Reddit mentions of MInolta SRT-202 SLR 35mm camera with a Minolta Rokkor-X 45mm F2 lens

Does your photography class have any guidelines on what cameras to buy / required features?

The photography classes I took 15+ years ago required a camera with full manual settings, as a big part of photography is learning about exposure. Make sure you take a look at those requirements before purchasing a camera.

I shot for years on an old Minolta SRT 202. Fully manual (as in, there was no auto-exposure or auto-focus of any kind), but it did at least have an adequate light meter built in. I'm truly glad I learned on that camera. Had I had the option of switching to "P" or "Auto" when I was first learning, I'm sure I would have done so whenever I wasn't shooting for a class assignment. I doubt I would have gotten the feel for how aperture size affects depth of field, or shutter speed affects the appearance of motion in a shot if I wasn't forced into toying with exposure settings early on. Having to focus manually made me take time and care in composing my shots instead of just "eyeballing" it and clicking the shutter. I guess everything wasn't peachy, though... it would have been nice to have a motor drive though, instead of winding for every shot (though that did slow things down in a good way sometimes)!

I actually still have that camera (and a backup body; an SR-T 201), but for my "main" camera I jumped right from that to a Canon Digital Rebel XTi in 2006. It took me a while to figure out the histogram, but that combined with hands-on experience of how exposure works means I get the shot that I want (not the camera) every time.

So, for camera selection, if you're taking a photography class, I'd really recommend an old, used Pentax K1000, Mintola SR-T or XD, or a similar fully manual camera. You should be able to find them in good condition for under $100 in many cases, usually with a 50mm lens.

I do still shoot B&W film on occasion, BTW, and it still feels rewarding.