Yuck! dSLR recommendation please. :(

[Frank Petronio]

Gee I wouldn't saddle a kid with manual lens on an entry-level DSLR with their tiny mediocre viewfinders. Especially on the Nikon D40-D60 bodies which can't even meter properly with the non-AFS lenses.

IMHO the Nikon D70s is a great camera except that the LCD screen is small compared to newer cameras -- but the AF and metering are great, they take a good sized battery and a real CF card. And you could use the manual lenses. You can find these in near mint condition for $250 or so. It's really amazing how many people dropped $1000 for these cameras and only did a few hundred shots.

Otherwise in Nikon I'd get the D40-D60 w the kit zoom 18-55 AFS VR lens and keep it simple. I just sold a mnt D60 w 3 batteries for $330 (no lens). I see Cameta refurbs on eBay for $350. The kit lens is only $100 more and it is a good lens.

The nicest lens for these cameras is the $200 35/1.8 DX AFS. It's like a 50mm normal on 35mm film cameras and squarely aimed at photo students.

I had an Oly 420 - nice camera for small hands. But the problem with the non-Nikon cameras is that the AF is lacking in all of them, even the Canon. And all the other brands, except for the Canon, sacrifice a little more tonal range -- more highlight clipping, etc. which I can really see in practice.

Of course the ultimate solution is to pick up a user Nikon FM-FE and let them get scans on CD at the drug store ;-)

 

[FrankS]

Thank you all for your suggestions and opinions. Keep them coming.

 

[back alley]

i'm with frank, no old manual lenses, don't embarras your kid.

 

[FrankS]

There's a Nikon D70s with 28-80 (equiv) lens for $250 on Craiglist.....

 

[easyrider]

I've got a D70s with a Sigma 18 to 125 and also a Nikon 50mm 1.8. It has more than 30,000 actuations since I got it in February '06. Never had a problem with it (hope I am not jinxing it by saying that!). As previous posts point out, the LCD screen is small compared to newer models but hey, this is a film forum so no one should be bothered by that. Good training for the student too.

You can't go wrong with a D70s. Many pros used them as backups. Ordinary folk usually leave them at home and take their point and shoots.

Good luck!

 

[FrankS]

New-b question: How can you tell how many actuations are on a used camera, and how many are too much?

 

[andredossantos]

Gee I wouldn't saddle a kid with manual lens on an entry-level DSLR with their tiny mediocre viewfinders. Especially on the Nikon D40-D60 bodies which can't even meter properly with the non-AFS lenses.

I strongly agree with this. I have perfect vision and I all but gave up using manual focus when I had my d40x. It's possible, but maddening and you are forced to chimp, bigtime. The worst thing would be for Your daughter to get annoyed and be turned off to photography.

I think a d40x is a good choice. I liked mine and it was super user friendly for times I handed it over to people who were less experienced.

 

[kdemas]

Do realize that Nikon will not service a non-US model in the US. Even if you will pay.

That said the D70 is a terrific camera (less the screen). The D40 is a terrific beginner camera as well.

 

[FrankS]

How about the D100?

 

[venchka]

FrankS,

I didn't read everything. If already covered, I apologize. 4 mins. late.

RE: Nikon service. It's my understanding that Nikon won't even accept non-USA imports for service. You can't pay them. They won't touch them. I don't know if Canada is the same. Call Nikon Canada (?) and ask.

Good luck.

 

[peterm1]

I am a Nikon user in the DSLR departmeent but one attribute of the Nikons I do not like is that most only meter with MF lenses with the more top end cameras. If there is a wish to use MF lenses maybe a Pentax is good optio - and generally cheaper than Nikon. And they have wide lens compatibility including wiht old M422 screw mount lenses etc.

 

[photobizzz]

I would recommend a Pentax K10D, I have shot pentax DSLR's (K10 & K20) and as yucky DSLRs go they allow the most versatility with older lenses, something you have to buy a Nikon D200 or better to use with Nikon. Built in image stabilization means that old Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar (58/2 Sonnar) is image stabilized. Not bad for $200-300. I bought a refurbished one which was basically a new one from bestbuy.com for my wife for $400.

 

[Wiyum]

I'm in agreement with those saying that old, manual focus lenses are not suitable for a budding photographer using an entry-level DSLR. They aren't suitable for those cameras for any user, really; but for a new photographer, certainly not.

I've played with Canon Rebels. I've owned a Nikon D70. I loved my Canon 20D, and I'd never trade my D700 for anything. In the midst of it all, though, I also loved my Pentax K20D. That, or the K10D, or the newish K-m would be my recommendation. Pair one of these with some of the Limited lenses, and you have a great kit for a learning photographer. The 40mm makes a great normalish lens, but a touch long. The 21mm was my favorite, and makes a great everyday lens. The 15mm is apparently wonderful, and the 70mm is a strong performer. If you want your child to have the discipline of shooting with primes, this is the way I'd suggest you go. Regardless of the value of other brands, Pentax alone has developed a set of digital primes in a range of useful focal lengths. It is a great system, ideal for students, as the K1000 was before it.

 

[photogdave]

FrankS,

I didn't read everything. If already covered, I apologize. 4 mins. late.

RE: Nikon service. It's my understanding that Nikon won't even accept non-USA imports for service. You can't pay them. They won't touch them. I don't know if Canada is the same. Call Nikon Canada (?) and ask.

Good luck.

Nikon Canada are total jerks! I gave a D70 to a friend of mine and it had an intermittent shutter problem. He took it to Nikon in Vancouver and they said it was "beyond economical repair" and tried to lure him into upgrading to a refurbished D90. He didn't want the D90 and asked them how much the repair would cost. At first they refused to answer but then finally relented and told him it needed new shutter, new sensor and new processor and the bill would be $700.
I told him to take it to Camtex (local repair shop) and they fixed it for $200.

 

[BillBingham2]

While there is something to be said for not embarrassing the youngins it's a double edged sword that's been around for years. How much automation is enough but not too much. The K1000 sold tons to students because they had manual controls. Give them automation and you might as well give them a P&S.

On that note, what about a GRD I from Ricoh and a finder. Very easy to use manual controls, at least IMHO.

B2 (;->