DSLR for a 15-year-old?

Marissa Foto · 11-07-2009, 02:39 PM

The VP of my bank wants to buy a DSLR for his 15-year-old daughter. I want to recommend something easy for her to learn on so she can upgrade the body when she's more learned about photography and still be able to use any lenses she acquires until then. Any suggestions on a suitable Canon set-up for a beginner? He'd like to stay under $700 for the body, lens, and a memory card.

Thanks in advance.

And I apologise if I am posting this in the wrong forum.

avilamillar · 11-07-2009, 02:44 PM

Nikon D60 with the 18-55 kit lens

RyanLilly · 11-07-2009, 03:01 PM

$700 with or without a lens? Anyway you can get a used 20D or 30D and a new Tamron 17-50 2.8 for about $700. I recommend the the XXD series mainly due to its larger size(than a rebel) and more robust build, and the control dial on the back which is mutch more intuitive than pressing a button to switch front wheel functions like the rebel line uses. Now depending on the 15 year old, some thing from the rebel family( XXXD series) might be a more comfortable size and weight.

Plato · 11-07-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by avilamillar

Nikon D60 with the 18-55 kit lens

+1

Marissa Foto · 11-07-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RyanLilly

$700 with or without a lens? Anyway you can get a used 20D or 30D and a new Tamron 17-50 2.8 for about $700. I recommend the the XXD series mainly due to its larger size(than a rebel) and more robust build, and the control dial on the back which is mutch more intuitive than pressing a button to switch front wheel functions like the rebel line uses. Now depending on the 15 year old, some thing from the rebel family( XXXD series) might be a more comfortable size and weight.

$700 with the lens and a memory card. I've never met her, but I assume she's going to be running around taking pictures of everything and everyone. Isn't that how everyone is when they get their first camera? But then I was TEN when I got mine so I dunno.

IgsEMT · 11-07-2009, 03:17 PM

Canon - look into rebel kits. used 20, 30d
Nikon - d40, 60, 5000, 3000 kits. used d50, d70, d80 (might be border line)

SlimPaul · 11-07-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Plato

Quote: Originally Posted by avilamillar

Nikon D60 with the 18-55 kit lens

+1

+2

or perhaps a D3000

Dominantly · 11-07-2009, 03:56 PM

Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online.
Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine.

Plato · 11-07-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly

Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online.
Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine.

Do you realize that the local sales clerks work on commission? Do you enjoy getting screwed like that?

Marissa Foto · 11-07-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly

Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online.
Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine.

I personally don't see the point in spending more if she's just going to:

A) love photography and want to upgrade, or

B) become disinterested and stick it in a box in a closet somewhere.

I found this kit, and think it'd work for a young beginner. Opinions?

Marissa Foto · 11-07-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Plato

Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly

Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online.
Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine.

Do you realize that the local sales clerks work on commission? Do you enjoy getting screwed like that?

Yeah, that or they have a monthly quota. I prefer to get first hand opinions from fellow PHOTOGRAPHERS not salespeople who rarely know about the product they're selling.

TJ K · 11-07-2009, 04:37 PM

Is there any reason why you're so dead set on wanting to get Canon? Not saying they're not good but nikon has plenty of cameras that are much more affordable and well suited if you're using that price range. And if she becomes disinterested then at least they have camera and she can play with that.
tj

DennyCrane · 11-07-2009, 04:40 PM

I'd recommend the XSi over the XS. It'll take longer to "outgrow" and really isn't much more. Adorama has a nice kit with a refurbished XSi and 18-55mm lens for $530.

2757B006AA Canon Digital Rebel XSi SLR Camera Body Kit - Silver - with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilizer Lens - Refurbished

And no, not all local sales people are commissioned or work on quotas. Some actually care about building a relationship with the customer and earning return business.

TJ K · 11-07-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DennyCrane

And no, not all local sales people are commissioned or work on quotas. Some actually care about building a relationship with the customer and earning return business.

