I've been put in charge of school's yearbook...need to buy digital camera! HELP!

[scariker]

I've been asked to do the school's yearbook this year. The school has the software to do the yearbook on the computer, however, they do not have a digital camera. They have been using a 35 mm camera in the past, which totally makes no sense to me. Anyway, I need to give them a proposal of my choices of cameras to buy. Money is a huge factor. I personally use a Canon Digital Rebel and love it (and don't want to use mine), but I don't think they are willing to spend nearly that much. Any suggestions on a digital camera? It has to be at least 5 megapixels. Please keep action photos and sports in mind. So a zoom is a must. Thanks, Shelby

[bashby]

First, there is absolutely no problem using a 35mm camera for this purpose. The film can be digitized during processing and placed on a cd for your usage. In this day and age magazines big and small request slides for input. Even with my D-100 and S3 pro I use my F-100 and my pentax 67 or 4x5 for commercial work.

Now having said all that there are a number of good DSLR's with non interchangeble lens on the used market. My favorite would be the Olympus E-20, Nikon 5700. The number of point and shoots that would fill the bill and endless. My own opinion any point and shoot with atleast 3 mega pixels will work. You just need to understand the limitations of the tool. If you understand and shoot within the constraints of the tool you use, you will make great photographs assuming you understand exposure, and composition. You get what you pay for. Want more flexibility, pay more money.

Bobby
WolfGrafx Photography

[opus]

Why don't you want to use yours? I'm curious. I would be so frustrated if I had to take all the shots with a lesser camera. Of course, you don't want to lend it out to others so that may be a factor.

How old are the kids at the school?

I took 95% of the photos for my high school yearbook when I was a senior. I used (at the time) my dad's 35mm Pentax. It turned out great, and my camera was not damaged at all, of course no one else ever used it.

[scariker]

Why don't you want to use yours? I'm curious. I would be so frustrated if I had to take all the shots with a lesser camera. Of course, you don't want to lend it out to others so that may be a factor.

How old are the kids at the school?

I took 95% of the photos for my high school yearbook when I was a senior. I used (at the time) my dad's 35mm Pentax. It turned out great, and my camera was not damaged at all, of course no one else ever used it.

I don't want to use mine simply because I just bought it in January and have already taken 2700 pictures on it. I know that may not be many to some of you - and on another board I was reminded that my DRebel was not a "Jewel", but I had a Canon Film Rebel before and know how expensive they are to repair, just trying to avoid wearing it out on something other than my kids! I will probably use mine some when needed - but the school is willing to buy a camera and I thought I would get what I could for the money allowed.

The school is a very small private school. K-12 there are only 165 students.

Thanks,
Shelby

[masdog]

As a former yearbook photographer in high school, I can tell you that an SLR or a DSLR is a great boon for your staff.

35mm SLRs are very cheap now - you can get a Canon 7N for around $300 if you shop around, and Rebel kits are around $200 (not sure about Nikon products as I use Canon). Like one of the other posters stated, film images can be put on CD to be manipulated later in photoshop or the image editor of your choice.

If you would rather have digital, D-Rebels are very cheap now that the XT is on the market. I believe the kits go as low as $600, and there are a number of used ones available. The advantage of digital is that you do not need to purchase or develop film, which will allow your yearbook to invest more in the final product.

[mdcalaska]

Maybe a mid-range digital camera as a starter for general use and use the old 35 for the Sports/action?

I agree that only the higher end digital SLRs allow coverage of the full range of shooting situations you will face.

Maybe the 2006 budget will let them move towards 100% digital.

Just an idea.