M camera alternatives for a 13 year old

[lct]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I lent my R-D1 + 7art 35/2 to a relative but he doesn't want to render them now. Glad i kept my M8.2... 

[Guest]

13 years is not too young to ask what she would like to use. Because if she won’t use it, you can‘t blame a 13 years old for your buying decision. And your wife may not use the camera of YOUR choice either. 

The difficulty might be for a senior to accept that she‘d opt for an iPhone  

[Jean-Michel]

Forget 13 year old, how about 19 months old ?

See: https://mymodernmet.com/stanley-jones-19-month-old-pov/

[Ko.Fe.]

I have seen many threads with kids as excuse to pickup some expensive toy....

The only way I was able to learn exposure was with Canon Rebel. It has very easy to manually control of aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

I spend first year and 50K images in M mode to learn exposure.

Our first daughter beat me on it. She took way better images as paid photographer with Canon 5D MKII and flash. In M mode (a.k.a. full Manual). Just by keep on trying and finding her way.

The only help I provided was very big book with Winograd's photos, Jane Bown portraits book and Josef Karsh portrait book. With HCB "Inner Silence" as add-on. After she looked at it, she became really good.   

Edited June 27, 2020 by Ko.Fe.

[david strachan]

Yes.  There is nothing in the original question regarding what the daughter wishes for.  It's about Mr Stump wanting to ..

"..Would like to teach my daughter photography and I .."

I know my daughter is an expert with her phone camera, so certainly wouldn't impose my photographic wishes on her.

...

Edited June 27, 2020 by david strachan

[250swb]

Get her an Olympus Pen F, it even looks like a rangefinder camera, and unlike a Fuji X100 it's possible for her Xmas present to be another lens (I mean a proper lens, not a screw on accessory). 

Start her off fully Auto then explain the advantages of some manual control. Olympus files are always top quality and the camera has some sophisticated functions for more advanced photography.

 

[lct]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

First and only time i gave my daughter a camera she used it one or two times by courtesy only. She doesn't mind my using those curious things but she takes good photos with her smartphone really. Same for my wife who discovered photography thanks to her smartphone actually. She really likes composing with it but struggling with apertures, shutter speeds and the like, what for? Now feel free to play with your toys she says .

[tedd]

I've not read through the whole thread so apologies if I'm parroting someone else, but what about an Oly Pen? With the way Olympus (and m43) is going in general lately I bet you could get one cheap and it'd be a great little camera. Otherwise an old Canon DSLR and 50mm 1.8 could be good and affordable. I honestly don't think Leica makes sense for anyone unless they deliberately go down that rabbit hole themselves..

[pippy]

17 hours ago, tri said:

13 years is not too young to ask what she would like to use...

This is a good place to start. It really does depend on how serious she is about learning Photography. Having an Auto option is handy if she only wants a sort-of Point-and-Shoot image-maker but I really do believe, 100%, that learning how to take photographs using a fully-manual camera is the best way to go for anyone who is going to take photography up seriously.

FWIW my own daughter started to take her Saturday-morning Photography Classes when she was 13 (she's now almost 16) and loved using a fully-manual film camera so much she asked if she could have one for her Xmas present that year so I hunted a few down on the 'bay (none cost more than £100 including lens!) and gave her a choice of the ones I bought. She chose a chrome Nikkormat FT2 with 50mm f1.8 Nikkor. She absolutely loves it and doesn't want anything else. I still had a few old Nikons and Nikkors from my film days so she can play with those as well but is happiest with her FT2 and 50.

Then the son (also 13-y-o!) of a friend started to take the same classes with the same result so I gave him one of the 'spare' body / lens sets.

Just for fits'n'giggles here are five of the Nikkormats I snagged along with my long-time favourite ('Since 1977') Nikon F;

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Philip.

Edited June 27, 2020 by pippy

[Frase]

Leica M is a boring old mans camera😃

As already said is this not just an excuse for you to buy another camera? Let her decide if she is really interested, if you have that amount of cash to spend I would say you would be better buying something like a 6d with 40mm lens much more robust and better fun.

good luck.

[250swb]

5 hours ago, Frase said:

Leica M is a boring old mans camera😃

As already said is this not just an excuse for you to buy another camera? Let her decide if she is really interested, if you have that amount of cash to spend I would say you would be better buying something like a 6d with 40mm lens much more robust and better fun.

good luck.

It's a good point but I think you have to respond to the OP with the general assumption she has genuinely shown an interest and not that he wants to indoctrinate her into a manufactured father/daughter relationship. Parents do all sorts of things to get children onside, maybe if the desire to learn photography isn't real simply pointing her to Instagram would at least light a flame?

[pippy]

8 hours ago, Frase said:

Leica M is a boring old mans camera...

Do you mean a Leica M is a boring camera for an old man; a boring old camera for a man; or a camera for a boring old man?

The 6d is a child's toy. The daughter is 13. Don't partonise her as if she was a mere child.

Philip.

Edited June 27, 2020 by pippy

[earleygallery]

The answer depends on just how interested the girl is in learning photograpy as opposed to making photos.

If she wants to learn the technical aspects of photoraphy then a DSLR would probably be the best choice as an all rounder. OTOH if she wants to make and share images, and doesn't already have a nice smartphone, a new iphone and a few photo apps could be the best solution.

 

[stump4545]

Ok decided on getting the Fuji x100f for my daughter.

Any good source to change leather skin on this camera?

thought it would be a nice touch.

 

thanks again

[stump4545]

I found www.aki-asahi.com for leather skins.  Anyone use them before?

 

[ECohen]

12 minutes ago, stump4545 said:

Ok decided on getting the Fuji x100f for my daughter.

Any good source to change leather skin on this camera?

thought it would be a nice touch.

 

thanks again

"change leather skin on this camera"

Now that is a GREAT idea for a 13 year old ...... She will simply love it !~

Best of luck ...show us pictures when she begins taking them 😉

[stump4545]

Any good reliable place to get a leather skin for the Fuji x100F?

Was thinking of getting a bright red leather 😀

[rpsawin]

If possible, take your daughter to a camera store and let her handle a few models. See if a type or model of camera is comfortable for her and "speaks" to her. 

Edited June 28, 2020 by rpsawin

[pippy]

4 hours ago, stump4545 said:

I found www.aki-asahi.com for leather skins.  Anyone use them before?

 

Yes.

Recovered my M9M with one of their offerings a few months ago. Perfect fit. Easy to use. Well packaged. Highly recommended.

Philip.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Michael Hiles]

2 hours ago, pippy said:

Recovered my M9M with one of their offerings a few months ago. Perfect fit. Easy to use. Well packaged. Highly recommended.

My M2 has a new skin from them. Absolutely perfect, like new.