suggest a camera for grandson: looking for help suggesting a camera for my 17 yr old grandson. He is just getting into photography but has enough experience to know he wants to stick...

rikhar Loc: Ct. shoreline

looking for help suggesting a camera for my 17 yr old grandson. He is just getting into photography but has enough experience to know he wants to stick with it as a hobby He has little knowledge now but is very savvy and a fast learner so he is thinking something above an entry level that he can grow into rather than something he will quickly grow out of. It must be a Nikon so he can take advantage of some of my lenses until he acquires some of his own....Then I will borrow his ha ha ha, see I do have a method to this. I was thinking something like d5300 or the like. Any thoughts ...too advanced ...not advanced enough? Good points/bad points. I know I am asking a lot of you all since you don't have any personal knowledge of him but as I said he is very savvy straight honors through school , has a job and is now entering his third yr on way to get an E2 license to become an electrician with college in his future also. If any of that helps to paint a picture of him. Oh yeah I almost forgot...….alas, his funds are very limited Thank you in advance. Rick

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your gift should address both camera and lens. If interested in the D5xxx series, look at the D5600. For a general purpose lens where only 1 is needed, look at the AF‑S DX 18‑140mm f/3.5‑5.6G ED VR. He may never outgrow this set-up.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

rikhar wrote:

looking for help suggesting a camera for my 17 yr... (show quote)

Personally, I would not start him with anything less than a D7200. I do not think the D5300 would be advanced enough for him. Beyond that, we would need to know what he likes to photograph. If he enjoys action shots, then I would start him with a D500. I realize that this is a bit expensive for a 17 year old, but either camera would last him for a long time. Buying used from KEH, or refurbished from B&H Photo, Adorama, or Nikon would help save a few dollars. Also, Christmas is just around the corner, perhaps you could help him out a little.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Do you, or he, wish to learn photography or just learn to take pictures?

If you/he want the photography route, get a film camera. If it's just to take pictures, there are a lot of good cameras that will fill the bill. All you need is the price range.
--Bob

rikhar wrote:

looking for help suggesting a camera for my 17 yr... (show quote)

BebuLamar

Nikon D5, D850, Z6, Z7, Sony A9, A7rIII, Canon EOS-1DX mark II one of those would be good enough.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Possibly the better choice would be to look at what is available 2nd user...you may find that a 'better' camera is available in your local shop or craigs list Adorama etc than buying a 'lower model new. Youngsters and hobbies.......? give him yours...then buy YOUR next one

PeterBergh

rmalarz wrote:

... If you/he want the photography route, get a film camera. ...

I beg to disagree. I see no reason to first go backward and then go forward. For almost all purposes, film is obsolete.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Disagree all you want. First off, it's not going backward for someone starting out. It allows one to understand the basics of photography.

Film obsolete??? My cameras will be heartbroken to learn this. They've become accustomed to a steady diet of film.
--Bob

PeterBergh wrote:

I beg to disagree. I see no reason to first go backward and then go forward. For almost all purposes, film is obsolete.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

rmalarz wrote:

Disagree all you want. First off, it's not going backward for someone starting out. It allows one to understand the basics of photography.

Film obsolete??? My cameras will be heartbroken to learn this. They've become accustomed to a steady diet of film.
--Bob

Although I personally do not agree with film, I do somewhat support your thought. A lot of schools still require the students to learn on film cameras in order to complete their courses in photography.

Allan 1 Loc: Kidderminster Worc's UK

Not too sure about price of Nikon, Sony, but the
Canon EOS-1DX mark II does not come cheap, even used, but if you are looking to spend $xxxx on him the canon would be a good choice.

Also bear in mind Canon lenses always seem to be a little more expensive for some reason.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Allan 1 wrote:

Not too sure about price of Nikon, Sony, but the
Canon EOS-1DX mark II does not come cheap, even used, but if you are looking to spend $xxxx on him the canon would be a good choice.

Also bear in mind Canon lenses always seem to be a little more expensive for some reason.

The Nikon D5 retails for around $500 more than the Canon 1DX II. There are plenty of Nikkor lenses that retail for more than equivalent Canon lenses.

swartfort Loc: Evansville, IN

I had a basic knowledge of film work from 30 years ago. I got a Nikon D3400 with kit lenses as a gift. I have used it and really have focused on not taking pictures, but capturing images. I puchased the same body for my father (age 80) and gave him the kit 70-300 lens (I upgraded to a fx 70-300 vr ED lens). I spent about 4 hours, starting with the basics of aperture, shutter speed and ISO, with him with the camera and a computer handy to SHOW him how it all fit. I then turned him onto a few Youtube videos, and he has learned so much so fast. I can tell you with confidence that FILM IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN!!. Do I have GAS for a d7200, you bet, but the drive to get the most out of my current kit, along with learning with my father is wonderful beyond words. Get him in and interested. If he has the hunger to learn, the entry level cameras will work just fine. It will have more to do with his interest, his level of commitment, and his lust for knowledge. If he doesn't have these, no "advanced" camera will make him more that a snap shot photog.

BebuLamar

rmalarz wrote:

Disagree all you want. First off, it's not going backward for someone starting out. It allows one to understand the basics of photography.

Film obsolete??? My cameras will be heartbroken to learn this. They've become accustomed to a steady diet of film.
--Bob

I think is obsolete although I still use it and like it a lot.

BebuLamar

Allan 1 wrote:

Not too sure about price of Nikon, Sony, but the
Canon EOS-1DX mark II does not come cheap, even used, but if you are looking to spend $xxxx on him the canon would be a good choice.

Also bear in mind Canon lenses always seem to be a little more expensive for some reason.

Grandpas don't go cheap on their grand kids. Grandpas and Grandmas job is to spoil the grand kids.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

rmalarz wrote:

Disagree all you want. First off, it's not going backward for someone starting out. It allows one to understand the basics of photography.

Film obsolete??? My cameras will be heartbroken to learn this. They've become accustomed to a steady diet of film.
--Bob

Bob I generally agree with you, on this as in many other areas, BUT, there are two other important factors to consider in this particular case:

1) Shooting a large assortment of images is very useful to a beginning photographer. Experimenting with the aspects of exposure, focal length, and position are the basis of learning.

2) The cost per exposure for digital images is a tiny fraction of the cost for film.

Personally, I’d go with an entry level digital first, and move to film if and when the young man wants to expand his horizons on a budget. The cost of film gear is absurdly low, compared to the shooting cost. Said as a longstanding film fan and user.

Andy