ok, im in highschool and im taking a photography class, and we are using 800 dollar cameras and i fell in love with photography

i have a cheapy film camera im testing out now, but i am having no luck finding good film cameras
soo
ive decided i will go with a DSLR camera

and ive been looking for someting withiin 300 dollars

so if you could post different cameras that you have good experience or a friend, has i want to get the best i can get in that range(im saving up for a car atm, and have some extra money to buy stuffz)

Don't really think you're going to find a great DSLR for under 300... Most of us here that have DSLRs spent around 600 minimum I'd guess, and thats just for the body... Check eebay for sure. There are plenty of good film cameras out there imo... If you love film, I'd stick with it... Just keep looking, I'm sure something will turn up.

Ok, well i have bought a pentax k1000 35mm film camera
can people who have had experience with this camera please leave their opinions and any bad experiences with this camera

I dont have experience with that camera, but when you shoot film, camera doesent effect on the iq, lens and film does. That camera is pretty old so its missing some things that newer film cameras have. But those things doesent show in the picture, they just might make it easier to get focus and exposure on the spot when there isnt time to think and focus much. You do know that there is no auto focus on that camera?

You should look for some old lenses for it, you can get some really good lenses for like 40-100$ for that camera

i know there is no autofocus
and i know about being able to get lense, im just wondering if there are any flaws anyone has ever come across
and if the pictures turn out really good

Its not about the camera that if the pictures will turn out to be good or not, its about your skills to use the camera. Using old slr like that is totally different from point and shoot and allso quite much different from modern dslr cameras. I dont think that there is more metering modes than that one normal metering, so you need to know how much you under or over expose by the meter on each situation. Personally i think its better to learn with dslr than old slr cameras like that, because you can see what you did wrong better with dslr, with film cameras like that you need to know what your doing or you might waste alot of film and money. Luckily you got a teatcher at school who can tell you what to do. Im pretty sure your teacher will know how old cameras like that will work.

well, one i cannot afford a dslr, nor do i want one
i have tried 5 digital cameras, nothing has compared to a film camera i bought for a dollar at salvation army
and im not that into editing pictures with photoshop

Film is (in my opinion) is a hell of a lot better than any compact point and shoot camera out there.

I would suggest

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/

To get some better tips for cameras, we are a pretty small community here! (not trying to make everyone flee, but if you want more answers that is one place )

This post was edited by chantal7 on Oct 4 2009 11:17pm

If I were in your position (again) then I would stick to shooting 35mm film for now. It is the best way in learning proper exposure and composition.

Just save you money and either buy a full frame digital SLR (5d series 1) or a Mamiya/Hasselblad medium format, even if it takes you a while. Nothing compares to a full frame shot.

The camera doesn't determine the quality of the photograph, the person taking the photograph does. Your photos will get better as you gain experience.