A camera for my kid

[akptc]

Walgreens has two P&S plastic cameras that come with lifetime of free film. You buy the camera (one is under $10, the other under $15 or so), it comes with film. After finishing the roll, take the camera to the store, they will swap the used roll for a new one, and develop what you shot for the normal price (right now $5.99 in my neck of the woods for 27 frames, double prints).

I found it to be a good way to get my 3.5-yo daughter to get interested in photography. She loves it (her "backup" camera is now the Minolta Himatic AF).

I am probably the last person in US to find out about this but just in case, here is the link:

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100375&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod378897

I got her the $15 one, it's autowind/rewind, flash, the lens is protected, small enough for her hands, viewinder is huge and bright. And, you can load the film youself just like in a regular camera. Cool, eh? 🙂

 

[jano]

Actually, yeah. Not bad! What are the results like? I'm sure they're no summicron IV, but.. probably better than standard disposable?

 

[akptc]

Not sure yet how the pics will come out, the 1st set of prints will be ready tomorrow (will post a sample).

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I sure hope your little girl gets the photo bug.
If so, that's something you can share forever.

My daughter got my wife's old Olympus Infinity Mini
when she was about 6 years old.
She really seemed to enjoy taking pictures and
was always thrilled to see the results.

But she's ten now, and sadly has lost interest. 🙁

Chris

 

[lubitel]

My colleague's 4 year old son takes pictures with fisher-something kids camera. Ther results are some of the most curious things I've seen!

 

[clarence]

Now I wish I had a Walgreen's in London.

Clarence

 

[RObert Budding]

My son (age 7) is really into cameras. He owns an Olympus Trip 35, a Zeiss Box Tengor (6x9), and a Canon A610 digicam. I had to get him a digicam because he burns through film in no time. A funny moment was when he handed me his loaded camera that he'd been shooting and the frame counter was back to "0". I asked him if he'd opened the camera and he admitted that he had. He stepped into the garage to open the camera to see how the film was doing (he moved out of the sun because he knew that film was sensative to light). So much for that roll!

My favorite moment was developing his first roll from the Zeiss Box Tengor at a local photo school. We made contact prints and he proudly showed his work to everone there.

 

[BrianShaw]

We're starting our kids out with a cheap digital camera. (Ya, ya... I know what your're thinking... shut the heck up!) The immediacy of results helps them better visualize the image they are creating. Also gives a slightly better learning experience because whenever they say "whoops", they can re-create (correct) immediately.

My older boy is getting interested in film cameras ("like Dad uses") and is gaining more patience and memory. He fully realizes that when I take a picture he might not see it for weeks. But when it's finished, he remembers the event of capturing that image. I'll probably start him off with disposable film camera and whenever he's ready for focusing I'll give him my Canonet. My only requirement for a first film camera is something that uses film that can be 1-hour processed.

 

[FrankS]

Visit a few garage sales if you have them in your area. People are selling off their film cameras (all types) in their switch to digital. There are stories about folks in the know finding high-end quality older cameras for next to nothing.

 

[ampguy]

kids and cameras

kids and cameras

My kids started shooting film and digital around 4 or 5, they're 7 and 10 now.

Our biggest mistakes were these blue plastic $1 cameras, they seemed like usable p&s 35mm film cameras, but the rewind lever broke on me and I lost a roll.

The next mistake was a $29 or $39 "JamCAM", what a piece of crap. Threw that out after about 100 images.

Now they have Canon digital cameras, and I'm trying to get my daughter into film. Her Canon also has manual control. They also both take videos. Daughter also has a hi-8 camcorder.

 

[akptc]

A couple of shots with the plastic Walgreen's camera. Indoors, the flash activates automatically almost all the time and works only a v. short distance. Outdoors the camera seems to work just fine for snapshots. These are quick scans at 300dpi, resized, from the Walgreen's-produced prints.

 

[ch1]

Nice pics.

I always get a kick out of the "little people looking up angle" in kid's pics. At a family event last year I gave my niece and nephew each a P&S to "document the event". The angles were similar - makes my knees ache to even think of getting that far down for such an angle shot!

 

[akptc]

.... The angles were similar - makes my knees ache to even think of getting that far down for such an angle shot!

Kind of fun to re-discover the world from their vantage point... btw, my daughter loves her two cameras so much, she's been taking them to bed with her 🙂

 

[Heath]

A few years ago I gave my nephew (then 9) a P&S to use (and keep him occupied) ata wedding. He loved it. Pity he doesn't live closer or I would take him under my wing and teach him more about photography.

Also, I am slowly obtaining 4 Fujica ST605N's so I can teach some friends kids about the joys of manual photography. I have 3 bodies so far, just need some lenses and we will be off. I chose the Fujica's because they are small and light cameras and use the M-42 mount lenses. Eventually, I will introduce them to the joy of rangefinders.

Heath

 

[rover]

I made the mistake of getting my son hooked on a Polaroid. I am trying to avert his attenetion and get him onto a little digital P&S that my wife doesn't use and I only use for ebay sales and stuff like that.

 

[Dale Cook]

Andy...thanks for sharing this. My son is turning 4 next week and he is keenly interested in "playing" with my equipment. I've been tinkering with the idea of getting him something so he could shoot pictures with me! This looks like it would be a perfect fit.