Camera Equipment Suggestions

(prices compiled by Marcy Nighswander May 2005)

Many students have questions about what camera equipment they should buy to prepare for their courses and careers in photojournalism. Photojournalism students must have a professional digital camera with interchangeable lens (35mm f/2 or 50mm f/2 or f/1.8 or equivalent) that can be used manually for their first two photography classes. When they take their first photojournalism class, VICO 390 (possibly spring quarter of their freshman year) they must have a professional camera and two lenses. One lens must have a 35mm or wider focal length with a f/2.8 or faster aperture. The second lens should be in the 135 to 200mm range also with an f/2.8 or faster aperture.

Most professional newspaper, magazine and freelance photographers choose either Nikon or Canon cameras and lenses. Each manufacturer has certain cameras and lenses that are designed to be used by professional photographers. This equipment is well made to holdup under heavy and intense use.

The prices listed are not retail prices, but what you would expect to pay at competitive camera stores or by mail order. You can save by buying used equipment. These prices are subject to change. You might check with your local camera stores first.

Recommended cameras are shown in red.

Nikon's Web Site...

Canon's Web Site...
Nikon Camera Bodies:

Canon Camera Bodies::
Nikon D2X (12.4 MP) .................$5000 EOS-1DS Mark II (16.7 MP)......$8000
Nikon D2Hs (4.1 MP) .................$3500 EOS-1D Mark II (8.2 MP)..........$4500
Nikon D70s (6.1 MP) ..................$1000 EOS 20D (8.2 MP)....................$1500
Nikon Film Camera: Nikon F100.....$950 Canon Film Camera: EOS 3 ......$1100
Note: Film cameras are optional for use in elective
classes about traditional techniques		 Note: Film cameras are optional for use in elective
classes about traditional techniques

Nikon D-Type Autofocus Lenses

Canon EOS EF Lenses:
14mm f/2.8D ED AF..................$1400 14mm f/2.8L USM......................$1800
18mm f/2.8D AF........................$1300 20mm f/2.8 USM..........................$420
   
20mm f2.8 D AF..........................$500 24mm f/1.4L USM.......................$1120
24mm f2.8 D AF..........................$300 24mm f/2.8...................................$290
28mm f/1.4D AF........................$1700 28mm f/1.8 USM...........................$400
28mm f2.8D AF...........................$225 28mm f/2.8...................................$170
35mm f2 D AF.............................$300 35mm f/1.4L USM.......................$1150
50mm f/1.4D AF...........................$270 35mm f/2......................................$230
50mm f1.8D.................................$100 50mm f/1.4 USM...........................$325
85mm f/1.4D AF.........................$1000 50mm f/1.8 II...................................$70
85mm fl.8 D ................................$400 85mm f/1.2L USM........................$1500
105mm f/2D AF............................$920 85mm f/1.8 USM...........................$340
135mm f/2D AF..........................$1100 100mm f/2 USM............................$390
180mm f2.8D ED-IF AF................$850 135mm f/2 USM............................$900
300mm f4D ED-IF AF-S..............$1120 200mm f/2.8 L II USM...................$660
300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR....$4500 300mm f/4 IS USM......................$1200
300mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S..........$4200 300mm f/2.8L IS USM.................$4000
400mm f/2.8D ED-IF II AF-S II....$7700 400mm f/2.8L IS USM.................$6500
Zoom Lenses: Zoom Lenses:
17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S........$1500 16-35mm f2.8L USM...................$1400
28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S........$1500 24-70mm f/2.8L USM..................$1200
35-70mm f/2.8D AF.......................$700 70-200mm f/2.8L USM................$1100
70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR..$1600 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM............$1700
80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF.................$900
Zooms for digital cameras only:
17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX......$1400
12-24mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX.........$1000

Nikon Flash:

Canon Flash:
SB-800.........................................$325 580EX.......................................$480
SB-600.........................................$200

Loupes for Magnification
(not req'd for digital cameras)

  
Schneider 4x...............................$150
Calumet 4x..................................$125
Cabin 4x ..............................$50 (student discount)

Used equipment can be found at numerous places including but not limited to: Midwest Photo (Columbus), Wilson's Camera (Nelsonville), Roberts (Indianapolis), Dodds (Cleveland), Penn (D.C.), Provident or Pete's Photo World (Cinti.), Murphy's (Louisville), KEH.com, eBay.com and many others.

Click here for a (small) list of dealers who handle professional equipment:


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