"Tony" wrote in message
...
Hi All,
I would like to become a professional photographer. On September I
will follow some classes and I am reading a good manual at the moment.
Could you suggest me a good camera to start with with the budget of
$350-$500. Is better a new one with limited features, or a second hand
but older and full feautured? Is better a F100 in good condition
second hand, or a Canon EOS300v brand new? What are the disadvantages
of the F100 because is a quite old model?


The F100 is a _much_ better camera, but it still has some limitations: any
camera body does involve making some compromises and choices. Which
particular compromises will matter most to you is something you'll learn in
the course of your studies and as you decide what sort of photography you
want to specialise in.

For that reason, I'd suggest getting something tough, flexible, cheap, and
simple while you are learning, and then replacing it with a more
sophisiticated model once you are in a position to make a more informed
choice about what will best match _your_ needs.

The tutor of the classes you are taking will probably be able to recommend
the sort of camera s/he suggests you get as this first 'learning tool' body.
It will probably be an older, all manual, possibly mechanical, body with a
good choice of lenses - a favourite of photography teachers in this category
is the Pentax K1000, but there are many other suitable choices too.

Best wishes,


Peter