latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I need help with opinions of a camera for my granddaughter. She will be a freshman next year. She is very studious, an excellent student, and has great social skills. Last Christmas I let her take my Nikon D7100 to take pictures around the house. The images were startling in their composition. She took ordinary things and by perspective, angle of view, etc. and made them visually very interesting. They became art. She was very excited about what she had done and told her counselor she wanted to sign up for a photography class. She has been talking about photography since Christmas. I told her I would get a camera for her birthday (Aug. 28).
I don’t want to spend the money for a D7100. I also recently bought an Olympus OMD EM10. I have found this to be a good small camera. I want her to try the D7100 and the OMD EM10 and see how they feel to her. If she prefers the D7100 I am thinking of a used D5100 or affordable Canon’s. If she prefers the OMD EM10, which I think she might prefer, I am thinking of small 4/3 cameras including the OMD EM10. I want to keep the cost to around $600. I do want her to have an optical or electronic viewfinder and interchangeable lenses I will purchase if she needs them. (OK, she’s my granddaughter—not needs, but if she wants them.) We live close to each other, she has no father in the home, and I can help her since I see her every week.
Do you have any comments, suggestions, etc. about my thoughts and what is appropriate in terms of cameras? I would like a camera she can grow with.

Thanks for your help.
Terry

cmc65

I bought both my grandson's the T3i rebels with two kit lenses when they were about 15. They are still using them, used them for Photography classes in high school. Great photographs plenty to learn with. They are now 20 and 19 and the cameras are still going strong.. Pricing now for the Rebel series is very good and there is now the T6 I believe. A great many members here use them. I think The T5 would be a good starting point for her and you should be able to get decent pricing. You may want to take a look at what she's using for a computer in case there needs to be an upgrade there for PP

mdsiamese Loc: Maryland

Okay, don't anybody laugh at this. I learned more about photography from my Pentax K1000 35mm film camera with a 50mm lens than I have from any other camera. Having to conserve resources, forced to use manual and no advantages from different focal length lenses or any bells and whistles forced me to really think about the shot first.

For digital, I suggest a very simple camera with a 50mm lens. As few bells and whistles as possible, one that allows her to go completely manual.

If you really want to give her a great gift for learning, seriously, get her a totally manual film camera as well and some b&w film.

RJWagons Loc: Lake Ridge Virginia

I agree about the T3i - or the T2i, T5i - you'd need to do the research on the newest - T6i. I haven't heard such good things about the t5 but I used to own the T5i and I know it's good. Also, that series usually comes with a pretty good lens and she can add more lens from the Canon line as she grows and develops her own style. I only know about the Canons but think these are terrific. Good luck!

tsilva Loc: Arizona

find out what the camera requirements are for her photography class and adhere to them. It can possibly narrow your choices a bunch.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I gave my daughter who is in 9th grade a canon 1d mk 3 that Im not using any longer. she likes it pretty good and is doing pictures for her friends at school. Its pretty big so she doesn't like carrying it around.

Jim Bob

Nikon D3300, refurbished.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

A Nikon D5200 refurb might be a very nice option.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Thanks for the comments.
I will look more into the Nikons and Canons.

Does anyone have any comments about 4/3 cameras?

I have a complete Olympus older film system. I also have an attic with with complete darkroom equipment including a color enlarger. I just think that the waiting for feedback from the developed pictures is not helpful. I also believe that post processing skill is desirable and should be learned as soon as possible. I am in that process right now. I will not be surprised if my granddaughter picks it up faster than I am.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

The EM10 is a great little camera, and can be had rather inexpensively. It's a camera that you can easily carry with you just about anywhere.

Here's a used one.
http://www.mu-43.com/threads/78062/

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

1. What kinds of things will she want to photograph? That may dictate the choices of cameras ie birds, you are limited to the higher end AF systems.
2. What requirements, if any, does the photo class have?
3. Does keeping her gear compatable with either of your systems factor in? Swap/loan lenses etc.
4. Her size and hand size, a large heavy camera she hates carrying would be a turn off. Unless she is like my wife, fairly large and strong for a woman and tried out for every team at school except football(they wouldn't let her). Also if it is a specialty camera for something she really wants to photograph, that can overcome a lot of things.
5. It will probably be an APS-C so besides the kit lens(es) additional lenses that are non crop will allow easier upgrade to FF in the future.

All that said, I favor Canon,but you already have a Nikon and for compatability I would recommend sticking with that or the Olympus system. Most of the beginner levels with the better AF systems are a bit above your stated budget. Try the refurbs or used either from the major stores or company direct.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Having her try out both of your cameras is a good idea. My choice would also be the em10. Lots of small lenses to go with it. Good luck!

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I believe that Canon, as Nikon, has a great opportunity to upgrade and/or find refurbished glass along with getting really good glass that can be used even with FF cameras.

That said, I believe that comfort with the camera helps keep the camera with you under more circumstances than an uncomfortable camera. I am thinking that the most important criteria is how comfortable she finds the camera. Should this be the first criteria?

causnorign Loc: NY

I've been dabbling with photography for about 50 years, and as one post mentioned I learned more with an old manual film camera than anything else. I took a photography 101 class at the local college a few years ago using a Canon T2i with kit lens, at the time Nikon made the d3100. The Canon was fine for the class as I'm sure the Nikon would have been. I think the main thing is to get a camera that can be expanded or upgraded, and to have all the modes (Auto, A,S,M) available to learn.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Yes but from the original post, it sounds like she has an eye for photography. No camera will ever teach that.