A proper camera for dd (13)

[VintagePerfumista]

I want to get her a "proper" camera for her main present.

I realised how clueless I am last week at a school thingy when the woman doing the presentation thrust a "proper" camera at me and said "take some pics"

Y'know, lenses and what not. As I said, I am clueless. So what I'm after is a basic, but decent one.

Thanks! (if there are any on a black friday do-dah all the better)

[ChristmasSeacow]

Do you want an SLR, ie a 'proper' camera where you can change lenses, look through an optical viewfinder, take manual control of the settings? You basically have two choices, a proper SLR where the viewfinder looks through the lens via a mirror and the mirror gets out of the way when you press the shutter, or a compact system camera which apes that, and which has interchangeable lenses, but where you are not truly looking through the lens. I started with an SLR, which I love, then got a compact system to take out and about more easily (they are, as the name suggests, more compact!) but tbh I don't really rate it. Neither fish nor fowl in my opinion - too clunky to manually adapt like my SLR, and the viewfinder annoying as it is not the same view as the end photo. Also I think somewhat more expensive!

If you think she might get j to photography I would herfore recommend an entry level digital SLR camera. There are several manufacturers but the majority of the market is split bwtween canon and Nikon. There is a lot to be said for sticking to one of these as there are more lenses available (both by the majufacturer and third party compatible) and a buoyant second hand market in lenses and other attachments, which is really worthwhile.

I use canon and love love love it but I think Nikon is pretty much equivalent - the pro market is roughly split between the two. If you start with the cheapest entry level SLR it will still be amazing. You can buy just the body but you will need s Jen's - the kit lenses that come with the bodies in a starter pack aren't the greatest but are still a hundred times better than a point-and-shoot camera and a good place to start fur a learner.

I think it all depends on your budget - to get a real SLR you are looking at a few hundred. Worth it ibyiu can afford it and if she has expressed an interest but v expensive if she might not be very interested!

As a starting point if you are not sure you could always look for a second hand camera of the prior model - will still be very decent. Best to buy from a proper second hand dealer though because the sensors are quite sensitive if someone hadn't looked after it - orally youbwant one reconditioned with a. Guarantee.

Hope that helps - I can be more specific if you have a budget in mind!

[ChristmasSeacow]

Sorry about the typos - phone is charging so I am standing up against the kitchen counter and rushing!

[VintagePerfumista]

Brilliant- that's exactly the info I need! You are a

So I want a SLR- Canon or Nikon, and I can get a starter pack with lens already in it?

That sounds perfect, I will go and scour Amazon/John Lewis etc and come back at you for your opinion!

Thanks ever so much! x

[VagueButExcitlng]

I got an inheritance earlier this year and said to DD 14 that she could get herself something special to remember relative by.

She chose a canon 1200d DSLR from curry's. It was £300 including two lenses. I also got her a good bag to keep it safe.

Her dad is getting her a tripod for Christmas and I might get a macro lens.

She loves it. She's doing photography as her skill for d of e and I think is developing a real eye for a good picture. It's amazing how much better the photos are than from a phone or point and press.

It might be more than you planned to spend but it might be worth trying eBay because I have a friend who got one second hand that is just as good. I think any of the canon DSLRs are ok. It's the lenses that make all the difference.

[ChristmasSeacow]

Yes I think so. In my view they are easier to use than the compact systems, more flexible and cheaper! JL is a good place to start, otherwise I have bought quite a lot from here and they have been great:

www.wexphotographic.com/digital-slr-cameras-canon/b3065-m37

Would also recommend a good book to get her started (mine are all out of date but can have a look for the latest equivalent) and also perhaps an issue of a photo magazine. They are really good for giving ideas of projects to try - I had a subscription to Digital Camera and also Practical Photography in the early days - both excellent. They get a bit samey after a year or so but great at the beginning.

I am excited for her - it's a brilliant hobby. Has she expressed an interest?

[ChristmasSeacow]

I agree with the pp that the lenses make the most difference. It is possible to spend A LOT (as I did before kids - still got the lenses though ) but they don't date really so are a great investment once you know the hobby is 'sticking'.

In the canon range the usual kit lens is 18-55mm, which is okayvyo start with, not very long (i.e. Zoom-y) but good for walking around. Prime lenses (fixed focal length) are good for developing discipline and they take the best quality pictures, but it does mean swapping lenses a lot (which I don't do too much when out as dust getting on the sensor is a problem). Also, the zoom lenses can be pretty amazing anyway and for many purposes you wouldn't notice the benefit of the prime. I wouldn't recommend it as a first lens because of busy bug my most used lens is the canon L series (that is their premium glass) 24-105mm. Brilliant for holidays, sightseeing, people shots. That is the one I keep attached to my camera for most purposes, and just swap in a prime lens /long telephoto /macro/ wide angle when I am doing something in particular. Purists may not agree but in practice it works for me. I did use the zoom less and the specialist lenses more before kids though, when i had more time to indulge!

Do you know what she might like to photograph, for instance portraits, street life, landscapes... that will influence where you start with lenses, I think.

[ChristmasSeacow]

Sorry, that should say j would recommend L series first because of cost

I have unplugged my phone now. Typing should improve

[ChristmasSeacow]

Wouldn't recommend!

FFS!

[J3NN1]

We're getting our daughter the Olympus pen 7. I am completely and utterly useless with cameras so took a lot of advice from my brother who's a photographer and also from the guy at Jessops ha. It's small and lighter weight but can still attach all lenses, has a drop down LCD screen so you can see what you are taking pictures or videos of, built in wifi, art filters, some sort of exposure compensation which iirc was important ? Best speaking to someone who will advise what is best for your dd and her needs but this one stood out for us and what our dd needed it for.

[VintagePerfumista]

I am back- busy at school all day yesterday, thanks for further info- I am willing to pay up to about £300 give or take, it's a special present for much the same reasons as Vague - I want her to have it to remember someone by.

I'm not in the UK, although flying in on the 23rd so am really hoping Amazon (uk or it) will cater to my needs!

I will take a look at the Olympus- my camera is an Olympus (bog standard point and shoot, the guy in JL recommended it)

[VintagePerfumista]

Excellent idea too about the magazine! Thank you!

We travel a fair bit, and she enjoys taking quirky scenary photos iyswim? Not the average run of the mill selfie and group shots in front of castles...she seems to have quite an eye for perspective as well (so her art teacher says, I am clueless)

[TotalConfucius]

Might be worth noting that many of the BTEC Art and Design (Photography) courses use the Canon 700d as their course camera, so if she wants to go in this direction a Canon might be a good choice. The lower the number the better the camera (and more expensive). The Canon 1200 might be a good start, I believe Currys has a deal on for the camera body plus 2 lenses at the moment. SLR Hut also does some good deals, with lots of little extras added in. Another bonus of sticking with the one make as well is that the lenses are interchangeable.