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More specifically, bridge cameras.
Nobby. Jr is showing a real interest in photography so we thought that maybe it would be worth investing in a reasonably decent camera for his Xmas present this year. Rather than a DSLR, a bridge camera would seem the best option.
Been looking around & have seen the Nikon Coolpix L320 and Fuji Finepix SL245 - both of which seem reasonable.
Does the combined might of STW have any better suggestions? Budget £150 ish.
How about a second hand CSC job. The older Olympus PEN/Panasonic thingymabobs are that kind of money and offer quite a lot more flexibility.
I did this as a riding camera, and was so impressed I bought an OM-D to go along with my D800E and have found myself using it rather a lot!
Yep, E-PL1s go for cheap these days, and it'll be useful for someone who wants to get 'into' it. Be prepared to buy more lenses tho.
There are some bargain lenses to be had too - even new. The 45mm f1.8 is stunningly good, and I picked up a Lumix 14mm pancake for a very reasonable price new too (split from a kit).
CSC might be best as the others have suggested to start on
this one is 200 quid.. very good deal
http://www.abc-digital-cameras.co.uk/Panasonic-DMC-G3-with-14-42mm-F3.5-5.6-O.I.S-Black.html
That said might be able to get a DSLR second hand..
Depends what thee is after
Thanks chaps, more food for thought.
That Panasonic seems very good value too.
We were after something that is a decent 'auto' but also gives enough manual controls for him to get used to 'proper' photography. Can't afford a DSLRso but open to suggestions.
I've got a Canon EOS 20d and kit lens that's not been used since I bought a 7d that you could have for £150+postage. It's got a couple of batteries and the battery grip and I've probably got a spare soft case somewhere.
It's 'only' 8mp but takes stunning photos which print really well upto A4 and I've even done some at A3.
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You can easily get SLRs for that price. My wife's mint condition E-420 was £120.
I'm not sure if the Mrs would be happy with used but I guess a mint Canon would do as he can use my lenses. Oh I hate decisions like this.
My mint, in box, with all manuals and bags (had been a spare camera to someone) Pentax K100D was £62; two more lenses another £50, including one 50mm manual. Sorted.
If it helps sway the Mrs my camera is virtually unmarked, just a bit of wear to the flash shoe and the boxes are in the loft so should be perfect as well, from memory the manual is a bit dog eared though.
Thanks MikeG - I'll speak to her tomorrow.
It's hard with kids, as shiny and new is generally best.
There are a couple of acceptable Bridge (compact, small sensor, with big zoom bolted on) cameras available, but not at the £150 price point.
I can only say, if Jr really wants to get into photography, go with some of the other suggestions on this thread
Right, whilst the Mrs isn't against a used one she has pointed out, quite rightly, that my DSLR is too bulky for him to handle properly. That kind of puts us into either Bridge or CSC territory as far as I can tell.
There are smaller dslrs available. Pentax are small aren't they?
To be honest I suspect CSC is going to be the future of photography, particularly at the consumer/amateur end. There are a number of high end pros using the OM series now with very satisfying results (it is all Damian McGillicuddy's fault that I have one!) so I seriously wouldn't be getting hung up on DSLRs.
I have to say, since getting the OM-D a few months back I think I have taken the D800E out two or three times for specific shoots where I have had the possibility that I may want to print REALLY BIG. The other times it has been the mini cam which is much easier to lug about the place.
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/10025111194_c3fb050b56_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alpinist-photography/10025111194/ ]26th September 2013[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alpinist-photography/ ]Rob Sutherland[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/9935810016_0ddba4aa05_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alpinist-photography/9935810016/ ]25th September 2013[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alpinist-photography/ ]Rob Sutherland[/url], on Flickr
These were both taken in the last week or so using the Micro 4/3 OM-D
Nice.
Reckon it's the CSC route then, thanks all.