Camera for keen 9 year old.

  • Thread starter Thread starter paul13walnut5
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Sort by date Sort by votes
P

paul13walnut5

Guest
#1
Okay, not quite sure where to post this, mods please replace if necessary.

Nephew showing a wee aptitude with a camera, considering getting him something with manual settings should he get more keen.

Couple of considerations:

Price: no more than £100.
Size & weight: he's 9
Control: needs full auto to full manual.

So, either a new basic powershot, a used bridge or rebel...

I used to use a dimage a2, but wasn't great even by contemporaneous standards at anything other than base ISO.
However has decent lens coverage, manual controls and is cheap.

EOS 300d or 350d. Cheap, smallish. Decent sized sensor so can get an idea about depth of field (if he gets into it)

Or any other ideas. Strict budget. He has a destructive little bro. No 5d3 + 35L suggestions purleaaaase!

Don't want to buy something too good just now in case its just a flash in the pan. Have you given a camera to your kids to learn on? Don't want to dampen his enthusiasm either...

Cheers in advance.


PS. Just edited, will need to stop using my iphone, I'm surprised anybody understood my question! Many thanks for answers so far.
 
#2
Keep an eye on WEX used section, I picked up a 400D body for £79 from them and it looked basically new. It would be a great place to start and to grow from, admittedly once you've added a kit lens it'll be more than £100 but not by much, I've seen the kit lenses go for less than £40
 
Upvote 0
#4
here is what I did for my nine year old daughter.

I bought a 50d as a back up for $325. but it was a little big for her hands. I sold it for 420 or so. I then bought a xti & a 60mm efs macro lens for $325. I sold the lens for 310 making the body $15.

I let her mount my fisheye, but that didn't seem safe, so I bought her a 18-55mm is mkii for $55. so she now has as nice of a Sep as I did when I bought my xs five years ago. she likes it, but she also doesn't seem to care.
 
Upvote 0
#6
Pentax K 1000, 50mm f2.0, several rolls each of ISO 100 and 400. Offer to pay for processing and printing if you like, see what he does with it, go from there.

Of course I'm old enough that I still think everyone should learn to drive with a stick shift. That no longer happens, most people go through life never learning to shift for themselves.
 
Upvote 0
#8
I agree with a Rebel. I have an XT that would be perfect for a beginner (since it was my first DSLR). They will take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Couple that with one of the cheaper macros (Canon or otherwise) and you have the ideal kit for a little boy. They like bugs :)
 
Upvote 0
#9
Used no matter what. If the hobby really sticks, then ink about something more.

I think that's a good idea for anything a kid expresses interest in unless you've got the money to burn. The used item can usually be turned over for nearly what you paid if the child looses interest.
 
Upvote 0
#10
Hi Paul
What about something like this,
http://www.wightbay.com/cameras-tv-dvd-electricals/cannon-eos-1100d/4809564
I know you said STRICT budget, but if I'm correct it has the help menu with the aperture changes dof, speed freezes etc information which might be real helpful for a learner and it has kit lens. It has been hanging around for a while, might even drop a few quid to shift it?
If he likes photography and looks after it it will see him a bit further than a 300! If he busts it other than by genuine accident finish the job with his head? ;D the last bit for the politically correct really is meant tongue in cheek so don't bother I'm already wearing nomex!
My experience suggests that if the interest is genuine great care will be taken and true sadness at the slightest mark displayed.
You might tell him that if he shows anything less than 110% respect for it you will reposes it before he breaks it?

Just some thoughts.

Cheers Graham.
 
Upvote 0
#12
I would suggest you look a a dead brand, say Olympus 4/3rds such as a E420, that way it is dirt cheap. If he shows talent than sell it and buy a suitable Canon. The advantage of the olympus is that they are a bit smaller and lighre (I think my original one was lighter than the SL1) and they sell so cheap because nobody wants to but into a dead system - but it cannot get any worse for you.

Pentax DSLRs also work with old (and cheap) pentax glass so they could be a good choice.

