What type of Camera?
The short answer is that you need a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex), because you can use them manually. To really be able to control your images, you need to be able to turn off many or all of the automatic features. DSLRs tend to have the following manual features that you will need:
You can zoom and focus manually.
You can set aperture and shutter speed separately and manually.
You can meter manually
You can manually set white balance and ISO.
When you view through the camera, you are looking through the lens (not a separate view finder). This is important.
What camera do I use? Nikon. But I would be just as happy to be using a Canon. Its just that once you start investing in lenses, you tend to stick with that company so all your old lenses will work. I started with Nikon, and I continue so I can use all the different lenses. Other companies make good quality DSLR’s as well.
Lenses
Zoom lenses are fine. The lens that comes with the camera is probably fine, but you will be desiring one that goes fairly wide angle. There are A LOT of interior spaces that you will want to document as you travel Italy. A zoom lens that can go pretty wide is a good choice. If you are opting to purchase a second lens, get one that compliments the one you already have.
Another point is to really pay attention to the lens you are purchasing. Everyone spends time thinking about the camera – learning all its features, and making comparisons – then once they make the choice, they take whatever lens comes with it. Think the other way. The lens is very important. It will not go out of date (though your camera will). Five years from now the lens will probably still be viable, but the camera will probably be woefully outdated. Don’t get sucked into purchasing an expensive camera because it has more mega-pixels. Spending that extra money on a good lens whose aperture is faster, can be a much better choice.
New Non-DSLR Cameras
In the last few years there is a new type of digital camera that does not use a mirror. Sometimes they are called SLD (Single-lens direct-view) or Micro 4/3s. The Sony NEX cameras a good example of this (they are not that much cheaper, however).
These cameras have interchangeable lenses and offer full manual controls. If you are considering taking this course as an elective and not planning to take additional photography classes at ESU, one of these could probably work.
Bring the MANUALS for the camera!
