Camera for my boy to learn the basics

andreios · Jan 29, 2014

Hi all,
the oldest of our children will turn 5 this year, he gets interested in many things so I have decided to give him as a birthday present a simple 35mm SLR with one lens so that he can join me on my photo walks and we can work / learn / play, e.g. photograph together.
My first idea was a TLR like a yashica but I am not too sure about that, the ground glass / viewing screen on the TLRs can be dim and not easy to work with even for myself. Other MF options are quite heavy for a kid.
Therefore my idea was to get a simple SLR with a simple lightmeter (matching needle -style?) so that he would not be dependable on separate lightmeter or matching numbers.
Do you have any idea what shall I look for? I was thinking something like Minolta SRT? Any other tips?

Also I thought about getting him something with Autoexposure for the start to make sure he gets decently exposed negatives and won't be too dissapointed... I've recently got a Canon A-1 in my hands but that was too complicated even for myself not to mention a 5y/o.

Anyway, let me (us) hear / read what do you use for your children...
Every tip, hint and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

elcabezagrande · Jan 29, 2014

You can usually find the autofocus Minolta QTSI with the kit 35~80mm zoom lens for less than 50. While it is not exactly a small camera, it is quite light, and the image quality is very good. Another choice might be the Canon T50, with the FD 50/1.8 lens. Relatively small and light, with manual focus and program auto-exposure, there is really not any way to mess up the exposure with it.

Xmas · Jan 29, 2014

Every one else learned on a box brownie...

You also need to get him to soup the film and contact print it.

Children can learn a 2nd language more easily before 7 they also have a better eye for a picture.

benjiboy · Jan 29, 2014

Going by my experience with my two sons 5 is a little young, I suggest you wait a couple of years.

jp498 · Jan 29, 2014

If you really want a film camera, how about an OM10; small light aperturepriority autoexposure. A holga 120n would work well too. A 5 yo will love a used iphone or cheap digi. It does what they want.

OldBodyOldSoul · Jan 29, 2014

My 4yo is interested in cameras but anything that is not automatic is too much for him. He always wants my cameras (F3, F100) but they are way too heavy for him. Something along the lines of Contax G2 or Konica Hexar AF would probably be best, though those are a bit expensive to give to kids that young and even those are too heavy.
I'd give him a plastic fantastic disposable.

Newt_on_Swings · Jan 29, 2014

I teach a set of students that range from 6-18 years of age. We have a range of cameras and I have brought in many of my own for them to use tlrs included. For some one at 5 I would recommend a light autofocus automatic advance camera such as a nikon n65 or canon rebel with a kit zoom or a simple 50mm AF. For a period of time I tried the manual cameras with the younger groups and it led to lots of out of focus images. Putting the camera on a tripod helped a good deal with this though as it let them keep the camera in one place while they slowly focused on a subject. When they get a bit older you can have them use the smaller manual focus cameras eg. Nikon em, Pentax super me, olympus pc, etc. We went though a good amount of film only to have disappointing results with these more manual cameras that in turn disappointed the younger students. So I stick to the autofocus automatic cameras and it eliminates some variables that may hinder someone new and let's us have negatives to work with in the darkroom.

andreios · Jan 29, 2014

Thanks for your thoughts - keep them coming, please.

I was counting on using the camera on a tripod. That's what I do - and of course, children want to do what they see us to do. Therefore no digi-snapshot-thingie..
The auto-advance (and auto-exp.) advice does sound reasonable though...

cliveh · Jan 29, 2014

A Pentax K1000.

bernard_L · Jan 29, 2014

Why an SLR? Biggish in the hands of a 5-year old.

andreios · Jan 29, 2014

bernard_L said:
Why an SLR? Biggish in the hands of a 5-year old.

What else?

Sent from my i9300 using Tapatalk

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 29, 2014

Mamiya RB 67

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 29, 2014

cliveh said:
A Pentax K1000.

+1

chriscrawfordphoto · Jan 29, 2014

My son is 16, and he began photographing when he was 3. Way to young for an SLR, so I started him off with Fuji Quicksnap single-use cameras. He quickly learned how to use it, how to turn the flash on when needed, etc. He did very well with composition, too! When he was 4, I bought him a 35mm point and shoot, the Canon Sure Shot Owl. I chose it because it was very simple to use and had a big, easy to see through finder. He learned to use the autofocus properly (locking it on the subject, then recomposing the photo), and the self-timer for doing self-portraits. If I were you, I'd seek out a Canon Owl and get him that. He's too young for manual focus and manual exposure. He'll want something easy to use and will be able to concentrate on seeing and composing photos.

Here's a few of my son's early photos:

The first was shot with a Fuji Quicksnap, the second with the Canon Owl on BW film. They're both portraits he did of me.

