cheapest camera for a newb???

[Uncko Macko]

I want a camera that will take good pictures of my reef. Something that the colors will show up on, but wont break the bank. I have been to several camera stores asking questions and they all they to sell me >$600 cameras. I mean sheesh, thats like 10% of what my reef costs.....unexceptable.

Any recommendations?

 

[JMLewis]

Im right there with you, kinda hard to justify spending over $500 for a camera just to take some nice tank shots...but if anyone has a good camera around $500 they could recomend im all ears

 

[wetWolger]

If your looking for a point and shoot, IMO you can't do much better than the canon G11 powershot (priced around $450 to $500)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/643177-REG/Canon_3632B001_PowerShot_G11_Digital_Camera.html

If your looking for a DSLR, the cheapest one I would recommend would be the rebel XS

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571144-REG/Canon_2762B003_EOS_Rebel_XS_a_k_a_.html

Personally in that price range I would go for the point and shoot. I would want to spend more money on the DSLR, not just on the body, but on lenses too.

 

[BlueCorn]

What makes aquarium photography so challenging is primarily the color of the lights that we use. Shooting in RAW format (vs jpg) and adjusting the white balance after the fact is how most folks get the best results.

The Canon G11 (and the slightly older G10) both allow you to shoot RAW, which is why they're often recommended.

Cheers

P.S. I'm a big fan of Canon in general but the Rebel XS, mentioned above, is one that I certainly wouldn't recommend.

 

[Uncko Macko]

What makes aquarium photography so challenging is primarily the color of the lights that we use. Shooting in RAW format (vs jpg) and adjusting the white balance after the fact is how most folks get the best results.

The Canon G11 (and the slightly older G10) both allow you to shoot RAW, which is why they're often recommended.

Cheers

P.S. I'm a big fan of Canon in general but the Rebel XS, mentioned above, is one that I certainly wouldn't recommend.

So, it's not the camera? It's the photo editing software?


I have 2 problems with my current $150 Canon. It has Auto Focus that can not be disabled. It will not focus on the correct object in the aquarium. And 2, the colors don't show up. But if I have to doctor the image, why would I spend $500? Should I just get a camera that has a manual focus and uses the RAW format?

 

[BlueCorn]

So, it's not the camera? It's the photo editing software?


I have 2 problems with my current $150 Canon. It has Auto Focus that can not be disabled. It will not focus on the correct object in the aquarium. And 2, the colors don't show up. But if I have to doctor the image, why would I spend $500? Should I just get a camera that has a manual focus and uses the RAW format?

It's not "doctoring" the image. It's processing. It's no different than taking your film in for development. The difference is whether you let the camera do it for you or if you do it yourself. In the case of aquarium photography, the software that runs on the camera doesn't usually do a very good job.

The G10 and G11 DO shoot RAW and allow for manual focusing, that's why they were recommended.

 

[Uncko Macko]

anything similar in the $200-$300 range?

 

[BlueCorn]

Not brand new.

 

[mellowhead]

P.S. I'm a big fan of Canon in general but the Rebel XS, mentioned above, is one that I certainly wouldn't recommend.

I don't suppose you could elaborate on that for me? I am about to choose an entry level DSLR and that was one that's on the list. Any information would be greatly appreciated.:beer:

Best Regards,

 

[90sShooter]

Why not go with something used? You can pick up a decent DSLR for $400-$500 used. I just sold my XSi for $500 and it was in PERFECT condition. And IMO it is a fantastic camera! Then, as you progress, you can upgrade and add lenses to your collection to cover anything and everything you want to shoot. You will find there are MANY more things you can use it for. When it is time to upgrade, all you have to do is upgrade the body as the lenses aren't typically updated too often.

IMO a point and shoot is a purchase, a DSLR is an investment. It's a lot of money, make it count!

 

[wetWolger]

I don't suppose you could elaborate on that for me? I am about to choose an entry level DSLR and that was one that's on the list. Any information would be greatly appreciated.:beer:

Best Regards,

Never used one, but from what I have heard:
Small buffer for continuous shooting (almost unusable at RAW)
AutoFocus is slow, and very poor, and unpredictable in what it focuses on
Viewfinder is poor
Small LCD (.5in smaller than XSi)

I may not have made it clear in my first post. I was more trying to show the other option in the price range. Ether a really nice point and shoot, or a really low end DSLR. Personally I rather get the nice point and shoot, as if your this tight on a budget you wont be able to buy the things that make a DSLR nice (ie the $600 lenses you will want). Personally the lowest DSLR I would consider is the XSi or the T1i. And even then, i would MUCH rather buy a used 40D than those (which you can get at a decent price now).

anything similar in the $200-$300 range?

