My niece and nephew are in middle school and have both joined the yearbook class. As a result, their mom, my sister, would like to outfit them with a decent student-type digital camera that they can use around school to take picture for year. I assume this means candid type shots plus sports shots.

It has been many years since I have looked at digital still cameras in any serious capacity.

I offered them long-term use of my old Canon T3i, which they will take until a replacement is secured. But, what does the Forum think would make a good student camera these days? Used is probably the way that will be taken, so I looked briefly at the used offerings from B&H and saw familiar names like Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony. Also there was a Panasonic, Fuji, and Olympus.

So, what do we like these days? Mirrorless or mirrored? A Sony Aplha NEX-5N body is $220 used, but what is lens availability and pricing like?

Or perhaps a more traditional type mirror DSLR? Digital Rebel XTi plus a 14-42 is only $130, but I think that is even older than my T3i.

Thanks for any opinions!

Does the school have any cameras they can use? Is there a teacher that helps with the yearbook how has experience and will guide them? I would wait and see what the school has and is recommended they learn on.

Outside of that, I would look at a used DSLR that was mid-grade then a new entry-level. The reason is many entry-level cameras don't have dedicated buttons to quickly change ISO, aperture, shutter speed. The mid-grade or prosumers cameras should. The ability to quickly change these things is huge in really learning photography.

Know if they just want to take pictures of classmates and tell a story and not worry about learning the camera the iPhone will take amazing pictures around a school.

Sports is an entire different ball game. Especially indoor sports.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
Does the school have any cameras they can use? Is there a teacher that helps with the yearbook how has experience and will guide them? I would wait and see what the school has and is recommended they learn on.

Outside of that, I would look at a used DSLR that was mid-grade then a new entry-level. The reason is many entry-level cameras don't have dedicated buttons to quickly change ISO, aperture, shutter speed. The mid-grade or prosumers cameras should. The ability to quickly change these things is huge in really learning photography.

Know if they just want to take pictures of classmates and tell a story and not worry about learning the camera the iPhone will take amazing pictures around a school.

Sports is an entire different ball game. Especially indoor sports.

That’s a good point. One of the frustrating parts of my T3i was always the relative hassle to change settings. That is likely why I never really never made the transition from film to digital as a hobby… I enjoyed the relative simplicity of adjusting settings on my old AE-1P and T-70 on the fly.

I did caution my sister that she wasn’t going to want to drop cash necessary to buy lens’ that would really work well for indoor sports. As I recall, fast lenses are quite spendy.

If buying used, KEH and MPB usually have more options and better prices.

Today’s digital camera are just as easy to change the big three settings (ISO, Tv, Av) as film cameras. Yes, other settings can delve into menus but shouldn’t need frequent changing.

Sensor advances and improved “noise” at higher ISO should lessen the need for fast glass for indoor sports given the intended use.

If they are using a Canon now, I would stick with Canon for familiarity if nothing else. Not sure of your budget, but the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 is as close to an “L” lens you can get in the EF-s mount and can be had used in the $350 range.

A little more useful range, and also a great lens (but not as fast) is the EF-S 15-85mm


I am a long time Canon user, my first Canon being a T2i, going through 7D, 6D, 5D4, R, and now R5 and R6. I’ve also dabbled in micro-four thirds (Olympus and Panasonic) and wouldn’t recommend them. Lots of folks are happy with them, I just prefer the larger sensor of APS-C and reduced noise at higher ISO settings.

Tell me your budget and I will offer a best “bang fo buck” suggestion.

Do those kids have relatively new cell phones with cameras? Not as professional by any means, but more user friendly to a student. Unless there’s a requirement for a dslr, that would be my best bang for the buck thought.

Look at many inexpensive, point-and-shoot cameras. These can teach the students the basics of photography and let them progress from there.

I don't know of any hobbies more expensive than guns and photography!

quote:

Originally posted by odin:
Look at many inexpensive, point-and-shoot cameras. These can teach the students the basics of photography and let them progress from there.

I don't know of any hobbies more expensive than guns and photography!

Golf?

flashguy

Old coot input:

Make em use a 35mm SLR with multiple lens and additional flash... then send them in a dark room to develop and print the pictures...

I will second the used prosumer route. I don't know how I ever got along without the second wheel on my Nikons. Like, I literally can't go back to my ancient D40X (not that I want to) because I can't remember how to work the menus.

Used cuts costs pretty significantly as well, especially if the body is 2-3 generations old. Lenses hold their value better, but savings can be had if you look hard enough and don't get sticker shock too badly. eBay is a wonderful place for this, lots of passable condition lenses going for reasonable prices.

"Make em use a 35mm SLR with multiple lens and additional flash... then send them in a dark room to develop and print the pictures..."

LOL! When my wife was getting a BS, she actually took photography as an elective. This is exactly what her college required. Since we had just bought a new house, I decided to build in a darkroom so she could do this from home. I've had a darkroom since 1968!

We spent countless hours in there developing film and processing pictures. Then, digital came along! It was the era of Photoshop and other digital, picture-editing programs. So much fun!!!

Unless one understands the basics, it is difficult to get into the image-processing field.

I'm sure you have considered that keeping the camera safe and secure in a middle school environment might be difficult and more so with an obviously expensive outfit. How much can you afford to lose if it disappears?

I have a Canon Power Shot, 4MP, needs a media card, but I would be happy to donate it to their cause. Haven't used it in 10 years and it's been in the yard sale box. Took great crime scene photos when I used it. If interested my email in my profile.

quote:

Originally posted by urbanwarrior238:
I have a Canon Power Shot, 4MP, needs a media card, but I would be happy to donate it to their cause. Haven't used it in 10 years and it's been in the yard sale box. Took great crime scene photos when I used it. If interested my email in my profile.

Just when a problem comes along, so does a solution.

Isn't SIG Forum great?

That off sounds good... but 4mp is kind of low on the image scale these days....

what I would look into is one of the pocket cameras that is weather proof... good down to 50 or 100 feet. the couple year old Nikon coolpix I use for work is good down to 100ft.. my reasoning for suggesting one of these is they can be washed off in a sink. Nikon and I presume Cannon and a few others will have good lens in them too.

Nikon makes a great point and shoot that is waterproof, shock proof and almost indestructible. I have had several earlier version from version 1 that traveled with me to Afghanistan. They have lived in my pocket for years and are great. Not the best for zoom requirements, but for day to day shooting they are great.

Nikon W300.

B&H website

if you are looking for a DSLR then go used.

I would recommend a Pentax K20d or a Pentax K5 for the body.

Pentax will take all of the manual as well as the autofocus lenses.

KEH.com is a great place to pick up used camera gear.

They will want a sturdy tripod as well.