Tiny SLR for a kid?

V

varjag

Guest
I'm now looking to get an SLR for my son, who soon turns 6, and would like to appeal to collective wisdom of RFF for exploring the options. The priorities are:

  • light-weight
  • AE, preferably program mode
  • compact size
  • manual focus
  • manual film advance
  • takes normal 35mm film
  • doesn't fall apart too easily
  • not too expensive

Lens mount, manufacturer, glass quality, finish, colour (as long as it ain't pink) are not that important. Looking so far at Nikon FG which weights in at about 380 grams.. are there any other contenders?
 
coelacanth said:
How about OM-2? Only thing missing is P mode.
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I shudder to think what I would have done to an OM-2 at the age of six. When I was that age, I used to take a hammer to my Matchbox cars, or leave them out in the street and watch cars run them over.
 
I would suggest a Nikon FG. Full program mode, and over-rides. Small as an EM. Make sure you get one with good electronics, same is true of an OM-2, Canon AE-1, and most of the small, manual focus cameras.

I used a Brownie at 6. Nikki used an M3 when she was 6, but I set the exposure.
 
+1 on the Program-A, it's very small, rugged, and has program mode.

I am about to put my Pentax Program-A up for sale, but you're pretty far away, unfortunately (postage may be too much for what it's worth :) ). The lens that I have on mine is a Takumar 50mm f1.4 SMC, so program mode is not available, but it does do Aperture Priority AE.

--Warren
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far folks, checking them out!

rxmd said:
Might be a bit early for an SLR, hm?
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I dunno, here's he aged 4 with SL and 180 Elmarit:

temka129.jpg


He liked the combo, but it was a tad too heavy.. and of course I had to set the exposure myself. He's now learning to use my M4, but it's too heavy camera and again, no AE. Still considering a CL though, but those are on the pricey side.
 
Personally I'd start him with a digital camera (the simple operation and instant replay on the rear LCD is a big plus), and start him on film once he's learned the basics of light and composition.

(edit - if he's already used to film cameras then how about a Pentax ME Super?)
 
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I agree with Ruby. A Nikon D40 would fit the bill... Or a Nikon D70. He'd be thrilled with his photographs and will probably learn later that, for film, he needs to wait.
 
Nikon EM?

Manual focus and aperture priority, but not beyond a smart 6-year-old.

And an add-on winder with six AAA cells: a real 'system'.

Cheers,

R.
 
OK, why I think SLR is better at this point: it is harder to forget to focus or obstruct the lens when taking a photo. Why I want him shoot film: surprise factor of delayed gratification (also he's not really liking the Powershot we have in the house).
 
Thanks for suggestions people, tons of tabs to camera descriptions open in the browser already!

Roger, I actually hesitate to give him a motordrive, it'd be *whoosh* and my stash of film is gone! :)
 
I've given my Olympus Stylus Epic for my 4 year-old to use. It's a good fit with no real controls, so she can focus on composition :D
 
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