DSLR choices

[Haplochromine]

Hi,

I'm in Canada but can pop down to the States to pick up a DSLR or have one shipped. I also have a shipping address in Washington so any online retailer that would ship to either Canada or the US will work.

I'm a relatively OK photographer, I understand many of the concepts but I would say I'm between beginner and intermediate. My focus for this camera would be first and foremost coral photos, especially up close. I would also like the flexibility to take decent FTS and midrange photos. I would take it hiking, out to events and out with friends but it would primarily be an aquarium photography tool. I am not a professional photographer and never plan to be, so I don't need anything spectacular, just something that will take excellent photos when I learn to use the camera well.

I'm not an expert photographer and I do not want to buy too much equipment. I have a tripod already, but at most I would be willing to spend $700 FIRM.

I was looking on bestbuy (anywhere better?) and found a nikon D5000 for less than $600 with a 18-55mm lens. I also found a package with a nikon D5000, 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm zoom lens for just under $700. Is the 55-200mm lens going to be any use to what I plan to use the camera for (with a 3.1' minimum focusing distance, it didn't seem to be? I do not want to start a collection of lenses, so I will want to use the stock lens and maybe another if it comes in an inexpensive package with the camera. I do not plan to be purchasing additional lenses.

Here are the links:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+D...015&skuId=9999156300050015&st=D5000&lp=7&cp=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-...218082646627&skuId=9311755&st=D5000&cp=1&lp=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-...lack/1222817.p?id=1218237704411&skuId=1222817

So far I have been looking at the D3100 and D5000. I'm not stuck on Nikon, but they seemed to have the best features in this price range. If there are any other options, you can leave your feedback. I've read the stickies and while informative, they didn't suggest individual cameras for my purposes.

Thanks, and hope you can help. If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I do not wish to purchase a used camera or accessories.

 

[Haplochromine]

The Canon G12 was also recommended, but I'm unsure of a point and shoot for 2 reasons. 1 - Inflexible compared to a DSLR, and 2 - G13 is coming out in August, don't want to buy a camera a month before it will be antiquated.

 

[90sShooter]

Well I cant speak much for the G12 but do realize that whatever you by will be outdated shortly. Many people will tell you to spend your money on good glass. Especially since what you are looking to do can be easily accomplished on any old body. My personal recommendations would be to pick up a used Canon 100mm macro (or check out the quality 3rd parties like tamron 90mm). That's gonna run you about $450 maybe less if you wait for the right deal. Now you have about $250-$300 for a body. Although I don't usually recommend a rebel, this is really your only option. Pick yourself up an old xsi or something. Whatever fits the bill. Really for what you say you need it for it will do just fine. I took plenty of beautiful macros with my xsi. While you may be able to pick up a better body with a kit lens for around your budget, you're not gonna get the short you're looking for. Kit lenses are good for taking snapshots of family reunions, that's about it... The only downside to this would be that the 100mm will limit your options for anything but tank shots, although it is a great portrait lens as well. Hopefully somebody can chime in with some information on the G12 as I have heard good things about them... Whatever you do, good luck and happy shooting.

 

[Haplochromine]

Thank you very much for your opinion. I assume the 55 200mm lens would be pretty useless in that case and just getting the camera with the 18 55mm and saving myself themoney would be ok. Is 450 dollars really the least I will be able to pick up a decent macro lens for? It just seems so expensive for a tube with some glass lenses in it. Is there a less expensive alternative? I realized I limited myself quite a bit by saying I didnt want to buy any lenses. I want to stay around my budget but I suppose I would need a macro lens.

Are the nikon bodies I listed good? Is a canon a better choice? Where is the best and cheapest place to get dslrs?

 

[90sShooter]

I can't really speak for Nikon, I am a Canon guy... I am sure Joseph (XTM) will chime in here with some good info on Nikons.

$400 is about as cheap as your gonna be able to pick up a good "Macro" lens for and if your primary focus is truly "first and foremost coral photos, especially up close ups" then you will want a good macro lens. Check out the Tamron I think you can pick up a used one for about $350-$400 although I don't see them as often as the canon 100mm. It's tough to stick to a $700 budget and want an all around camera AND a good macro camera. That is why it might be a good idea to research the G12 a little more. I have heard good things about the G10 and would assume the G12 is better and better. If I remember correctly they have "decent" macro abilities and you would still have an all around camera for hiking etc. in a smaller lighter package. The lack of "flexibility" is a null point since you are pretty specific about what the camera would be used for.

If you decide to stick with a DSLR (which I don't think you will regret). Opt out of the 18-55 as well and just pick up a decent used body and pick up a fast 50mm 1.8 for $100. It will bring you much more joy than any kit lens for the same price. Not to mention superior image quality.

Check out photography-on-the.net and keep an eye on the for sale forum. It is FULL of good stuff and some great buys.

 

[BlueCorn]

If you don't want to spend money on additional lenses, don't buy a DSLR.

You point of the sticky, you mentioned, is to give you the tools to make your own decision.

 

[BlueCorn]

If you don't want to spend money on additional lenses, don't buy a DSLR.

You point of the sticky, you mentioned, is to give you the tools to make your own decision.

 

[Misled]

I'm a Nikon guy, and this:

If you don't want to spend money on additional lenses, don't buy a DSLR.

still applies. The body isn't gonna make that much difference. It's all about the glass. Pretty much, if you want new, 700 bucks isn't gonna cut it.

 

[dlp211]

I agree. Get the lens that you need/want, then figure out what body you can afford. The DSLR hobby has huge upfront costs. But once you have 4 or 5 great lenses, you are set, the rest is all lighting.

