Choosing a camera for my daughter...

dansamy · 11-20-2013, 09:40 AM

I've had a K-x for a couple years now. It sees light use. I'm still learning myself because I don't photograph a lot. I just bought a few extra lenses pretty cheaply on the great online flea market. I'm looking for a body for my daughter. She's 13. Like most 13 year olds, her interest waxes and wanes. Can anyone suggest a body? I've been looking at the ist models and older k models. I just can't see spending $100 on a new point and shoot when I can get an older body for that and she can use lenses that I have.

**paulh** · 11-20-2013, 10:21 AM

For $100 you could get her an *ist model or K100D. I still use both and highly recommend them. The K100D series have shake reduction as well. Good luck!

**Billy Joe** · 11-20-2013, 10:24 AM

K100D is a fine camera. I started with it and took some great photos.

Adam · 11-20-2013, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by dansamy

I've had a K-x for a couple years now. It sees light use. I'm still learning myself because I don't photograph a lot. I just bought a few extra lenses pretty cheaply on the great online flea market. I'm looking for a body for my daughter. She's 13. Like most 13 year olds, her interest waxes and wanes. Can anyone suggest a body? I've been looking at the ist models and older k models. I just can't see spending $100 on a new point and shoot when I can get an older body for that and she can use lenses that I have.

A K100D would be nice if you want to get her serious about photography. Otherwise I don't think it would hurt to get her a nice point and shoot that she can take anywhere. I myself started out with a high-end P&S before moving to DSLRs, and it worked out really well.

Adam
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**Miguel** · 11-20-2013, 11:08 AM

Go lightly and cheap. Once you get her a smartphone, the camera functions will most likely meet her needs.

M

dansamy · 11-20-2013, 11:26 AM

She has a phone with a camera, but she still takes a lot of pictures with her very old Kodak digital, until it died. Now, she's using her brother's Canon, which was mine prior to my Pentax purchase. I think the camera on her phone is pretty lousy and is fixed focus. Her brother just got a smartphone for his 14th birthday. And it's a very low budget model with a lousy camera.

Reliant K1000 · 11-20-2013, 11:35 AM

I would say that a point and shoot would be OK to try first, then she can take some shots and learn about composing the image. I'd create the interest so that she can initiate herself whether she wants to make the leap into DSLRs.

I got my 10 year old daughter a $50 Point & Shoot camera last Christmas (Best Buy had a closeout of old models about this time last year) and she's really shown a flair for photography, and is having fun with it. She calls my camera "The precious Pentax" as it is often with me wherever we go on outings together, as in "Don't forget your precious Pentax!"

We were recently photographing the sunset and she liked my camera's "adjustablity" so I think the seed is planted. We'll see what happens in a year or so. Perhaps a used K-01 might be the ticket...

dansamy · 11-20-2013, 11:39 AM

She's been using PnS for 3-4 years now. She's asking for a "real" camera for Christmas.

**Eric Auer** · 11-20-2013, 11:47 AM - **1 Like**

I would upgrade to a K-50 and give the kid the K-x

dansamy · 11-20-2013, 11:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Corto-PA

I would upgrade to a K-50 and give the kid the K-x

I like the way you think!

**TER-OR** · 11-20-2013, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by Corto-PA

I would upgrade to a K-50 and give the kid the K-x

That sounds like a plan. It sounds like she's serious enough to take care of the camera and use it well.

DogLover · 11-20-2013, 01:15 PM

Yep, always easier to justify upgrading when it allows you to be generous to others.

millsware · 11-20-2013, 04:21 PM

Why not get a K-01? Relatively small, nifty design, lens compatability and are selling for ~$200 used.

dansamy · 11-20-2013, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by millsware

Why not get a K-01? Relatively small, nifty design, lens compatability and are selling for ~$200 used.

I actually gave serious consideration to it.

I've found a k-m/k2000 with both 18-55 & 50-200 kit lenses for $250. I think I'd sell the kit lenses because I have the 18-55 & the longer 55-300. I'd probably want to get an upgrade & she could use the 18-55.

**Billy Joe** · 11-20-2013, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by dansamy

I actually gave serious consideration to it.

I've found a k-m/k2000 with both 18-55 & 50-200 kit lenses for $250. I think I'd sell the kit lenses because I have the 18-55 & the longer 55-300. I'd probably want to get an upgrade & she could use the 18-55.

wow kind of agree with mills ware, did not even think about a used K-01... I love mine. My Kx sits on the shelf since the K-01 showed up.

It has the K5 sensor and is fun to use.

