-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Soenda
Senior Member
Poor choice of words on my part. I should have said "many" instead of all.
--
http://www.pbase.com/soenda
K
Ken W.
Guest
... my posts in this thread because it's not an issue with age. People seem to be getting defensive here because I said my dad is 70. I am in NO WAY suggesting he's old or incapable of learning.
My concern is he's shown no desire to inclination to learn how to use a computer in the past 15 years and now wants a fancy camera that requires the use of a computer and understanding of the technology.
Please, I didn't mean to get people all defensive, but your advice is not helping.
--
Ken W.
http://www.arc-photo.com
My concern is he's shown no desire to inclination to learn how to use a computer in the past 15 years and now wants a fancy camera that requires the use of a computer and understanding of the technology.
Please, I didn't mean to get people all defensive, but your advice is not helping.
--
Ken W.
http://www.arc-photo.com
Bill Randall
Forum Pro
I am sure, but these things do happen. You are now placed in a situation where you must balance his right to live his life with keeping him safe and financially sound. No matter what you do there will be those that say "you did the wrong thing". Your father certainly will. I base this last comment on what I went through with my mother. My situation differed from yours in that my mother poisoned herself with old food several times, refused to take medication, etc... It was obvious I had to do something - not pleasant. I might add that after all the conflict we had to get her into an assisted living home, she now agrees it was the best decision.
My point is you must be ready to make some hard decisions - even if you decide not to make a decision. No matter what decisions you make you are probably going to feel guilty. Do the best you can and keep guilt at an arms length. No one can ask more of you than for you to do your best.
--
FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind.
Your Dad sounds much like myself when it comes to using the computer, I never had much use for one so didn't spend time learning the first thing about them. My wife liked having one around (for about 20 years now) as she used one at work, knows how to use it, and was willing to teach me. Still I had no use for the thing until I got my first digital camera, at that point I had to learn to use it and have learned so much more than just using the photo programs. The wife now has to kick me off the puter so she can get her work done!
Could be the same with your Dad, he may learn to use the puter just so he can view and PP his photos.
best of luck!
Could be the same with your Dad, he may learn to use the puter just so he can view and PP his photos.
best of luck!
Thisjustin
Senior Member
I'd buy him something like the little Epson picturemate Dash. I have one, we got my grandfather one and he loves it. Prints 4x6s only, its under $40 for a pack of 100 sheets of paper AND the ink to print them and its simple. If he wants to do 8x10s or 5x7s the epson 300 series has a built in card reader, but the ink and paper is a good bit more... (well duh.)
brent collins
Senior Member
First of all, post processing is WAY overdone. Secondly, a nice little Canon fitted with a quality L series lens will be fine. You don't need a computer...simply set up the in camera custom presets and shoot away. He can take the CF or SD card to the local lab and print away. I recently got my Dad, who is 69 years old, a Rebel XTi and loaned him my 24-70 during a day trip to teach him. His work was great for the first day out with a DSLR. A computer simply is not a necessity. On the other hand, maybe a G10 might be a good compromise for you.
Adrian71
Member
Ken,
I am a 73 year dad. Since I was 70 I bought 3 DSLR's. Anyway, a 400d with the
new IS lens kit will be OK. Set the camera to AUTO. It will turn it into a point and
shoot camera. I wish him many happy photographing years.
Dave
I am a 73 year dad. Since I was 70 I bought 3 DSLR's. Anyway, a 400d with the
new IS lens kit will be OK. Set the camera to AUTO. It will turn it into a point and
shoot camera. I wish him many happy photographing years.
Dave
faelaena622326
Active member
Ken,
Let him get the camera.
He may be happy with going to the store to print the photos. Back in the film day we didn't have instant results. We took our film in for processing. He most likely can only relate to that right now.
With time, he may very well find he wants to invest in a computer for ease of photo transfer, etc.
Who knows, you soon may be shopping for a computer for him.
Let him enjoy the ride. I am happy to hear that he has interest in a hobby.
Who knows, he may suprize you with some wonderful photos and and best of all,
the conversations relating to such.
-Faelaena
Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.
Edward Steichen
Let him get the camera.
He may be happy with going to the store to print the photos. Back in the film day we didn't have instant results. We took our film in for processing. He most likely can only relate to that right now.
With time, he may very well find he wants to invest in a computer for ease of photo transfer, etc.
Who knows, you soon may be shopping for a computer for him.
Let him enjoy the ride. I am happy to hear that he has interest in a hobby.
Who knows, he may suprize you with some wonderful photos and and best of all,
the conversations relating to such.
-Faelaena
Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.
