Cheap point and shoot camera for kid going to summer camp

[Prest_400]

Thrifting and such, it should still be possible to find "generic AF" P&S that work well. I like these and it somehow evokes childhood, as I also wished back then that I had some of these cameras.
What is now the last decade, I found a couple mjus for very cheap but those scores are more rare. If you like Olympuses, the middle models between XAs and mjus still can be found for good value. My last was an Olympus AF10 a couple of years ago. I gave away to a friend a NIkon RF2 (Onetouch 100) that I found for a couple bucks; but it was during the pandemic. But basically the value lies now in the non hyped siblings of the well known models IMO.

How about the Ultra Wide and Slim? I never took interest on them directly but they appear as a non expensive, fun, quasi disposable but reusable and ultrawide.

Then not quite there but an option which perhaps is more for a future are the 90-2000s AF SLRs. Eg Nikon N55, EOS 300. These are surprisingly light and packed with features. Should be also easy to find cheap with a kit zoom lens through thrift, auction, second hand channels. My anecdotical experience is that at least the AF SLRs from the 90s-00s are working fine when found.

... by the time you have bought and tested a camera, the cost if only in your time (but possibly financially too) has increased, and they will probably have to deal with more complexity including film loading/unloading at camp to give the equivalent capacity of "at least two" disposables - at a time when they probably have a lot more to think about. Plus if they are changing film that's another parameter to deal with (risk of accidents, curious colleagues etc), whereas a disposable is use->done->put-away.

These consumer cameras were anyways designed for simple use and shouldn't really be complicated. I could see a similar set up to disposables too.

 

[wlewisiii]

Prest_400 that's probably a really good thought.

This would be an excellent kit to send, I'd think:

Nikon N6006 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon N6006 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Archiver]

Prest_400 that's probably a really good thought.

This would be an excellent kit to send, I'd think:

Nikon N6006 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nikon N6006 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

When I think back to school camps, a SLR is probably the last thing I'd want to carry. Back then I was leaping through open windows and over railings, long before parkour was a thing. 😆

 

[wlewisiii]

When I think back to school camps, a SLR is probably the last thing I'd want to carry. Back then I was leaping through open windows and over railings, long before parkour was a thing. 😆

I would have loved to have had a proper SLR at camp - but I was out on rifle ranges, archery ranges and learning to sail so perhaps we had a wee bit different experience 😎

 

[Prest_400]

Prest_400 that's probably a really good thought.

Addenedum that the linked kit includes a 50mm 1.8, it's the best way to get these lenses as a bundle rather than standalone. Ditto on some nicer zooms. I got a Nikkor 28-105 for about below market price just because it was the body being listed. A GAS excuse to get it for your own summer camp, ha!
Personally the N80/F80 was a favorite, until my unit died due to saltspray exposure because I used it as my inner child would have wanted. I like this thread now, as I am reviving some childhood photography wants. Earlier on I would have been better served by some of the suggestions here instead of an OM-1 which just stayed home instead of being brought to school excursions.

About the beach, in 2015 I got a Canon AS1 for 1 GBP but nowadays they surely have appreciated like anything else. Don't trust old gaskets as that one also sadly went due to saltwater but I did get some neat shots in the water with it!

About AF SLRs, specially the size is off, but might not be a severe impediment should the camera live in a backpack and be hurdled around. I loved having mine at the beach, together with just some towel and a watertight clock, but then I was about 19. Now that I think of, I am more kid as an adult with gear, rather than the overly careful kid that I actually was back then.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Reading through this thread, the only conclusion I came to was that it would be best to select another summer camp. Cheers, OtL

 

[ChrisPlatt]

How about the Ultra Wide and Slim? I never took interest on them directly but they appear as a non expensive, fun, quasi disposable but reusable and ultrawide.

For two years member dourbalistar has been doing yeoman's work with one of these.

Link to RFF thread w/photos: RETO Ultra Wide & Slim by dourbalistar

Link to RETO website: RETO Ultra Wide & Slim camera

Chris

 

[Jonathan R]

This review might help?

