Camera for 10 yo grand-daughter, under $200

[pagpow]

Hi all,

I'm putting this here because this seems to span various other forums. Other forum where it might fit the unRF. Please place it as you see fit, mods.

Grand-daughter, 10yo, fresh from a summer photo class using a DSLR asks for a camera birthday present. I've reviewed the similar threads, but not found one that hits this area.

I'm not convinced she would not be better off with the form factor of other cameras, compact, 4/3, m4/3, mirror less, etc. But there are also financial limits to consider. Until it is clear that the camera is safe from loss and theft, I would prefer to stay under $200.

Am I correct that in that range, the best deal is a crop body DSLR, used?
Or am I misjudging the market?
Any that stand out?

She has apparently had experience with manual controls and lens accessories.

Thanks.

Giorgio

 

[FrankS]

How about a used fuji xe1?

 

[dave lackey]

Hi all,

I'm putting this here because this seems to span various other forums. Other forum where it might fit the unRF. Please place it as you see fit, mods.

Grand-daughter, 10yo, fresh from a summer photo class using a DSLR asks for a camera birthday present. I've reviewed the similar threads, but not found one that hits this area.

I'm not convinced she would not be better off with the form factor of other cameras, compact, 4/3, m4/3, mirror less, etc. But there are also financial limits to consider. Until it is clear that the camera is safe from loss and theft, I would prefer to stay under $200.

Am I correct that in that range, the best deal is a crop body DSLR, used?
Or am I misjudging the market?
Any that stand out?

She has apparently had experience with manual controls and lens accessories.

Thanks.

Giorgio

You are correct, IMO.

I can easily recommend a used D40/D40x as they are great and cheap. The other easy option is get her a camera like she used in class and is comfortable with using.

But then there are so many choices.

Maybe ask her for her thoughts.😀

 

[Bille]

I would prefer to stay under $200.

Am I correct that in that range, the best deal is a crop body DSLR, used?
Or am I misjudging the market?
Any that stand out?

I´d look for a D3100 with 18-55 used. Or an equivalent Canon Rebel.

 

[filmtwit]

Older Canon Rebel and a 50mm f1.8 eos should fit the bill.

 

[daveleo]

Based on what you stated, I also would say that your best choice is a used (5 years old ?) Nikon or Canon DSLR (APS sensor) witha 50mm lens. I'd get her a zoom lens after she gets some 50mm experience.

Lots of Nikon people swear by the old D40, as stated above, and the Nikon 50mm/f1.8 is one of the best bargains around.

 

[lonemantis]

An Olympus E-P1 or E-PL1 with the basic 14-42 kit lens should come in well under $200, and might be more comfortable for a 10 year-old with small hands to use.

If she wants an OVF, a Canon Rebel XS or Nikon D40 with an 18-55 might also fit the bill.

Also keep in mind what camera systems you have yourself - you can share lenses!

 

[DNG]

Does she think that a DSLR is the only way to go. Because she used one in the class?

There are a lot of mirrorless used out there, some have an electronic viewfinder Plus LCD back screen. so there is a fairly wide selection.
I would recommend a camera that has lenses that will be less expensive to buy used so possibly a DSLR might be the way to go for that reason.

There are plenty of Canon and Nikon cameras out there and lots of lenses used on the cheap. not so much for cameras like Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus, their used lenses still can get a fairly high price.

 

[Bingley]

Why not a film cam? An SLR from the '70s? And a prime lens. A Pentax kit can be had for under $100, leaving her $$$ for film. Film is also cool these days. Just check out Urban Outfitters.

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd go with a Nikon 40/40x/60. They all can take any F mount glass (old stuff too) with no metering but you can get a histogram display after the shot to see the exposure. As it's a 1.5x crop factor I'd recommend picking up a 24/2.8 and 50/1.8 nikkor as a starting point.

There is a site www.nikonians.org that you can join for free for one month where you can find A LOT of excellent settings information (way cool excel spread sheets). There was a sub-forum specifically for owners of this size camera, haven't been on there in many moons so not sure what's still there.

There are charts all over for AF Nikkor compatibility. Ken R has one here that's very easy to understand.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

I'm more of a manual focus geek so not sure the cost/availability of AF nikkors. I'm pretty sure you can pick up a 50/1.8 in AF pretty cheep, not sure about the 24.

Good luck and please let us know how you make out.

B2 (;->

 

[RObert Budding]

A Nikon D70s will set you back $115 for Ex+ condition. That will leave enough budget for a lens.

https://www.keh.com/353572/nikon-d70s-6-1-m-p-digital-camera-body

 

[pagpow]

Camera for 10 yo grand-daughter, under $200

Hi all,

I'm putting this here because this seems to span various other forums. Other forum where it might fit the unRF. Please place it as you see fit, mods.

Grand-daughter, 10yo, fresh from a summer photo class using a DSLR asks for a camera birthday present. I've reviewed the similar threads, but not found one that hits this area.

I'm not convinced she would not be better off with the form factor of other cameras, compact, 4/3, m4/3, mirror less, etc. But there are also financial limits to consider. Until it is clear that the camera is safe from loss and theft, I would prefer to stay under $200.

Am I correct that in that range, the best deal is a crop body DSLR, used?
Or am I misjudging the market?
Any that stand out?

She has apparently had experience with manual controls and lens accessories.

Thanks.

Giorgio

 

[mfogiel]

I would look at these compact cameras that are made for outdoor sports, and persuade her to use it everywhere. Might be more practical than a DSLR and cheaper. Explain that she needs to document what she is interested in before worrying about cameras. Also, composing on the back screen helps develop compositional skills.

 

[lynnb]

I suggest you ask her what she's interested in photographing. That can guide your recommendations. Also, I'm assuming she wants digital? I ask because there are some great film camera bargains to be had for under $200..

 

[nongfuspring]

The Nikon D3100 with kit lens can be had for around 200. There are a lot of Olympus Pens within your price range, and the Sony NEX 3n is also.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I wouldn't buy someone who is 'serious' about photography a camera that couldn't effectively control depth of field. So, no small sensor cameras.

Maybe search the online goodwill site and hope for a bargain on a camera that's a bit better than you would otherwise think you could afford. Or craigslist.... Lots of motivated sellers with 'obsolete' digital gear. And start with the equivalent of a 50mm prime, if possible?

 

[johannielscom]

+! for the D3100. Can take manual lenses at a later stage, like the 55mm macro that can be had cheap if you look closely. Or a Zenith fisheye, if that's her fancy 🙄

 

[Dwig]

There are two ways to go. One is the older low end used DSLR or similar (e.g. Nikon D3100, Panasonic G series, ...) and the other is a "lifeproof" compact. The DSLR will offer the greatest photographic growth and the lifeproof compact will have the greater survivability.

 

[Addy101]

The Nikon Appreciation Society will of course propose a Nikon, but also consider mirrorless. Adorama has a Sony Nex C3 with kitlens for US$159,-. Very capable camera. I'm not that into 4/3's, but I'm sure there is a comparable set-up there. A mirrorless might be better suited for a 10-year old.

You could opt for a few years old basic SLR camera from any of the bigger makes. Either Nikon (D3100), Canon (Rebel T1i), Sony (A33 or A55, stay clear of the three digit ones) and the Pentax offering in this category.

 

[dave lackey]

Are you aware there are two threads with the same title?