Waylander Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Daughter takes some great and artsy pix with her ipod so was thinking to get her a nice camera for her imminent birthday to encourage the hobby. Anyone able to recommend please as I haven't the foggiest? Something by Nikon? D3100? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-bmw Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Don't know myself, but here is a snippet from Which reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 How old? Depending on age, you may be better looking at a CCS (Compact Camera System) instead. Just thinking of size and hands. Something like Sonys NEX, Olympus PEN maybe. More compact body with DSLR features and interchangeable lens. Depending on level of interest too, I might be tempted at a 'simpler' point and shoot to start with to see where the interest goes, rather than jump straight in to DSLR and her be potentially put off by so many functions. Saying that, there's always 'auto'. Mine absolutely loves taking shots on iPhone but the interest expressed in a 'proper' camera waned quite quickly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 (edited) We bought our youngest a Nikon Coolpix P510 in 2012. I think it was £290 and its direct replacement is this: Nikon Coolpix P600 She had just turned 10 years old at the time and I didn't want her having the hassle of lenses to change. However, I did want her to have the opportunity to try manual modes, AP, SP, etc. I can't rate it highly enough. The image quality is blindingly good at 16mp and it is also a very sturdy camera. p.s. yes, found it through my old Amazon orders and it was indeed on offer at £290 and was a P510. We bought the gunmetal grey model and a Nikon strap to go with it. She loves it and I would guess she takes around 20-25 photo's a week on it and has done so from the day she got it! Edited August 15, 2014 by NewNiceMrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted August 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Thanks Both that is very helpful. It will be for 13th bday As you say it wasn't really a lens-changing DSLR I needed - more of a "proper camera" to play with AP and features. Will look into the Coolpix 6000 , Sony NEX and Olympus PEN. I can also see interest waning quickly away from the iPod which is why I don't want to spend a fortune until she seems to maintain an interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 The two CCS do have interchangeable lens so NNMM suggestion maybe a better one. If you go point and shoot, there's tons of choice at all sorts of price brackets. I think a fixed lens does wonders for learning composition, (love my cheapy 'plastic fantastic' 50mm) rather than relying on zooms etc. but probably won't achieve what a teenager would want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted August 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 What I get for trying to be brief for a change Arch! What I meant was it wasn't so much interchangeable lenses that were a requirement more the ability to play with all those features discussed above. I will look into all 3 as I vaguely recall great things about the Olympus PEN as well - just because the lenses CAN change doesn't mean they HAVE to...unless she really gets into it etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 The problem with aperture on small handhelds is that they bear little relation to the real aperture on DSLRs do they? I've a fantastic Canon handheld something or other (S95 or 100 sounds familiar) but /f2.0 on that is no relation to f2 on my 7D. Get her a 7D Mk2 you tight arse Then when she's bored of it you can have it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I think a fixed lens does wonders for learning composition The guy I learned about composition from stuck rigidly to this rule when showing people anything. He stuck to 3 lenses. 50mm 110mm 300mm I started with a fixed lens (50mm) and then moved to 2 x zoom lenses. However, there is no doubt at all you look for better composition and position with a fixed lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I always end up using my small, fast, zoom. It's a 17-55mm f2.8. I've faster lenses - a 50mm f1.4 for example - but for general walkabout you can't beat a fast, quality, reasonable zoom lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Although its a present it might also be worth looking at second hand cameras, some of the bottom of the range cameras can be short on features but getting a good used Prosumer SLR can have all the extras a photographer really needs. As mentioned as nifty 50 can do wonders to learn about depth of field and composition. One of the new mirrorless cameras with interc-changable lenses could work really well. I full SLR is not the lightest thing to carry around all day long and interest could wain fairly quicly. I'm doing less at the moment spending all my time with the kids but I still love taking the camera for a walk and I'm not sure its a bug that will ever go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I haven't gone out with the camera purely to take photographs for the best part of 5 years or more. I just don't get the time. I've still got a D40X because of that. It seems pointless changing for something that would never get used. I hope to get a bit more photography time when I retire. In, ummm, god knows how many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted August 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I take your point re fixed lenses and that's how I learned too but a young girl will almost certainly lose interest if her shiny new camera can seemingly do less than the ipod (wrt zoom) so I guess it is a trade-off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Oh I agree it is far too young for a child to be using fixed lenses. I was 19 at the time. I've found the key is just to let them photograph whatever they want. Flowers, the dog, trees, tables (yes), pavements (yes), she's now picking out patterns and unusual shots with relative and very impressive ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted August 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Given that she really wants and iphone and what with my talk of macbooks has been whispering that dad is finally coming round to Apple I suspect whatever I get might be a crushing blow ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Just seen this from a Google served Ad. Very, very well priced for an excellent camera. Nikon L820 for £99.99 at Argos (and that price includes them deivering it to your door). Edited August 16, 2014 by NewNiceMrMe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Brilliant, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Guys can I revisit thread please? Spoke with daughter and discussed photography and cameras etc and she says she would like to have a "big" camera to play with I looked into used higher end cameras and have found a Canon 400d body for ~£120 with some possible lenses. http://www.camerajungle.co.uk/cat/320/canon-ef-mount-lenses.html The Canon EF-S 18-55 seems to me like a great shout Opinions on this route? SO if I buy the body and lens what else will I need? I am guessing: Case, flash card (at least 8gb?) - anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 400d is a good call and a nice size body. The 18-55 is 'ok' to get going, it was the standard retail lens with that body. There's a 17-85mm which is a good upgrade carry lens which I'd recommend and also as mentioned before, the 50mm f1.8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Doh, I',m just about to sell me 40d, the prosumer upgrade of the 400d with the 17-85 lens. I was looking for £200 for it, so if they guy who wants it doesn't go for it shall I give you a shout or is that too much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Damn. I'd have taken that 40d body off you! Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Well its not a done deal so I will post again if it doesn't go. I've also got a 60mm macro lens thats for sale as well if anyone is interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Thanks Mate. Given that I don't know how much she will get into this I think £200 is more than I want to spent. I was hoping closer to £100 - but that is going to be pie in the sky probably Looking around I see a few 400d bodies for about £75-90 and those lenses for ~£50 so I think adding in the accutiments I am probably looking at around £150 for a nice bundle for her which includes camera body/lens/battery/neck strap/case/CF card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted September 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Just an update - in the end I managed to buy 400d body, 18-55 standard lens, battery/charger, neck-strap, 2gb CF card in excellent condition for £100. WIll now source a nice case for her and away we go 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 I'd recommend a bag for something like that, the Crumplers are good if you want a recommendation and well worth the money. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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