My favorite camera magazine is Digital Camera World. I haven't gotten it in a few years, but if I get a camera magazine again, that would be the one. I like the hard copy version of the magazine, rather than the online version. The hard copy always came with extra gifts, such as little info cards, and a CD with a lesson. https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/

How exactly did the photographer(s) sit up the camera and the tablet working together? What cords, etc. did they use or camera settings, etc.?

I would highly recommend a Canon SL1. I love mine. It will allow her to do photos and video. If she has small hands, the SL1 is very comfortable to use, even with a large lens. Check out the Canon Online Store for a refurbished SL1. I bought one new about a year after they came out, and within the last year, I bought two more, both refurbished. One as a backup camera for myself and one as a gift for one of my kids. The refurbished SL1 works as well as the new one. If she would be more interested in a point and shoot, the Canon SX710 is pretty good. It has a great zoom, and shoots pretty sharp photos. The only missing about the SX710 is a viewfinder. Your Granddaughter could carry the SX710 with her all the time.

Canon SX710. A great pocket camera. I love mine. Sharp photos. Carry it with me all the time. It's $279 right now, on the B&H Camera and Adorama websites.

Try rub-on letters. If you Google Rub-On letters, several places will be listed as to where you can get them. They come in all different kinds of font's. Test first though, to make sure they won't come off if directly touching the glass. You could also get little foam spacers and put one in each corner of the frame, so that the mat will not directly touch the glass. You can get the foam spacers at Jo Ann's Fabrics, by the frame department. They can be cut to whatever size you would need.

Try Shutterfly. https://www.shutterfly.com/

The SX50 has a built-in zoom. The zoom is absolutely amazing. I use mine all the time. Sometimes you can get a refurbished one from the Canon Online Store, for as low as $149. The SL1 is a great camera, too, but you would have to use a zoom lens.

Hi mcveed. Question - Would it be ok to use the gel stick to clean the focusing screen on the inside of the camera, on a Canon SL1? Would the gel stick pull the focusing screen out of the camera? When I say focusing screen, I mean that little screen that sits up inside the camera, and has the little focusing points on it.

To everyone else - does anyone have a continuing problem with dust getting inside the Canon SL1? Dust is getting inside even when the lens is never changed. Is there a flaw in the design that lets dust get inside the camera so easily? I love the camera and how it works, but this dust problem is a pain to deal with. Have sent the camera into Canon twice for cleaning in three months time. They were excellent in their customer service, and took care of the problem both times. But, I would like for there not to be a problem to begin with. I am very careful with my cameras, and the SL1 is the only camera that keeps having this problem.

Do you have a photo of the building? I have never heard of it before, and would like to see what the building looks like.

We were just down in San Diego, a few weeks ago. I think your wife might enjoy the Seaport Village. She could do plenty of looking around or shopping in the Village, and there are lots of things around the village that you could photograph. The village is right next to the water. There is a huge marina there too, with lots of boats. They also have a 120 year old merry-go-round. I asked permission to take photographs, and the gentleman running the ride gave it to me. Had the best fun taking photos while riding the merry-go-round.

The are some unique shaped buildings like the Marriott, and a very charming wooden structure that extends out over the water. The seagulls loved sitting on it. There is also a nice view of the Coronada Bridge.

If you want an absolute awesome view of all of downtown San Diego, have lunch or dinner at the Mister A's restaurant. Make sure to make reservations. This is no fast food type restaurant. It's expensive, but the food is good and the service impeccable. We attended a business lunch there. It is on the 12th floor.

I had never been there before, so checked out Mister A's website beforehand. I took my smaller camera with me, and it turned out that our group was the last one there, at the end of the lunchtime. I asked permission to go out on the balcony area, to take photos. They were kind enough to give it to me. With this type of restaurant, there is no way I would have attempted to take photos, without first having their permission. It just would not have been appropriate.

The view from the restaurant balcony would be perfect for a panorama view. You can see all of downtown, the San Deigo Airport, the bay, etc. As I said, it's a spectacular view. If you want to shoot from a very unique location, while at the same time, taking your wife to a place where she will feel like a queen, Mister A's is the place to go. You can check out their menu ahead of time online, which I found very helpful.

Double check on being able to photograph there though. I would not have taken photos, while others were there enjoying their lunch. We literally were the last ones in the place, and that may have had something to do with why they gave me permission.

San Diego also has a red trolly system that you might enjoy. It isn't expensive and will take you all over. San Diego is a very pretty city.

The only shot I missed that I wish I would have gotten, was downtown at a stoplight. While at the stoplight, I happened to look up, and every single building from that viewpoint, had an American flag on the rooftop. Would have loved to have gotten that shot.

Enjoy your trip.

http://www.sandiego.org/plan-your-trip/transportation/trains-trolley.aspx

http://www.bertrandatmisteras.com/

Why not get a Nikon or Canon for a 10 year old? Of course it would depend on if the 10 year old is a responsible 10 year old, and some are. Better to have her be interested in a camera she likes and that will last, then get her a camera that she will loose interest in. Also, seems like the photography is something that Grandpa and Granddaughter can share, and have a lot of happy memory making moments. The only thing I can think of that she would need to be careful of is someone trying to break or steal the camera from her, but that can happen to adults too.

As for learning about the Nikon, in my first photography class my teacher recommended the "Dummie" books. He also recommended books by David Busch. Just look for the books that would pertain to the particular camera you get. I got them and they are very helpful.

How come the Granddaughter particulary wants a Nikon? Just wondering. I shoot Canon. My daughter shoots Nikon. My first good camera was an Olympus Pen E-PL1. It is lightweight, easier for smaller hands to use, has interchangle lenses, mirrorless, and very very durable. I call it my work-horse camera. Granted it is an older camera now, but it has lasted through thousands of photos. I saw a review by FroKnowsPhoto on the Nikon 3200. It looks like a good entry level DSLR camera that would last a while. I almost got it, but chose the Canon SL1 instead. Have not been unhappy with that decision.

Hi MarkD,

Learned something new. I did not know that info. Do you know if the Sigma 18-250 is as sharp as the 18-300. I am interested because of the price difference. I usually shoot in P Mode and was assuming that the camera was setting the shutter speed, no matter where the lens was set at. Did I assume wrong?

Hi Tomglass,

I don't know if it has the AF fine tune ability or not. I am still learning all the in's and out's of the camera. I have had the camera since last August and love what it does so far. Where would I look to find that out? I still have the manual, plus two other books to learn how to use it. One of the books is a "Dummy" book. Those books are pretty good at explaining things. If I fine tune for the Tamron, would that mess up the AF for any other lenses, such as the two kit lenses? I constantly am using the camera for projects, so I don't want to try something and have it mess up something else. Any advice would be appreciated. I like the Tamron for its versatility in not having to change lenses, but am not willing to sacrifice image quality, and will stick with the kit lenses. I just don't understand how on my daughter's camera, she doesn't have a problem, but on my camera, it's more of a hit and miss as to if the shots are soft or not. The kit lenses work fine and so does the 1.8 lens. I especially like the 1.8, just wish it zoomed. And it bothers me too, that as much as the lens cost, that there is any kind of problem at all. If I can't figure out how to AF fine tune the lens, if there is one on the camera, where could I go to have it done? Would it be expensive to have it done?

Hi j-p,

How did you go about selling your lens? I was thinking of doing the same thing, but don't know where, how, or a safe way to do it.