First Camera recommendations

[scaryjim]

OK Hexite photo geniii (how do you pluralise genius? )

My step-son has expressed an interest in photography, and with his birthday (13th) coming up we asked him if he wanted a camera, to which the answer was a resounding yes. We'd like to get him something half-decent, but at the same time we don't want to spend too much as this wouldn't be the first new hobby he's expressed an interest in, we've bought him some stuff and he's gone off it six months later!

So, what would be a good beginners digital camera? I'm thinking something that *can* do everything automagically, but that also has a good set of manual option to tinker with as he gets into it more. Price is pretty negotiable, so don't hold back on that front

[kalniel]

I'd go for something like a second hand canon A70 - out of date now, but still capable of producing fantastic pictures, automagic + manual controls possible, and a tough metal body. Newer A series cameras (590is etc.) are still good second hand purchases as well.

More expensive modern choices would be something like the Olympus Mju Stylus Tough range - easy to use, rugged. Lacks fully manual modes, but still has scene modes etc. I think my first film compact camera only had three modes (including fixed focus for each) but I loved it and took great pictures with it, until it bounced off a rock while climbing..

[El Juan Pablo]

Like a point and shoot digital camera??

I got my niece a Sanyo X1200 for £60, does decent pictures but as you put we didn't want to spend alot as kids go off things quickly.

[redddraggon]

Nikon D3100 or Canon 1000D/1100D/500D

[Prya]

Best thing to do would be to go and see your local photography club, there's bound to be one near you, he can ask questions there and have a play with some kit.

I'd recommend an entry level DSLR, something from Canon or Nikon and you can't go far wrong, second hand is the way to go as if he loses interest in it you won't lose much money on selling it on.

Entry level DSLR's all come with Auto modes that give you a few options to change as well as aperture and shutter priority modes so you can change the look of the picture without too much thinking on your part. Full manual is there too if you get into time lapse stuff or want full control of your photos.

A cheap body and 18-55mm zoom will only be £200ish and I'd recommend a 50mm F1.8 as a prime lens too as the depth of field is great and it's a sweet portrait lens when you take into account the crop factor. Avoid point and shoot cameras as you sacrifice a lot of quality for getting something smaller and more portable than an SLR.

[Bobster]

go bridge first - fujifilm

[g8ina]

Id agree with Bob with the Fuji, or even grab somethihg really cheap off ebay just in case the need doesnt last ?

I picked up an s5000 for 20 quid and its in perfect working order, but you have to be a bit jammy to get another like that There are a couple floating around 40-50 in ebay on auction, not BIN...

There's a cracking little Fuji s602 at 45 quid :
Item number: 370496521832

But the only way to find out what's best, apart from reading specs and getting recommendations, is to get some choices in his hands and see how he feels about them...

[scaryjim]

Thanks a lot for the input guys

After a bit of quick googling last night we really liked the look of the Fuji s1600, so we ordered a factory refurb direct from fuji, along with the half-price premium case. My better half also managed to scrounge up a web voucher, so we got another 10% off the camera too And I got an email this afternoon to say it had been dispatched already! So I'm impressed so far - then again we haven't got the camera yet!

I'll let you all know how the boy gets on with it once we get back from Holland

[Splash]

Another vote for the Fuji bridge kit - I found my S5600 a great way of getting my feet wet before splashing on the D70s

[Tonka777]

Yep, +1 for Fuji Bridge.

[Rob_B]

Another vote for the Fuji bridge kit - I found my S5600 a great way of getting my feet wet before splashing on the D70s

And so did I on the same camera, although my 'trial period' was only about 2 weeks until I wanted something bigger Although I didn't buy a DSLR still...too pricey for me!

[Bobster]

Thanks a lot for the input guys

After a bit of quick googling last night we really liked the look of the Fuji s1600, so we ordered a factory refurb direct from fuji, along with the half-price premium case. My better half also managed to scrounge up a web voucher, so we got another 10% off the camera too And I got an email this afternoon to say it had been dispatched already! So I'm impressed so far - then again we haven't got the camera yet!

I'll let you all know how the boy gets on with it once we get back from Holland

next on the list are rechargeable batteries and a charger

[scaryjim]

Already have some duracells I can "lend" him for now - I'll probably suggest he saves up (or uses other birthday money) to get some rechargables of his own though

Oh, and quick edit: Camera arrived yesterday - i.e. next business day - despite us only paying for standard delivery. Brilliant service Fuji: if I ever get myself a new camera I may well be drawn to their website again

[Saracen]

It's too late to be relevant for scary, but my first question would be what type of interest he has? After all, he's 13. That suggests an SLR might be the wrong way to start, if for no other reason than that it's the start of the expense, not the end of it.

The bridge route is certainly one way, especially if he wants a camera that looks like a real camera, but I'd also have suggested a close look at some of the better quality compacts. There are pretty good models from the likes of Olympus and Panasonic, and then there's the "pro" compacts like the Canon G12 (or maybe second-hand G10 to keep cost down).

But for a 13-year-old, I wouldn't dismiss a very compact "compact" either. Some of the Panasonic models, especially those with Leica (*) lenses are capable of very impressive results indeed, and as they're so small (**), they're not intimidating to be carrying around.


Notes :

(*) The "Leica" lenses aren't, apparently, made by Leica, but by Panasonic to Leica standards. Nonetheless, from what I've seen, the results speak for themselves and are very good indeed.

(**) A shirt-pocket camera has the advantage of being easy to carry. For a 13-year-old, it also has the disadvantage of being very easy to lose.

[scaryjim]

A shirt-pocket camera has the advantage of being easy to carry. For a 13-year-old, it also has the disadvantage of being very easy to lose.

Given he's just managed to lose his iPod Touch, this is a rather relevant point

And to expand a little on your first question, the whole subject came up because we were walking past Manchester Cathederal and he suddenly, from nowhere, piped up with "That scene would make a really good photograph, the way the Catherdral frames the buildings behind it with the big wheel in the background". We had a look from where he was standing and he was absolutely right, it was a beautiful composition, so we asked if he was interested in taking up photography as a hobby and would he like a camera for his birthday. So it's definitely on the hobbyist end of things, and the refurbed s1600 looks like a perfect balance of cost, features and functionality.

That said, if he messes with it for 6 months then decides it's not really for him, I'll have the camera off him

[Saracen]

[QUOTE=scaryjim;2063804....

That said, if he messes with it for 6 months then decides it's not really for him, I'll have the camera off him [/QUOTE]And if he uses it for 6 months and outgrows it, you can always upgrade.

A good approach, scary. Keep the cost down and see if it's a fad.