11-20-2013, 09:40 AM	#1
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Choosing a camera for my daughter... I've had a K-x for a couple years now. It sees light use. I'm still learning myself because I don't photograph a lot. I just bought a few extra lenses pretty cheaply on the great online flea market. I'm looking for a body for my daughter. She's 13. Like most 13 year olds, her interest waxes and wanes. Can anyone suggest a body? I've been looking at the ist models and older k models. I just can't see spending $100 on a new point and shoot when I can get an older body for that and she can use lenses that I have.

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11-20-2013, 10:21 AM	#2
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	For $100 you could get her an *ist model or K100D. I still use both and highly recommend them. The K100D series have shake reduction as well. Good luck!

11-20-2013, 10:24 AM	#3
Billy Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 374	K100D is a fine camera. I started with it and took some great photos.

11-20-2013, 11:02 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by dansamy I've had a K-x for a couple years now. It sees light use. I'm still learning myself because I don't photograph a lot. I just bought a few extra lenses pretty cheaply on the great online flea market. I'm looking for a body for my daughter. She's 13. Like most 13 year olds, her interest waxes and wanes. Can anyone suggest a body? I've been looking at the ist models and older k models. I just can't see spending $100 on a new point and shoot when I can get an older body for that and she can use lenses that I have. A K100D would be nice if you want to get her serious about photography. Otherwise I don't think it would hurt to get her a nice point and shoot that she can take anywhere. I myself started out with a high-end P&S before moving to DSLRs, and it worked out really well. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-20-2013, 11:08 AM	#5
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Go lightly and cheap. Once you get her a smartphone, the camera functions will most likely meet her needs. M

11-20-2013, 11:26 AM	#6
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	She has a phone with a camera, but she still takes a lot of pictures with her very old Kodak digital, until it died. Now, she's using her brother's Canon, which was mine prior to my Pentax purchase. I think the camera on her phone is pretty lousy and is fixed focus. Her brother just got a smartphone for his 14th birthday. And it's a very low budget model with a lousy camera.

11-20-2013, 11:35 AM	#7
Reliant K1000 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: BC - On the 49th parallel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	I would say that a point and shoot would be OK to try first, then she can take some shots and learn about composing the image. I'd create the interest so that she can initiate herself whether she wants to make the leap into DSLRs. I got my 10 year old daughter a $50 Point & Shoot camera last Christmas (Best Buy had a closeout of old models about this time last year) and she's really shown a flair for photography, and is having fun with it. She calls my camera "The precious Pentax" as it is often with me wherever we go on outings together, as in "Don't forget your precious Pentax!" We were recently photographing the sunset and she liked my camera's "adjustablity" so I think the seed is planted. We'll see what happens in a year or so. Perhaps a used K-01 might be the ticket...

11-20-2013, 11:39 AM	#8
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	She's been using PnS for 3-4 years now. She's asking for a "real" camera for Christmas.

11-20-2013, 11:47 AM - 1 Like	#9
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	I would upgrade to a K-50 and give the kid the K-x

11-20-2013, 11:52 AM - 1 Like	#10
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	Originally posted by Corto-PA I would upgrade to a K-50 and give the kid the K-x I like the way you think!

11-20-2013, 12:11 PM	#11
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Originally posted by Corto-PA I would upgrade to a K-50 and give the kid the K-x That sounds like a plan. It sounds like she's serious enough to take care of the camera and use it well.

11-20-2013, 01:15 PM	#12
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Yep, always easier to justify upgrading when it allows you to be generous to others.

11-20-2013, 04:21 PM	#13
millsware Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 70	Why not get a K-01? Relatively small, nifty design, lens compatability and are selling for ~$200 used.

11-20-2013, 05:28 PM	#14
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	Originally posted by millsware Why not get a K-01? Relatively small, nifty design, lens compatability and are selling for ~$200 used. I actually gave serious consideration to it. I've found a k-m/k2000 with both 18-55 & 50-200 kit lenses for $250. I think I'd sell the kit lenses because I have the 18-55 & the longer 55-300. I'd probably want to get an upgrade & she could use the 18-55.

11-20-2013, 05:35 PM	#15
Billy Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 374	Originally posted by dansamy I actually gave serious consideration to it. I've found a k-m/k2000 with both 18-55 & 50-200 kit lenses for $250. I think I'd sell the kit lenses because I have the 18-55 & the longer 55-300. I'd probably want to get an upgrade & she could use the 18-55. wow kind of agree with mills ware, did not even think about a used K-01... I love mine. My Kx sits on the shelf since the K-01 showed up. It has the K5 sensor and is fun to use.