Camera help

[BastardtheCat]

DD wants a SLR camera with removable lenses for her birthday. She's also taken GCSE photography so I'd quite like her to have a camera that will suit the course as well.

Can anyone recommend a camera
To me? I'm looking for a second hand one preferably

Bump!

Have you asked for advice from her photography tutor? A more basic camera can be a benefit when starting out.

Film or digital?

If digital, traditional DSLR or the newer mirrorless type? Traditional DSLRs tend to be big and heavy (not necessarily a disadvantage) while mirrorless are lighter and usually have more technology built in.

Budget?

My daughter has just done A level photography - she had a Nikon D3500 which had all the relevant features she needed, without needing a degree to understand it! She also didn't need to use a lens other than the one that came with it, even for A level.

It's more about learning to compose a picture, use different features depending on light, subject (e.g. landscape vs wildlife or action) etc. Plus actually quite a lot of time editing images on her laptop using a basic editing suite which the school recommended.

Any modern digital camera will do what she needs. What is more important is how it works for her hands. I simply can't use canon cameras because I have small hands and can't reach all the buttons! Take her along to a camera shop and get her to try a few. I shoot Fuji cameras which are smaller and easier for me. If want any more advice message me, happy to help and a long time photographer.

My DD enjoys wildlife photography. She swears by the Panasonic Lumix G range. The G80 is probably the best mid-range model. It's a mirrorless camera with a smaller sensor than most other brands, which means that "long lenses" for long-distance zoom are smaller and lighter. It also has dual control dials so that she can change aperture and shutter-speed very quickly. Those might not be at all relevant to you if your DD (or the school course) is more interested in fine art photography.

It does have a LOT of buttons, levers, and menus. She likes that, and uses most of them, but it might be a bit off-putting.

The G90 is a notch up from the G80, and the G9 is the top of that range at the moment.

Could give more advice with a budget in mind!

I have a canon DSLR. I haven't jumped to mirrorless just yet as I'm not sure the technology has settled and the mirrorless cameras need an adapter for the lenses.

What id do is Pick a budget and have a look at the various cameras in the range.

Thanks everyone. Budget is about £200 max. Am a bit skint so 2nd hand is preferable 🙈

Would this be any good?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374214648960?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=s5Ts5CgLTD-&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=RwqfaapJSgu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Or this....?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175287710025?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=pBUHn3N7QWK&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=RwqfaapJSgu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Sorry - this is for the attention of you all @dribblewibble @PhotoDad @AuntieN @PicpoulDeMeNay @Piraeus @

They would be good cameras, but buying second hand from the internet can be a bit risky! If you are near a branch of a good second hand camera shop, the best thing would be to visit and see what they have. They are likely to be able to sort out any problems.

For instance, if you are anywhere near a branch of LCE, I've had good experiences with them:
www.lcegroup.co.uk/Branch-Finder/

If you have a Wex or camera shop locally it’s worth going in to talk to someone in person, then buy online via somewhere like mpb.com which is good for second hand. Don’t get anything too basic to begin with. I did that and outgrew the camera very quickly which then meant I had to fork out on another camera to achieve what I wanted to achieve.

I would recommend Wex or MPB for approved / serviced second hand cameras.

I bought my own camera from Wex, and I’ve been recommended to use MPB by a photographer friend of mine to sell my daughters camera now she’s finished her A level (result tomorrow!) as we don’t both need a camera and she can borrow mine if needed.

I agree with Photodad.

Of the two links you posted, I would go with the Nikon because it’s a business seller who gives a warranty, albeit short, and needs to keep customers happy.

Visiting a camera shop will give your daughter a chance to handle the cameras. They all have a different feel.

It might also be better to wait until she has started the course and had a chance to use the cameras the school provides, otherwise she won’t know what features are important to her. For example, I don’t like electronic viewfinders. I wouldn’t have known that if a friend hadn’t lent me his mirrorless SLR.

If the school cameras are a particular make, they may have lenses that she could borrow if she has the same make camera.

Thanks everyone
There's a second hand store in my local
City that comes with positive reviews. I'll visit in the morning 👍🙌

Nikon or Canon. I think they are very reliable and good DSLR cameras. I had a D3 Nikon years ago But was useless with the controls so sold it. Look on eBay somewhere local so you can check the camera in person before buying. Maybe marketplace? Look at the reviews in your price range. Around £150 should get a reasonable starter camera.