The Detroit News donates 14 cameras to CMU students
The photojournalism department has 14 new digital cameras for student use, provided they are compatible with CMU’s computers.
The Detroit News donated the Nikon N-90 cameras to the department Wednesday. The cameras were originally built for The Associated Press and are standard Nikons with a digital element specially attached by Kodak for AP use.
“We believe they are of no use to us anymore because we upgraded, and now we can pass them on and (students) will use them as learning tools,” said Susan Cohen, deputy director of photography for The Detroit News.
Teresa Hernandez, assistant professor of journalism, who teaches photojournalism courses, said she is excited about the new arrivals.
“Our students are poor and you can’t succeed in photojournalism unless you have good gear,” she said. “There is good equipment collecting dust at newspapers around the state and students, especially minority students, just can’t afford to be photojournalism majors anymore.”
Hernandez said she spends a lot of time searching for equipment for student use, and was pleased when The Detroit News offered the cameras.
Although the cameras are now obsolete and impossible to find parts for, Hernandez said she is in the process of trying to make them compatible with CMU’s computers.
“Even if they are not, we can take off the digital element and use them as normal cameras — either way students benefit,” she said.
Hernandez also plans to give Central Michigan Life three or four of the cameras.
The photojournalism department also spent $3,000 to purchase a Fuji color film processor from The Grand Rapids Press, which no longer needed it. The processors normally retail for about $23,000.
“Soon, we will be able to stop printing film manually altogether, which will save students more money,” Hernandez said.
