When you're rounding out your craft maker photography essentials, a straightforward camera course can save you from trial-and-error on set. The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel and Chuck Delaney is a concise 3rd-edition handbook that covers basic shot composition, exposure, and editing principles. Right now, two used copies are on the table: one in Acceptable condition and one in Good condition. They're the same book with the same ISBN, so the lessons inside are identical. The real question is whether to save a little money or pay a bit more for a cleaner copy.
Quick verdict
If you're on a tight budget and can tolerate possible highlighting or margin notes, the Acceptable copy at USD 5.83 is the easier on your wallet. If you prefer a more presentable copy that's described as solid and fully readable, the Good copy at USD 6.05 is the smoother pick for repeated use. The listed-price gap is small, so your call should mostly depend on how much condition matters to you.
Comparison at a glance
| Copy | Listed price | Price bar | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bare Bones Camera Course (Acceptable) | USD 5.83 | Acceptable | |
| The Bare Bones Camera Course (Good) | USD 6.05 | Good |
Both are 3rd-edition trade paperbacks with the same author credits and ISBN.
Where the Acceptable copy wins
The Acceptable copy has the lower listed price. That makes it the more budget-friendly entry point into the same material. If you're the kind of learner who adds your own notes and doesn't mind evidence of a previous reader, this copy delivers the same instructional value for less. The main trade-off is the condition: it's described as readable, but you may run into considerable highlighting or writing.
Where the Good copy wins
The Good copy's listed price is a bit higher, but the condition grade is better. The description frames it as a solid, complete copy with all pages intact and only light signs of use, if any. That makes it a more comfortable daily reference if you'll be flipping back to key sections often. The higher price buys you peace of mind about the physical state of the book.
Product notes
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (Acceptable)
This is the lower-priced copy in the comparison. You're getting the exact same 3rd-edition content, the same ISBN, and the same paperback format as the other listing. What's different is the Acceptable condition label, which suggests the pages may carry considerable notes or highlighting. The description still calls it readable, so it can work well if you're not distracted by a previous owner's underlines. Choose this one when your main constraint is cost and you plan to treat the book as a working copy rather than a pristine collectible.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (Good)
This is the higher-priced copy, and the extra money goes toward a better condition grade. The Good rating hints at a book with intact pages and full readability, possibly with light writing or library marks but nothing that gets in the way of use. The description calls it solid and ready to enjoy, which makes it the more inviting option if you expect to keep it on your desk and open it regularly. For many readers, the small price difference is worth having a copy that feels more like a long-term reference.
Final choice by use case
If you want to spend the minimum and can live with possible markings, go with the Acceptable copy. If you'd rather have a cleaner, more dependable handbook for your craft maker photography projects, the Good copy is the one to choose.
