Advice on Cameras and Lenses

[IAReefer]

So im looking at trading my iPad 64GB 3G off and getting a camera so I can take awesome pics of my tank and post here. The camera will primarily be used for taking pics of my tank. What recomendations can you give me on what camera and lenses I should look at. Keep in mind, my budget is around $800.

If you recomend a specific camera, please state which macro lense would be the best for close ups of my fish and corals.

Thanks all!

 

[DustinB]

You are going to have a hard time getting suggestions given the whole canon vs nikon thing.

From what I've seen, people seem to like the canon 40D. A used one would be in your budget.

Personally, I went with the nikon D90. I'm using the tamron 90mm Di macro lens. VERY popular lens. Just as good as the nikon nikkor 105mm, but $500 cheaper.

If you don't mind going into menus for a couple settings, you could get the nikon D5000. It has the same image quality as the D90.

Body only: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D5000-2-7-inch-Vari-angle-Body/dp/B00267S7UK

Lens: http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=TM9028DINA&omid=301&ref=cag

Still puts you at $1,000 or so.

Another option would be the D5000 with stock lens:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/615725-REG/Nikon_25454_D5000_Digital_SLR_Camera.html

with some kenko tubes: http://www.thkphoto.com/products/kenko/slrc-04.html

Just some ideas. They will vary with person to person, so I would suggest looking at some options that are affordable between nikon/canon (if you don't have a preference) and see what suits you the best. Either way, good cameras are expensive and good lenses are expensive. You will be hard pressed to get a good DSLR and a macro lens for $800 unless you buy used. Personally, I would up the budget if you think there's a chance you might enjoy photography and get a good camera to begin with.

Like the difference between the D5000 and the D90. The D90 is much easier to work with due to easier/quicker access to settings among other things. I bought a DSLR to take pics of my tanks, but now I use it for all sorts of pictures. It's great taking awesome pics once you learn the settings.

 

[IAReefer]

$800 is kind of a base for me and I dont mind spending a little extra. I also dont mind buying a used one.

 

[IAReefer]

I took a buddies camera for a test drive last night, but I could not get a good macro shot. The camera is a Cannon XT DSLR. The lens is a •Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens.

Is this lens capable of taking a macro shot? I also have a •Tamron AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SP AD Aspherical (IF) Lens.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[DustinB]

I took a buddies camera for a test drive last night, but I could not get a good macro shot. The camera is a Cannon XT DSLR. The lens is a "¢Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens.

Is this lens capable of taking a macro shot? I also have a "¢Tamron AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SP AD Aspherical (IF) Lens.

Any help is much appreciated!

It should be good enough. I don't have any experience with the lens though. I did find some pics and a thread about the lens.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=6931307&postcount=88
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=6837921&postcount=47
Thread: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=599376&page=4

How did the pictures come out? What was the problem with them? Could be the lens, probably has something to do with the settings/distance/etc... though. Can you post the pics?

 

[IAReefer]

im sure it was all me, I know how to point the camera and push the button, LOL. It took some really good pictures of fish, but I tried to zoom in and get some good zoa shots, but they were just blurry and if they werent blurry, I couldnt get close enought.

I mainly just wanted to make sure I was trying to get the lens to do something its not capable of doing. Ill work on my next.... :blown:

 

[Recty]

Just an FYI, a lens that isn't a dedicated macro lens will not produce as good of macro images as something like the Tamron lens you listed.

It says macro because it has a reasonable close focus distance, but you'll get no where near the closeness as you would on a real macro lens.

 

[Brett9917]

Just an FYI, a lens that isn't a dedicated macro lens will not produce as good of macro images as something like the Tamron lens you listed.

It says macro because it has a reasonable close focus distance, but you'll get no where near the closeness as you would on a real macro lens.

Nor the 1:1 magnification ration of a Macro...

 

[IAReefer]

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[HighlandReef]

I also have the nikon d90, main reason I purchased the d90? I already had nikkor glass.
The lenses get expensive quick so if you already have a cam stick with it.
If not it's a flip of a coin, the guys that have nikon will say nikon rocks and the guys that have canon will say canon rocks
Both are nice and really can't go wrong with either
I have the tamron 90mm and it's a nice lens, even alot of the pros rave about it for its macro capabilities and not to mention it's half the price
I love my d90, it's a solid cam

 

[IAReefer]

Here are a few pics I took just messing around. I didnt adjust the settings on the camera or anything.

