For anyone building skills in craft maker photography, film, and video, The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel is a clear entry point. The tricky part is that two used copies of the same textbook are available, and the condition gap is the real difference. One is graded Very Good; the other is Good. Both are the same revised trade paperback with the same ISBN, so content is not the deciding factor-condition is.
Quick verdict
Choose the Very Good copy if clean pages matter to you above everything else. It offers limited writing on the cover pages and an unmarked interior, making it the easier copy to read and reread. Choose the Good copy if you're comfortable with possible notes, highlighting, and a spine that may show wear. The content is identical in both, so your learning experience will be much the same.
At a glance
| Feature | Very Good copy | Good copy |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 6.88 | USD 6.33 |
| Condition | Very Good | Good |
| Condition cues | Limited writing on cover pages; pages unmarked | Pages can have notes/highlighting; spine may show wear |
| Edition | Revised trade paperback | Revised trade paperback |
| ISBN | 9780960371815 | 9780960371815 |
| Price bar |
Where each copy wins
The Very Good copy wins when you want the most distraction-free experience. You get the same technical guidance with fewer marks in the margins, which can make a difference when you're trying to follow aperture, framing, or editing concepts without parsing someone else's handwriting. It also has the advantage of a cleaner cover presentation, so the book feels less worn when you pull it out during a shoot.
The Good copy wins when you're willing to accept visible use as the tradeoff for the lower end of the available options. It still contains the full course content, and while the pages may contain notes or highlighting, that doesn't change the actual lessons. The book's value as a learning tool remains intact. If minor wear doesn't bother you, this is a perfectly reasonable way to get the same information into your hands.
Product notes
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel (Very Good)
This listing gives you the book in Very Good condition. The cover pages may have limited writing, but the interior pages are unmarked, which makes it the cleaner option for close study. Because this is the same textbook edition as the alternate copy, the only meaningful difference is the condition. The main downside is the higher listed price: you're paying extra for a page experience that's free of previous reader marks. If you plan to keep this book nearby as a reference while shooting, that extra cost is worth considering. This is the right copy for anyone who wants the book itself to feel as fresh as the information it contains.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel (Good)
This listing is the lower-priced of the two available options. The tradeoff is condition: pages can have notes or highlighting, and the spine may show signs of wear. For a craft maker photography learner who wants the core information without spending as much, those imperfections are usually acceptable. The lessons are exactly what you'd get from the cleaner copy. The limitation is straightforward: if you prefer unmarked pages, this one may not satisfy that preference. It's still a complete edition of the same course book, so you're not losing any chapter content.
Final choice by use case
If you're studying for a film or video project and want a clean copy to keep at your side, go with the Very Good listing. The unmarked pages make it easier to focus on the material.
If you're looking for a practical reference and you don't mind signs of a previous owner, the Good listing will give you the same information without the cleaner page experience. Your choice comes down to how much page condition matters to your reading experience.
