<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13233615#post13233615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hulley
I'm thinking about a Nikon D40, what are your thought about that for my first digital slr? Any other camera you'd recommend? I need to keep within a budget similar to what the D40 cost. I can go a little higher if need be.
Hulley - This topic is probably as debated and discussed as skimmer brands, wet vs. dry, and every other highly personal and specific topics. The Nikon vs. Canon battle, and everything in between can be quite confusing while shopping for a new camera, but the good news is that with the advance in technology and lower and lower prices on CCDs, not only do Canon and Nikon have great products, but there are a host of other manufacturers producing great entry level DSLRs, but I am not one who would recommend against a Canon or Nikon.
In my personal experience, and I'm slightly biased because I've been a Canon user for much longer, both are fantastic, and like anything you need to get comfortable with them, learn their ins and outs and have the right lens to and photography principles in order to produce equally stunning photographs.
Being that you aren't already a DSLR owner, you could go either way. One factor many people consider when going into DSLRs is whether they own lens from their previous cameras that can be used in their new ones. If that's not a factor for you, and the budget is right, I would say go for that camera.
Now, if you can stretch your budget slightly, I would recommend, whether Nikon or Canon that you buy the most camera you can afford, AND remember to factor into the price your media/storage - memory cards have gotten SO MUCH CHEAPER than they used to be, but I would recommend getting a 4GB card, with a high transfer speed (x133 or similar) which will make a big difference when shooting.
Many stores/websites will sell you lens kits with the cameras. Those lens, like every multipurpose 'thing' do their job in an acceptable manner, but aren't specialized pieces of equipment. I would strongly recommend you go with at least 2 lens. 1 being your multipurpose zoom lens, and 1 macro lens which will make a world of difference for your aquarium photography.
Top quality/feature lens can cost 3 to 4 times the price of your camera, but there are a lot of different options. Sigma & Tamron make 'ok' lens that are cheaper than the Nikon and Canon lens, but with a lower price mark comes lower grade and to an obsessive perfectionist like myself... that is just unacceptable.
Lastly, the Nikon are looking at is 6.3 megapixels and is a bit dated (released late 2006 if I recall). I would strongly encourage to stretch a bit and go for slightly newer model (better features, and bigger sensor), which will allow you to work more with your images (cropping, enhancements, etc).
My personal recommendation (with its bias) is for you to get a
Canon Rebel XSi. Its a 12.2 Megapixel camera, which is a pretty new model, and sells for approx. $700 with a great lens.
I'm not sure if its allowed or not to give store names, and recommendations in the Reef Central forums, so if you want more info, send me a PM and we'll take it from there.
I'm recommending:
Canon Digital Rebel XSi SLR Camera Body Kit, 12.2 Megapixels, Black with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilizer Lens
... and this Macro lens:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Auto Focus Lens
The Macro lens is around $499
You could wait with the macro lens, and take close ups with your 18-55, but its not the same. You'll end up cropping your pictures, and lose details and crispness rather than having the MONSTER macro lens, but again, it can wait. The advantage of that 100mm lens, and having 12.2 megapixels is that the macro lens, while a fixed 100mm and not a zoom lens, produces beautiful mid/long range pictures as well.
Oh... one last thing... and I'm sorry if this doesn't sound right... I wouldn't recommend getting a DSR to anyone who intends to use it as a point and shoot. Regardless of your current level of photography knowledge, you must at least be willing, able and wanting to learn and explore and work with managing the exposure time and aperture, and shooting in raw mode and doing post processing... but I'll stop here, otherwise this will be even longer.
Let me know if you have any questions, and I also invite others to give their opinion.
Thanks!
Note to all: if you read this whole thing, you deserve a gold medal!! :bigeyes:
