Help with daughters first camera

Spud_Gunn

Spud_Gunn

Spud_Gunn

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My eldest daughter is about to start her Duke of Edinburgh award, and wants to do photography as her skill, so I’m Looking to buy a first camera for her. Obviously a DSLR will be needed here. "Confused" does not do justice to how my research is going. My choices at the moment are a Canon PowerShot S5 IS, or maybe one of the Fuji bridge cameras? Do the bridge cameras allow the use of filters or shooting in Raw mode both of these features I think are a must. Please advise as for once it would be nice to get it right first time.
 
Bit confused as you say a DSLR will be needed here and then ask about bridge cameras. If she is totaly new to photography your best bet maybe to buy a bridge camera like the Fuji 6500fd to see if she actually enjoys it as this will limit your financial comitment while allowing her to experiment with filters and raw shooting etc. If she is 100% sure that photography is for her then you may want to jump straight into the dslr market with an entry level nikon or cannon like the d40x or 400d but be prepared for an expensive time of it as once your hooked it's difficult to stop spending!
 
I'd agree, if she's serious about getting into it, send her off with something like a 400D + Kit, a few GB of memory cards, couple of spare batteries and a little case. That'll keep her busy!
 
The S6500fd is excellent (I have one) and it does shoot in RAW mode and allows the use of 58mm filters.

However, an entry level DSLR might be better as it sounds like she seriously wants to get into photography. Canon 350d/400d is a good place to start, or Nikon D40/D40x (I saw a good deal on one of those that included the kit lens and a 50-200mm lens for just under £500). Also, the new Olympus and Pentax DSLR's shouldn't be overlooked.
 
I think it will end up being based on how much you want to spend. I would heartily recommend a second hand Canon 350D or Nikon D70 with kit lens. Its the best way to learn photography without limiting you too much, and neither of these should cost a lot more than a decent bridge/P&S.
 
Personally, I think an entry level DSLR. Nikon D40 would do the job. I have a Fuji bridge camera, although have outgrown it very quickly. I payed about £120 for it and within 6 months is only worth £70 second hand. Now the DSLR's hold their value much longer. I have seen second hand D40's going for £20-£30 less than full price so if it turned out it was a waste, then you will get most of your money back. May not always be the case, but has been for some time, so I would deem it a more worthy investment long term.
 
I think a bridge camera would do the job. I have a fuji S5600 and I think a 6500fd or 9600 would be better for her than a DSLR. 10x zoom on them will make it easier to get a bigger variety of shots without spending loads on lenses for the DSLR. Depends if you are happy spending £500+ though.
 
Nikon D50 with something like a 18-135 or 18-70 lens. D40's are too limited for primes as there is no in body autofocus motor.

Cost will probably be about £300 - £350.

Bridge cameras are fine for snapshots, but for learning and metering exposure etc.. a DSLR is the only way to go.
 
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As you've been looking at bridge cameras, you're probably think about bridge camera prices. So a brand new DLSR may be a bit much money for now...

As Andrew says, consider a second hand Nikon D50. I love mine and don't really find it limiting.
 
Also.... ask the teacher. Find out from the school whether the module will actually teach anything to do with DSLR's... could be that its entirely focussed on film cameras or some such.
 
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