 

[kilroy217]

I also have the nikon d90, main reason I purchased the d90? I already had nikkor glass.
The lenses get expensive quick so if you already have a cam stick with it.

to add to this... one other consideration might be if your friends have a particular brand, and you match them, you can borrow each other's lenses. BUT, if your buddy has canon and you have nikon, you won't be able to share.

FWIW, I have the D90 and the Nikon 105mm micro, and love both of them.

 

[90sShooter]

Wow, shocked at the overwhelming Nikon support. Where are all my Canon boys?

Also keep in mind when taking macro shots, you need to make sure you are shooting straight through the glass. If you are shooting at an angle you will never get a crisp image.

Anyway, I am a Canon guy so of course my suggestions are a little biased. Although I KNOW the Nikon is just as good, I do not know much about them. I started off with a rebel and a 100mm 2.8 macro. Took GREAT shots, but it didn't take long before I wanted to upgrade. My advise is go for the gusto so your not looking to upgrade anytime in the near future. I have had my 7D for over a year now and still love it. No plans to move any time soon, next step is Full Frame! For just under a grand you pick up the new 60D with kit lens I beleive. Another $400 can pick you up a decent used 100mm macro or new Tamron 90mm macro. Either lens is going to take fantastic shots. This is quite a bit over your budget but if you can fit the bill now, it will save you the money and time upgrading in the near future. Whatever you do, good luck and post some shots!

 

[IPT]

lots of good stuff said alredy. I'll back up 90's and cast my vote for Canon. Really, depending on the bells and whistles you want (good al servo focus tracking, weather sealed, frames per second shooting rates) I would. I actually have a 10D and now (years later) that I know how to sue the software and process the images it takes great pictures (of course now it sits on the floor since I went FF). Anyway, get any decent body and spend your money on glass. The 100mm F2.8 Macro is a great lens. A fixed focal length will limit your flexability in shooting but if your focused on macro the 100mm is all you need to start. A bonus is on a crop bdy it will act like a 160mm lens .

PS: I don't use my 10D so if you want it pretty cheap shot me a PM.

 

[iceemn360]

with an $800+ budget you can certainly get off to a good start.

The Nikon D5000, and D90 are good places to start. Additionally I always enjoyed the Canon 10D-50d series

I remember when I started with a Pentax k10d and a Quantaray 70-300 macro (together they cost about $300 now)

The Quantaray was a rebranded Tamron essentially and I still came out with decent picts like these. For the price and my inexperience, I found the combo worked quite well.

Pentax K10d + Quantaray 70-300

My bad focusing this one on the nose!

But there are plenty of other cameras that can still be had for a bargain.

The Pentax KX, KR, K20d, or K7 can all be had for under $800 easily

THe K20d in particular sells for about 400 used right now and I have two that still perform great!

I've been using the Sigma 105mm macro and the Pentax DA 35mm macro (both are sharp but the Pentax is sharper)

I've gotten great results shooting Fish with the 105mm macro and Corals with the 35mm macro.


Pentax K20d + Sigma 105mm

The K20d, K7, and K5 are weather sealed and can be had with several weather-sealed lenses (DFA 105 macro F2.8, DA*16-50 F2.8, DA*50-135 F2.8, DA*55 F1.4, DA* 200 F2.8, DA* 300 F4, and DA* 60-250 F4 )

I have the DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, and DA* 300 and have used all of them extensively in rain with no issues.

Another bonus is the backwards compatibility with most pentax MF glass. I've been using a Pentax M 50mm 1.7 that I got for $20 at a garage sale.

Downsides of older pentax models are sluggish AF tracking and low light performance (Two things that were conquered in the new pentax K5)

Esentially I'd suggest purchasing used gear first to gain experience and invest in good glass. Whichever brand you choose there should be something that will work well for you.

 

[wedwards]

I just bought a used Nikon D80, which is the predecessor to the D90, and I LOVE that camera. I don't have a macro lens but I use two of the popular Nikon lenses, the 18-55mm and the 70-300mm and they both work great. If I were you, I would look around the used market. You might be able to find something that is a little bit older but much "better." You may also look for a local camera shop around where you live and they might be able to help you.

Wesley

 

[phillipstreeter]

whats the difference between micro and macro i have nikon d3000 love it

 

[phillipstreeter]

no micro or macro

no micro or macro

 

[phillipstreeter]

 

[kilroy217]

"micro" is the Nikon version of "macro" - there is no difference.