Starter DSLR for Teenager

A friend of mine has a teenage daughter that's interested in getting into photography. He's looking for a used dslr in the $100 range for a body. I suggested a Rebel Xti or T1i. Any suggestions for anyone that has done the same? He also inquired about a point-n-shoot w/manual controls but I'm thinking he should stick to the dslr.

Thanks in advance!

Someone on POTN very recently posted a Canon 40D for only $175 ...can't get much better than that!

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18504177

Wilt wrote in post #18505947
Someone on POTN very recently posted a Canon 40D for only $175 ...can't get much better than that!

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=18504177

Thanks, I'll pass this info on to my friend.

Teenage daughter? I would definitely check with her first. Take her to a big box store and have her hold the different models from the bridge cameras, many of which support manual controls, to the smaller mirrorless from Sony/Fuji/Oly to the huge xxD size cameras. She'll probably have very different criteria than an adult photographer wanting portability and quickness.

gjl711 wrote in post #18505969
Teenage daughter? I would definitely check with her first. Take her to a big box store and have her hold the different models from the bridge cameras, many of which support manual controls, to the smaller mirrorless from Sony/Fuji/Oly to the huge xxD size cameras. She'll probably have very different criteria than an adult photographer wanting portability and quickness.

Yes, not my daughter though. A friend of mine was asking. I think he want's it for a Christmas present, but you do make a good point. I will pass suggestion along.

Then I would start out with a bridge camera. No lenses to mess with and you can concentrate on the photo part of photography.

It would be good for your friend to at least 'interview' his daughter, to determine her goals in asking for a camera...

1. is she at the beginning of the journey to being a 'hobbyist/enthusiast' who is willing put put up with the bulk and weight of a dSLR and interchangeable lenses
   
2. is she interested in having a camera with a range of FL but in a fixed lens (not removeable)
   
3. is she interest in simply having a compact convenient-to-carry camera with a range of optical FL (and not merely the digital zoom of her smartphone)
   

Wilt wrote in post #18505990
It would be good for your friend to at least 'interview' his daughter, to determine her goals in asking for a camera...

1. is she at the beginning of the journey to being a 'hobbyist/enthusiast' who is willing put put up with the bulk and weight of a dSLR and interchangeable lenses
   
2. is she interested in having a camera with a range of FL but in a fixed lens (not removeable)
   
3. is she interest in simply having a compact convenient-to-carry camera with a range of optical FL (and not merely the digital zoom of her smartphone)
   

If 1, then a dSLR
If 2, then a bridge camera
If 3, then a good P&S with zoom

Understanding her motivations goes a long way toward choice of a satisfying gift.

Guy goes into a bar and orders a whisky. Bartender says, whisky is not good for you, here is a glass of milk instead.

Since the OP clearly defines the requirement as a DSLR, I would suggest any older used Rebel that is in good condition and close to $100 should do.

We have learned, in more than one instance, that what somebody asks for may in fact NOT BE what they really wanted! They may be unaware of some alternative products which give them something closer to their 'ideal' than the generic term like 'dSLR'...which is why additional conversation may reveal the ideal, and not the asked for generic.

Especially a kid. Bury them with a heave huge camera and it will get used once and they are done. Get them something they can take with them out with their friends and it will get used a lot. When ready, move on up.

Well, the OP said she wants a DSLR. Do we know better than the OP?

gjl711 wrote in post #18506018
Especially a kid. Bury them with a heave huge camera and it will get used once and they are done. Get them something they can take with them out with their friends and it will get used a lot. When ready, move on up.

Teenage != Kid.

I was carting around DSLR's when I was a teenager. Stole the AE-1 on family vacations and used it all the time.

gjl711 wrote in post #18505969
Teenage daughter? I would definitely check with her first. Take her to a big box store and have her hold the different models from the bridge cameras, many of which support manual controls, to the smaller mirrorless from Sony/Fuji/Oly to the huge xxD size cameras. She'll probably have very different criteria than an adult photographer wanting portability and quickness.

gjl711 wrote in post #18505985
Then I would start out with a bridge camera. No lenses to mess with and you can concentrate on the photo part of photography.

A few random facts. OP asked about a DSLR. Bridge camera's Av setting is just about pointless; DOF on a 1/1.7" sensor is HUGE and the setting yields almost no control over DOF. User will learn nothing about DOF control with a bridge camera. Used DSLRs are available for WAY less than even a mediocre bridge camera. Panny DMC-FZ300 (f/2.8 lens, 25-600mm) is about $400. I recently bought my grandson and XSi w/18-55 for $75. He can use my lenses, if he wants. Though it is really funny to watch his mom have a conniption fit when I hand him a 6D/135L. He does OK, for an 8 year old kid.

Thanks for all the response guys. Every response is helpful as I wanted to get the opinions from this forum. I mean...that's what makes forums great right?

Either way I have plenty of info to pass along to my uninformed friend.

$100 is going to get you really old technology, i just wonder if that's going to keep her from using the camera that much...your basic options with a lens will be xt, xti, maybe xsi...but i can't see anything else without spending considerably more than the budget

i just wonder if a point and shoot with manual controls would be better served as an entry to photography...if she's just using a phone right now for photos, i'd go for a newer point and shoot as opposed to some older DSLR