Yes this may be true in some cases but most of the time it's a sales person who generally knows nothing about the cameras doesn't care to and just wants to make a sale. Even in the photo stores around here in South Florida they are unfriendly and could care less about a relationship of any type. Hopefully that's just down here but I have trouble believing it.

Dominantly · 11-07-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Plato

Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly

Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online.
Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine.

Do you realize that the local sales clerks work on commission? Do you enjoy getting screwed like that?

Someone has to make money, whether it be a local shop, Adorama, B&H, etc.

The staff at my local Calumet shop are paid an hourly wage. But I dont see why that matters.

Being a smart consumer is my top priority.

11-07-2009, 02:39 PM	#1
Marissa Foto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgia (jaw' juh) Posts: 29 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	DSLR for a 15-year-old? The VP of my bank wants to buy a DSLR for his 15-year-old daughter. I want to recommend something easy for her to learn on so she can upgrade the body when she's more learned about photography and still be able to use any lenses she acquires until then. Any suggestions on a suitable Canon set-up for a beginner? He'd like to stay under $700 for the body, lens, and a memory card. Thanks in advance. And I apologise if I am posting this in the wrong forum. __________________ The negative is the equivalent of the composer's score, and the print the performance. (Ansel Adams) www.marissafoto.com Last edited by Marissa Foto; 11-07-2009 at 03:14 PM. Reason: Formatted for avilamillar : )

11-07-2009, 02:44 PM	#2
avilamillar Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cambridge, MN Posts: 182 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Nikon D60 with the 18-55 kit lens __________________ Nikon D60 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 55mm f/3.5 macro 35mm f/1.8

11-07-2009, 03:08 PM	#4
Plato TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,056 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by avilamillar Nikon D60 with the 18-55 kit lens +1 __________________ ~~~ THE PACTis an egotistical rant.

11-07-2009, 03:14 PM	#5
Marissa Foto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgia (jaw' juh) Posts: 29 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by RyanLilly $700 with or without a lens? Anyway you can get a used 20D or 30D and a new Tamron 17-50 2.8 for about $700. I recommend the the XXD series mainly due to its larger size(than a rebel) and more robust build, and the control dial on the back which is mutch more intuitive than pressing a button to switch front wheel functions like the rebel line uses. Now depending on the 15 year old, some thing from the rebel family( XXXD series) might be a more comfortable size and weight. $700 with the lens and a memory card. I've never met her, but I assume she's going to be running around taking pictures of everything and everyone. Isn't that how everyone is when they get their first camera? But then I was TEN when I got mine so I dunno. __________________ The negative is the equivalent of the composer's score, and the print the performance. (Ansel Adams) www.marissafoto.com

11-07-2009, 03:34 PM	#7
SlimPaul I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 423 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Plato Quote: Originally Posted by avilamillar Nikon D60 with the 18-55 kit lens +1 +2 or perhaps a D3000 __________________ Nikon D90 \| Nikkor 18-105mm VR \| Nikkor 50mm 1.8 G \| Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S VR \| Sigma 10-20mm EX DC \| SB-900 Aperture 2 My flickr

DSLR for a 15-year-old?

a good DSLR Kit for a 15-year old

rancerds

where can a 15 year old learn photography

15 year old owns DSLR

11-07-2009, 03:01 PM	#3
RyanLilly TPF Junkie! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USofA Posts: 1,346 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	$700 with or without a lens? Anyway you can get a used 20D or 30D and a new Tamron 17-50 2.8 for about $700. I recommend the the XXD series mainly due to its larger size(than a rebel) and more robust build, and the control dial on the back which is mutch more intuitive than pressing a button to switch front wheel functions like the rebel line uses. Now depending on the 15 year old, some thing from the rebel family( XXXD series) might be a more comfortable size and weight.

