Help choose camera

[rodstar]

Darnit darnit darnit

I swore that the obsession I have with my reef tank would stop there. And I swore that I would not get involve din the whole photography thing because it is just another expensive hobby...

But, I have been enjoying taking closeup (macro shots of my coral. However, I get horrible results.

I have enough particulate in the water that I end up just taking pictures of the water column. And, when I do get the coral in focus, the colors are horrible.

Of course, I am only using a Canon Powershot D1000.

So, here is what I am looking for and hoping that you can help. ( ihave zero experience here)
- Digital SLR
-inexpensive, but good quality (riiiight)
-willing to buy used, older models
-proper lense to shoot macro shots of my fish/coral...

Have I provided enough info?

I would really like to spend under $300, but from what I read that is probably a pipe dream.

Thanks in advance!

 

[truthdesigns]

Try ebay
I have bought two Used Nikon D50's from there.
One for $359 And one for $265! Excellent condition!!

 

[Robb in Austin]

+1 on used equipment.
If you decide to switch camps, to the better camp of course , you should be able to find lots of deals on D40/50/60/80's out there with the new bodies Nikon introduced recently.

Check these: Ebay, B&H photo, Craigslist, Adorama.

 

[latazyo]

keh.com also sells used

 

[InLimbo87]

You're going to be very hard-pressed to go the DSLR route and have a macro lens for less than $300. The cheapest I could see going would be to go for a used D40/D50/D70 for about $300 ish for the body alone, and then go for a used tamron 90mm for around 200-250. And then all you have is a dslr with one fixed focal length lens.

You'll probably be better off (with that budget) looking into one of the higher end point-and-shoots. I can recommend a Canon Powershot S3 IS. Its "macro mode" is decent for taking pics close up if you can master the technique, and the camera itself takes quite nice pics.

 

[puka]

I just bought a nikon d60 and here are a few shots i took today with the 18-55vr lens

 

[dougie]

u can pick up canon EOS 30D's for pretty cheap now. brilliant camera.

 

[rodstar]

Thanks all for the replies and help. I think I am going to go the Canon route and try eBay or other venues for a good used camera... (though I may wait until Christmas ask Santa for it...lol)

I will go with the standard lens for a while until I get used to the camera and then think abotu the macro lense.

 

[t5Nitro]

Naw, I think you NEED the 5DII with a nice quality L series lens. :lol:

But really, canon is a good route to go. I use canon and have no problems with it. People will go rounds with you about canon vs nikon. In the end, I think canon for some part of it are usually cheaper and easier to use for a beginner (somewhat).

If you're going used route for canon, people on this site have posted great macro shots with the canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens with the XT and XTi. If you want new they replaced those two with the XS and XSi. Not bad cameras to start out with! I forget how much the new Nikon D90 costs, but that lens alone is probably a $500 lens. Also shoots HD video if you would even need that. Fairly fast camera too. Might be another one to look into. The kit I looked at came with like a 24-105mm VR lens or something like that anyway.

Good luck with whatever you pick. Whatever choice you go, even a D40 with kit lens will blow away any point and shoot.

Have fun

 

[H@rry]

I think the Canon vs Nikon is a more of less "religious issue" (like Chevrolet vs Ford vs Toyota). For people like you and me either one will do a good job. I got a D40 w/kit lens a couple of months ago and I'm still reading and learning. I'm saving for a 105 macro lens right now.

Just get one or the other and start snapping and find out what all the buttons and options do. Read and ask questions. There are people on here that will gladly share their knowledge.