camera

[ryanpal]

hey guys..i'm in the market for a camera.

i've noticed some of the pics here are really incredible. what camera would you guys recommend that could take some excellent shots at really precise detail but won't clean out my wallet?

also i understand there are some special lenses...please feel free to recommend these as wel..perhaps a combo of a camera and lens.

thanks in advance!

 

[Skeptic_07]

i dont think this is the right forum for this but whatever i know some stuff about cameras. I work for a digital camera wholesaler.

What (i think) you want are called Macro photos. Those really clear closeup photos are macro. There are special lenses for macro photography. You can go with basically any SLR body and a macro lens and you'll be in business taking these types of photos. Oh yeah and you'll need a tripod too. (You cannot really get good photos like these holding a camera in your hands)

Those three things SLR Body, macro lens and tripod will probably run you at LEAST $1000 unless you can find some awesome deal somewhere. Also, learning to use an SLR camera with a manual focus lens can take a while to perfect. If you dont know anything about photography and just want to take some nice photos of your corals I would recommend a Canon S5 IS. It has a pretty nice macro mode and if you use the 'auto' setting for the shutter and aperture settings you'll get some pretty nice macro shots. Not spectacular like some of these guys on here but defiitely better than one most other cameras can produce. I believe a Canon S5 IS can be had for around $300 or so and a decent tripod for another $30 or so. I might be wrong about the price, i never deal in retail prices thats just an estimate.

If you're looking to go for broke i would recommend a Canon EOS 30D body and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Lens.

 

[photobret]

I have been very happy with my point and shoot option, I own the fuji F30 and its macro facility is awesome. Although ultimately you want a SLR with a good macro. Maybe find yourself a second hand Canon 20D and a sigma 105mm macro. Ultimate kit would be a Canon 40D and the Canon 100 2.8 Macro. Lens is way more important than the body, glass quality will make a huge difference. I shoot Canon personally and push their products but Nikon has a range of budget SLR's on offer too. If you dont want to go nuts, go into a camera shop and ask to try a few point and shoot compacts in macro mode.

 

[ryanpal]

thanks guys.

hey photobret any idea of the costs on some of your suggestions?

 

[gflat65]

I couldn't get as close with my P&S, but I got some good shots (was camera crazy for years). The SLR world is a bit different. When I didn't have digital zoom and could only get so close with the kit lens, I got a little scared. I'm running a Canon XTi (400D) with a Sigma 150mm macro and am liking it so far (only had it for about six months, I think). Gotta have a tripod for tank shots and gotta kill the flow for consistently good shots. New, you're looking at very close to a grand.

 

[ryanpal]

a grand eh? looks like i'll have to trade some corals for a used one ;]

 

[Skeptic_07]

heres a little help: (take advantage i'm bored at work)

used 30D body w/o lens for under $800 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-30D-8...ryZ43454QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

used Rebel Xt body no lens for about $400 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-DIGIT...yZ107909QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM about $450 shipped:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-100-2-...yZ106842QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[ryanpal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11777999#post11777999 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skeptic_07
heres a little help: (take advantage i'm bored at work)

used 30D body w/o lens for under $800 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-30D-8...ryZ43454QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

used Rebel Xt body no lens for about $400 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-DIGIT...yZ107909QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM about $450 shipped:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-100-2-...yZ106842QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

thanks skeptic_07.

two things that come to mind with those links. they don't come with macro lenses. isn't this an expensive purchase as well?

also, i notice those cameras have a zillion features. being a non-photographer it's safe to say i'd probably never use a 10th of all of them. is there a cheaper route which i could purchase a camera that will give me the detail i'm looking for even if it doesn't have all those features and settings?

 

[jabis96]

ttt