Which lens for a kid to learn with?

My nine year old has a Canon point and shoot and wants something a little more. So I was thinking about picking up a D30 from Ebay for her to learn with. But what about a cheaper lens for her to learn with? I was thinking about a 50 1.8 or 28-80, I like the 50 better. Any opinions?

why dont you get a cheap body as well?
400d with the standard kit lens will be fine...
if you wanna have a lesson between prime and zoom then maybe purchase the 50mm f/1.8 as the example...

Pick up a used 10D and a 50mm prime lens. That's what my 11 year old uses when we go out shooting together.

If you want 'standard' view on a dSLR then go with a 35/2. Children often have remarkable photographic eyes .

On a crop body 35mm lens is the standard focal length, so I would look at the 35 f/2.

give them some prime lenses choice, 28,50,85...I love u if u give me!

verty wrote in post #2237722
why dont you get a cheap body as well?
400d with the standard kit lens will be fine...
if you wanna have a lesson between prime and zoom then maybe purchase the 50mm f/1.8 as the example...

d30s are cheap, they're on ebay for like 250-350 USD, you're thinking of the 30D

I have a seven year old niece and the only lens she's allowed to shoot with is the nifty... Not because I don't trust her but I think at this age composition skills will come first and nothing enhances those than a prime lens.Zoom lenses make an experienced photographer lazy but with primes it forces you to slow down and think your compositions through... the work she does with nifty exceeds everything else...

sari

deadpass wrote in post #2238010
d30s are cheap, they're on ebay for like 250-350 USD, you're thinking of the 30D

I'de get a 300D maybe instead of a D30. Especially for kids with smaller hands.

I say 50mm 1.8 or 35mm 2.0.. I'd probably go the 35mm for that little bit extra width.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2238048
I'de get a 300D maybe instead of a D30. Especially for kids with smaller hands.

350D is smaller and lighter and the price is dropping.

Here's a thought - why don't you upgrade your camera, and pass the 300D on to your kid?

Regarding lenses, the only advantage primes have for a youngster is that they get to swap lenses about - at the beginning a kit lens will work just fine.

steved110 wrote in post #2238149
Here's a thought - why don't you upgrade your camera, and pass the 300D on to your kid?

That is an option I talked to the local shop about trading the 300d for a 10d. Maybe buy it and give her the 300d. Then I can still use it if needed.

pyrocars wrote in post #2238223
That is an option I talked to the local shop about trading the 300d for a 10d. Maybe buy it and give her the 300d. Then I can still use it if needed.

I wouldn't trade a 300D for a 10D. Perhaps try a 20D as an upgrade. 10D is a lot older, 20D is still on par with current technology more or less.

Lostdoggy, 350D would do too. I sort miss mine for it's size, maybe I'll get one as a backup body as the price is dropping rapidly.

Give them a nifty fifty (or a 30 1.8 if you can afford to have them play with it).

While zooms are convenient, I really believe that people should learn photography on a prime. Zooms should come later once you get your basics down.

I just find that when using a prime you pay much more attention to your composition and framing and such. But thats just my opinion.