If you're exploring craft maker photography and want to understand the camera side of things, The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video has been a go-to primer for years. But when you search for it, you'll meet a cluster of used paperback listings that look similar yet differ in price, condition, and even edition. Four copies in front of us span about two and a half dollars, and the cheapest one is not the same edition as the others. So which one makes sense for your shelf?
Quick Take
For most buyers, the sweet spot is the middle-priced third-edition copy. It's in Good condition with pages that are described as solid and complete, even if light writing or library markings might show up. The most expensive copy is also a third edition in Good condition, but its notes say it has highlighting/writing on the text, so it's less appealing. The least expensive listing is a different edition with its own ISBN, so it only makes sense if the exact edition isn't important.
Price Comparison at a Glance
| Listing | Price | Bar | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (3rd ed., Acceptable) | USD 5.83 | Readable copy; pages may have considerable notes/highlighting | |
| The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (3rd ed., Good) | USD 6.05 | Solid copy; may have light writing, highlighting, or library markings | |
| The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (3rd ed., Good) | USD 8.35 | Good condition; highlighting/writing on text; may lack supplemental items | |
| The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (Alternate edition, Good) | USD 5.79 | Revised trade paperback; 89 pages; different ISBN from 3rd ed. copies |
Decision Matrix
- You want the third edition with the least wear: the middle-priced copy is the best bet, since its condition is Good and the description says pages are solid and complete.
- You want to spend the least money: the cheapest listing is the lowest-priced copy, but it's a different edition, so weigh whether the specific ISBN matters.
- You need the third edition and plan to pay more: the top-priced copy is Good, but it also has noted highlighting/writing on the text and may not include extras, so it's a harder sell.
- You're fine with a marked-up book: the cheapest third-edition copy is Acceptable and may contain considerable notes/highlighting, but it will still get you the course material.
Product Notes
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (3rd Edition, Acceptable) - $5.83
The main reason to pick this copy is that it's the least expensive route into the third edition. The listing itself warns that pages may have considerable notes or highlighting, so you're trading cosmetic condition for a lower price. If you're the kind of learner who writes in the margins anyway, this could be a fine start. On the downside, the acceptable rating means you could be dealing with a lot of scribbles, and there's no mention of extras.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (3rd Edition, Good) - $6.05
This is the copy that makes the most sense for many shoppers. It's a third edition in Good condition, and the description uses words like "solid" and "complete copy" that's "ready to enjoy." You might see light writing, highlighting, or library markings, but the pages are intact. The trade-off is that you're paying a little more than the absolute cheapest listings, but you're getting a copy that's described as fully readable and much more likely to be clean.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (3rd Edition, Good) - $8.35
If you're determined to get the third edition and this is the last one left, you can still work with this copy. The condition is Good, but the notes specify that it has highlighting/writing on the text, so it's already marked up. It also says used texts may not contain supplemental items like CDs, which is a standard caveat. The limitation here is that it's the most expensive of the four, yet its condition isn't described as any cleaner than the cheaper Good copy, so you're paying more for the same edition.
The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video (Alternate Edition, Good) - $5.79
This is the cheapest listing overall, and it's a different animal. It has its own ISBN, is listed as "Revised," and runs to 89 pages. The condition is Good, so it's a decent physical copy. If you're just looking for the core lessons and the exact edition isn't crucial, this one saves you a little money. The catch is that it's not the same third edition as the other three, so if you need that specific edition for a class or course, this copy won't match.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
For most people, the middle-priced third-edition copy is the one to order. It gives you the full third edition with a Good condition description that emphasizes solid, readable pages, without the markup you'll find in the top-priced copy or the heavy wear in the Acceptable one.
If your budget is tight, the cheapest copy still gets you the course content, but remember it's a separate edition. If you absolutely need the third edition and can live with annotations, the cheapest third-edition copy works. And if you find yourself looking at the most expensive copy, it's worth asking whether the extra money is buying you anything beyond the same Good condition you can get for less.
