Camera suggestion needed...

[havoc315]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pho/3421122570.html

Finding more on Craigslist than I thought I would. Above is one...so maybe my budget isn't as limiting as I thought.

Thank for you for the great advice!

The Nikon D40 was just one example when I browsed eBay. I'd actually vote for the camera I just upgraded from, the Sony Alpha line. Specifically, the A100, A200, and A300 can each be found around your price range. They each have 10+ megapixels, which is really the point where you don't need any more. They also have in-camera image stabilization, meaning you can get some surprisingly good results with cheap used 20-year-old Minolta lenses. (A nice advantage if she wants to add lenses as her interest grows )

 

[LittleMissMagic]

So I guess my question would be, is it be a possibility to improve her phone camera? Then my other thought would be that if she REALLY wants to get more seriously into photography, that a dSLR might be preferable to a point and shoot.

I actually just got some iPhone lenses from Photojojo (it's a really cool camera novelty store and blog). Haven't had the chance to try them out yet, but I have a friend who got the lenses for her study abroad in Italy, and she has fantastic photos. She's a wonderful photographer anyway, but in addition to her DSLR, instead of carrying a P&S, she uses her iPhone with additional lenses.

You have a point with young people either using a DSLR or iPhone, but not many with P&Ss anymore. I got my sister a P&S for her high school graduation (she had asked for it), and I don't think she's used it since her graduation trip. I thought she would take it with her to football games, but of course, who needs a P&S when you are already carrying an iPhone? I think the younger generation also appreciates the quick sharing methods possible with the iPhone.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Here's an example of a photo taken with an iPhone 4s with a fisheye lens from Photojojo (credit to my friend Jordan).

If you're on Instagram and want more examples, you can search #photojojotelephoto, #photojojofisheye, #photojojomacro, or #photojojowideangle.

It might be too novelty for professional photographers, but I think this would be very enjoyable for a teenager and continue to spark her interest in photography.

 

[photo_chick]

It might be too novelty for professional photographers, but I think this would be very enjoyable for a teenager and continue to spark her interest in photography.

I know a few of art photographers who use the add on lenses with their smartphone. It's not what you'd use for commercial work, but you can certainly use it for professional art.