Help pick a camera

[NixPack]

Hey, Jeremy...DON'T BUY FROM Camera Giants!!

Check these reveiws out: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Camera_Giants

They do the same thing Broadway Photo does. You will place your online order and they will call you to comfirm your info. Then they will try to sell you things you don't need or they will tell you that the great online price you saw was for the Japanese version and you will have to pay more for the US version of the product.

What you will get is a Gray Market camera. It will be made overseas and if it ever needs repairs, you will discover that your warranty will not be valid in the USA.

Check customer reviews before buying from any online company.

Good luck.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Why don't you just buy from B&H like everyone else? (see previous links) I do support a local mom and pop joint too though.

 

[jtrasap]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513495#post14513495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
The Macro lens alone is $500. That is the lens and nothing else.

There are a whole lot more than just one macro lens and for a whole whole lot less than $500 to boot.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

$500 is the reasonably priced ones. I don't bother with the 3rd string equipment. If your going to go that route, it might be better to save the trouble and buy a nice point and shoot.

 

[jtrasap]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513938#post14513938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
$500 is the reasonably priced ones. I don't bother with the 3rd string equipment. If your going to go that route, it might be better to save the trouble and buy a nice point and shoot.

You can easily buy a decent....not "third string"... macro lens that will take some great pictures for well under $500.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Some examples? He needs a DSLR and a macro lens for under $500. I can't think of any combination I would want to use, which is why I suggested the G10.

 

[xtm]

DSLR and Macro for $500? That's pretty tough, let's see....

A used Nikon D40 body $299
Sigma 70-300mm Macro $124
Manfrotto 785SHB Tripod+Head $60

TOTAL = $483

It's not a pro kit by any means, but it's good enough to get your feet wet, so to speak. If you end up getting really into it and decide to move on to better equipment, these are good enough to be used as backup.

BTW, this is a "Canon forum".. if you want to learn about other brands other than Canon, check out dpreview.com good luck!

 

[jthao]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14511953#post14511953 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
$2000 really isn't that much in the DSLR world. Like reef tanks, many hobbyists spend over $10,000.

agreed!!!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513460#post14513460 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NixPack
Spending more money will not make you a better photographer.

in my case, it actually helped a lot. just my personal experience though.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513231#post14513231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtrasap

A person could easily pick up a decent used DSLR body, a middle of the road zoom lens, and a decent macro lens for close up pics of fish and corals and other various tank shots for under $500. And with a DSLR you can gradually expand and grow with your needs further down the road.

please show me where I can get "a decent used DSLR body, a middle of the road zoom lens, and a decent macro lens for close up pics of fish and corals and other various tank shots for under $500?"
I have never seen anything this cheap unless there was something wrong with the equipment.

 

[jthao]

DP.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14514311#post14514311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
DSLR and Macro for $500? That's pretty tough, let's see....

A used Nikon D40 body $299
Sigma 70-300mm Macro $124
Manfrotto 785SHB Tripod+Head $60

TOTAL = $483

A valiant effort but I don't consider the sigma 70-300 a macro lens. I have to give you credit though, you found a Camera, "Macro" Lens (quote unquote...my 24-70 is a "macro" lens but it can't do what a real macro lens can), and even a Tripod within budget. For that I am impressed, seriously you get kudos. Would I rather use this setup than a G10? Nahhh
I wouldn't be caught dead with that tripod either. For one it only supports 2.2 lbs. The D40x (without a battery) weighs 2.19 lbs. Add another 1.29 lbs for the Sigma 70-300 (or god forbid a battery) and the spine can't support the head.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

jtaho, I agree with you on the idea that, "Spending more money won't make you a better photographer", isn't really true. In fact I think it is crazy. People who say that IMO haven't spent the money so they don't really know if it will or will not help, haven't done proper research, or (in most cases), both. It should be corrected to...
"Spending more money won't make you a better photographer if you don't know exactly what you are spending that money one and are willing to learn how to properly use it. Otherwise, spending more money can make you a MUCH better photographer!"

 

[jlinzmaier]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513539#post14513539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NixPack
Hey, Jeremy...DON'T BUY FROM Camera Giants!!

