Best lens for 10 year old to learn photography (Page 3): I just thought it would be easier for him to start with. No other reason.

rbmartiniv Loc: Nacogdoches, TX

JohnFrim wrote:

Wrong forum or not, what is the educational benefit of a fixed lens before graduating to a zoom?

I just thought it would be easier for him to start with. No other reason.

Charlie'smom

I would go with the 18-55mm. It’s going to cost about the same as a fixed 50mm, but will give him some versatility. He’ll have a bit more fun with it. Then, if he really wants to takes it up, you can go from there. That’s what I’ve done with my granddaughters.

rbmartiniv Loc: Nacogdoches, TX

dpullum wrote:

I recall at that age my Kodak Hawkeye... the fun w... (show quote)

My first camera was also a Brownie Hawkeye. I still have it but it no longer works. Thanks for the advice. Makes sense.

BebuLamar

Prime lens and since I don't know exactly which camera the OP has (there is no D75, There was the N75) so I would recommend whichever normal lens for the camera. Using a prime lens avoid the confusion of focal length and variable aperture and makes the learning much easier.

rbmartiniv Loc: Nacogdoches, TX

BebuLamar wrote:

Prime lens and since I don't know exactly which camera the OP has (there is no D75, There was the N75) so I would recommend whichever normal lens for the camera. Using a prime lens avoid the confusion of focal length and variable aperture and makes the learning much easier.

I mistyped the model camera. It is a D70s, not D75s. Thanks.

BebuLamar

Since he is young and I assume he has good eye sight. I think you should teach him how to focus manually. I know there are many people who never could focus manually by judging the sharpness on the ground glass. Today one can rely on AF but in the old days they had to rely on focusing aid like the split image or mircoprism.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

rbmartiniv wrote:

I have a 10 year old grandson that I am trying to interest in photography. I have an old Nikon D75s body that I would let him have. However, I don't have an "extra" lens that I am willing to let him have for the camera. What would be a good economical used lens to buy? I'm thinking the should start out with a fixed lens and then move up to a zoom lens once he has learned how to use the camera. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

No one has mentioned an iPhone, but your grandson would more appreciate that than a traditional camera at this moment, so perhaps you would discuss it with him and get him the model that he wants as that is what his friends will be using. By getting him what he prefers he is not going to put it in a drawer and only brings it up when you next visit his family. The grandchildren think that we don't know what they do.

Even on this forum, I have seen some good photos produced by the Iphone. Just another thought.

BebuLamar

Heather Iles wrote:

No one has mentioned an iPhone, but your grandson ... (show quote)

While the IPhone can take excellent images (at least for pixel count it has more pixels than the D70s) but I would not suggest the Iphone to get a kid interested in photography. The phone has way too many functions so the boy may be more interested in the other functions of the phone than photography. Of course, I don't think that's the OP intention but I would certainly think the Iphone and the D70's both are fine. Just the phone? No. But perhaps the boy already has a phone.

Lens Creep

kit.lens.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

JohnFrim wrote:

Wrong forum or not, what is the educational benefit of a fixed lens before graduating to a zoom?

You have to learn to zoom with your feet. A fixed lens, either something like a 20 or a 50 would be a great choice.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

BebuLamar wrote:

While the IPhone can take excellent images (at least for pixel count it has more pixels than the D70s) but I would not suggest the Iphone to get a kid interested in photography. The phone has way too many functions so the boy may be more interested in the other functions of the phone than photography. Of course, I don't think that's the OP intention but I would certainly think the Iphone and the D70's both are fine. Just the phone? No. But perhaps the boy already has a phone.

Yes, just a thought. Perhaps he should have a chat with his grandson before spending any money.

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

I agree with the 18-55 kit lens but would say no on the UV filter and positive on a lens hood. It not only shades the optics from the sun but it protects the lens from bumps and the like.

rbmartiniv Loc: Nacogdoches, TX

Heather Iles wrote:

No one has mentioned an iPhone, but your grandson ... (show quote)

He does have an iPhone. I’ll have to ask him about using the camera.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

cjc2 wrote:

You have to learn to zoom with your feet. A fixed lens, either something like a 20 or a 50 would be a great choice.

I think a 20mm is a little too wide for most general photography applications; I certainly wouldn't want to be stuck with nothing but 20mm focal length to work with. 50mm is a far more reasonable choice.

BebuLamar

rook2c4 wrote:

I think a 20mm is a little too wide for most general photography applications; I certainly wouldn't want to be stuck with nothing but 20mm focal length to work with. 50mm is a far more reasonable choice.

For the OP camera which is the Nikon APS-C the 35mm is a better choice than the 50mm. I use the 28mm lens on my D70s when I had it and that's too is OK.