Advice on camera for amateur

[Richard Sloman]

My 17 year old is following in my footsteps and has developed a keen eye for photography, so much so that I am considering getting her something more serious than she has currently but am in need of some good advice.

She currently has a Canon Ixus and am not sure if I should look at a more advanced compact camera, or look at something along the lines of a DSLR; the 1100D is currently on offer here in Germany for 399 euros with the 18-55 IS kit lens, which seems to be quite a good deal.

The problem is, is the DSLR too much camera for a relative beginner, or, given that the more serious compact cameras are also fairly pricey, and then getting lenses etc could also set us back a packet when needed, which option would be better?

If we were to go the DSLR route then sharing of my lenses, flash etc. would be a possibility (With a watertight deal of serious bodily harm if damage was to occur...)

[camerasaurusrex]

I think you are on the right track to buy a basic DSLR rather than a point and shoot, in fact, the more manual the camera the better. If she has a keen interest and you think your daughter will develop as a photographer, then I would suggest a standard prime lens, rather than a zoom. Something like a 50mm f1.8 or a 40mm f2.8 pancake.

[Richard Sloman]

I think you are on the right track to buy a basic DSLR rather than a point and shoot, in fact, the more manual the camera the better. If she has a keen interest and you think your daughter will develop as a photographer, then I would suggest a standard prime lens, rather than a zoom. Something like a 50mm f1.8 or a 40mm f2.8 pancake.

Thanks for the feedback, I have a 50mm F1.8.

[Thinus155]

a DSLR has an auto setting so no it is not too much camera, you can do everything better on a DSLR i.e. depth of field, composition(Lens choice), and do not forget the fact that you have a whole range of lenses available for that camera ( Some are very cheap, 50mm f1.8 secondhand going around R800). On the plus side you can always sell it again if she does not follow through. Another option is the new mirrorless cameras but they do cost and arm and a leg.

[Henk Coetzee]

Something like a 50mm f1.8 or a 40mm f2.8 pancake.

28 and 35 are also nice focal lengths on APS-C bodies.

a DSLR has an auto setting so no it is not too much camera.

When I was that age, nobody would have said this. A 17 year old should be perfectly capable of determining and understanding exposure. I would have argued differently and said that something like an 1100D has everything that is needed to learn more - Manual exposure, a light meter and RAW. At present, this offers the cheapest route into serious photography.

On the plus side you can always sell it again if she does not follow through. Another option is the new mirrorless cameras but they do cost and arm and a leg.

The mirrorless systems are attractive, but if you already have some Canon gear, a Canon SLR would make a lot of sense.

[Thinus155]

Canon brought out a mirrorless now which can be bought with an adapter to suit all ef lenses, I do not know when it will be available in sa.

When I was that age, nobody would have said this. A 17 year old should be perfectly capable of determining and understanding exposure. I would have argued differently and said that something like an 1100D has everything that is needed to learn more - Manual exposure, a light meter and RAW. At present, this offers the cheapest route into serious photography.

I have come across people who use auto on a 5Dmkii and do not know how to set aperture or shutter speed. People learn as much as thay want to, it depends entirely on the user! And yes I do agree with you the 1100D does have all the functions to learn more and it is entirely possible to take magazine type photos with this camera if you do the proper homework. You have to be able to use all the settings to appreciate the true capabilities of all DSLR's.

[Johann van Rensburg]

Dare I say this ......

With 17 year old's,

is the DSLR too much camera for a relative beginner

is a dangerous statement.
I perceive them as more creative, much quicker to learn and adapt to new technology, and generally more brave / stupid(not meant negatively) /daring - and provided they are ACTUALLY interested, will in no time be able to teach you a trick or two. Therefore, get ready to start reviewing your own work - as you are in danger of being shown up a bit.

On that note, why not encourage her to also start posting here, no matter what she shoots with.

As for DSLR vs Compact - if she is already keen, DSLR is the logical way to go. For all the reasons already stated.

[Leo Theron]

Agree with Henk and Johan…

It is not age dependent - more dependent on how much this 17 year old is prepared to invest in his/her own learning.

At that stage of my life I had my own darkroom, a Nikon DSLR (that I bought with the earnings from photography using a rangefinder Olympus, and writing) and shot weddings, rugby and events and supplied photographs to three newspapers. I also frequented the local library, was a very good customer with my own account at the local pharmacy - chemicals, paper, bulk film... Darkroom technique was polished under the watchful eye of a darkroom master - Achmat Sabodien (RIP). And who allowed me into the darkroom of the pharmacy? George Quenet, And the Olympus, darkroom and enlarger? My father.

