First camera

[Ricco]

GF's kiddo is now part of her yearbook staff and has taken a liking to photography. It seems that with my camera purchase and seeing what I've done with it, she's gotten MORE enthusiastic about it.

Currently she owns my old point and shoot, but I have a feeling she is going to ask me for a better camera later this year.

Considering her panache for loosing/breaking equipment, I'm fairly nervous about it, and while I don't want to impede her excitement about photography, there has to be something realistic that a 14yr old can handle.

I'm pondering telling her to suck it up and deal with the P&S until she learns to be more responsible, OR I can buy a used DSLR or micro and only use it under my supervision.

Any advice would be appreciated since I don't think I can be an impartial person on this.

[Angelo]

Rick, have her pay for the camera out of her own pocket.
She will definitely take more care of it that way.
If she doesn't have the money have her begin saving for it.
Go out with her and show her the camera that she'll be saving for.
That should get her excited.
Good luck...

[RexGig]

Digital or film? If film is acceptable, an older pro-level camera can be had relatively cheaply, such as the tank-tough models used by photojournalists. I handled an F5 last week, which could be used as a bludgeon. It was heavy, of course.

Edited to add: Oops, just noticed the DSLR part. Oh, well, I will leave what I typed earlier, in case it is helpful to anyone else.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by RexGig

Digital or film? If film is acceptable, an older pro-level camera can be had relatively cheaply, such as the tank-tough models used by photojournalists. I handled an F5 last week, which could be used as a bludgeon. It was heavy, of course.

Yeah, I have an old nikomat, which could double as a weapon if she was ever attacked. I also have an N5 (maybe? some newish nikon film camera) with the kit lens. I may be willing to part with either one.

[SJHester]

if film would work, i regulary get my hands on SLR's and lenses. I have 2 nikon bodies right now, along with several lenes. i could sell a body, 50mm and 70-210 for about $50 (they are not actually mine, but i price them for a thrift store).

[SCone]

I'd let her know you'll pay half for whatever she wants...

[jkderby]

Good used for about $300. If something happens to it not to much of a loss.

[crazeazn]

film body. dont spend more than $50 bucks for 50 1.8 and body. teach her to choose selectively when taking photos.

[Ricco]

I'm starting to lean towards an older digital. I think it's probably a bit more cost effective. But this will be an ongoing debate before it the decision becomes final.

[dmcantrell]

You should be able to get an old D70 or D80 or similar for a very good price.

[Richard_B]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

You should be able to get an old D70 or D80 or similar for a very good price.

She might as well get started with digital capture as she is going to have to learn PS/LR and whatever other software the yearbook uses. It will also allow her to see her work right away rather than shooting an assignment on film and then discovering she made some sort of error and got nothing salvageable for her efforts which is important for the yearbook, not just her.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by Ricco

I'm starting to lean towards an older digital. I think it's probably a bit more cost effective. But this will be an ongoing debate before it the decision becomes final.

The reason I have old film cameras sitting in the closet unused is because it is so expensive to mess up on film, especially if you aren't developing your own film.

I agree that an older, used digital would be a good idea. Occasionally you see some canon xs or xsi (what I shoot with) up for sale. Don't know what the equivalent nikon is, but the lower level consumer cameras that are a few models older than the current shouldn't be too expensive.

[Richard_B]

Originally Posted by auddii

The reason I have old film cameras sitting in the closet unused is because it is so expensive to mess up on film, especially if you aren't developing your own film.

I agree that an older, used digital would be a good idea. Occasionally you see some canon xs or xsi (what I shoot with) up for sale. Don't know what the equivalent nikon is, but the lower level consumer cameras that are a few models older than the current shouldn't be too expensive.

I would not be surprised if someone might not have some 'old digital gear sitting around' that they would be willing to donate to the school yearbook if they put out the word.

[mrsrice22]

My 15 yr old is the same, doesn't take care of anything and even if he breaks or loses something and I don't replace it he forgets about it and moves on to the next thing. I quit buying the "I WANT" things a couple years ago, except for bdays and xmas. The rest of the year he can either save his money and get what he wants, sell his old stuff and get what he wants or have nothing.

If she's just now starting, I'd have her use the point n shoot a while longer, see how she does not just with the camera but how she continues to enjoy photography. Instead of buying her a DSLR, buy her some books on photography and have her practice techniques, maybe even get her a copy of PS Elements to play with her photos. Teens LOVE being unique and artsy, photoshop could be another avenue for her to express herself.

My son has been wanting a PS3 for a year, well he finally got it (3 different people pitched in for it!) for his bday in August and he's only played it a handful of times. He also wanted a new iPod Touch but had to choose between that or the PS3, I told him the iPod would have more uses but he swore up and down the PS3 was what he wanted. Now he hardly plays, because school is back in session and he's only allowed to play on weekends, but all his friends are on Xbox, so he plays that instead. His 3 yr old iPod (I kept it the first year because my dad bought it for him brand new not knowing that he had failed a class, once he brought his grades up and maintained them, I gave it to him - a year later!) has cracked screen, freezes up, loses charge, and is basically on it's last leg, but yet there sits the shiney new PS3 with no love. LOL

Sorry for the long post, teenagers make me laugh, silly little turds.

[TxTowman]

Wanna trade an xbox360 for the ps3?