I couldn't agree more with both Mr. Wilson and Nineball. I use the Nikon D40 and love it even though it's an entry level DSLR. I have found the following;
1. More shots = better pictures. (Just sort through and throw out the trash)
2. There are good pictures in your mediocre ones. Try cropping and zooming tools.
3. Try different settings and be creative with your lenses....Zooms and tripods can make for some really good macro shots.......without the expense of an expensive macro lense.
4. Repeat.....take more photos, you'll get 10-15 great ones per 100. Click, click, click......
Enjoy!!!!!!!!
msr224, Mr. Wilson, and Peter:
Thank you all for your feedback and advice on DLSRs and reef photography. Very helpful...and you saved me from leaving this thread to sift through the hundreds of others on reef photography. I am glad to hear you all agree with my initial understanding that there is no real need to spend a lot of cash on the DLSR itself. I ended up spending the money saved from a "hobby" DLSR on a macro lens (Canon EF100mm Ultrasonic) and external flash (Canon Speedlite 430). As a carryover from my other very addicting hobby (let's just say it involves a lot of gear, a lot of time on Internet forums, a sharp eye, a steady hand, and a gentle trigger finger), I am definitely sold on tripods and automated triggers. I guess I will have to start a new thread with my "experiments."
Patrick G.
p.s.: Here is one of my first experimental shots with my new DLSR/macro lens set up. It's one of my favorite frags that I picked up for $10 at the Green Marine "coral farm" in Berkeley. I'm not very happy with the focus but loved the color so I kept the shot.
