That's my main concern (pretty much bang on, except that it was a trampoline in our case!).

While it's important to teach kids to look after things well, I'd rather that was a secondary consideration and they had something they can use without too much parental supervision. After all, the object of the exercise is really for them to have a bit of fun taking pictures, not to have an expensive camera to look after and never use.

I've ordered a 5mp Optio from eBay today, so will see how that goes.

I'm having a clear out of some of my lenses to make space and raise funds for an FA77 ltd.

For sale is my A28/2.8. I've had it for a couple of years, but haven't used it as much as I should have because I have a range of other 28s (K28/2, Vivitar 28/2 and FA 2 as well as zooms covering the range and speed.

It's in excellent condition, although not quite mint as it has one or two specks of internal dust and externally shows signs of careful use. The optics are in good shape, with no scratches, marks or fungus (the dust mentioned previously is normal for a lens of the age and nothing that would affect the pictures). Cosmetically it's in excellent condition, as shown in the pictures.

It is supplied with the original front and rear caps. Although I don't normally use them, I'd be happy to include a UV filter as well if you'd like one.

Looking at the going rate on eBay, I think that £60 delivered within the UK is reasonable and I'd be happy to investigate postage options to send it further afield if required. Payment by bank transfer or PayPal (with the buyer covering the fees) please.

Sorry; got interrupted, PM should now be with you.

Fair enough - sold pending payment. PM sent with details.

I'm leaning towards this option, as we won't be spending anywhere near £175 on the other kids!

I didn't realise they were that cheap - presumably they're all pretty competent, but for that price, I guess it doesn't really matter!

It's my eldest son's birthday soon and the old Kodak digital compact that he has been using has given up the ghost (mislaid and then found in the garden two weeks later).

He desperately wants a new camera and would really love one like Mummy and Daddy's DSLRs (both Pentax). I don't think he's quite ready for a DSLR yet, although it won't be long, so I've been looking at the Optios.

I'm planning to buy something second hand, as there is a fair chance it may meet a sticky end and would like something straightforward to use, robust and ideally that will use the SD/SDHC cards and rechargeable AA cells that we already have plenty of.

Does anyone have any particular recommendations or would I be better off looking for one of the ruggedised options form Olympus or similar?

Weekend bump - open to reasonable offers!

Payment received, thanks - lens posted today.

I paid less for it than that, so I'm happy!

Sold (subject to payment)