11-07-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
IgsEMT TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,588 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 76 Times in 72 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Canon - look into rebel kits. used 20, 30d Nikon - d40, 60, 5000, 3000 kits. used d50, d70, d80 (might be border line)

11-07-2009, 03:56 PM	#8
Dominantly TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego, CA (RB) Posts: 2,025 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 126 Times in 76 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online. Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine. __________________ Dominant Photography - San Diego, CA My Project 365 Photo Blog Topic #1, Exposure & Your Photographic Triangle Topic #2, Light Metering, White Balance, JPEG vs RAW formats Topic #3, Layers & Post Processing

11-07-2009, 04:03 PM	#9
Plato TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,056 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online. Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine. Do you realize that the local sales clerks work on commission? Do you enjoy getting screwed like that? __________________ ~~~ THE PACTis an egotistical rant.

11-07-2009, 04:26 PM	#10
Marissa Foto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgia (jaw' juh) Posts: 29 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online. Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine. I personally don't see the point in spending more if she's just going to: A) love photography and want to upgrade, or B) become disinterested and stick it in a box in a closet somewhere. I found this kit, and think it'd work for a young beginner. Opinions? __________________ The negative is the equivalent of the composer's score, and the print the performance. (Ansel Adams) www.marissafoto.com

11-07-2009, 04:32 PM	#11
Marissa Foto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgia (jaw' juh) Posts: 29 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Plato Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online. Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine. Do you realize that the local sales clerks work on commission? Do you enjoy getting screwed like that? Yeah, that or they have a monthly quota. I prefer to get first hand opinions from fellow PHOTOGRAPHERS not salespeople who rarely know about the product they're selling. __________________ The negative is the equivalent of the composer's score, and the print the performance. (Ansel Adams) www.marissafoto.com

11-07-2009, 04:37 PM	#12
TJ K TPF Junkie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 1,959 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 62 Times in 61 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Is there any reason why you're so dead set on wanting to get Canon? Not saying they're not good but nikon has plenty of cameras that are much more affordable and well suited if you're using that price range. And if she becomes disinterested then at least they have camera and she can play with that. tj __________________ Photography by TJ "All the world's a stage"

11-07-2009, 04:40 PM	#13
DennyCrane I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The arctic North Coast Posts: 823 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I'd recommend the XSi over the XS. It'll take longer to "outgrow" and really isn't much more. Adorama has a nice kit with a refurbished XSi and 18-55mm lens for $530. 2757B006AA Canon Digital Rebel XSi SLR Camera Body Kit - Silver - with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilizer Lens - Refurbished And no, not all local sales people are commissioned or work on quotas. Some actually care about building a relationship with the customer and earning return business. __________________ Canon Rebel EOS T1i Canon EFS 18-55mm, EFS 55-250mm, EF 70-300mm IS USM, EF 50mm Follow me on Twitter. I never discuss anything important: http://twitter.com/SRDennyCrane

11-07-2009, 04:42 PM	#14
TJ K TPF Junkie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 1,959 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 62 Times in 61 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by DennyCrane And no, not all local sales people are commissioned or work on quotas. Some actually care about building a relationship with the customer and earning return business. Yes this may be true in some cases but most of the time it's a sales person who generally knows nothing about the cameras doesn't care to and just wants to make a sale. Even in the photo stores around here in South Florida they are unfriendly and could care less about a relationship of any type. Hopefully that's just down here but I have trouble believing it. __________________ Photography by TJ "All the world's a stage"

11-07-2009, 04:44 PM	#15
Dominantly TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego, CA (RB) Posts: 2,025 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 126 Times in 76 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Plato Quote: Originally Posted by Dominantly Maybe have him take her down to a local photography shop so she can see whats fits her best and what she seems to prefer, then when shes learned about what she likes, he can be a cheap VP of a bank and shop for that model used online. Any entry level DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or other similar brand, is going to suit her needs just fine. Do you realize that the local sales clerks work on commission? Do you enjoy getting screwed like that? Someone has to make money, whether it be a local shop, Adorama, B&H, etc. The staff at my local Calumet shop are paid an hourly wage. But I dont see why that matters. Being a smart consumer is my top priority. __________________ Dominant Photography - San Diego, CA My Project 365 Photo Blog Topic #1, Exposure & Your Photographic Triangle Topic #2, Light Metering, White Balance, JPEG vs RAW formats Topic #3, Layers & Post Processing

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