Camera for a nine-year old (Page 5): ______________________(reply) If money is no problem--buy new and explain to your Grandson he is getting the latest and greatest. But with the...

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

I agree for the few dollars buy new

______________________(reply)

If money is no problem--buy new and explain to your Grandson he is getting the latest and greatest.
But with the latest--they are usually cluttered up with all sorts of synthetic algorithm choices which will confuse when trying to teach basic principles of photography---which, in fact that is what you are actually attempting o do at that age?

That said--few on this site are so flush with cash. As for manuals and memory cards-(cables, but who unloades by cable and not by simply removing the cards?) --they are all available as well as suitable carrying bags by Targas and others.

At nine years old a child already has passed "seeing as a child" and has started serious artwork if so inclined and not hindered by "well meaning art teachers" still pushing dabbling with finger paints--a child can draw with realism at nine and it improves each year through grade school. That said---if photography is introduced in a serious manner--such help will be well received if on a level to encourage the child. Anything dubbed "pro-sumer" by the wags who like to degrade anything but the top should work. If the child were two years older, I would recommend the Sony DSC828 which I use as a walk around camera. But at nine, again, I recommend the DSC P93 which is capable yet simple.------ew

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

trapper1 wrote:

Whichever camera you choose to buy, I suggest you buy a new one, not a used one. This suggestion is because used cameras do not not usually come with the neeed instructions, guides, cables, etc., that will be most useful for learning how to operate the camera. Likewise and of possible greater importance, a new camera wlll have the manufaturer's warranty and the dealers' return provision, neither of which are usually available in the purchase of a used item.

The great thing about the Nikon D3XXX series is that it has its own manual within the camera itself.
That makes it a geat beginner camera because it has a reference built in for the controls and at the same time has plenty of room to grow on.

hj Loc: Florida

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

I agree for the few dollars buy new

Few dollars??? The difference can be hundreds of dollars. I have never been burned with the purchase of a used or Mfg refurbished camera.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

mwsilvers wrote:

That is terrific, but I suspect that your daughter is the exception to the rule. I believe that most kids her age would prefer using an iPhone to capture images..

I think a lot of it has to do with what kids see their parents and grandparents using to take photos...a cell phone or a camera. Ava has always seen me with camera in hand since she can remember. She's my only grandchild and I didn't want to miss anything. At one point I asked her to take some photos and she was thrilled. It grew from there. I got her an A6000, we share lens and her own tripod. She loves to go "shooting" with papa and no one loves it more than me. Always a great time and time well spent!!!

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

We recently gave our 11-year-old granddaughter my used Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ2. Her parents tell us that she is thrilled with it and has been using it a lot. So, it was an excellent choice in her case. --Richard

survivaldealer Loc: NE Utah

sabfish wrote:

My 9 year old Grandson seems to be developing an interest in photography. He has taken some nice pictures with his Mom's i-Phone. He seems to enjoy taking some in B&W. It being the season for gifts, I was looking for suggestions for a good first camera. Probably a compact point & shoot. Something like an Olympus Tough series crossed my mind because it is more or less indestructible. On the other hand, it is not very compact. Thoughts?

I gave my grand daughter a Nikon B700. It was just collecting dust. She loves it. She has a good eye. Some of her shots are very good. She has found the flexibility of taking it off of auto.

Craig Meyer Loc: Sparks, NV

The Elph is a great choice for a beginner. Almost feels like a phone. However, 9 probably isn't too young for a phone. And you don't have to activate an old phone to make photos. My old-style small iPhone SE made great photos and I downloaded the Photo Plus app and another to give more control to the otherwise dumb automagic iPhone app of the time. You can usually find an old iPhone 6 or 8 in someone's drawer--like yours or mine. Get him started, let him grow at his own pace. I find kids see things differently than we do. The concept of "Mature images" are things we've seen so many times that a mere glimpse fills in all the details--meaning we don't really see them. Like a mailbox. A 9 year-old is likely to see the dents and corrosion of the side of the mailbox and the texture, take a side-lit shot and display a completely abstract view of what you and I just passed by.

You'll have fun sharing an interest.

I agree with getting something with the options of ISO, Aperture and Shutter adjustments, to grow into.

I was on my THIRD camera when I was 9. I ran into a set of 126 size prints and realized I was looking at a day in my life as a 9-year-old.
C

Brian45 Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Why didn't you just answer the question, which was: what would be a suitable camera?

Siemienczuk

Brian45 wrote:

Why didn't you just answer the question, which was: what would be a suitable camera?

You talkin' to me? I'm the only one here...

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

No 9 yo wants an OUTDATED
i phone.
Send him to therapy for 20+ yrs

Beenthere

survivaldealer wrote:

I gave my grand daughter a Nikon B700. It was just collecting dust. She loves it. She has a good eye. Some of her shots are very good. She has found the flexibility of taking it off of auto.

PLEASE post a few of her images.., I love seeing what young eyes see and the way they see. I'm sure many others on this Forum would also appreciate seeing her work?

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Ava'sPapa wrote:

I think a lot of it has to do with what kids see t... (show quote)

______________________(repl)

A year makes a great deal of difference in childhood. You didn't state the age of Ava in your account?

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

OldSchool-WI wrote:

______________________(repl)

A year makes a great deal of difference in childhood. You didn't state the age of Ava in your account?

Sorry...she's presently 9.

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

I thought her age was in the title of the post. I think it is rather curious that no one has dwelt on Canon and/or Nikon point-and-shoot cameras, many of which would fill the bill without an overkill of features that would baffle a 9-year old newbie. The OP might consider small cameras as the Canon SX600HS. It has 16X zoom, extremely simple to operate, takes great images, has built-in flash, and is pocket-sized.

Tapper1

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Almost every camera can be placed on auto and the operator can move off when they feel comfortable. Digital makes experimenting easy and instant feedback