's being sold on places like B&H that are just for school environments where modes are

lockable,metc.

[g dan mitchell]

You teach university level photography, and you are asking what DSLR you should get in an Internet forum?

 

As one faculty member to another, are you serious? :-(

 

Dan

[dennisgg]

<p>What about a used Canon 10D, 20D, 30D or 40D? I have had a 20D (as well as a 10D) - they are quite rugged (like the 50D and 7D) and are quite inexpensive on the used market. You could get a couple or few of them for the price of a 60D or 7D. I have seen 10D and 20D bodies for $150-250 on Craigslist, 30D's for $250-350. The 10D's are not very fast because of a smaller buffer, but for a photography class it is fine and still a great camera. I have one as a backup to my 7D. The 20D and higher are very fast.<br>

As for locking in on manual - maybe you can glue the dial to manual (would kind of ruin it for automatic modes, but the used bodies are cheap). <br>

A well known and respected used camera place online has some 10D bodies for under $200, 20D bodies for $225-275 and 30D for under $310.</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<blockquote>

<p>You teach university level photography, and you are asking what DSLR you should get in an Internet forum?<br /> As one faculty member to another, are you serious? :-(</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Haha, not too long ago one of the art faculty retired where I teach. He sported all the art school degrees, gallery shows, publications, etc., but shot B&W film exclusively all his life and never changed gear or medium. Only used rangefinders (Leica) and a couple lenses and printed everything himself in a darkroom. However archaic that may seem, his courses were the first to fill and close during registration as the digital generation art students were really keen on getting away from computers and experiencing traditional "wet" photography. Of course his replacement was a younger more "modern" artist and was digital all the way. While the courses are still popular but the cult status, waiting list and first to fill registration faded with the arrival of PS and DSLRs.</p>

<p>Not too many public college bid and procurement policies allow used gear. He'll need to put out to bid for a couple baker dozens of 60D or Rebels.</p>

[jim_h.2]

<p>Well I might as welll tell you what little I know, about 100 kids more or less using digital cameras to learn, if these are cameras the school is going to pay for you need to buy the higher end models more or less due to shutter count, if you go with low end students could snap up a camera in one year if they have free rain, now as far as the point of knowing which person have shot in auto or manual, every photo shot , will tell in the properties of the photo, as to which setting , used the flash on or off, the f-stop the auto or manual , the shot distance, and etc so your good with about any camera digital, but I myself only use Canon as they tend to have more combinations of lens and cameras to mix, and that's ,partly what I do for a living and the other is for because I just love photography and, I think Canon is more than likely more cost effective.</p>

[Mattman944]

<p>What you really want is the most cost effective camera, not necessarily the most durable. A rating might be: average life in months per dollar. If a camera that cost twice as much doesn't last twice as long, it isn't worth it for your application.</p>

<p>I think the 550D is a good choice. The 60D has the swivel LCD that could break easily. The high-end cameras are more likely to be stolen. </p>

<p>My old 300D survived a waist high drop onto concrete. Some luck was probably involved, I think any of the Canons could have been severely damaged from the same fall if they landed wrong.</p>

[ejchem101]

<p>I run a photography club for my students, we only have 1 digital camera (about 12 students) that digital camera is a used canon 20D. I am amazed with how it has held up, and with it being the only digital one, kids seem to take care of it a little more.</p>

<p>I have them all start with film (many will argue you can learn so much faster with digital because of instant gratification) which may be true. However, learning with film teaches kids to SLOW DOWN, Think about what they are actually doing (and that needle in the viewfinder really makes it stick- like it did with me).<br>

They actually have to FOCUS (something that is very difficult to do with today's viewfinders in all of these AF models). They learn that aperture is a function of the lens... because they adjust it on the lens!</p>

<p>Once they have successfully shot a roll (24exp) with "correct" focus and exposure (meaning not a completely black frame, and not a completely white frame, and ... focus is close-ish then they can start using the digital. And start the quick learning.</p>

<p>As far as what camera.. I would shy away from the rebels as I have found the next step up to be more durable... If you want to know the MOST durable DSLR (for canon) you are looking at the 1D series. Water resistant-tanks- that come with a price.. but they are canon's most durable.</p>

[matthijs]

550D seems fragile but is very tough. (see DigitalRev durability test...)

 

All the best, Matthijs.

[keith reeder]

<p>Off topic, but you're a university lecturer, and this bothers me.</p>

<p>It's "as well", not "aswell", and "a lot", not "alot".</p>

[tallaght_spur]

<p>okay, despite being a wonderful forum for advice , tips and opinion I can't understand why some feel fit to comment about my status as a university lecturer and secondly regarding my grammar. Should I try and justify anything to either of you, I think not. Please refrain from passing judgement in such a patronising way as I dont feel the comments are in any way constructive...<br>

As for the rest of the responses, THANK YOU, having not shot with digital for all that long I feel that it was an honest enquiry. I would like sugestions regarding a more durable alternative to the 550d if people feel that it could be a little less durable than other models.<br>

thanks in advance</p>

[waltflanagan]

<p>2 60D bodies are $2000 while 3 550D bodies are only $2100. <br>

How does your budget work? If you are allowed to keep money in your budget then I'd buy the cheapest bodies and just buy new ones when they break. I know most budgets get shrunk if you don't spend it all but if it was my personal money that's what I'd do.</p>

 

[zack_zoll]

<blockquote>

<p><a name="00YuNK"></a><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=3989561">G Dan Mitchell</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jun 17, 2011; 10:00 p.m.</p>