For Canon it does not really matter just get the cheapest but bear in mind even the cheap ones will keep getting cheaper as Canon keep bringing out new models - The plus I am guessing is you may be a Canon owner yourself since you are on here so they could be sharing opportunities.

As to glass, if you can I advise a fixed prime 1/ so they can learn about depth of field and 2/ it really does help you learn. I went 6 months with a 50mm only on my canon and it is still the lens I leave mounted in the bag even though my kit has grown a lot. You have lots of DOF option, fast focus and one less thing (zoom) to think about adjusting in a good photo.

I know the use a prime only advise has big opionions on both sides but I can say it helped me greatly and I am glad I chose to do it (plus it is dirt cheap for shallow DOF)
 
Upvote 0
#13
No specific advice on models, other than having full controls available so he can learn about exposure.

When I got the PowerShot S100, the S95 went into my wife's purse - and didn't get used, the iPhone was her default choice. A couple of months ago, I reclaimed the S95 from the bottom of her purse and gave it to my 5 year old daughter, who'd been asking for a camera (and I got the iPad SD reader so she can directly transfer images to her iPad).

Turns out she's got a great eye for subject and composition. Yesterday, she was out in the back yard shooting pictures, and she came up to me and said, "Daddy, I want to learn what these other buttons do...the camera is making my pictures too bright, and I want to learn to make them darker." My 5-year old wants to get out of Auto/P-mode and take control of her pictures. Color me proud! ;D
 
Upvote 0
#15
OK, good question. IMHO, don't get him a camera, get him a good book on photography. Take him to art museums and teach him the rules of composition, the role of light and subject. Discuss with him what makes a good photograph. Then share with him your camera, and gently critique the images he takes. Once he develops an 'eye', then work on the mechanics of taking a photograph. These are all mistakes I made with my kids. I personally think it's better to share the experience with a child, rather than turn him loose with a camera and let him wonder around with no focus (or guidance). You will both be better off for the experience.

Cheers, ...Dave
 
Upvote 0
#16
dhachey77 said:
OK, good question. IMHO, don't get him a camera, get him a good book on photography. Take him to art museums and teach him the rules of composition, the role of light and subject. Discuss with him what makes a good photograph. Then share with him your camera, and gently critique the images he takes. Once he develops an 'eye', then work on the mechanics of taking a photograph. These are all mistakes I made with my kids. I personally think it's better to share the experience with a child, rather than turn him loose with a camera and let him wonder around with no focus (or guidance). You will both be better off for the experience.

Cheers, ...Dave
Click to expand...

Get him a book about sex while your are at it. Theory is more important than practice and implementation.
 
Upvote 0
#18
Ok ok ok, where is the reset to sensible button?!

Some great ideas, and I do get it that a camera on its own does not a photographer make. I would like him to experience the joy of making and sharing his own images ahead of anything else, so rebel with kit lens seems ideal.
Its a marathon hopefully, not a sprint.

When I was 9 I guess i was starting to want a little independence and autonomy, i dont want to thwart his interest with my enthusiasm or by taking control off him.

I think a rebel is just the thing to get the shutterbug biting!

.
 
Upvote 0
#19
Personally I dint think I would get a nine year old a dslr. I think it's important for kids to have something to aspire to, and starting a nine year old off with a camera which is more or less the same as competent adult is going to be using may not be a good thing.

I think I would go for something small and light that has some sort of view finder and proper control.

And Paul, I'm just the same on an iPhone; can't spell on !
 
Upvote 0
#20
jdramirez said:
And maybe get him the DMV manual on driving... because it is important to know all of the traffic laws and the theory behind the three point turn and parallel parking.
Click to expand...

Wow...all that sarcasm from the guy who can't figure out what lens he needs. Maybe you're the one we should be recomending some theory books to!

I see nothing wrong with suggesting a different approach to see if the kid really has interest in the topic. Although i do disagree. I think a 9 yr old would stay interested with the "toy" more so than with the book. I vote for the used rebel with a kit lens.
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Home
Forums
Media
Menu