Cameras for girls?

[Ronald_H]

Just has my Canonet GIII QL17 CLA'd. Small, stylish, easy to operate, works in poor light (alas, no flash, but a Nikon SB-30 fixes that) and GREAT results.

The PENs are nice but maybe a bit too much. How about a Sigma DP2?

 

[Ken Smith]

My questions is - If she already has a camera but doesn't bring it along, what makes you think she'll tote the new camera along? Sounds like she's happy with the IPhone. But it also sounds like you're not happy with her IPhone camera. I'd let it be because the more you try to push something on someone the more likely they're to spit it back up on you as they walk out the door. Puke, whether literal or figurative is a messy thing to try and clean up.

 

[Jamie123]

Jamie, please realize that I did not single you on out a personal basis to bust your chops about the gender terminology.

My two favorite bodies of work I have seen in 2010 have both been by women, Susan Bank and Stella Johnson. But their gender is coincidental. They both shoot exclusively with a M6, not coincidental since both bodies of work were shot in very rural Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Cameroon. Now that certainly does not mean that an ideal "woman's camera" is an M6. It just says that people, regardless of gender, use the tools that work best for them to do the job.

Don't worry, I didn't take it personally. I'm actually quite happy to be called out about this as it shows that there's an awareness for such sort topics 🙂 .

As far as female photographers are concerned I actually don't think that there's much difference between them and male photographers when it comes to the tools they choose. Once they're seriously engaged with photography most people start to base their buying decisions on different aspects(like e.g. lens quality, durability, versatility, etc.) than the average consumer. But if we're talking about the camera at least partially as a fashion accessory it's hard to keep gender roles out of the equation.

 

[Armoured]

Constant struggle with my wife on this question...

Constant struggle with my wife on this question...

She loves photography, uses her iphone all the time, but absolutely abhors carrying anything remotely inconvenient. Canon P&S digital gives good results but she doesn't seem to dig it- I think shutter lag and too similar to an iphone (although the quality of the photos is excellent).

Frankly, I think the only solution is the one we use now: I carry the heavy stuff and she uses it when she wants. Plus maybe the better, newer iphone.

 

[Jamie123]

On a more serious note. If you can, take your girlfriend to a camera store and let her handle a few types of cameras. That will give both of you a good place to start, even if the models are less than ideal.

I actually got the idea of a Pen because we were in a camera store the other day and she noticed an EP-1 and said it looked kinda cool. 🙂

 

[wintoid]

On a more serious note. If you can, take your girlfriend to a camera store and let her handle a few types of cameras. That will give both of you a good place to start, even if the models are less than ideal.

I agree with Finder. If the appearance of the camera is important, this is definitely one time you'd want to go to a store and actually see the things in the flesh before decided IMHO.

 

[gdi]

Does your girlfriend know about the Hipstamatic app? I use it all the time and it makes a great companion to my M2, M4-P and M8.

IMO, every photographer should have a mechanical M, a digital M and an iPhone with Hipstamatic. Except boys who have cooties. Ew. Cooties.

Maggie's right as usual - the Hipsatmatic...

 

[maggieo]

Maggie's right as usual - the Hipsatmatic...

Atom Heart iPhone! 🙂😀😎

 

[Finder]

I actually got the idea of a Pen because we were in a camera store the other day and she noticed an EP-1 and said it looked kinda cool. 🙂

The E-P1 can be a point and shoot--I have one. It can do a lot more, so there is room to grow. The 17mm lens makes it pretty compact. As far as the menus, you really don't need to mess with them so their complexity is a not a large issue. However, if you girlfriend is not afraid of technology and computers, I don't see the menus being an issue at all. I have not found the lack of a flash a limit--the E-P1 is very good up to 1600 ISO. In-body IS helps with that as well.

Cameras are such a personal choice, it is hard to choose one for even the folks you know. But the E-P1 would not be the worst mistake someone could make. Check Costco. They have a really good deal on the Pen with zoom:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11525799

 

[t.s.k.]

No shortage of opinions so I'll give you mine. 🙂

I'm sure you're looking to expose new doors to her abilities. You'll be better to judge whether to go film or digital.

A Rollei 35 or original Oly Pen could be a good match if film is in the picture (pun intended). They're both unique, compact, simple to use, and very cute. Also 72 half-frames on the Pen can go a long way.