My wife had the Canon AF35M when we first met. It took great photos, was very light, and seemed bomb-proof. We still talk about it from time to time.

 

[dourbalistar]

For two years member dourbalistar has been doing yeoman's work with one of these.

Link to RFF thread w/photos: RETO Ultra Wide & Slim by dourbalistar

Link to RETO website: RETO Ultra Wide & Slim camera

Chris

Appreciate the mention, @ChrisPlatt. I would have suggested the RETO, except it doesn't meet all of the OPs requirements, namely (lack of) built-in flash. Otherwise, for bright outdoor summer camp conditions, the RETO punches well above its price (ignoring the cost of high quality scanning, which I believe is key to good results).

Another option that I haven't seen mentioned yet, but nearly meets all of the OPs criteria, is the Harman EZ-35. I'm not sure if it has been discontinued (B&H lists it as such), but a quick search shows it's still available from some retailers for <$50. I've not tried this camera myself, so I can't vouch that it's capable of results better than a disposable. As for missing focus half the time, it's a fixed focus 31mm f/11 deal, so YMMV.

 

[antiquark]

Maybe someone mentioned this already, but this might be suitable. It's also an in-production camera, so you probably don't have to worry if it even works or not:

 

[mackigator]

Update!

I've made some selections thanks to this thread. On the way to me now are:

• Reto Ultra Wide and Slim
• Yashica Micro Elite AF

And a Minox 35GT from Shop Goodwill, just for me to play with. 🙂

 

[bullterrier]

also take a look at jamcam 3.0

 

[Abbazz]

For a kid going to summer camp, I would suggest a Canon Prima AS-1 (also called SureShot WP-1). Is is rugged and waterproof, has a great 32mm lens, automatic exposure, autofocus, a built-in flash, a very bright viewfinder and delivers beautiful photographs.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[JeffS7444]

Update!

I've made some selections thanks to this thread. On the way to me now are:

• Reto Ultra Wide and Slim
• Yashica Micro Elite AF

And a Minox 35GT from Shop Goodwill, just for me to play with. 🙂

Minox 35s are very good cameras, but before each roll of film, with the back of the camera open, I point the lens at something bright, fire the shutter, and verify that the shutter is opening and not merely clicking. Because yes it's possible to experience the latter fault, and the result will be a completely blank roll of film. My first Minox 35 (EL) was like that as received, but with the aid of a soldering iron and a camera-repair book, I was able to fix it.

 

[JeffS7444]

Although not 35 mm, I occasionally find Fujifilm Instax Mini cameras at thrift stores. Suspect these will be the biggest crowd-pleases, especially among kids who may never have seen photos developing before their eyes.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Look for an Olympus Mju II. The GOAT of it's type.

Years ago, Olympus constantly has "factory reconditioned" non zoom Stylus Epics on E-Bay for $35. They were an incredulous $35 camera and I had a number of them that did not survive bicycle crashes or water.

Six months ago, I found one hidden in the back of one of my storage shelves. I gave it to a friend who has a camera repair shop and has now open a classic camera resale shop. One of his camera repair techs immediately bought my Stylus Epic for $300 which blew me away.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Buffy and Muffy wouldn't dream of sending their kids to camp with anything but a classic Leica M3. Fully refurbished at the factory, of course.

 

[santino]

An M3 with body cap, aka 50mm APO Summicron… because the 50 frame lines are so nice.

 

[KoNickon]

View attachment 4857182

Buffy and Muffy wouldn't dream of sending their kids to camp with anything but a classic Leica M3. Fully refurbished at the factory, of course.

LOL -- imagine the pearl clutching if Muffy had to send little Hugh off to camp with a Japanese product....

 

[Abbazz]

Buffy and Muffy wouldn't dream of sending their kids to camp with anything but a classic Leica M3. Fully refurbished at the factory, of course.

Yes indeed, the Leica would be the proper tool...

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But a gold plated Rollei 35 could also do the job...

Getty Images - All rights reserved

Cheers!

Abbazz