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I was wondering if this was a good deal for a beginning photography student?

http://houston.craigslist.org/pho/1753060569.html I will hopefully be taking a photography class next semester but can't afford a very expensive. I was wondering if this would be a good deal. Also, what do you know about this camera if you have any experience with it. Thanks. the only requirement for this class is: Students must have a 35mm SLR camera that can be made fully manual.

Public Comments

1. The idea of a $50 camera is pretty scary. Once you know for sure that you will be taking a photography class, please contact your instructor for advice on a camera that will fit the needs of the course. If the course is about digital photography, a film camera would be of no use - and vice versa.
2. I would recommend going to a major brand for older cameras. With a big name, canon, nikon, minolta, you really cant go wrong. I would recommend, as i have one, the Minolta X-370, which can be picked up for not much on ebay or other online sites, which is where i bought mine. The X-370 http://cgi.ebay.com/Minolta-X-370-Camera-/160433897528?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item255a9b0038#ht_500wt_1154 If you are willing to spend a little more for something that will last you a while, i suggest the nikon FM10. it is a fully manual 35mm slr, but it is currently produced. They can be quite expensive new, but used they aren't bad. http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-FM10-Film-Camera-35-70mm-lens-leather-case-/180510698716?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item2a0746acdc#ht_958wt_1239
3. If everything in the picture is actually included (the ad only mentions filters, not lenses), and the camera actually functions fine (and there is no haze or fungus on the lenses), then it's an O.K. deal. I think Ricoh cameras use the pentax mount. I have a Ricoh point and shoot 35mm camera (not an SLR) and it works fine. They still make digital point and shoot cameras.