Budget $6-8hundred

[Zuluman100]

80% used for display macros, other 20% regular family shots etc. I'm new to this so lets keep it simple. Nikon the way to go?

Regular 4x6 printed photos, maybe some 8x10 but nothing printed beyond that.

Thanks for your help.

 

[BlueCorn]

If you've decided to go the DSLR route, whichever one fits in your hand the best; really.

 

[nickb]

Are you talking about a whole dSLR camera system? If so, your budget is likely low. A high quality macro lens for Nikon (e.g. the 105mm f2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR) is around $750 at B&H. You would also need a camera body (around $725 at B&H for the D80 or $600 of the D60 with kit lens).

If you dropped the special macro lens, you could get a Canon (xSi or 450D) with a good kit lens (18-55 mm IS) for about $700. This lens will only give 1:2.9 (compared to 1:1 on a good macro lens). You should be able to get very good photos with that system but perhaps not what you are looking for.

 

[Zuluman100]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13292051#post13292051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nickb
Are you talking about a whole dSLR camera system? If so, your budget is likely low. A high quality macro lens for Nikon (e.g. the 105mm f2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR) is around $750 at B&H. You would also need a camera body (around $725 at B&H for the D80 or $600 of the D60 with kit lens).

If you dropped the special macro lens, you could get a Canon (xSi or 450D) with a good kit lens (18-55 mm IS) for about $700. This lens will only give 1:2.9 (compared to 1:1 on a good macro lens). You should be able to get very good photos with that system but perhaps not what you are looking for.

I was hoping for an entire system.

The Nikon lens for $750, is that the top of the range for a dslr, or can you get away with a mid-range lens for pretty decent macros?

 

[nickb]

Yeh, that would be considered a high quality lens. Here's a review of it (http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/351/cat/12). If you back out of that ;page, you can find information on a wide range of other lens.

There a thread on this board (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1442449) which is showing photos from a range of Nikon and Canon cameras. You might find it fun to scan through there and see what people are using (and the great photos many people are coming up with).

Any Nikon or Canon dSLR is capable of taking great pictures. I just got the Canon xSi (which was on sale at a local store for about 25% off - $700 Canadian). It has a good kit lens and I am hoping to get some good photos. Not likely as stunning as Doug and others are getting, I'm sure.

 

[zibba]

For your use, I'd recommend the D40 and kit (18-55mm) lens. It's a great combo and you can get some awesome pictures. You can pick up the Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 AF-S Micro for $475 or a 3rd party lens for a similar price. That will give you a great lens to take family photos with, a nice lens for aquarium photography and a good digital SLR body for about $1000 +/- depending on other accessories and deals you may find along the way.

Just my two-cents. At least it will give you a starting point for research.

 

[jthao]

yeah..... for your case, I'd do what zibba said, get a cheaper body and just get a good macro lens. the cheaper body takes just as good pics of your family etc... as a more expensive body. The D40 and D80 takes about the same quality pics when used with kit lenses.

 

[Zuluman100]

Is this not a good deal?

http://www.adorama.com/ICADRXSIBK75.html

 

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13309583#post13309583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zuluman100
Is this not a good deal?

http://www.adorama.com/ICADRXSIBK75.html

Good deal? Sure, I guess, but the lenses are not all that great.

Several people could give you several tips and most would be fine, but to do true macro work you'll need, well, a macro lens. You could look into buying used. I'm a member on Photography on the Net (google it) and there you'll find thousands of pro, semi-pro and amateur photographers willing to give you advice.

I have a Canon XT in a drawer right now that I'm putting on e-bay in a few days that will likely sell for 150-200 (hope for a little more but doubt it). It's only 8MP, crappy if you listen to people, but you only need 4MP for a decent 8x10 photo. Match that camera with a Sigma 50, 90 or 105mm macro from 250-450 bucks, a tripod, flash, bag, 2GB Mem card for another 200... all together, thats about $1000 and it will beat any P&S camera.