Edward Steichen
bk262960
Forum Enthusiast
Even better than buying: download (and maybe print for him) the free good book...
http://cweeks.deviantart.com/art/Street-Photography-38038974?q=street+photography+for+the+purist
(click on download once there)
...tell him to read it... and then buy him a Panasonic lx3, a gorgeous street camera with a 24-60mm short zoom and a fast (f/2 !!) leica lens.
Almost as good as a 20xtimes more expensive leica rangefinder... only digital and more silent
Ok: no zoom, but a further advantage is there: he won't have to pull around a heavy DSLR and he will still have amazing IQ in low light.
Also older people are almost invisible when street photographing themselves... this'll give him a competitive edge towards younger street photographers
------------------
street photography is a passion
http://cweeks.deviantart.com/art/Street-Photography-38038974?q=street+photography+for+the+purist
(click on download once there)
...tell him to read it... and then buy him a Panasonic lx3, a gorgeous street camera with a 24-60mm short zoom and a fast (f/2 !!) leica lens.
Almost as good as a 20xtimes more expensive leica rangefinder... only digital and more silent
Ok: no zoom, but a further advantage is there: he won't have to pull around a heavy DSLR and he will still have amazing IQ in low light.
Also older people are almost invisible when street photographing themselves... this'll give him a competitive edge towards younger street photographers
------------------
street photography is a passion
The computer, he does not even need to own one. In the film days, people didin't own computers, they bought a real nice camera, they bought some film, the shot the film and took it down and had it developed.
Your dad can use a good camera (I own Nikon and Canon, Nikon is better at getting spot on images right out of the camera, I would recommend a Nikon, No PP needed) take pictures and take the card down to the cheapest, easiest place to have prints made.
People here would gawk at anyone here that did not have a computer, but really it is not needed. If your dad can't live without sending pictures on the net or posting them there. Find the easiest to use software or website to post images to the net. Then your dad will have to learn. But let him use the camera like a film camera of old. If that is not sufficient for him, find him the easiest software and let him learn. People who are motivated and drivin to do something WILL figure it out. If it is not something they really desire, then they won't learn it but your dad only needs to know the camera needs to be in the green mode, how to turn it on, how to shoot, how to take it to a grocery store or walmart for printing like film. They can have a great time.
Now if you were a good son and want to help your old man, let him borrow your old backup camera like I do with my dad. He goes takes pictures, I download them, put them on the web for him. Correct any that look real bad. If he wants them printed, I take them to a cheap photo printshop, (some of the places on the net, you upload them, they are stored with thumbnails and all, and they mail you the printss)
When you are 70, there are far fewer days behind then there are ahead. If he can afford it, recommend the best out of camera image producing camera, the easiest software to upload images to the net if he really wants to do that, or do it for him. That is what I do.
Your dad can use a good camera (I own Nikon and Canon, Nikon is better at getting spot on images right out of the camera, I would recommend a Nikon, No PP needed) take pictures and take the card down to the cheapest, easiest place to have prints made.
People here would gawk at anyone here that did not have a computer, but really it is not needed. If your dad can't live without sending pictures on the net or posting them there. Find the easiest to use software or website to post images to the net. Then your dad will have to learn. But let him use the camera like a film camera of old. If that is not sufficient for him, find him the easiest software and let him learn. People who are motivated and drivin to do something WILL figure it out. If it is not something they really desire, then they won't learn it but your dad only needs to know the camera needs to be in the green mode, how to turn it on, how to shoot, how to take it to a grocery store or walmart for printing like film. They can have a great time.
Now if you were a good son and want to help your old man, let him borrow your old backup camera like I do with my dad. He goes takes pictures, I download them, put them on the web for him. Correct any that look real bad. If he wants them printed, I take them to a cheap photo printshop, (some of the places on the net, you upload them, they are stored with thumbnails and all, and they mail you the printss)
When you are 70, there are far fewer days behind then there are ahead. If he can afford it, recommend the best out of camera image producing camera, the easiest software to upload images to the net if he really wants to do that, or do it for him. That is what I do.
Charles Self
Senior Member
If this is a new pattern of spending money, then you might find a way to suggest he get a physical to see if he has any problems that can affect him mentally.
If it's not a new pattern, I guess you're stuck. I'm 70, and my patterns, while not locked in, are tightly held, whether for spending, politics, music, reading material, or photography gear. I try really hard to not spend money I don't have, though, as long, long ago I found out the hard way that overspending bites you on the butt really hard just a short ways down the road.
