Purchasing digital cameras for 13-20 year olds

This may sound like a proud dad, and it is in part, but my 12 yr old son 14 yr old daughter and my 21 yr old daughter all have a keen interest and aptitude for photography. They have been using a webcam to achieve their artistic vision! It is time I get them into tools that they can grow with.

I've been using Nikon gear all my career.
I just bought my 14 year old a canon digital rebel.
(See, I respect both brands)

My question is this:
I need to decide whether I can get the better deals (used)
with Nikon gear or Canon. For the most part I'll be getting used equipment and will be getting SLRs.
I don't want to start a gear war, however!

It seems to me there will be more Canon gear available and that it will cost less.
Any thoughts and suggestions?

THanks

Larry Watts

Try going to KEH and search both brands. One thing about staying with the same brand is that all 3 of them can share lenses. This may cut the cost down.

My first thought was about them all being able to swap out lenses, like Ed suggested. But, uh, that kind of depends on how the kids are together, yes? You could avoid a BRAND war but start a LENS battle!

I know your question was related to brands, but keep in mind that the digital cameras do sometimes "fizzle out" unexpectedly. By buying all used, you will not have a warranty. The parts that go may be the ones that cannot be replaced, but if you have the same brands it may help if you need parts later on that can be replaced. With the changing technology, replacement parts may not be available in a few years, but if two cameras are lost, you may be able to put one together from them, though chances are that the part that goes is the computer within.

Another plus for buying the same brand is that your children may change their photography goals - they might start with landscapes and go to macro or portraits requiring different lenses. The other children may be able to use those lenses or at least experiment depending on their interests.

I purchased a new one with an extended warranty (something I don't usually do) and the warranty paid for itself when the camera stopped working and I got a brand new replacement. To start at their age is a wonderful opportunity!

I'd agree with the others here - same brand for everyone so you can share lenses (and not only lenses - also remote releases, batteries, and all the other stuff). One more thing to consider is that (in my opinion), Nikon's consumer grade glass is a bit better than Canon's (they've closed the gap a bit with the recently released EF-S 18-55 IS, though).

Basil