</blockquote>

<blockquote>

<p>You teach university level photography, and you are asking what DSLR you should get in an Internet forum?<br /> As one faculty member to another, are you serious? :-(<br /> Dan</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As yet another university photography teacher, I fail to see the problem here. The man's job is to teach photography skills - not to know what current model of camera is the best for his students. That's a salesman's job. Which, thankfully, I am as well. I work a lot :)</p>

<p>Many universities use Canon, especially if they're going to have a stock of cameras and/or lenses that students can rent or borrow. This is because Canon will often donate stuff to the program, particularly if your university is well-known or otherwise 'above' others. I would contact Canon first.</p>

<p>Failing that, I would look into Nikon or Sony. We mostly use Nikons because they're more solidly built in their price ranges (particularly the $1,000 - $2,000 range), and because here in New York they can be had on State Contract pricing. Sonys get used a lot (despite probably being the worst build quality in a given price range) because they have the best student purchase program.</p>

<p>If Canon is willing to give you stuff for free, I'd go that route. That's kind of a gimmie. If not, call Peter at Ray Supply (that's my store) Monday from 9-5 Eastern; the number is 1-800-347-5851. Peter handles all the industrial sales stuff out of state. If you're in NY, speak to Dave instead - his job is to handle New York State schools specifically, and he can get you contract pricing.</p>

<p>We also offer no-fault replacement plans on cameras, which might be a good idea for students. For a $500 camera like the D3000, a 3 year replacement plan is $40, and a 5 year plan is $80. As long as the camera isn't burned or so smashed up that we can't recognize it, we'll replace it twice. You can mail the camera back to us, or ship it off to the repair centre yourself.</p>

<p>We can even sell you a replacement plan on someone else's camera, as long as you buy the plan and register it within 30 days of buying the cameras.</p>

<p>If you strike out with Canon, and we can't get you a good price on Nikons, then Sony is your best bet. In fact, if the students are buying the cameras themselves, maybe you should go to Sony first. Again ... not the most durable, but the price is right. Offhand, I want to say that the student discount is something like 25% off. I don't think they have a price break for the educational system itself though, so you may not see that discount if the university is footing the bill.</p>

<blockquote>

<p><a name="00YuS9"></a><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=1774085">Keith Reeder</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"></a>, Jun 18, 2011; 05:09 a.m.</p>

</blockquote>

<blockquote>

<p>Off topic, but you're a university lecturer, and this bothers me.<br /> It's "as well", not "aswell", and "a lot", not "alot".</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Typing skills are not speaking skills. I used to proofread all the papers of my English professor girlfriend. How's that for irony?</p>

<p>But if all you can find fault with is a few missed spaces, then I think he did pretty darn well.</p>

[smooth_carrots]

<p>You're obviously not prepared to spend bug bucks on the 1D series. That being the case I think the most sensible choice would be any of the budget models such as the 1000D etc. They're made by the million and are therefore well sorted, trouble free cameras that can take a surprising amount of abuse. No point in spending extra on the 60D. The base models have more features than necessary for teaching. All EOS cameras have full manual control.</p>

[acedigital]

<p>You could also make it a pre-requisite for each student to bring their OWN DSLR to take the class.<br>

Or, charge an equipment fee to offset the cost of purchasing and repairs. You can get some good used Canon 20Ds/40Ds on www.keh.com that's where I would probably start until you get a feel for how they will be used/abused.</p>

[philip_wilson]

<p>I would consider buying used as DSLRs tend to go obsolescent before they fail. The literal answer to your question "most durable DSLR camera" is the Canon 1 series or Nikon D2 and D3 (all variants). As someone who does not teach I think you should consider the user interface (the newer models are simpler) and the crop factor of the body as this will influence lens choice.</p>

[bebu_lamar]

<p>For checking the exposure modes, like others have said you can check the EXIF data.<br>

As for a durable camera, the pro ones are more durable but then even them wouldn't survive careless handling. So I think you should simply buy the low end ones and replace them as they die.</p>

[bebu_lamar]

<p>For checking the exposure modes, like others have said you can check the EXIF data.<br>

As for a durable camera, the pro ones are more durable but then even them wouldn't survive careless handling. So I think you should simply buy the low end ones and replace them as they die.</p>

[bebu_lamar]

<p>For checking the exposure modes, like others have said you can check the EXIF data.<br>

As for a durable camera, the pro ones are more durable but then even them wouldn't survive careless handling. So I think you should simply buy the low end ones and replace them as they die.</p>

[johne37179]

<p>I guess I would take a slightly different tack. I think the point about high end cameras being more likely to be stolen is a good one. I would find a different measure -- like how many student exposures for the dollar (pound, franc, yen, etc.). First, your students will not need or appreciate many of the features found on the higher end cameras -- that you pay for whether or not you use them. You might look at a very competent camera that is at the end of its product cycle and purchase in quantity at a bargain -- like the Nikon D90 is now -- or even the D300s (but here you are probably paying for technology you don't need). I would talk to large dealers, like Adorama to get their suggestion and see what they might have in aging inventory or good used cameras.</p>

[don_bryant2]

<p>Contact KEH.COM and see if they can do a deal on the Canon 20D or 30D.</p>

<p>These kind of cameras are students need for digital work.</p>

[joseph_wisniewski]

<blockquote>

<p>no live view so all shots would require traditional viewfInder focusing,</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Now there's some irony for you. Liveview is a lot more like working with a "traditional" view camera than an SLR viewfinder is.</p>