I don't know - the bodies (350 - 400 - 450 being those mentioned so far that I know about) are all about the same when it comes to manual control features offered, so the students will get similar skills to learn with on any one. I think to get any more control you are looking for 40Ds and higher - and then the bodies will be most likley outclassing the students by a large degree (and the cost will certainly be getting very high) though I do understand you point with focusing on skills over ease of aquiring shots - tricky kit makes you learn