Advice please?

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EddceLLent

Senior Member
Hey,

It's my niece's 11th birthday next week and over the last few months, especially while she was on holiday, she has been taking a lot of photos. They're more than just snapshots as well - she's devoting a lot of time to trying to get the right composition and have the photo turn out how she wants it (even though she's only using an iPhone camera). She's been taking a lot of photos of flowers and other plants...some of them are surprisingly good considering what she's been using.

My brother wants to get her some kind of camera for her birthday and has asked me for advice but I'm a bit stuck. I've had a DSLR for a year and a half but think that something like that might be a bit too much for her to learn, also a bit worried at her age it might be a bit too valuable and/or bulky for her to be carrying round (even though my brother says she'd only be using it supervised).

Can anyone give any advice about the kind of thing that would be good for her in terms of maybe having some features that you wouldn't get with phone cameras, maybe a bit more control over settings....but at the same time not too costly, still simple to use, portable?

I've done a lot of research about DSLRs since I started but don't really know anything about other kinds of cameras..!?

Grateful if anyone can help :)
Thanks
 
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Dxer

Senior Member
You can try something like a bridge camera. It has the feeling of a DSLR and you are able to use it as a simple point and shoot or take control manually. You just can't swap lenses. The lenses on bridge camera usually have a very wide variety of focal points. Wide angle to super zoom. Something like a Nikon Coolpix L820 might be a good starter.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
If you're considering a bridge camera I'd suggest something that can do all the "proper" exposure modes, meaning Programmed, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual. I say that because exposure is the absolute bedrock foundation of all photography and if you want to take control of your photography, that means understanding, and taking control of, the exposure triangle. Anything less, really, and you're just talking about one type of Point and Shoot versus another.

So, all that being said, I think you might want to consider something like the Fujifilm FinePix S1. This camera would give her plenty of room to grow and won't break the bank up front.
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Lawrence

Senior Member
What is the definition of "breaking the bank"?

This kid sounds as if she may be serious about getting into photography and an inexpensive entry level DSLR may suit. If she can learn to master and 18-55 kit lens all well and good and it gives family and her options for future presents, rewards etc.

Otehrwise the bridge style camera is the way to go.

Be great if she gets into it at an early age.
 
Michael J.

Michael J.

Senior Member
My daughter age of 8, is using the D5100 with the 18-55, the 35mm and th e18-105. She can handle the wight very easy. That was important for her. When we go into the field she uses almost the 18-55mm Kit lens. She loves it. She is not that good at pp so she shoots JPEG fine. Just resize and she is very happy with the result. Me too by the way

Speaking about the 18-55mm Kit Lens. Three years ago we went to Chiang May, North of Thailand, for one week, and I just was using the 18-55 mm the most of the time. It is a great lens.
 
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hrstrat57

Senior Member
I had a brand new 35MM SLR Pentax HW Spotmatic when I was 11....with m42 50,28 and 135.

Just sayin....

If she is ready load her up with gear!

Nothing fires a passion up for a kid than top notch gear. With all the fantastic free learning on the www, youtube etc. a DSLR can easily be mastered by an 11 year old.
 
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RON_RIP

Senior Member
Just as an aside I just received an email from KEH offering a used P600 at 20% off. I think it said around $150. KEH offers very good merchandise and stands behind their gear 100%.
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
I'm sorry if my comment confused you; I was speaking colloquially but feel confident my meaning is sufficiently clear.
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Click to expand...

Hey Paul - I wasn't getting at you at all and I fully understood what you were saying.
As the OP didn't mention a dollar amount maybe I should have asked "what is the budget?" as breaking the bank for me is totally different to breaking the bank for someone else.

Hope the shackles are down and we are good? :)
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
Hey Paul - I wasn't getting at you at all and I fully understood what you were saying.
As the OP didn't mention a dollar amount maybe I should have asked "what is the budget?" as breaking the bank for me is totally different to breaking the bank for someone else.

Hope the shackles are down and we are good? :)
Click to expand...
Oh no hackles raised, I assure you! We're all good my friend. :)
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nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
loan her your d3300, find out if it works for her. No use buying a "dslr" that is going to sit at home while she
takes pictures with her phone.
 
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EddceLLent

Senior Member
Thanks everyone for chipping in, your guidance is much appreciated. She's coming over at the weekend so that'll be a good chance to gauge her level of interest.

I've only just got my D750 so happy to show her how to use my D3300 and see how she gets on with it. We'll see if we can get some more good photos of the cats :)

DSC_0034.jpg
 
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