From: acs@csri.toronto.edu (Alvin Chia-Hua Shih)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Nikon Equivalent of Pentax K1000?
Date: 26 Jan 93 23:26:05 GMT

In <1k46vmINNdir@gap.caltech.edu> sun@cco.caltech.edu (Neal K. Chaudhary) writes:

>Hi
>Being new to photography, I was wondering
>whether Nikon makes a camera similar to
>the Pentax K1000.  

Well, the most primitive of the current Nikons is probably the N4004 or
N5005.  If you want to go into pre-AF Nikons, I'm no expert, but the
FG looked like a reasonable "beginner" camera both in terms of features
and cost.

>I was also wondering what people think in
>general of a K1000 as a camera to learn on.
>I like the idea that its all manual, so
>you have to figure things out yourself.

I don't like the K1000 as a beginner's camera.  My biggest gripe is no
DOF preview.  It's much easier to grasp the relationship between
aperture and DOF when you can actually fidget with the camera without
having to burn frame after frame, and take laborious, detailed notes.

Personally, I think automatic cameras are a great way to learn about
photography *if*:
  a) it shows you exactly what it's doing (aperture/shutter speed)
  b) allows manual override

With automatic cameras, you can let the computer do all the work, and
slowly start overriding things as you develop an understanding.  With a
manual camera, you will make *lots* of mistakes, waste money on
processing bad pictures, and may even frustrate yourself to the point
of quitting.  And on top of that, with an automatic camera, you have a
good camera for taking snapshots too!

>Does it alteast have a light meter inside
>the viewfinder?

Yes.  It has over/under indicators.

>Thanks!

I don't understand why people like manual cameras for learning.
I learned how to ride a bike by starting with a tricycle, going
to a bike with training wheels, and then one day *whee*!  I could
ride a bike!  If I had to start with two wheels, would I be riding
a bike today?  Probably not.

I think the worry is that the student will not be able to override
things like aperture and shutter speed if the camera is fully
automatic.  This is not necessarily true.  I suppose another worry
is that the student will use the automation as a crutch forever.
Possibly, but if you truly have the desire to learn, this will not
be the case.

So, if I may be so bold, may I suggest the EOS 630 as a starter
camera.  A starter lens could be a 28-70/3.5-4.5 II, or a 50/1.8 (not
II) depending on budget.  It has all the basic exposure modes including
manual.  It has DOF preview.  It is less expensive than any Nikon worth
considering.  It will fill your needs for a long, long time.  (Though
you may be tempted to go with something with a bit more pizazz later.)

If you have any other questions on this camera, feel free to email.

>Suneal Chaudhary

ACS
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