Good beginners camera up to £150

[eybic]

Hello,

The little'un (nearly 13) has shown an interest in photography and is wanting a camera. I don't want to spend any more than £150 really and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? I was thinking about a bridge camera as I guess she will be able to play with various settings a bit more than a compact?? Can you also get different lenses for bridge cameras? She has said she wants to do photography at school so it doesn't look like its just a passing phase. She's had a go with my EOS and seems to get on with the controls easy enough.

So in short, please suggest a decent digital camera for a 13 year old for less than £150.

Thank you

[flat-planedCrank]

Sort of depends what you're looking for A bridge camera may allow easier access to settings, but it does add bulk over a compact and still doesn't allow other lenses to be fitted.

It is fairly often discussed in here, think one general feeling is that they have combined the disadvantages of compact and DSLR cameras


If you want a DSLR then they aren't much more than your budget (used):

£139 - Canon 1000D - http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...

£49 - 18-55mm lens - http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...

Total: £188

(Personally, I'd go for the newer 18-55 IS for £69, making the total £208)


I'm sure there are Nikon options for similar money too.




Hope this helps

Edited by flat-planedCrank on Thursday 31st October 23:47

[Simpo Two]

eybic said:

I was thinking about a bridge camera as I guess she will be able to play with various settings a bit more than a compact??

Not very easily as most functions are in menus rather than external controls.

eybic said:

Can you also get different lenses for bridge cameras?

No, it is one fixed lens. You can add attachments on the front for more wide angle or macro but I suspect quality suffers.

eybic said:

She has said she wants to do photography at school so it doesn't look like its just a passing phase. She's had a go with my EOS and seems to get on with the controls easy enough.

Then I'd go straight to DSLR. You could probably get one of the earlier models for your budget, eg Nikon D50/D70 or Canon 300D/350D with kit lens. Then you have full controlability and also plenty of room to expand the kit as she advances.

[sherman]

If she is going to be doing photography at school are they going to be processing film in a dark room? If they are it may make sense to get a second hand SLR rather than a DSLR setup and you can then get her a DSLR once she has learnt her craft.

[Simpo Two]

He has a point. Bring on the Zenith!

[sherman]

Its how I learnt. I did GCSE photography at school. We photographed everything in black and white film so that we could do all the processing at the school in the dark room. We did everything from taking the film out of the film cartridge to putting the photos in the 3 baths of developing fluid.