Digital photography for kids?

[philipotto]

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I would recommend an Epson R-D1.

You could start him off with one of your less used lenses. (You may also use it as an excuse to buy yourself a new lens)

 

Small, compact, manual focus, rangefinder lenses. I think that it would be ideal for leaning.

 

It's currently my main camera.

 

 

In leu of the R-D1, I would recommend a Digilux 2.

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[sean_reid]

Well, my daughter would second that idea Phillip but it probably is working better as her third camera. But if he's ready for it....

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[fotografr]

For my 8 year old grandson, who's asked Santa for a camera, I've just bought a Canon PSA 560IS - its got image stabilisation and an optical viewfinder as well as the screen, and it runs on AA rechargeable batteries. Cost new with the cashback offer was £90. 7.1mp. Amazing! We'll see how he gets on.

 

 

Well, that wasn't very smart. Now if Santa brings him a camera, like he asked, he will have to decide between yours and Santa's. Very awkward spot for a kid.

[ibogost]

Well, my daughter would second that idea Phillip but it probably is working better as her third camera. But if he's ready for it....

 

I'm going to shoot for something in the Canon G2 range for starters. I don't think I could even find an RD-1, although I bet I'd end up borrowing it too much anyway.

[sean_reid]

The G2 itself is certainly worthwhile. Those farm pictures of Cheyenne's (earlier in the post) were all made with the G2. I can't think of a more competent digital camera for under $200.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[graeme_clarke]

Ah, I was wondering about the 560IS. Does it have the same manual setting abilities as the Powershot G? Even if he doesn't use them all at the start, I'd like to leave that opportunity open.

 

Ben,

 

I've just looked at the Canon 560IS, brand new in its box, and there's certainly an M setting on the control wheel. Because its a Christmas present, I don't want to open everything up and install batteries to look at the menu settings which is where I guess the aperture and shutter speed controls are. Like many children, my grandson is fascinated to see straightaway the picture he takes when he uses his grandmother's point and shoot (my DMR is too big and heavy for his hand), and he avidly watches the printer as his print emerges. (Is this the new version of the vivid memory I have of the first b/w print I ever made - seeing the image develop was shere magic to a 10 year old then). Maybe my grandson will become intrigued by technique and control. Who knows? Its a "wait and see" situation. I agree though that having the facility to control settings offers potential for developing finesse and the satisfaction that follows.

 

I do hope your son gets as much pleasure from starting to take pictures that photography has given me.

 

With best wishes

 

Graeme

[DaveB]

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My three kids, 14, 10 and 8 years, have been using my and my wife's Canon Powershots for about 5 years now. We have a G1, G3, G5 and Pro1 rattling around the house somewhere. The G1 has been dedicated to IR. All these cameras are a steal on eBay. My G3 was $700 new from the dealer. Used they can be had for peanuts. They are all outstanding cameras and they do the things "real" cameras can do.

 

They've heard my lectures on ISO, depth of field and reciprocity and their eyes glaze over. They aren't interested in the geek stuff, but taking pictures of each other, scenery when traveling, etc. is great fun for them. Most of all, it gets them to think about "seeing" things. When a child says, "Give me the camera" it's because he or she is thinking or seeing things photographically. That's probably half the battle and more important than the technical stuff.

 

I hope I'm smart enough to shut up and let them have fun and shoot. I encourage them to get their photos off the camera and, at least occassionally, printed out.

 

Something else that's fun to do is to show them different kinds of photography. Just last night we were looking at the Newsweek article which talked about current shows at the National Gallery of Art and the Metropolitan in NYC. Cool pictures at the link.

 

Is Photography Dead? | Newsweek Culture | Newsweek.com

 

My 8 y.o thinks Cindy Sherman is "cool."

 

I'll wait a while before I introduce them to Diane Arbus...

[philipotto]

If you are looking for a camera in the G2 range I would suggest the Digilux 1. As james said, I have one for sale.

 

I bought my first camera when I was 14, a canon S230. It was the smallest digital camera with 3.2 megapixels. A fact I couldn't resist telling strangers. I gave the S230 to my grandfather, its his first digital camera.

 

My second camera was a Digilux 1, that I purchased when I was 16. That is how I found the forum. My biggest issue with the S230 was the significant shutter lag. The Canon 300D was suggested, but I wasn't enamored, it was more than I had to spend as well. I learned of the Digilux 1, and and fell for its good looks. Its lack of shutter speed lag, one of the quickest non-slr cameras as the time, and 4fps looked very attractive. I purchased a mint, in box, blank warranty cards, original owner model of Ebay.

 

I later sold my Digilux 1 to purchase a Panasonic LC1 that I fell for after handling my friends and seeing all the wonderful Digilux 2 pictures on this site.

 

Down the road I also acquired a Digilux 2 which I had alongside my LC1. Last December I had my LC1 and Digilux 2 stolen along with two other cameras that were on loan from friends. Without any cameras, I purchased an M6 and 35mm Summicron. I also found another Digilux 1 which I bought locally.

 

A few months back I bought an R-D1 from a friend, a Digilux 2 from a forum member, and I still have my M6, which is why I am selling my D1.

 

Digilux 1 samples from my work are here:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/search.php?searchid=378845

[TEBnewyork]

I haven't used a G2 but in terms of manual controls here is a Canon A570 (not sure of the difference to A560) that was recently reviewed.

 

Canon PowerShot A570 IS Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

 

I did a side by side compare there is an M on the 560 and is called Camera M but even on Canon's site it does not list either aperture or shutter priority. The 570 has both aperture and shutter as well as full manual for sure. In addition it has image stabilization. It is $155 at B&H

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