Should i buy a new camera or just a new lens?

i have an old olympus 35mm slr, automatic with manual adapters. i think because of the adapters it takes really unique shots, and automatically switches from manual to automatic shutterspeed in low light situations. the lens is a little scratched, and i've been thinking about just getting a new lens for it, but i'm not sure if i will need a new camera for the photo class i'm taking next semester anyways. plus, i'm not sure if i'll always use olympus cameras in the future, and i don't want to invest in a nice lens that won't be compatible with my new cameras. just for clarification i'm majoring in fine art photography so there will be future purchases for sure.

should i just buy a new camera or is it worth it to buy a new lens for this unique camera? or will the lenses probably be compatible?

also, what would be a fairly affordable camera that would work for my major in fine art photography?

any help would be great! thanks!

the class requires a 35mm slr camera. so no more answers about DIGITAL okay? thanks.

If you can find the lenses you need for your old Olympus (try craigslist) do that. Everything you learn in school applies to any camera you will eventually buy.

If you want to get a pro level camera, you can usually find good used Nikon or Canon cameras with lenses, again on craigslist. Using this strategy, you will be in a good position to later buy a DSLR if you so choose. Unfortunately, the new Olympus digital SLR's do not support the older OM series camera lenses.

Enjoy your classes.

buy new camera! new technology! better mega pixel.... in the end you spend almost the same with lens or new camera.

for fine art photography you will need a good camera/lens combination, as your doing fine art i would recommend a medium format slr , you should find plenty of second hand options on e bay. names to look for would be hassleblad, mamiya, or bronica, my own choice would be a hassleblad 500cm with 80mm planar lens

Probably go with a new camera, brand spankin' new or used from B+H Photo Video, Adorama, KEH.com
There is an upside to digital, you can get smokin' deals on film camera's these days, and if film ever goes away, your lenses will work on the digital body.
As for a suggestion, Olympus, though they've been around, have never been the industry standard for top quality photo's. My dad had one, which I inherited and used for a bit, but in the end I succumbed to the lure of the Nikon. Nikon and Cannon (Cannon especially) really offer good value for the money, great results, affordability, a huge selection of prime, zoom, and specialty lenses, and decent re sale should you decide to sell.
G'luck and keep shooting!!!

Take a look at Nikon. Their 35mm SLR lenses are compatible with their digital SLR cameras. So you can get a great film camera and a great lens that you can use if/when you decide to go digital. Buy new or used (to save some money)--it's unlikely you'll be disappointed. You'll need to do some research about models and features. Unfortunately I'm a Canon guy--and love my Canons, but Nikon is probably the most logical way to go in this digital age. I have to keep one set of lenses for my 35mm and another for my digital.

Whether SLR or DSLR, the question is, what SLR *system* should one standardizes in? Because, at the end of the day, it is into a system you're buying into.

Since you already have an Olympus SLR, you are pretty much restricted to buying Olympus Zuiko lenses. The good news is that they are mostly compatible with the new Olympus (digital or not) SLR cameras (and Olympus DSLRs are great cameras). So, since you like the Olympus SLR, stay with it.

Does your course stipulate no DSLR (I really can't believe that restriction is good for you)? If not, think E-410 DSLR.

Check some professional photo stores, (not necessarily photographers) and see if they can polish the scratches out of the lenses. old photo equipment is never worth very much unless you have something really unique so I would keep the stuff. One that is true is that there is no better way to simulate an old photo than to take the shot with an old camera

-- Your Olympus will make world-class pro-quality images, so you don't need a new one.

-- Unless the scratches on the lens show up in your pictures, keep it.

-- Your camera is not unique. There are millions of Olympi being used daily around the world, and tons of great lenses.

-- If you want to get more lenses or other Olympus items, here's a source: www.vintagevisuals.com.

You can also try b&h, Adorama and Henry's. Another good source is pawn shops.

As a photographer, the last thing you should care about is having the latest camera. I don't think Picasso worried about having the latest brushes.

Hope this helps.