All in the family!

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Sevenup

Senior Member
You guys really helped me narrow down a gift for one son, he got a 5100 kit and really has enjoyed it these last few months. Now the 10 yr old has been saving his money, $130 over the last 6 months so far! :) He really wants a camera that is more technical than the point and shoot that he gets GREAT shots with. He is occasionally allowed to shoot my 7000 and my sons 5100 with many rules/cautions and an invisible leash to myself ;) . So I don't want to stifle him but how long should I encourage him to save so he can get something more exciting to shoot with :) (Hes actually quite serious and studies my photography books, he is very eager to learn and responsible with our cameras). I'm not looking for bells and whistles obviously but more simple mechanics, and if film wasn't such a hassle for us, I'd even go older SLR off CL or something, but film is a hassle for me.

Any recommendations?
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
Maybe encourage to make a list of features that the low to mid cost DSLRs have and I would even include mirrorless models. Learn about each feature, how much time (time is money is time) each feature will cost him and let him decide how long he needs to save for the bells and whistles.
 
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WhiteLight

Senior Member
Sevenup said:
You guys really helped me narrow down a gift for one son, he got a 5100 kit and really has enjoyed it these last few months. Now the 10 yr old has been saving his money, $130 over the last 6 months so far! :) He really wants a camera that is more technical than the point and shoot that he gets GREAT shots with. He is occasionally allowed to shoot my 7000 and my sons 5100 with many rules/cautions and an invisible leash to myself ;) . So I don't want to stifle him but how long should I encourage him to save so he can get something more exciting to shoot with :) (Hes actually quite serious and studies my photography books, he is very eager to learn and responsible with our cameras). I'm not looking for bells and whistles obviously but more simple mechanics, and if film wasn't such a hassle for us, I'd even go older SLR off CL or something, but film is a hassle for me.

Any recommendations?
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I would suggest you get him a kit like the D5100 or D3300 (or hand him down one of yours & get yourself a new one :p ) that would keep him shooting& learning new things.
Any new lenses that he will want he would have to save up for those.
If he is really interested & is unable to save up enough soon, he may get frustrated and give it up fully...
 
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Sevenup

Senior Member
Whitelight, that is my concern, hes going to give up saving and I really see potential that I want to encourage.

I cannot give him my 7000, that is my only camera! LOL I'm still wishing/hoping saving to go to a better camera some day but the 7000 is more than enough for me right now!

He IS willing to save and buy a body and then save and buy a lense. He is at $130 right now and has been patient for 6 months. But he studies that B&H catalog a little too much lately dreaming. I think a 3300 is not going to be found for our price range.

B&H used only has D50 in his price range right now :)

3100 with 18-55 going for $250 on CL
3200 are going for $400
 
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traceyjj

Senior Member
I was going to suggest a used/refurbished D3100. My daughter started off with that and a kit lens until she proved she was into photography (and I wanted a new camera), then she "inherited" my D5100
 
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jstimagine

Senior Member
I've always owned your basic, run of the mill, point and shoot camera, which, as a breeder, I used only as an advertising tool for "puppy shots". When my last camera died of mechanical issues after 10 years, I decided to invest in a better camera, but didn't want something that was too challenging technologically for me and didn't want to spend a lot of money for more camera than I could use.

I researched and decided that the best transition camera for me would be a Nikon D3100. It was the best investment I've ever made. The improvement in quality of my images was amazing. It wasn't until a couple of months ago that I started taking images of things unrelated to puppies and can't begin to tell you how much I'm enjoying this camera. The average 5 year old is more technologically advanced then I will ever be, the thing I really LOVE about this camera is that it provides the opportunity for the user to take very acceptable images no matter what the skill level and allows the user to learn basic camera technology at whatever pace is comfortable. I suspect your son already knows more about this than I do, but for the money and what it offers, I'd highly recommend the D3100 as an entry level purchase.
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
SteveH said:
How about a refurb D3100 + 18-55mm? Ten when supervised, he could use lenses from the others in your family too/
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traceyjj said:
I was going to suggest a used/refurbished D3100. My daughter started off with that and a kit lens until she proved she was into photography (and I wanted a new camera), then she "inherited" my D5100
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jstimagine said:
...but for the money and what it offers, I'd highly recommend the D3100 as an entry level purchase.
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If I had a thumb for each post, I'd use 'em all, but I've only got two, so...

:D

TWO THUMBS UP! Great camera to learn on, not all that costly, and not too far away to "save" for, especially with Christmas coming up. ;) You can "gift" the difference and tell him you're rewarding him for the efforts he was making in saving up the funds, thus encouraging him in his advancement of the hobby AND his savings! (I have done that with my son a couple of times... the one who saved up his own funds for his first iPad, his Nintendo 3DS, etc.)
 
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Sevenup

Senior Member
Thanks everyone! If I buy a body only, what lense would you suggest, I was kind of thinking 50mm. He does not want a zoom lense to start.

Would a purchase off CL be an ok thing or would you stick to refurbished through online retailers? We would want to make sure we avoid buying stolen goods and yet plenty of people off load great used equipment.
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
Sevenup said:
Thanks everyone! If I buy a body only, what lense would you suggest, I was kind of thinking 50mm. He does not want a zoom lense to start.

Would a purchase off CL be an ok thing or would you stick to refurbished through online retailers? We would want to make sure we avoid buying stolen goods and yet plenty of people off load great used equipment.
Click to expand...

If no zoom, I'd say either the 50mm 1.8, or the 35mm 1.8. The 18-55 kit lens is a nice short zoom to learn on too, way better than zooms on practically any point and shoot, and gives the ability to learn framing at different focal lengths.

As far as Craigslist, meet with folks in a public place, test the equipment and make a decision. If you get the wrong "feel" from the seller, you can always walk away. As for myself, I've only bought accessories and such off of CL, tending to prefer warranties on my bigger purchases. For this kind of purchase, though... I could go either way. Refurb D3100's aren't all that costly.

Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera Body - Factory Refurbished includes Full 1 Year Warranty

Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens - Factory Refurbished includes Full 1 Year Warranty

(I just linked to Cameta because, to me, they're the easiest quick search and they offer a 1 year warranty on their refurb stuff, plus extended warranties at reasonable prices. Adorama and B&H also carry refurbs, if I remember correctly, and I'm sure offer warranties as well)
 
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Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Try to get him a D40 with an 18-55 am a 35 1.8. Investing with him would probably encourage him to get better and really use the camera. When he gets a bit older he can then replace the body. The D40 produces very nice pictures and still can be used in Auto mode to learn which settings the camera would use in difficult situations.
 
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obama

Senior Member
D40 is by far the best choise for his age and level. Kit zoom lens will help him understand the focal lengh better and how dof and focus work depending on it. It will also help him in the composition process. He will need something much wider than the 50mm. Plus he will have enough money to buy it on his own and that will make him appreciate it much better
 
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