Good starter camera for ~$100 for teens

Hey, everyone, I just discovered this forum recently, and it seems like a great resource. My wife and I currently shoot with a T1i, and I was talking to a friend today who said his daughters(around 14, 12, 10) are into photography, and have fun just using their Ipad/ipod. I told him we might be able to find a used DSLR, and he said they are on a limited budget. What would be the best way to spend the money?

XT or XTi?

I found a 30d(may have found one for around this price, body only)?

t2, t3, etc?

Any advice is appreciated.

Brian

if they can stretch a little more
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …-stm-lens-kit-refurbished
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …s-ii-lens-kit-refurbished

I think I'd focus less on the model and more on the price and availability and condition. If you're really aiming for $100, try garage sales and craigslist. I found a T3i for $200 that way. Ebay listings for that level of camera will usually be a bit more expensive.

The differences between the old Rebels is really pretty negligible, if you're an amateur.

Once you get them a camera body, you have your next dozen or so gifts figured out, too! Happy birthday, here's a lens!

05Xrunner wrote in post #17795651
if they can stretch a little more
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …-stm-lens-kit-refurbished
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …s-ii-lens-kit-refurbished

yes, that would be a stretch, even though they are GREAT deals. I am considering the SL1 for us though!

JonKline wrote in post #17795654
I think I'd focus less on the model and more on the price and availability and condition. If you're really aiming for $100, try garage sales and craigslist. I found a T3i for $200 that way. Ebay listings for that level of camera will usually be a bit more expensive.

The differences between the old Rebels is really pretty negligible, if you're an amateur.

Once you get them a camera body, you have your next dozen or so gifts figured out, too! Happy birthday, here's a lens!

good to know. still trying to figure out if a newer, cheaper camera(t3) would be better than an older higher end one like the 30d.

Upgrade and give her the t1i.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #17795704
Upgrade and give her the t1i.

I thought about it, but it is probably more than they need right now, and it is still worth a little bit.

BLD 25 wrote in post #17795717
I thought about it, but it is probably more than they need right now, and it is still worth a little bit.

Maybe something like a nice point and shoot like this would be better to start with:
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …-sx400-is-red-refurbished

BLD 25 wrote in post #17795700
yes, that would be a stretch, even though they are GREAT deals. I am considering the SL1 for us though!

Honestly, those are as cheap as your going to get anything you'd want to actually buy. Below those price points your looking at cheap point and shoots that may or may not be much better than their cell phones.

vengence wrote in post #17795727
Honestly, those are as cheap as your going to get anything you'd want to actually buy. Below those price points your looking at cheap point and shoots that may or may not be much better than their cell phones.

agreed, except for used, which is what I was considering. These girls are using an ipad and having fun. They don't even have cell phones, so anything is a huge upgrade.

BLD 25 wrote in post #17795729
agreed, except for used, which is what I was considering. These girls are using an ipad and having fun. They don't even have cell phones, so anything is a huge upgrade.

I paid 300$ a couple of months ago for an SL1 body only used. Even the really old rebels, t1i, XS, etc are still going for 150$ or so used. Cameras just retain too much value for them to drop that low.

that T5 and SL1 kit probably the best thing you will find in this price point. even buying used body and then adding a lens you would be close to that price anyway. Then you are using tech that is years old. These are newer sensors that perform pretty well at high ISO and has other new features like video mode and such.

I don't think the xsi or xti generation are with it. They were horrible quality bymiso 1600 and at a budget price f5.6 is going to have you living at at least that ISO.

At least the sl1 can actually produce something usable at that or higher iso.

BLD 25 wrote in post #17795645
..... I was talking to a friend today who said his daughters(around 14, 12, 10) are into photography, and have fun just using their Ipad/ipod. I told him we might be able to find a used DSLR....

Has anybody asked the kids or parents what more they want or need that their I-pads etc, won't do?

Millions of kids (and teenagers and adults) are "into photography" but that usually just means they have fun taking selfies and posting on Facebook and Instagram, not lugging around a DSLR and lenses or learning how to use it and process the images.

I have a relative (bright 22 year old young woman) who was "really into photography" and wanted a "good camera" for her birthday a while ago. We gave her a good, pocketable P&S (Elph 330) and the book "Understanding Exposure" to get her started and then looked forward to helping her progress to a DSLR.

She's very happy with the camera, uses it constantly for posting on social media, but never shoots in any mode but AUTO and I don't think she's ever opened the book. A DSLR would have been totally wasted.

At around $100 I would go with a P&S. Unless you they want the DSLR to learn how to use one (youd be amazed at how quickly it ends up in auto mode) or want the raw for heavy post work(again a lot of learning) you could do a good P&S for that price that would be close to a dslr in that price point and not have to worry about lenses and such.

Ill actually second the Elph 330 mentioned above and always give props to the Coolpix line