Too Young?

Jambo_84

Jambo_84

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Rob
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Hi All, my 8 year old step daughter always takes an interest when I have the camera out, always asking for a go and seems to really enjoy it. She asked the other day if she can have a camera for Xmas so she can come out with me when I go out snapping.

My question is do I try find a cheap used Canon 300/350/400d so she can use my lenses etc or do I buy her a brand new bridge camera or even a compact to see how she goes on?

I think an 8 year old would struggle with the functionality of an SLR so it would probably be on permanent auto to start with but a bridge has manual settings too for later on.

Any advice greatly appreciated or compact/bridge suggestions as I have never really been in the market for one.

If the general opinion is get an SLR I'll post a wanted ad in the relevant section on here.

Many thanks, Rob.
 
I see nothing wrong with a 300d and a kit lens at 8. As long as its not too big for her to handle its the best way to learn. When I showed an interest as a nipper, my dad let me used his SLR without any quibbles.
 
I'd go the SLR route too. It depends on how keen you think she is and whether she will actually use it for a while, or whether she may lose interest after a bit of time. If that is the case, then grab a compact.
 
Or possibly something like a Fuji Finepix S1600

It looks like Dads big camera, it's light for little hands and not too complicated. However having used these little cameras myself in the past they give fantastic results.
I still have an old Finepix 2800Z thats goodnes knows how old and I still use it now and again.

Tesco do them cheap too and you get your reward points :D

SS10207-3855TPS609468.jpg


Image courtsey of Tesco's website

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-3855.aspx
 
I would be inclined to get her a compact. The resulting pictures might not be technically as good as a DSLR but it will still enable her to think about composition and light etc. Some compacts do allow an element of manual control and their convenience means she may use it more too.

And with the best will in the world - and as sensible as my similar age daughters are - I'm not sure my nerves would stand up to them borrowing my lenses....they still have a tendency to accidentally bounce things every now and then.

Of course, the interest may just be so that she can spend more time with you! For under £100 you could get a good, new (which might be important to her), compact and you minimise your risk if after a month she prefers My Little Pony :)

Good luck either way!
 
Jambo_84 said:
I think an 8 year old would struggle with the functionality of an SLR so it would probably be on permanent auto to start with but a bridge has manual settings too for later on.
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I feel her only limit is the information feed to her, if you understand Manuel then start her off on that.

Once she see's the different effects she can create, I doubt she will use auto modes that much.

I have started talking to my 7 yr old Son as to why I use certain settings for different shots, and once in a while ask him questions on what he thinks would be good settings, I think you will be surprised as to how quick she will pick it up :thumbs:
 
Either an old entry DSLR or a Fuji bridge like the S5700. I bought a lens off a guy who is selling a 300D and kit lens for £100, so they can be got for little outlay.
 
I got my Son a 400D and kit lens so I could have it as a backup body and he could use my lenses. I could then upgrade to the 70-200 f2.8 IS and he had my 70-200 F4 (justifiable then to my wife).

He's taking great shots with it now having had it a couple of years. A perfect size for small hands.
 
Children absorb, process and understand information by design.
If there is an interest in the subject then multiply the effect by 100.
If that interest is due to something special she shares with her stepdad then multiply by 1000.

Based on the above an entry level DSLR is the way to go now. The issue you may find yourself dealing with is that in a years time she will make coherent and compelling argument as to why an upgrade to a 5D Mk11 and L glass is necessary so that she can teach you better.
 
Wow just checked the thread again and 10 replies! Thanks all for your suggestions, I'll take some time to read them all properly and let you know which route I've decided to take :)
 
As we all know young children are like sponges, they soak up the knowledge, who knows she might be the next big thing in the photography world
 
I would say a bridg ewith a twisty zoom for these reasons.

Firstly, no lens swapping, so no dust or "dad I did this and the lens fell off"

Secondly a bridge will have a bigger focal range , so she will not feel limited by the size of the lens - the aim of this is to get her involved and enjoying togging, not getting lens lust before she's a teenager.

Thirdly, as mentioned above, it should have manual settings so she can still get creative.

Fourthly, it will probably come with some kind of video mode, which the kids like and could be very useful for school projects etc.

Lastly I would also say size and weight - I would expect a bridge to be smaller and lighter than a DSLR which will make it easier for her to handle. (check this cos I am not 100%). ANd the twisty zoom so she can be like Dad, rather than a motorised one that eats the batteries.

A bridge gives her the option of doing everything a DSLR can (live view another benefit) although generally to a lesser quality.

A used Fuji S9600 should be around £100-£120, and takes AA bats and also SD mem cards.
 
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My other halfs grandaughter has used my 400D since she was six. The first thing she does when she picks it up is put the strap round her neck. At age eight she could set up my studio lights (EX150s), meter the light and set the camera accordingly.

If she ever did break anything I know that it would be a complete accident. I've had a mishap with a camera and that wasn't on purpose either.

Kids absorb information extremely quickly. Nurture it. She is now ten and loves coming over and experimenting with the camera, lights, filters etc. What an ally to have!
 
Mmm . . . my reaction, encourage . . . however, children may have problems with holding a camera still??? so, which ever way you jump, I would consider a camera with 'VR' type facility. Blurred shots may be a bigger problem for an 8 year old with the 'shutter lag' on bridge and compacts? . . . or am I underestimating them with 'slow shutter speeds'?