--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com
svuori
Leading Member
Panasonic G1
12Mp with hdmi-capability to look at the photos on a big screen. How about getting a photo printer with card reader (something like HP 5280) so he can print images (and even do some limited editing) without the computer.--
Sampo Vuori
http://flickr.com/photos/10957690@N02/
M
munro harrap
Guest
eyesight correction and big bright enough viewfinder and screen for checking is mandatory as I with dodgy eyesight know, so as theres no difference between 10 and 12 megapixel and on APS-C mostly 10 gives cleaner results longer, the canon 40D with its super kit lens is a pretty obvious choice. Or a Nikon D90, ditto and 12MP AND video. But, I hear a strangled cry, why pay so much? Good question, except you then have to find one with as clear a viewfinder for less.
D200 Nikon secondhand £400, D80 new £400, Canon 400D less than that and 450D same with 12MP and dust reduction and live view as well.
Of course checking around my Jessops here had a D40x- 10 very good megapixels and less noise than a D200 or D300 but cheapo plastic and smallish viewfinder for only £209 with the good kit lens guaranteed for 12 months, so.....
Be good to Dad he could be the next Titian at 92!!
Me, I'd buy the A200 Sony with the kit lens at £249. Well-made a cinch to use and good quality with upgradeably superb Zeiss lenses. Could last till he IS 92!
D200 Nikon secondhand £400, D80 new £400, Canon 400D less than that and 450D same with 12MP and dust reduction and live view as well.
Of course checking around my Jessops here had a D40x- 10 very good megapixels and less noise than a D200 or D300 but cheapo plastic and smallish viewfinder for only £209 with the good kit lens guaranteed for 12 months, so.....
Be good to Dad he could be the next Titian at 92!!
Me, I'd buy the A200 Sony with the kit lens at £249. Well-made a cinch to use and good quality with upgradeably superb Zeiss lenses. Could last till he IS 92!
Ken,
well I'd say it's easy:
set these so that not much Post Production, if any, would be needed if the shot was taken properly.....
and if he really wants to do PP one day... no need to start with Photoshop... something a bit more simple like Lightroom, Aperture, Bibble,... would do just fine...
easier to master, quite less complex and photographer-oriented...
and if he wants to share work on the internet with his familiy and friends get him a smugmug or zenfolio account, both are services which are very user friendly in terms of handling and ease of use.
but in no means discourage him... I mean after all if he used to shoot with a Film SLR before I guess it doesn't take more than a day until he is getting the hang on the DSLR... Once he realizes how nice it is to be able to switch ISO Level from shot to shot without changing film and that he's able to check the shot without waiting for the film to be developed days later he'll love it - that's for sure.
On the photography side of things after all it's not much different than it was 10 or 20 years ago.. ... it's still framing, setting the important parameters (Aperture, Shutterspeed), focusing and pressing the shutter.... well - and none of that has really changes... you've got more auto-stuff though... but any DSLR could be operated fully manual (Focus, Settings,...) so it's up to him.
--
_
My photography stuff: http://www.dgentile.com
well I'd say it's easy:
- get him a good decent DSLR - brand doesn't matter... but get one with good ergonomics and not a tiny cheap viewfinder... one that does eyesight correction if he has eye-"problems"...
- Computer??? why? I mean it all depends on his ambitions .... I used to own a full scale colour & bw lab/darkroom back then... I was VERY enthusiastic about photography - still am but in a different way
- Get him a book, and offer him to introduce him to Digital PP if he wants to induldge.... but again, PP is not mandatory unless the goal are "perfect" images or to save a photo that is not totally fubar.
set these so that not much Post Production, if any, would be needed if the shot was taken properly.....
and if he really wants to do PP one day... no need to start with Photoshop... something a bit more simple like Lightroom, Aperture, Bibble,... would do just fine...
easier to master, quite less complex and photographer-oriented...
and if he wants to share work on the internet with his familiy and friends get him a smugmug or zenfolio account, both are services which are very user friendly in terms of handling and ease of use.
but in no means discourage him... I mean after all if he used to shoot with a Film SLR before I guess it doesn't take more than a day until he is getting the hang on the DSLR... Once he realizes how nice it is to be able to switch ISO Level from shot to shot without changing film and that he's able to check the shot without waiting for the film to be developed days later he'll love it - that's for sure.
On the photography side of things after all it's not much different than it was 10 or 20 years ago.. ... it's still framing, setting the important parameters (Aperture, Shutterspeed), focusing and pressing the shutter.... well - and none of that has really changes... you've got more auto-stuff though... but any DSLR could be operated fully manual (Focus, Settings,...) so it's up to him.
--
_
My photography stuff: http://www.dgentile.com
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum