How to Find Affordable Photographic Equipment

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Photography can be a fun and fulfilling elective for college students of any major. Unfortunately, many students shy away from photography courses because they fear the expense. The materials list can seem intimidating to someone surviving on a college budget. There's no need to fear. Even a beginning photography student can become savvy in the art of bargain-hunting. Here are a few hints on finding photographic equipment at student-friendly prices.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Get in touch with the instructors. Chances are, they've been in the field for a long time and have the inside scoop on deals for photography supplies. You may find out that some essential materials are provided with the course.
Step 2

Scout the department bulletin boards. There will always be students set to graduate and looking to get rid of their supplies. Most often the materials are advertised as a bundle for one low price.
Step 3

Join the ranks of the bidding wars! Online auction sites are excellent resources for finding photographic equipment at reasonable prices. They can be especially useful when shopping for the higher-end items such as cameras.
Step 4

Pool your efforts. Consider ordering items like film and enlarging paper in bulk from a photographic supply company and splitting the cost with classmates.
Step 5

Check your local directory for small, privately-owned photo shops. They are often run by photography enthusiasts who are happy to offer discounts to students looking to break into the field.

Tips & Warnings

Take advantage of your status! Ask retailers if they offer student discounts.
Don't feel obligated buy new. Take the camera, for example: Older camera models often offer no-frills ease for beginning photography students at a fraction of the cost of new models. Plus, most are essential workhorses designed to withstand the wear and tear of first-year photography.

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