Check these reveiws out: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Camera_Giants

They do the same thing Broadway Photo does. You will place your online order and they will call you to comfirm your info. Then they will try to sell you things you don't need or they will tell you that the great online price you saw was for the Japanese version and you will have to pay more for the US version of the product.

What you will get is a Gray Market camera. It will be made overseas and if it ever needs repairs, you will discover that your warranty will not be valid in the USA.

Check customer reviews before buying from any online company.

Good luck.

Wow!!! Those reviews are outstandingly poor and they all say the same common complaints. Thank you very much!! Is there a site which offers reviews for companies like that so I can search for myself before buying?

Jeremy

 

[jlinzmaier]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513601#post14513601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Why don't you just buy from B&H like everyone else? (see previous links) I do support a local mom and pop joint too though.

I was searching for the lowest prices and came across a G10 for $225. Obviously not a good deal when you read the camera giants reviews.

Will likely go with B&H.

Jeremy

 

[jlinzmaier]

I tried comparing on dpreview.com but my lack of overall knowledge simply leaves me cluess as to what to compare the G10 to.

Can someone list some comparable (point and shoot) cameras from other manufacturers??

Appreciate the help and apologize for my ignorance!!

Jeremy

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14514962#post14514962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
A valiant effort but I don't consider the sigma 70-300 a macro lens. I have to give you credit though, you found a Camera, "Macro" Lens (quote unquote...my 24-70 is a "macro" lens but it can't do what a real macro lens can), and even a Tripod within budget. For that I am impressed, seriously you get kudos.

thanks.. I tried to follow the 'guideline' below....

He needs a DSLR and a macro lens for under $500.

I just "tossed in" the tripod to make use of the ~$80 leftover he has. In all seriousness, it's quite difficult to get a decent body/macro lens kit for $500, unless you get lucky and found a used one somewhere.

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14516623#post14516623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlinzmaier
I tried comparing on dpreview.com but my lack of overall knowledge simply leaves me cluess as to what to compare the G10 to.

Can someone list some comparable (point and shoot) cameras from other manufacturers??

Appreciate the help and apologize for my ignorance!!

Jeremy

Jeremy, I believe the G10 is comparable to Nikon P6000.. read the comparison HERE

As good as the G10 is, it's still a point and shoot.. and an expensive one at that! Don't get me wrong, the G10 is a marvelous point-and-shoot, but you have to realize its shortcomings and limitations. The G10is NOT a DSLR... you will still have to deal with shutter lag, non-replaceable lens, etc.

Considering your $500 budget and situation, an entry level DSLR kit makes more sense IMO.

 

[jtrasap]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14517139#post14517139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm


Considering your $500 budget and situation, an entry level DSLR kit makes more sense IMO.

+1

 

[jlinzmaier]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14517139#post14517139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
Jeremy, I believe the G10 is comparable to Nikon P6000.. read the comparison HERE

As good as the G10 is, it's still a point and shoot.. and an expensive one at that! Don't get me wrong, the G10 is a marvelous point-and-shoot, but you have to realize its shortcomings and limitations. The G10is NOT a DSLR... you will still have to deal with shutter lag, non-replaceable lens, etc.

Considering your $500 budget and situation, an entry level DSLR kit makes more sense IMO.

I think I'll likely go with the G10 simply for the fact that I'm intimidated by the DSLR. I have no idea what body, lens, etc.. what would be good, bad, too big, too small, etc... I'm a reefer not a photographer. Ask me a question about a skimmer, calcium reactor, controller, proper tank params and I'm your guy. Start talking about cameras and it all sounds like a bunch of jibberish to me. I really appreciate all the info everyone has provided but I think the G10 has the capability to take high enough quality of pics that I'm interested in. The fact that it can take raw pics will allow me to adjust everything with photoshop (that is if the camera settings don't compensate enough for the tank lighting). I think once I upgrade to the G10 and get a tripod to keep things steady I'll be quite satisfied.

Jeremy

 

[plancton]

if you buy a canon rebel xsi camera and 100mm lens will you still need a tripod?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

You will DEFINITELY need a tripod. More so than just about any other setup, which means a good one.