Cameras

[psychodave]

Hey all, Ive been enjoying this wonderful hobby for a year now. I have 3 established tanks, my first tank a 100 gallon monster that has been downgraded to FOWLR, a 10 gallon FOWLR and my new 30 gal reef specifically for soft corals and a mantis shrimp. Recently my digital camera bit the dust and I am in need of a new camera. I would like to get something much better than a cannon power shot a70. Im looking for something that I can get up close and personal with. Can anyone recomend a good camera for close up shots? Id really like to start getting some quality photos of my tanks, critters and corals. As far as photography goes I have taken a class, so im not a total bonehead when it comes down to it, also my uncle is a professional photographer so Ive had a bit of exposure. I was reading some of the threads here and ran across this camera, the Canon EOS30D, the person using it had a 100mm Macro lense and the pictures were nice and crisp. It had great magnification and detail of the corals and fish being photographed. I looked it up, seems like a god camera, any one have any comments about that specific camera, is there anything better? My pricerange caps out at around $2,000. Thank you all in advance for your help!!

 

[maroun.c]

Nikon D70s or D50 with 105 macro lens would give you very nice results.
I heard good things about canon macro lense too.
i have no idea about canon but a nikon d70s would cost you around 650 usd 3-4oo usd more and you get the kit lens 18-70 which is a sharp enough lens for every day use and fish shots. add to that 6-700 usd for a macro lens.
I went a different way and got the D70s with the 18-200 VR for every day use (whcih turned out to be a great choice for me) also got the 50mm 1.4 for portraits and low light picture taking cost me around 350 usd ( you can get the 50 mm 1.8 for less than 100 usd)
and I still have to get the 105 macro lens and longer zoom to complete my arsenal.

 

[psychodave]

Awesome! Ill go do a bit of research on that camera. I was just in another thread and someone had said they used to use the D70 and loved it. Thank you for the info, its very much appreciated!

 

[CrystalAZ]

You wouldn't go wrong with the 30D either - I have the 20D and it is a super camera!

My advice: Canon and Nikon are both excellent. Go to a local camera store and hold both, see what fits your hand best. Play with the settings and see what is more "common sense" to you.

Crystal

 

[psychodave]

Thats good advise...thank you!! I think there is a wolf camera around here somewhere, ill check it out!!

 

[Ereefic]

This thread has some pics I took with a Rebel XT and the Sigma 105mm Macro lens. I am a total ametuer, but this is what I was able to do right out of the box in 'sport' mode.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=829187

 

[newmanl]

Hi Dave,

I shoot with a EOS 30D, so I thought I'd offer some comments. As others have said, you can get good quality images from a number of different cameras - regardless of brand. However, usually when you pick a camera body and some dedicated lenses (same manufacturer) you are essentially buying into a "system".

As I'm sure you already know, if you buy a Canon body, like the 30D, you can't use that nice Nikon lens with it - at least not easily! So, I'd second the advice Crystal offered, in that going to the store, handling a bunch of different camera bodies and deciding which is more comfortable and intuitive in its operation is the best way to decide on the right system for you. I did just that a couple of years ago (shot aquarium fishes for 15 years with manual Pentax gear) when I bought a Canon Elan 7. I decided that it was the body that best suited my needs at the time and then invested in some good Canon glass - including the 100/f2.8 macro you mentioned, all useable on my new 30D.

I think if you get the body that feels right in your hands and has the features you actually need, or will need, you'd be happy regardless of the model or brand. Just be sure to check out what lenses, flashes and other accessories are available for the specific camera you've picked - before you slap down the plastic - or cash!

Lastly, here are a couple of images from my 30D taken by a guy (me) only three weeks into the "digital thing".

Hope this helps.

Lee

 

[newmanl]

Hi Dave,

Sorry all - should have re-sized the photos a little better. Also, Dave, don't forget that while $2K would cover a 30D and 100/f2.8 macro (which will act like a 160 mm giving some additional working distance) you'll also need a flash of sorts. Unfortunately, dedicated units tend not be cheap, but they do work well. I really enjoy Canon's E-TTL system for flash photography.

Again, best of luck with the photography!

Lee

 

[psychodave]

Lee

Those are some excellent shots!! I appreciate the info, and thanks for reminding me about the flash!!

Im going to head to Best Buy today to see what they have and test a few and Ill be stopping by a few camera shops over the weekend. Hopefully Ill have a camera picked out and purchased by next weekend!