Camera for a 12 year old. Which one?

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What camera would you recommend for a 12 year old boy who has expressed interest in photography. Part of me thinks a second hand DSLR, but I'm concerned that at the age of 12 boys are still likely to break expensive bits of kit.

Thoughts?
 
How about one of the waterproof, drop proof, dust proof compacts. It would be able to survive the tough life of being owned by a 12 year old and still have a good use if he gets hooked and gets something better a little further on.
 
If your going 2nd hand DSLR maybe look at a Nikon D40 with a 18-55 on it, if he wants a bit more zoom add a 55-200 on it for him. The D40 with a 18-55 is going for around 200 - 250 depending if you can grab a bargain.
 
I would suggest a second hand 400D with a stock lens. Its a quite robust bit of kit and a good tool for him to learn on. Just tell him he'll be grounded for life if he breaks it LOL.

Ian
 
i'd go with a second hand DSLR for him - he might break it, or he might surprise you! When I was 12 i was so in awe of being allowed to touch a camera other than a nasty compact 35mm I took great care when handling it!!

Given that you yourself have a Canon, getting him a canon might be the best idea. That way, when you trust him with more expensive kit he can borrow your lenses instead of buying new ones.
 
Personally, i'd get him a decent bridge like a Fuji S5800 or something. It'll give him plenty of scope for learning and if he does get into it more a DSLR would be a good upgrade to save for.
I wouldn't shell out on an SLR from the off, teenage boys soon get bored and it could be a waste of money if he sacks it off and finds something else to do.
 
what about a Sony a100/a200 which can be had for around £200 leaving some cash to get extra lens and accessories, also because its a Sony kids are more likely to think its expensive and don't want to break it!
 
Canonite said:
Personally, i'd get him a decent bridge like a Fuji S5800 or something. It'll give him plenty of scope for learning and if he does get into it more a DSLR would be a good upgrade to save for.
I wouldn't shell out on an SLR from the off, teenage boys soon get bored and it could be a waste of money if he sacks it off and finds something else to do.
Click to expand...

I agree:thumbs:..Interchangeable lenses and 12 year olds don't mix. Trust me:bang:
 
I think I had worked up to a second-hand Nikkormat outfit by the time I was 12 (or 13), I was certainly developing and printing my own B&W films.

These days? It's all pretty good kit isn't it? To start them off I'd buy a cheapish dSLR that works and see how they get on with it. Don't think it should matter which variant you get.
 
Well, my 12 year old has a 400D with a kit lens and my old 70-200 F4, plus borrows my other lenses under supervision. I don't have any issues with him having this kit and often he produces very good photos.

400D's are around £200 now and the kit lenses are cheap and easily replaceable (which is what I told James when he was poking it in the face of lions, tigers etc)

Edit: Just checked back and he won the round of the WHF comp with that setup.
 
the panasonic dmc fz38 is an excelent first camera and should cost about £250 ish. the lens is 18x zoom (probaly about 500mm) and is a a liaca. weel worth a look at

Cheers Steve
 
I had a second hand (off my dad when he upgraded actually - if you want an excuse) 35mm SLR from about that age and didn't break it.

I learned a lot too as it was manual everything :)
 
I had a Cosina CT7 well before I was 12.

CT7com1.jpg


It cost £75 a sum so VAST I could barely comprehend that so much money existed in the world! I saved up some of it and I really new the value of the camera, however my parents made sure I was not TOO precious over it and it did get taken to school and through the bushes etc with me.

I was also perfectly capable of changing lenses without it getting filled with mud!
 
Pentax W90, teenager proog.
 
If you go the DSLR route, a second hand pentax k10d will be cheap. It's the first of the Pentax SLRs that had a weather sealed body and still porduces very nice pics. Pick up the weather sealed kit lens from SRS in Watford for 65 quid and then you'll have a tough, water resistant system that'll be more than enough for him to grow into. He can also look at adding some of the cheaper second hand lenses himself as he learns more about photography.
 
The camera you get will be taken to schools and events , where as a general rule dslr are not liked , I would recommend a good bridge camera Nikon , Canon or panasonic.

a friend of mine asked me what camera was suitalbe for is daughter , she wanted the G1 , but she saw the fz38 , and liked it.

Cheers Steve
 
Bridge camera - it will allow macro , wide angle and telephoto all with a single lens and a lot have HD video also - all helps keep an interest going he wont be wanting new glass all the time.
 
Buy him a film SLR. Cheap and robust and good habits are best taught early ;)
 
Of course you forget that by buying a 400D etc you've a built in excuse to the missus upgrade path for new lenses etc.
"It's a bargain darling because youngster gets..."
 
why not set a budget and take them to a shop you trust and that will give you impartial advice
, and let them handle the cameras and make there own decission.

just stick to your budget (they may like the top end canon ,nikon , other)

Cheers Steve
 
If he seems keen I would go the dslr route. My 6 yr old had a field day with my D70s on holiday after constantly nagging me for a go. He didn't seem put-off by the weight and I wasn't too concerned by him carrying it. He actually loved using it !! Set it on auto and away he went. Took some canny shots too ! :lol:

I reckon a s/h D40 may be the way to go. Wish I had me as a dad when I was 6 ?? :lol: :lol:
 
I got my first D-SLR when I was about 14 and BOY did I take care of it! It might not be the most favourable option for him but tell him he could have a compact, or put some of his own pocket money towards a D-SLR - he'll take much more pride and care over it if he's put money towards it.
 
I've only just bought my 350D (first proper camera) a few days back, i love it, although im still trying to work out how to use half the settings.
 
350D, nice big body, feels really grown up, worth b****r all.

Once they love the camera, and respect it, 40D
 
I'm facing the same situation with my much younger daughter.

I've chosen to go with a compact at this stage, and if she can show herself responsible, and show she WANTS to pursue phototography then I'll spend more and get her a baby 2nd hand Dslr.

Make him earn it and earn your respect to spend for him.

John
 
Lots of nice ideas given, but a lot of assumptions too..

Have you asked him what it is about photography interests him? where he wants to take the camera?

Is he a sensible 12 (going on 40) or a wild 12 years of age?


If it's becasue he wants to photograph his friends for facebook then a compact is practical.

If he's the serious, steady type who wants to keep his photography to himself then a cheap DSLR (D40 with kit lens) is completely appropriate.
 
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