to give DS a second hand camera for his Birthday?

[bonkers20]

DS will be 12. He wants a camera. I got one second hand. It's a good camera, but it looks pretty battered. It has a metal casing so the damage is purely cosmetic. I just wonder if this is a really rubbish gift?

will he think it's rubbish for being battered?

personally i'd rather have a really good second hand camera than a basic crap new one.

No, explain to him he's getting a better camera than you could have afforded if you got a new one. I think it's nice that you got a second hand one rather than not getting one at all and I'm sure he'll appreciate it

Cameras, particularly decent ones, have a good second-hand market.

I don't think it's rubbish at all - we are just brainwashed into thinking that everything has to be new and shiny. But at 12, he may not understand that.....

I always buy pre-owned or "brown-box" electronics - DSs/radios/cameras/MP3s - you get so much more for your money.

Both my dc have had second hand cameras for birthdays they were both really pleased but they were a bit younger

My DD (11) wanted a digital SLR camera for Christmas (she's shown a keen interest in photography on our camera and wants to eventually become a wildlife photographer) so not an outrageous request.

It was the only thing she asked for

Money was tight so the family all chipped in a bit and we got a decent quality secondhand one from ebay plus a brand name telephoto lens for her - it's excellent and she's made up.

Digital cameras are less likely to wear out as they have less in the way of moving parts so secondhand is absolutely fine.