Here's a photo of him shooting with the Owl:

darkosaric · Jan 29, 2014

Single use camera - and from time to time give him fuji instax mini.

dorff · Jan 29, 2014

Well, I would say keep the camera operation simple and keep to less challenging conditions, i.e. daylight in good weather. That Canon Owl looks like a nice camera! Perhaps a very simple, fixed lens compact might work nicely, like some of the Olympus Trip cameras. In my case, the kids (7 and almost 5) have digital P&S's which they love. I think they first have to learn to see, and this is easier with digital. The challenge and fun of analogue can come later, when they are a bit more mature. I cannot see how my 7 yo will manage to make the most of 24 or 36 frames, without the need for instant feedback.

trythis · Jan 29, 2014

Just buy 3 or 4 $2 cameras at a thrift store. Let him try those out for a while. No need to get the kid begging for a lieca at 5

transennae · Jan 29, 2014

As a suggestion for an easy to use slr with auto-exposure options (and something not to bulky), maybe a Nikon FG or -- on the higher end of things -- an FM3... Canon AE1 also might be a nice starter. Just some thoughts....

jeffreyg · Jan 29, 2014

I bought each of my grand children their first camera when they turned 2. Originally I got them point and shoot that took AA batteries. As more grandchildren occurred and my children got tired of having film processed and printed I switched to (dare I say digital) but always with AA batteries. You will be surprised how quickly a two year old can learn to compose and take pictures. Since they are using pads and cell phones to play games they are comfortable with the technology. If their interest continues they will become fascinated with film but at first the instant seeing what they photographed maintains their attention.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

gone · Jan 29, 2014

My two cents (from being, and having, a kid) is that it's a little too young for photography. Get him some stuff to draw or model with, and if you must get something photographic, get a small P&S like a disposable camera. At that age it's more about learning motor skills and getting creative. As an artist and a photographer, I'm convinced that the more traditional arts are the way to go w/ that. Photography is not the same, especially the undesirable lag time between inception and finished image.

More and more I see I need to go back to my drawing and printing and take a breather on the photography because the photography aspect isn't at all the same in a creative manner. It's way too analytical. With a drawing/print/painting, spontaneity and intuition rule the day. Some of my fondest times were when I, and time, ceased to exist. For those few minutes I WAS the drawing, to use a Zen term, and there was absolutely no thinking going on at all, yet the drawing was being made, even though I wasn't really aware of that happening at the time. I was "in a zone".

As an adult, drawing is fiendishly difficult. It requires practice, practice, practice. Stop doing it for a while and you'll be back to drawing stick figures until you get your chops back. When you're a kid it's more about the joy of seeing that image get on the paper from your own hand, and it focuses the attention on the moment and reality. Drawing and other art stuff is something a child can do in a group setting too, and everybody gets to see the others work in real time. An art class w/ a non judgmental teacher would be good. Someone that would praise the results. When I began my adult career as an artist that is what I remembered back to, being in an art class at an early age and seeing an 'A' on my paper (the only subject that ever happened with), and seeing my stuff hanging on the wall w/ the other kids. I remembered the praise from my teacher, and bringing that 'A' paper back home to my folks. Stuff like that lasts a lifetime, and sets a good idea in one's head about their abilities and self worth.

ntenny · Jan 29, 2014

That Canon Owl does look like a winner. My experience (with both myself, inasmuch as I can remember, and my now-almost-6-year-old son) is that at that age, "look through the viewfinder and push the button when you see the picture you want" is about enough complexity to be fun and interesting. I've had good luck with disposable cameras and little 35mm p&s boxen. (My camera at that age was an auto-everything 110, which I suppose seemed like a good idea at the time!)

I also totally agree with momus about the importance of drawing. It's not an either/or, though; by all means encourage him to do both.

My son seems to find darkroom work more engaging than being behind the camera, FWIW.

-NT

RalphLambrecht · Jan 29, 2014

Pentax K100.It's all manual and as luck will have it,there is a kit for sale right now in the Classifieds. Good luck to you and your son. be patient with him.remember how long it took you to get where you are right now.

pen s · Jan 29, 2014

Your going to use it on a tripod?

Then go ahead and start right. A Speed Graphic, fake cigar, (a lollypop will do) and a fadora.
He will be the envy of all the kids with digi things.

nsurit · Jan 29, 2014

A Holga 120 and leave him alone and let him take pictures of what he finds interesting. A friend of mine who just completed her MFA did exactly this with her only slightly older son. Her MFA show included both her images and those done by her son. It was a wonderful show which among other things spoke to vision and relationship. Try to concentrate on allowing him to learn, rather than teaching him what to do. Bill Barber

pen s · Jan 29, 2014

Quite a few years ago Kodak handed single use cameras to a bunch of young kids. After some basic instruction on keeping fingers clear and pushing the shutter button gently they were asked to "take pictures of things that make you happy".

Some of the results were amazing. Made me think that now, I know too much to take good pictures. Ah, to have the clear vision of children.

Camera for my boy to learn the basics

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