Don't shy away from a D40/60. You can get them fairly cheap on eBay, and are more then enough to get your feet wet. I am a Nikon guy so I don't know what that would equate to in the Canon realm.

 

[Haplochromine]

Thank you all for the reality check. I was asking for the moon with a space shuttle budget.

Im going to purchase a new body and kit lens as the bodies themselves are just a few dollars less. I can add on a macro lens in the future when my budget has recuperated.

Now...I am at a crossroads. Canon or Nikon? Which has the most flexibility for what I want to do now and in the future? I realize this is mostly a personal choice, but once I go one route, I don't want to regret not going the other without some initial advice from people who have used either.

 

[Paco]

You said no used so it's a Canon Rebel of some sort if you want go Canon (my preference). If you are willing to consider used, a Canon 40D or 50D is good but I don't think you'll be able to pull it off for $700.

 

[Misled]

In my opinion, the flexibility isn't the issue. It's ergonomics. Go out and put the cameras in your hands. If you have friends with DSLR's, ask if you can try them, (in their presence). You need to find what's comfortable in "your" hands, and which controls feel the best to you. No one else can help you with that.

 

[owentl]

If you go the DSLR route, see if any of your friends have DSLRs and think about getting the brand they have so that you can share lenses/advice. A couple of guys that I work with all shoot the same brand and it has been really nice to be able to share flashes/glass.

Also if you get a DSLR you can also rent glass from a number of places online which is really nice.. then you can test out a macro lens or telephoto w/o having to spend 1k+ on really nice glass

 

[Misled]

Owen's post sounds all well and good, but you can't use mine unless I'm with you. I will not loan out my lenses to be used by someone if I'm not there. My camera bag is worth more than my Volvo, and no, you can't use that either.

 

[xtm]

$700 is a little difficult, but we can make it work, with some sacrifices on your side.

Here's a refurb D3000 + 18-55 kit for $399
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/635660/Nikon_25462_D3000_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

For your macro lens, you can either wait for this newly-released 40mm micro Nikkor for $280 (will AF on this body)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/810414-USA/Nikon_2200_40_mm_f_2_8G_AF_S.html

... or get a used Tamron 90 from KEH ~$300 (will NOT AF on this body)
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Aut...Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NA08999036984N?r=FE

So now you have an entry level body with a versatile 18-55 kit lens and a macro.
The 40mm micro will AF on the D3000 but the focal length will be redundant, because you already have this covered with the 18-55. Not only that, but it's a little too short as a macro. I threw that in because of budget constraints. If you're willing to spend $450 on a micro-nikkor, there are the 60G and 85G, but I understand that your budget is limited. The Tamron 90 is excellent, will shoot 1:1 but you can only manual focus on the D3000, but it's ok because you want to MF with macro anyways. You can get autofocus if you upgrade your body to the ones with body motor (D90, D80, D7K, etc)

Let me throw something outrageous. If you want the ultimate macro rig with that budget, get a used Sigma 150mm for ~$500 and a $200 used D40. On DX that is a staggering 225mm FOV that goes to 1:1! Talk about mucho working distance.

But then you'll need a tripod, and there's no skimping on that either.

There you have it. Good luck!

 

[xtm]

Owen's post sounds all well and good, but you can't use mine unless I'm with you. I will not loan out my lenses to be used by someone if I'm not there. My camera bag is worth more than my Volvo, and no, you can't use that either.

I'm sure he's talking about lensrentals.com and/or borrowlenses.com , not borrowing from someone on a forum :lol:

 

[Misled]

I was talking about this part of the post.

If you go the DSLR route, see if any of your friends have DSLRs and think about getting the brand they have so that you can share lenses/advice. A couple of guys that I work with all shoot the same brand and it has been really nice to be able to share flashes/glass.

 

[Haplochromine]

Hi all,

Thank you for the suggestions. xtm, I remember way back when you had made a DIY wavebox.

I picked up a Canon T1i (EOS 500D) this evening. There was much flip flopping on my part as I spent the past few days scouring the internet for reviews of entry-level DSLRs, starting with a D5000, then D3100, then T3, finally settling on the T1i. It was on sale and I don't intend to shoot too much video, so the improved video (among other things) in the T2i wasn't worth the increase in price for me.

It came with the kit 18-55 lens, but my uncle also owns a Canon and a few lenses so I am going to go over tomorrow to see which ones I can borrow for a bit (Don't worry about me taking your lenses Misled ). I was actually reading about the entry level macro lens from Nikon on bpreview today. Is there a Canon equivalent in the works? Would be something I would be interested in.

I have read through about half the owner's manual and plan to finish the rest this weekend. I've also taken about 100 photos just for fun and some of them have come out nicely, although mostly with automatic settings. I'll venture into the manual settings as I feel more comfortable.

The only issue with the T1i? If my fingers were half as long, the grip would work out well. The grip on my fujifilm finepix S3100 was much better (throwing it way back).

 

[Haplochromine]

So far I'm quite pleased with the camera. I still need to learn more about the features, but I managed to capture a few nice aquarium shots. I haven't spent too much time shooting aquarium shots, but this is the best one so far:

I have also managed to borrow a canon EF 28-70mm lens and a 70-200mm canon lens from my uncle. I doubt these will be too useful for aquarium photography, but they're fun to play with anyways.

 

[deathmatch782]

Those lens' are nice L series.
For macro the Canon 100 mm Macro is great, I love mine. The guys were right earlier that used will cost ~$450.