This is a great way to cause a fight... treating a girlfriend like your kid is not a good idea.
tstermitz
Well-known
I would start with the functionality important to her, and work back to camera.
iPhones or point-and-shots are reasonably good and so easy to use for most people, that you have to make the case to upgrade to a fancier camera: Eyesight, High IQ, High-ISO, DOF, Macro, Prints. Do any of those those factor into any of her intended uses?
If I think about the functionality -> utility equation:
For my daughter: Camping, Hiking, Travel to foreign locales with exotic markets, street scenes or coffee shops, people and friends. The x100s would give her great lighting (bright or dark) and DOF capability. She'd need to learn how to get in closer, use the flash during the day, and ND filters to maximize DoF. She'd lose telephoto capability, but she could use her iPhone or the Canon s100 she already has.
For my girlfriend: She's artistic, could work well with DoF, and knows photography (as art; she's not interested in the technology or fussing with settings), but she really loves composing on the small details and macro shots. I'd probably buy her a macro lens to use with my DSLR. The x100s wouldn't be a great choice for her. For friends and people she's happy with the Canon s100 point-and-shoot with zoom lens.
iPhones or point-and-shots are reasonably good and so easy to use for most people, that you have to make the case to upgrade to a fancier camera: Eyesight, High IQ, High-ISO, DOF, Macro, Prints. Do any of those those factor into any of her intended uses?
If I think about the functionality -> utility equation:
For my daughter: Camping, Hiking, Travel to foreign locales with exotic markets, street scenes or coffee shops, people and friends. The x100s would give her great lighting (bright or dark) and DOF capability. She'd need to learn how to get in closer, use the flash during the day, and ND filters to maximize DoF. She'd lose telephoto capability, but she could use her iPhone or the Canon s100 she already has.
For my girlfriend: She's artistic, could work well with DoF, and knows photography (as art; she's not interested in the technology or fussing with settings), but she really loves composing on the small details and macro shots. I'd probably buy her a macro lens to use with my DSLR. The x100s wouldn't be a great choice for her. For friends and people she's happy with the Canon s100 point-and-shoot with zoom lens.