So, it's not the camera? It's the photo editing software?

Not realistic....Software wont make up for a crappy camera. But a good camera will allow more options in how you can use the software.



Hope I did not sound like too much of a snob. I by no means think that everyone needs to have a fancy camera, but I don't think you should also expect a $300 to perform like a $500 camera, and don't expect a $600 to perform like a $900 camera, etc.

 

[Mr.evo]

what about a NIKON D40 or wait for "black friday" i bet you can get something nice for cheap

 

[BlueCorn]

I don't suppose you could elaborate on that for me? I am about to choose an entry level DSLR and that was one that's on the list. Any information would be greatly appreciated.:beer:

Best Regards,

The reasons already mentioned don't even bother me all that much. It's the controls. It makes it almost impossible to use in anything but fully automatic mode. They dumbed it down too far.

 

[Jacob D]

Just FYI you can get an XSi with two decent lenses for about $640 shipped from Amazon right now. Here's some info I posted the other day...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16026539&postcount=108

 

[Reefaddict79]

Im a camera newbie but love my Nikon D40x

 

[Uncko Macko]

Well, after reading other post, websites, etc. A decent D-SLR for $400 and way up plus a Macro lens also starting at $400 and way up.
I wish there was a Santa.

Someone come take pictures of my reef!

 

[BlueCorn]

Well, after reading other post, websites, etc. A decent D-SLR for $400 and way up plus a Macro lens also starting at $400 and way up.
I wish there was a Santa.

Someone come take pictures of my reef!

lol - my camera bag is worth more than my car.

 

[90sShooter]

lol - my camera bag is worth more than my car.

I believe it! :lol2:

 

[Joel A]

The reasons already mentioned don't even bother me all that much. It's the controls. It makes it almost impossible to use in anything but fully automatic mode. They dumbed it down too far.

I agree... I picked up this Canon in a store to play around with it, after i had played around with some similar or higher end Nikon bodies.. and to be honest (not fair, but honest) it really turned me away from Canon.. period. I hated the layout of the controls and the interface seemed annoying and much harder to operate than Nikon's.

I haven't picked up a Canon since.. although if i found a good deal on a 40D/50D i'd have a really hard time passing that up

 

[ducklabdad]

I don't suppose you could elaborate on that for me? I am about to choose an entry level DSLR and that was one that's on the list. Any information would be greatly appreciated.:beer:

Best Regards,

Do not mean to disagree with some on here about the XS but I have had one now for about 8 months and "I LOVE MY Canon XS" it is the absolute best $500.00 investment that I feel I have made in many years.

I am very cautious about suggesting anything but I do feel that this camera is getting a bad rap and it is mostly by people that "have not used this camera", and/or are trying to compare it to the camera they are using that costs more than this "entry level DSLR"

No it is not a 50D or a 7d (which I love and the new 7d will be my next camera), but it is also 1/3 the cost.

But despite what many have said about it.

Focus is fine when settings are used correctly, I use mine more for wildlife and Bird shooting than indoors, but have never had a focus issue with mine. I use mainly center point focus.

Works very well in manual mode, which is mostly what I use, and sometimes I use AV when shooting birds in flight.

It is very light and small for a DSLR and for many people that is a good thing.

For an "entry level" first DSLR buying new with warranty, It "for me" was far and away my #1 choice and I would choose again as my best choce in "bang for buck".

I suggest that you try different cameras, and buy what you feel comfortable with and what suits your needs, everyone here can not afford 500 plus for the entry level DSLR and do not need it, for the "occasional reef shots" Many of us here though are camera nuts that will use them and many have more in there cameras and lenses than they do in there cars.

But you do pay for what you get, and if you look on here you will find some "decent" photos with a $200.00 point and shoot. And my avatar was shot with a 150.00 Kodak point and shoot, not a great photo but I like the fish and have not seen a need to change it.

Someone needs to start a thread on here "show us your $200.00 or less Point and Shoot reef photos"
Note: these opinions here are mine and mine only based on my own personal experience!!