Child's first camera
Oct 9, 2020 19:14:45 #
Luft wrote:
Right on! Give them a chance to develop their brains, their dexterity, expand their curiosity, understand the world and how things work, read as young as possible. Congratulations on your home schooling and providing the conditions for your son to flourish.
Wonderful enthusiasm, but you didn't provide any help with his question, which is why he posted..
Oct 9, 2020 21:06:58 #
KankRat
Loc: SW Chicago Suburbs
mvetrano2 wrote:
Thank you, I agree that an iPhone would probably work for his creativity, but I would like to be able to store his photos. So, an actual camera with an SD card would be better.
Not to be a jerk, but...seriously?
Oct 9, 2020 21:31:56 #
KankRat
Loc: SW Chicago Suburbs
A far more productive exercise, and fun! would be to make a pinhole camera.
You can make a pinhole camera out of an entire room. There is a disturbing trend on this forum that really revolves around buying stuff.
You can make a pinhole camera out of an entire room. There is a disturbing trend on this forum that really revolves around buying stuff.
Oct 9, 2020 21:59:49 #
cascom
Loc: Redmond
I agree. My grandfather gave me a Brownie #2 at 4 or 5. But then we worked together in his darkroom.
Oct 9, 2020 22:13:05 #
This would probably be a good bet for a 4 year old. Not so much for it's underwater capability, but for its ability to withstand up to a 5' drop. https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-Waterproof-Underwater-Camcorder-Stabilizer/dp/B00RBG5QKA/ref=sr_1_10?crid=36IL4RHIYB57V&dchild=1&keywords=tough+camera&qid=1602295660&sprefix=tough+camera%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-10
Oct 10, 2020 00:16:12 #
KankRat wrote:
A far more productive exercise, and fun! would be to make a pinhole camera.
You can make a pinhole camera out of an entire room. There is a disturbing trend on this forum that really revolves around buying stuff.
You can make a pinhole camera out of an entire room. There is a disturbing trend on this forum that really revolves around buying stuff.
I completely agree about excessive buying. I love pinhole cameras, but I'm not sure they are the most suitable for this situation. I made one years ago out of a shoebox. Building it was pretty easy, and it worked, but I had to use photo paper in it, which made paper negatives, and then make positives in the darkroom. Maybe there's an easier way now. How about attaching a Hasselblad digital back to it? That would only cost $26,000 (B&H). It would be the most expensive pinhole camera in history by $25,995. >Alan
Oct 10, 2020 09:10:23 #
Not sure if you were thinking along these lines but my grandson (5) got this for his birthday this year.
https://www.amazon.com/Seckton-Upgrade-Birthday-Portable-Card-Orange/dp/B088D6VLTH/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&aaxitk=v5S1KctkO1pfiuibiAa-Dw&hsa_cr_id=6417377970301&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_1
https://www.amazon.com/Seckton-Upgrade-Birthday-Portable-Card-Orange/dp/B088D6VLTH/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&aaxitk=v5S1KctkO1pfiuibiAa-Dw&hsa_cr_id=6417377970301&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_1
Oct 11, 2020 05:48:24 #
mvetrano2 wrote:
I have a 4-year old grandson who loves taking pict... (show quote)
It probably depend on the kids temperance. To some, a toy camera may be a better choice and there are many toy cameras that does a good job.
On the other hand if he is more mindful, A real camera built tough might be good for him. A quick google would point to a good simple point & shoot camera. I personally can be happy with any that is posted here;
https://www.treelinereview.com/gearreviews/best-rugged-cameras
But if you believe he has enough skill, patience and interest, I would suggest Nikon's D3XXX series. It is simple enough but also allows room to grow up on. It even has a built in help guide. That is what I gave to my daughter. This is her on opening her birthday gift.
Oct 11, 2020 21:20:42 #
Oct 12, 2020 09:28:27 #
Ebay has tons of Canon Powershot A1200hds for $15-$30. AA batteries, real viewfinder, modest zoom, video and everything EXCEPT manual exposure. But there is a "live" setting where you can control color, brightness, etc. on the screen before shooting without any numbers involved. 12 MP should be fine and a 2 GB card will be great.
Avid any camera "made for kids." Most are junk.
Avid any camera "made for kids." Most are junk.
Oct 12, 2020 14:15:49 #
The Olympus Tough cameras are robust, have good lenses, are as close to indestructible as I have seen. I have an older model, which works great, so, if you do not want to spend for a new version, there are plenty of good used out there. The menu options might take a 4 year old a bit to fathom, but he could also just ignore all that until he seems intrigued; it shoots automatic images really well.
Oct 12, 2020 22:18:42 #
The problem with a Chinese kid's camera is #1 inconsistent quality control and #2 different "insides" but the same body.
I picked up for a a radio review and was shocked at how well it worked for snapshots. Later I got another one that looked about the same and the quality of the images was beyond garbage.
There were a few with a standard COACH (camera on a chip) inside that were suppose to be water proof. They were not and didn't survive a wading pool.
I picked up for a a radio review and was shocked at how well it worked for snapshots. Later I got another one that looked about the same and the quality of the images was beyond garbage.
There were a few with a standard COACH (camera on a chip) inside that were suppose to be water proof. They were not and didn't survive a wading pool.
Oct 13, 2020 11:35:17 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
mvetrano2 wrote:
I have a 4-year old grandson who loves taking pict... (show quote)
An older Olympus TG series camera. It will be able to take abuse, accidental or not. If the child loses interest later on, then you have a tough camera for your use.
Oct 13, 2020 16:03:05 #
aggiedad
Loc: Corona, ca
I bought my grandson a used Canon Elph. It was very inexpensive and is working out well.
Oct 13, 2020 19:51:25 #
The half-life of point-n-shoot digital cameras is pretty short and most people have a few 10, 12 MP cameras tucked away in drawers and closets. I gave my 5 year old granddaughter one and while it took a bit of time for her to warm up to it, she was soon taking pictures of everything. The SD card, 2 AA battery simplicity was important as was the simple viewfinder and basic controls. Do not underestimate the capability of children when it comes to technology. She would have quickly become frustrated with a "toy" camera, and now she is asking how to use the zoom and other more sophisticated features. It was her photos we all wanted to keep from when her great grandma passed away - her's were simple direct records of the way things were. A cell phone would have been too distracting with games, etc.
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