Well, since I seem to have started this notion, I'll jump in.
I would suggest an OM-G/OM-20. It's a good upgrade from the OM-10 and still
quite cheap. I bought the girls off ebay, in two separate deals, with nice
50/1.8 lenses for $40 each. Yes, that's body and lens $40. Now I was
patient to get it.
They did struggle with the manual focusing for awhile -- lots of fuzzy
pictures, but now the split image is finally sinking in. They are also in
the early stages of understanding apertures, so I just set a 'middlish' one
for them in most cases.
Now that they are starting to get better at it, I actually went backwards
this weekend and let them use digital cameras. I have two older Kodaks, a
DC265 and a DC290 (1.3 and 2.1 respectively, I think). Now they can shoot
without cost and faster and easier for Dad. The OM-G will still have its
place for real camera safaris, but the digitals let them have a lot of fun
for no cost and even 1.3mp will make a decent print. For example, Shannon
went for a walk herself on Monday with the Kodak and got a few abstract
shots that we both liked:
http://www.scalesfamily.com/Shannon20020902.htm
One thing to remember though. This isn't just about the photography. It's
about a hobby that you can both enjoy and do together. I highly recommend
camera safaris. Just a few hours, just the two of you, at a favorite spot.
You'll love it.
Oh yes, you have to go OM --- she'll want to borrow your lenses, etc. soon!
Tom
> Tom's intrepid macro picture taking daughters is giving me an idea what I
> should get for our first born's upcoming (in 3 months) 12 birthday.
> Previously I have bought her a cheapie focus free camera (plus numerous
> disposables for trips) and even a cheap 640x480 digi-cam. Now I am
> wondering whether she can upgrade to a "real" camera.
>
> I can of course give her the Pentax ZX-5, which I no longer use, after
> coming back to OM-dom. Or may be I can get either a used OM-2000 or an
> OM-10 or OM-PC. I can't say she's too terribly mechanically inclined or
> anything like that. I don't know whether she will like to learn manual
> focusing, and exposure setting and all that stuff. OTOH, it's not like she
> is technological challenged, being growing up in this computer age. In
> fact, she knows more HTML than I do :-)
>
> What are your recommendations? Of course if I decide to give her an OM,
she
> will have to wait to inherit my Zuikos :-) I will have to get her a 50/1.8
> or something.
>
> // richard
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