I gave my 11yo daughter my old 20D because it wasn't worth selling. She uses it, mostly on P mode but has recently shown interest in learning how to use other settings. She has the 18-55 kit lens with it.
lucas lumiere wrote:
I vote for the t2i. Great little camera, much better sensor and video implementation than the t1i.
Yet another +1. Definitely ≥T1i. The t2i is a great balance in price/features.. and yes, better sensor and video.
My nephew is 11, and has been shooting the T1i for a couple of years. His photography is great, and we added a 40 pancake for Christmas to expand his lens setup. The only problem is that he seems be interested in dabbling with video, and thus has been getting a bit frustrated with the current camera. He likes my 5D2 a lot, btw. Always an option. ;-]
Now, I can't remember which of the FMers showed the pic of his daughter (like 6 or 7 y.o.) wielding a 1D Mark II with the 40mm 'cake... That was awesome!
20D. They are dirt cheap. My 11 year old daughter loves hers. Her photos won did very well at the county fair judging. I doubt there's much to gain at that age for something more expensive.--Eric.
I'm a bit surprised that DSLRs are recommended for young children. My first impression is that the shirt-pocket-sized P&S models would be more appropriate for a variety of reasos. They would fit a child's hand better. They're more easily carried and more easily used by a child. The cost is less. Models with a short zoom would be easier to use than switching lenses. Quality for 4 x 6 prints is more than adequate.
The problem with a P&S is that they can make for lazy photography and bad habits are hard to break. It's also too much like cell phone photography. The DSLR will encourage adventuring into the world of photography.
He has access to a P&S if he wants it (which is actually my waterproof Panasonic), but he wants/needs something more advanced. Last year he was shooting mostly with a NEX 5n, with which we placed in several categories in the county fair photo age group competitions. He's savvy enough to know that he wanted an optical viewfinder, so I think he can handle it. He's signed up for a photography class in summer camp this year so I don't really have any concerns with picking him a cheap DSLR.
GCasey wrote:
I'm a bit surprised that DSLRs are recommended for young children. My first impression is that the shirt-pocket-sized P&S models would be more appropriate for a variety of reasos. They would fit a child's hand better. They're more easily carried and more easily used by a child. The cost is less. Models with a short zoom would be easier to use than switching lenses. Quality for 4 x 6 prints is more than adequate.
My son (then 7) was using the P&S..and you could see he was getting frustrated with the results, missed shots, blurry etc. This year (he is 9 now) I gave him a T2i with 70-200 and its a whole new world for him.
He is even setting it up on the tripod at home and taking photos of the legos he builds, now he doesn't have to ask me and wait on me...ANd...he is showing lots of interest in reading photography magazines.
I think Rebel is your best shot. When I was 6 my dad gave me an old Rebel and two lenses (50mm f/1.8, 70-200 zoom) which seemed to work out pretty well for me. It was simple to use, one autofocus focus point (center only) and only a few modes on the dials.
My 13 year old has been using my old 20D for a while now.... It's sunk cost to think of what I paid for it :-( so grab one for $200 or less and let them have at it with a great little camera. Cheaper then most P&S's :-)
GC5 wrote:
Dorian, I want to mentor my son in his exploration of photography, not to get divorced...
There are other wife's and think about the bonding you can do every other weekend with TWO 1Dx's!
firstgear99 wrote:
There are other wife's and think about the bonding you can do every other weekend with TWO 1Dx's!
My workmate just went through a divorce. Cost him $40K, the house, plus $1000/month for next 3 years. I decided to keep courting the wife I have.
That T2I or 20D (and keep the current wife happy) sounds like a better option (although the reviews on the 1DX are very good). I was able to pick up a T2I display body (no box, accessories, lens, or charger) for $200 at Frys a few months ago. It makes a nice loaner / back-up camera and would be great for a teenager.
When I was 10 my Dad gave me a Russian Zenith with built in light meter and a basic lens. My friends laughed at the chunky camera but the results were great. I learned a lot with that although thought it was complicated at first.
A 30D or 40D with a couple of lenses is probably the modern equivalent.
Sjjindra wrote:
My workmate just went through a divorce. Cost him $40K, the house, plus $1000/month for next 3 years. I decided to keep courting the wife I have.
That T2I or 20D (and keep the current wife happy) sounds like a better option (although the reviews on the 1DX are very good). I was able to pick up a T2I display body (no box, accessories, lens, or charger) for $200 at Frys a few months ago. It makes a nice loaner / back-up camera and would be great for a teenager.
Steveyour workmate got off easy! I was on the hook for 70 months....at quite a bit more than that....if you ask me, he got off easy!
get a 20d or rebel and some random glass. then go out and enjoy quality time with your son. its great that there is the common interest. enjoy. (see above photos!)
That was awesome!