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11/22/2010 07:14:37 PM · #1 |
i got the following email from a friend of mine
Originally posted by camera seeker:
my daughter (22 years old) is looking to buy a camera for her boyfriend for Christmas. He used to do photo journalism when he was in the service. Any suggestions on what is a good brand? |
how would you answer her? |
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11/22/2010 07:29:39 PM · #2 |
I would respond with a few questions such as what price range she is looking at. Is she looking for a dslr or a high end point and shoot? Is there any preference on brand? What would be the primary use of the camera?
I would want a bit more information prior to throwing out camera suggestions personally. |
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11/22/2010 07:33:15 PM · #3 |
"Canon"
what's so difficult on that? |
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11/22/2010 07:46:13 PM · #4 |
| I'd find it difficult to answer a question like that with confidence... if he as previous experience with PJ work, it's likely that he has developed preferences. I would not risk recommending something that he might not like. |
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11/22/2010 07:57:17 PM · #5 |
I'd recommend a digital one. :)
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11/22/2010 08:30:44 PM · #6 |
Gift card for the local camera store so he can pick out the one he wants.
... or get one that he can return if he doesn't like it.
Without knowing more about his preferences it's hard to make a meaningful recommendation.
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11/22/2010 09:03:30 PM · #7 |
Take him out to a good store with lots of choices & watch him browse. Ask him some innocent questions to gather information. Ask if he still has an old camera, that might give you a brand name.
Message edited by author 2010-11-22 21:04:38. |
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11/22/2010 09:19:41 PM · #8 |
An alternative is for her to give him a gift card for the amount she can afford, specifically for a camera. Then she can take him shopping, make an event of it.
Personally, I would be unlikely to be satisfied with a camera that someone else selected without consulting me, and then it would be stressful to either keep it and try to use the "wrong" camera, or to say I'd like to return it for something else. Odds are she won't pick the right one.
On the other hand, I would be Super Pleased to get the funds and a chance to go get exactly what I want/need for the type of photography I do. |
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11/22/2010 09:26:16 PM · #9 |
why not just a get a yearly membership here?
Message edited by author 2010-11-22 21:26:22. |
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11/22/2010 10:13:45 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
I'd find it difficult to answer a question like that with confidence... if he as previous experience with PJ work, it's likely that he has developed preferences. I would not risk recommending something that he might not like. |
Ditto.
Gift card.
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11/23/2010 01:11:06 AM · #11 |
| 1D mkIV, it's pretty much a safe bet... |
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11/23/2010 01:56:15 AM · #12 |
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11/23/2010 02:29:23 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by apercep:
H4D-60 |
Most people are pretty bad at focusing a full-frame DLSR, I don't think a medium format camera will help much :) |
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11/23/2010 06:22:35 AM · #14 |
thanks, everyone!
ya'll pretty much confirmed what i was thinking. photography is such a personal, hands-on, expensive undertaking that it's really hard to buy a camera for someone else.
i think a gift card to a camera store is probably the best bet. you will probably pay more than you would at a big box (like walmart or best buy), but you also will have a better chance of talking to a photographer than someone who knows no more than the marketing hype. |
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11/23/2010 07:02:20 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by Skip:
thanks, everyone!
ya'll pretty much confirmed what i was thinking. photography is such a personal, hands-on, expensive undertaking that it's really hard to buy a camera for someone else.
i think a gift card to a camera store is probably the best bet. you will probably pay more than you would at a big box (like walmart or best buy), but you also will have a better chance of talking to a photographer than someone who knows no more than the marketing hype. |
Could also do what I have done before, rather than actually buying a gift card from a store just make your own voucher (in word/photoshop/whatever) and print it, especially for someone so close ... it's more personal and then the money can be spent wherever. |
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11/23/2010 07:22:28 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by coryboehne:
Originally posted by apercep:
H4D-60 |
Most people are pretty bad at focusing a full-frame DLSR, I don't think a medium format camera will help much :) |
my daughter (22 years old) is looking to buy a camera for her boyfriend for Christmas. He used to do photo journalism when he was in the service. Any suggestions on what is a good brand?
I think he should be able to handle it..... |
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11/23/2010 10:07:41 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Skip:
thanks, everyone!
ya'll pretty much confirmed what i was thinking. photography is such a personal, hands-on, expensive undertaking that it's really hard to buy a camera for someone else.
i think a gift card to a camera store is probably the best bet. you will probably pay more than you would at a big box (like walmart or best buy), but you also will have a better chance of talking to a photographer than someone who knows no more than the marketing hype. |
A generic visa or mastercard gift card would allow the purchase to be made at any store, or online. And, in the worst case, if the guy wants something else instead of a camera, the option is still open. |
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11/23/2010 01:06:10 PM · #18 |
I understand what you guys are saying about a card but Christmas presents are not as personal if it's a card. The effort shows when you look and research what would be the best choice.
So her is my suggestion, Have her talk to any friends that might be able to tell her what to get for him, have her ask him if he would help pick out a present for her or set up some other scenario that gets him into a store looking at equipment.
If that won't work then I agree that a gift card is the best choice.
Good luck and have fun with it. If you do give a card then choose another way to make it fun. One of the best presents I gave my ex-husband was found after a scavenger hunt in the house. She could start with a card that starts the hunt or bury it in a serious of boxes either nestled inside each other or clues to the next one with each one wrapped so it takes some effort to get to the gift. This way it shows that she thought about this purchase and didn't just do the EASY thing and get a card but still gives him the ability to make this serious purchase himself.
Another thought is to give several things with this gift and make a day of the shopping. A picnic basket and blanket, business card from a restaurant for lunch. etc.
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11/24/2010 10:49:07 AM · #19 |
| I would be a little bit sneakier and get your friends daughter to pose the same question to her boyfriend. Ask him what camera brand he would recomend. |
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