On the digital front, I really like the digital Pens with pancake lens. Its relative complexity could detract from actual picture taking tho.

g'luck

 

[barnwulf]

You mean we have girl cameras and boy cameras? Oh my, no wonder I have so many cameras, they are breeding in my closet. I was wondering how I got so many cameras. But seriously, if you can go with her and let her look at some cameras and let her decide. I would not recommend a camera to someone without knowing what they are a drawn to. NO...NO, NOT PINK!!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

My wife likes and uses the Leica Mini. I picked one up new, brought it home and the first thing she announced was "Is that camera for me?" -well, not intended to be but was from that point on-

It usually gets dropped into my camera bag when we go out together and her purse when she is out on her own.

 

[Roger Hicks]

My questions is - If she already has a camera but doesn't bring it along, what makes you think she'll tote the new camera along? Sounds like she's happy with the IPhone. But it also sounds like you're not happy with her IPhone camera. I'd let it be because the more you try to push something on someone the more likely they're to spit it back up on you as they walk out the door. Puke, whether literal or figurative is a messy thing to try and clean up.

That was my immediate reaction too. If she asks for advice on a new camera, because she really wants one, that's one thing. That's how I got into Leicas: my girlfriend bought a II in 1969 (and used it for years afterwards -- dunno about now as I've not seen her since '74 or so). My first wife (together 1976-80) used a Nikkormat. Frances (together since '82) uses several M-mount cameras (all film). But if you're projecting more onto her than she's happy with, how does it bode?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Sustich]

"Leica X1 - it's chic, top notch and expensive. perfect gift."
__________________
Maybe the Leica Dlux-4, or even a Dlux-3 (used or discounted new)? Not as wallet busting as the X1, but even smaller.

 

[Jamie123]

That was my immediate reaction too. If she asks for advice on a new camera, because she really wants one, that's one thing. That's how I got into Leicas: my girlfriend bought a II in 1969 (and used it for years afterwards -- dunno about now as I've not seen her since '74 or so). My first wife (together 1976-80) used a Nikkormat. Frances (together since '82) uses several M-mount cameras (all film). But if you're projecting more onto her than she's happy with, how does it bode?

Cheers,

R.

That's the thing, though, I'm trying not to project my own preferences onto her but at the same time it's hard because she doesn't really know what she wants and that's obviously the biggest problem. One day she tells me she wants to take more pictures but her cell phone is not good enough. Then I do my research and tell her all the different options available to her. She gets excited but soon after she forgets again.

One thing I won't do is buy a camera for her. If I spend loads of money on a camera that will just sit in its box unopened it'll piss me off. I'd rather spend the money on jewelry for her which I know she'll wear.

 

[Jamie123]

Forget the camera, just carry the case as a purse!

Or just get yourself a Hermes.

I would so get that case for her if she had a camera that fits. Also, the Hermès camera be something she wouldn't say no to, although I personally prefer the Hermès MP with the brown leather. I once saw one of these used at a Calumet in London and it looked quite handsome. Not worth the price tag but nice nontheless.

But you're on the right track here with your suggestions 😉 The word 'girl' in the thread title might have been a bit misleading as she's not a 'girly girl'. She's not into Hello Kitty, pink cameras or other things that might appeal to young girls. She's a young woman in her early 20s that's quite comfortable with being adult.

 

[feenej]

Stick with the iphone camera.

 

[antiquark]

One day she tells me she wants to take more pictures but her cell phone is not good enough.

What is the brand of the point-and-shoot she currently has? Does it produce pictures similar to the cell phone? Maybe you could just upgrade to a better P&S.

 

[Jamie123]

What is the brand of the P+S she currently has? Does it produce pictures similar to the cell phone? Maybe you could just upgrade to a better P+S.

She has a Panasonic Lumix FXsomething (probably around 4 years old). Not a bad camera but she never takes it with her. I think that, in order for her to carry it with her, a camera would have to have a bit of a 'coolness' factor.

I think Double Negative's (not so serious) suggestion of a Leica leather case is really not such a bad one. Maybe she'd take her camera with her more often if she had a nice case for it.

 

[antiquark]

She has a Panasonic Lumix FXsomething (probably around 4 years old). Not a bad camera but she never takes it with her. .

Hmmm, I would think that if she was keen on photography, she would be willing to lug anything around to get some shots.

Here's an idea: buy something YOU like, then if she never uses it, you can adopt it. 🙂