All this started when my father loaned me (quite permanently) a folding 120 film camera and gave me ONE roll of film (12 shots!) for a school trip when I was 12 years old.

[Digital Guy]

A young lady starting out should try the new mirrorless Canon EOS M and she can still use dad's lenses. Almost the same spec as the 650D with a APS-C sensor at 18MP. Full HD 1920x1080 video as well. I've seen some video footage from it and am impressed.

[Henk Coetzee]

I have come across people who use auto on a 5Dmkii and do not know how to set aperture or shutter speed. People learn as much as thay want to, it depends entirely on the user!

And I have a friend who has been in the game for longer than a lot of the people on this forum have been alive who once said to me that he reckoned the guys at Canon knew more about exposure than he did and almost always relied on his camera's meter. He also knew what it was doing, why it was doing it and what to do when he wanted something else. The last I saw of him photographically he was getting good results with a 4x5 view camera, developing and printing his own B&W and the mode key on his DSLR was still set to P and occasionally to Tv. Here was someone who knew a great deal about exposure but was happy with what the camera was doing for him, understanding exactly what the camera did.

You have to be able to use all the settings to appreciate the true capabilities of all DSLR's.

And then, I'm afraid, you need to carefully choose which ones work for you. I have come to believe that modern DSLRs give us way more options than we need and we have to be careful (and I've chosen those words with a little care) that we don't get consumed by the camera.

Dare I say this ......

With 17 year old's, is a dangerous statement.
I perceive them as more creative, much quicker to learn and adapt to new technology, and generally more brave / stupid(not meant negatively) /daring - and provided they are ACTUALLY interested, will in no time be able to teach you a trick or two. Therefore, get ready to start reviewing your own work - as you are in danger of being shown up a bit.

I think you may absolutely say that.

Agree with Henk and Johan…

It is not age dependent - more dependent on how much this 17 year old is prepared to invest in his/her own learning.

At that stage of my life I had my own darkroom, a Nikon DSLR (that I bought with the earnings from photography using a rangefinder Olympus, and writing) and shot weddings, rugby and events and supplied photographs to three newspapers. I also frequented the local library, was a very good customer with my own account at the local pharmacy - chemicals, paper, bulk film... Darkroom technique was polished under the watchful eye of a darkroom master - Achmat Sabodien (RIP). And who allowed me into the darkroom of the pharmacy? George Quenet, And the Olympus, darkroom and enlarger? My father.

All this started when my father loaned me (quite permanently) a folding 120 film camera and gave me ONE roll of film (12 shots!) for a school trip when I was 12 years old.

When I was 17, I had a Minolta SRT101. I learned a lot from that camera. I still have it and it still functions perfectly. I actually still have access to a darkroom, although I suspect that my days of shooting 35mm film are over.

A young lady starting out should try the new mirrorless Canon EOS M.

And why would that be? If anything, a young lady starting out should try something pretty mainstream.

[Thinus155]

Great comments Henk!

[dylansalt]

Age has nothing to with it

My 17 yr old son bought the Nikon D5100 and a 35 1.8 (my recommendation) and just told him to shoot shoot shoot using all modes even the "picture" modes - he borrows my 70-300 as well.

I can tell you now MANY of his shots blow me away - the 5100 is an incredible dslr, light, small and capable of world class results and better than any P&S.

[Thndr_strck]

I see that a large chain store group has the Eos 650D on "special" for R8999...

[Richard Sloman]

Thanks for the advice everyone, phew am I relived I wasn't flamed off the site... :-)

The mirror less cameras do look enticing but a bit out of my range for now (have to keep my goal of upgrading my own kit still firmly in sight too...).

(One last question, how does one get a 17 year old and all her mates to stop posing with the "duck-face"?)

[camerasaurusrex]

(One last question, how does one get a 17 year old and all her mates to stop posing with the "duck-face"?)

Several ways around this:
1) Post the Duck-face pictures all over the internet, so they will eventually get embarresed, be responsible and act normal.
2) Photograph them from a hide with an 800mm lens, so they are not aware of being photographed.
3) Continuous shooting... eventually the duck face muscles will tire

Option two usually works for younger kids.

[Richard Sloman]

Several ways around this:
1) Post the Duck-face pictures all over the internet, so they will eventually get embarresed, be responsible and act normal.
2) Photograph them from a hide with an 800mm lens, so they are not aware of being photographed.
3) Continuous shooting... eventually the duck face muscles will tire

Option two usually works for younger kids.

Whilst your responses above are the logical ones, she does a good enough job spreading these pictures around Facebook and the like so...