what camera would you give your children for a trip of a few months?

[Rodrigo castillo]

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My two children, ages 14 and 15, will travel from our country, Chile, to a 6-month exchange program in the United Kingdom.  His travel date is the 21st of this month.  Despite my attempts, they have never shown the slightest interest in using a real camera, it works with their phones… however to my surprise they have both asked me to lend them a camera for the trip.  Both have told me that it should be small and easy to use.  These are the cameras that I own that could meet those conditions, remember they must be 2. Leica X2, Leica CL with 18mm, Fuji X10 and Ricoh a12 with a 35mm M lens.  What would be the two that you would choose for your children (do not tell me a different one because I know that there may be better options, but if I do not have it I will not buy another camera ... hahahaha)

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[pop]

I think it's you that should guide your children to a sensible decision.

Actually, I think you could make a case for each of the four cameras. I personally would not give my CL to anyone, it being my main camera (this season). I think the X2 is not suitable as an only camera as it lacks a viewfinder, but this is my personal opinion again.

The main differences between taking photographs with a phone and with a camera seem to be (a) the use of a viewfinder and (b) the controls available or needed to make the image useable. Given that each camera has but one lens, there might be the difference in the field of view offered by each lens.

You could start by lending each child one camera (any camera) right now under the condition that they familiarize them with it during one week. Then they might be able to decide whether it seems to be worth the bother and what they like and dislike about that particular camera. This might enable them to better choose one of your cameras. But then, it might not. In that case, does it matter which one each takes?

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[wda]

Pop makes some good points. In the cumstances, I would not let the CL go. They are young, with no previous  experience of real cameras.

Why do they have to be your cameras, unless you rarely use them?  I would look at lower cost Panasonic Lumix (Or similar) cameras, preferably with a viewfinder. Better still if you could get good working used copies. See what your regular dealer has in stock. 

I have recently been revisiting some of my earliest digital files, and have been impressed with their response to improved processing skills. Amongst them were files from a Lumix FX7 (circa 15 to 20 years old), which my wife once used. Hence my suggestion for an early compact, with a Leica lens. The big advantage is that any accidents or loss would not be so upsetting.

Any pre-departure tutoring would also be hugely beneficial, to ease them into real photography. 

Please update us on your decision.

[pgk]

I would simply make sure that they had a phone with a decent built in camera ......

[Rodrigo castillo]

Thank you so much. The X2 have its viewfinder so that will not be a problem, the CL is not my main camera, but is my camera for trips … with covid 19 no trips for a year and no trips for the rest of this year ….

[earleygallery]

Let them choose a camera each and use it for the next week - see if they actually think they'll use it on their trip. They might find that they actually prefer just using a phone camera.

However, if they do want cameras, I think I'd buy a couple of cheap P&S models that you won't worry about if they damage or lose them.

[ianman]

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I'd get them an Instax with a load of film. I've done this a couple of time, kids love having the print. Of course when they ran out of film I had to switch my phone off due to parents calling to ask if I know how much those bloody films cost.

[250swb]

If they've shown no signs of interest in photography don't force the issue, get them an Olympus 'Tough' TG6 which will stand up to the rigours of their disdain. 

[jdlaing]

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[Stephen.s1]

I'd opt for a quality iPhone. 

[wda]

22 minutes ago, Stephen.s1 said:

I'd opt for a quality iPhone. 

Even for children,  who essentially find it difficult to value any disposable commodity 😁

[NZDavid]

No travel possible for a while of course in your country either but an interesting question. 

I'd say there are two main choices here:

1) Do you want your children to learn about the basics of photography, i.e. exposure control and ISO settings? If so, the X2 is by far the best choice as it is super simple to operate on full auto or aperture or shutter priority. An added optical viewfinder (CV is good) would improve the handling. Results are superb. Having a single focal length encourages careful composition.

2) Fuji X10 has a handy zoom, results will be good, pretty simple to use. More of a computer interface bu then kids will be used to that.

A12 looks a bit of an oddball and Leica CL is too pricey.