CJS
 
I'd definitely make sure she uses the strap at all times too as I know my sister would drop it within first 30 minutes!
 
How about an Olympus e-410 and kit 14-42 lens? Small, light, competent. Good jpegs. CHEAP. tough. (£170ish used)
Someone's just price-checking an e-420 on the forum, but its got the heavier not-so-good 17-45 lens.
 
I started at 8 with a canon eos 500n and kit lens, I looved using it and it still works today even through the grip has been worn down to shiny palastic and the base has lost alot of it's silver.

Remeber they can be used as point and shoots as well as full manual beasts.
 
Absolutely encourage her and if she can handle the size get her a dslr, just a quick link to an old thread of mine when my middle one was 5.Linky Still does better portraits than me.:D
 
They are never too young.. My two year old loves nothing more than to pick up my 5D and start snapping away..:lol: Infact it's got to the point where we argue over who is cheesing who!

My only bribe left is to let him take a a couple of portraits of me before I can take some of him!!!!:thinking:
 
Personally, I'd look at a compact that also has manual controls.

Teach her the basics of composition etc first, at 8 she'll love the photos she gets with a compact. As she advances you can teach her the manual controls.

If in a year she has progressed, look at a basic dslr.

With kids, they can change their mind so quickly its crazy :)
 
Jambo_84 said:
Hi All, my 8 year old step daughter always takes an interest when I have the camera out, always asking for a go and seems to really enjoy it. She asked the other day if she can have a camera for Xmas so she can come out with me when I go out snapping.

My question is do I try find a cheap used Canon 300/350/400d so she can use my lenses etc or do I buy her a brand new bridge camera or even a compact to see how she goes on?

I think an 8 year old would struggle with the functionality of an SLR so it would probably be on permanent auto to start with but a bridge has manual settings too for later on.

Any advice greatly appreciated or compact/bridge suggestions as I have never really been in the market for one.

If the general opinion is get an SLR I'll post a wanted ad in the relevant section on here.

Many thanks, Rob.
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go for it, my 8yo neice has a zenit and can use it properly :p

I wanna get her a dslr but funds are an issue, what will likely happen is 6 months after the 5dIII release I'll give her my 5d backup cos I have a new toy :D
 
Just a thought.....

what about the idea of a film camera, like an OM10. You could get a digital compact for instant gratification and use the film one to teach her the ground rules of exposure etc.
 
DemiLion said:
Just a thought.....

what about the idea of a film camera, like an OM10. You could get a digital compact for instant gratification and use the film one to teach her the ground rules of exposure etc.
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What! with today's youth wanting instant gratification and the attention span of about the length of an advert? It'll have to be digital (and for the processing costs).
 
because film is **** for learning the ground rules, you can't look at and improve until you get home dev and print, whereas on digital you can try and change and try again until you understand how things work
 
Also with digital you can afford to let them take risky / arty shots and it doesn't matter if they work or not. They also can see that it hasn't worked and adjust things differently to see the effect of said adjustments. This allows them to quickly learn by their mistakes without sending you bankrupt. By the time the film has been developed they will have forgotten what they did when.
 
*grumbles and shuffles back into own corner sighing at the lack of imagination*

:p :D :D
 
DemiLion said:
*grumbles and shuffles back into own corner sighing at the lack of imagination*

:p :D :D
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Explain that to an 8 year old that wants to take countless photos of beanie babies (at least they sit still, the dog is less obligeing) with various light filters and settings. Imagination = lots of photos, not all being keepers:)
 
Definitely encourage her in whatever way you can.
I showed my first interest in photography when I was about that age and I just wish that my parents had encouraged me. Instead I got the exact opposite and it's taken me til the age of 34 to actually rekindle any enthusiasm for it.

Why don't you discuss the options with her? Tell her the pros and cons of having a second-hand DSLR vs a brand new bridge / compact. Have a look together at what's available within your budget and take her out so that she can hold the different cameras and see what fits well in her hands. Then see what she says. You might be surprised to find that she has a better grasp of what she wants than you may think. She'll also love the fact that you're involving her in the decision and valuing her opinion.
 
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SarahLee said:
Definitely encourage her in whatever way you can.
I showed my first interest in photography when I was about that age and I just wish that my parents had encouraged me. Instead I got the exact opposite and it's taken me til the age of 34 to actually rekindle any enthusiasm for it.

Why don't you discuss the options with her? Tell her the pros and cons of having a second-hand DSLR vs a brand new bridge / compact. Have a look together at what's available within your budget and take her out so that she can hold the different cameras and see what fits well in her hands. Then see what she says. You might be surprised to find that she has a better grasp of what she wants than you may think. She'll also love the fact that you're involving her in the decision and valuing her opinion.
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:thumbs::agree:
 
I'm kind of torn on this one - to be honest my opinion (which probably grates against some) is to get her a good compact and teach her the stuff I feel is most important - i.e. composition/the 'feel' for a photgraph/how to fit to frame etc.

It's kind of like having a child with an artistic bent and buying them a whole set of watercolours + palette before seeing whether they can use a piece of charcoal and a sheet of paper...cart before the horse, especially when you can teach by interchanging her compact with your DSLR.

To me, being 8 and having some form of instant gratification is better in many respects than learning PP.

Whichever way you choose to go, if she is really interested, she's a lucky child for having you to hand!!! :)
 
Agree with Sam. Her second sentence is spot on.

Get a good compact.

Dave
 
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