Help pick a camera

Several of those threads made the G10 sound like a pretty good point and shoot. I viewed some close up pics people had taken with it and they looked pretty good. It seems this camera will be able to do what I need it to do.

Sounds like the major complaint was when the camera was used with an ISO of >400 there was a lot of noise. That's OK with me since I'll be taking nearly 99% of my shots in intense light and won't need a high ISO.

Thanks for the link!!

Jeremy
 
so basically you need more than a 1000 dlls to take a good picture. Not only that but if you also want to take the camera to dive, you need to invest about 1700 only on the underwater case for canon rebel.
 
Yeah...it takes a lot of money. A lot more money that people realize or think they can get away with not spending. This has been my point in thread after thread after thread. If you look to the very beginning of the thread, I told him that he will need a tripod in addition. $1700 is a decant price for an underwater case...sadly.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14506608#post14506608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Oh and you will need a tripod. If you don't already have one factor in another $200-$300.
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522339#post14522339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlinzmaier
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
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A DSLR will operate just like a point and shoot. They have automatic modes which will do everything for you and they have manual adjustments for when your ready to delve into that stuff. The biggest plus to DSLR's is that in general they have much better sensors which allow for higher quality pictures, especially at higher ISO's As far as which lens to use you can just stick with whatever lens comes with the package you buy. It will most likely cover just about any shot that can be made with a point and shoot and you have the option to expand to other lenses when you feel the need and are comfortable.

It's kind of pointless to spend the kind of money that a g10 costs when you can get an SLR for that price. If I were getting a point and shoot I would save the dough and head to Wal-Mart and pick up a Canon A590IS for $110. You'd save a whole buncha money and the A590IS is one of the best rated point and shoots out there. The A200 that I linked to in my last post is fairly close to the top of DPREVIEW's "highly recommended" list, on the other hand the G10 only made the "recommended" list....

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=rating

Seriously though, if your just looking for a good point and shoot check out the A590IS.
 
You can work photoshop and tweak everything to your desire but you can't work a camera with less buttons than photoshop? Sorry but this made me chuckle


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14522339#post14522339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jlinzmaier
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
Click to expand...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14528627#post14528627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
You can work photoshop and tweak everything to your desire but you can't work a camera with less buttons than photoshop? Sorry but this made me chuckle
Click to expand...

:D....I noticed that to.


In my experience Photoshop was a whole lot more of a pain in the butt to learn than any camera that I've owned.
 
Anyway, my 2 cents. Before I got my dslr, I didn't know squat, but now I can very much appreciate the beauty and design of how the slr works, my preference for full artistic control is the slr. It's hard to go back to "stick and stones" for me. Not that point and shoot is inferior, it's just not the same.
 
The Canon A590IS is highly rated for pictures of your 5 year old hugging Mickey Mouse at Disney World. Reef tanks are dynamic subjects which need a little more juice than the A590IS provides.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14529110#post14529110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
The Canon A590IS is highly rated for pictures of your 5 year old hugging Mickey Mouse at Disney World. Reef tanks are dynamic subjects which need a little more juice than the A590IS provides.
Click to expand...


Howe so?
 
All right, now I'm even more unsure of myself. Knowing that a DSLR can do what a point and shoot can do is reassuring to me. I was under the impression that if I bought a DSLR for taking pics of my reef tank, then that would be all it would be good for (without spending an arm and a leg on other lenses and goodies).

To help me better understand, could someone please explain the outright differences between a point and shoot and a DSLR?

Could someone also expalin to me exactly how I work a DSLR?

What basic entry level equipment would I need for a DSLR to take good pics of my corals and fish (and some whole tank shots - 8ft tank)?

Can someone put some links out with a good set up to get started. Forget price for right now (not top of the line, but not crap either). Just link a package that will suit my needs.

I understand the points made about photoshop. LOL! It makes sense after I think about it. It's easy to say I can just photoshop it, but tough to really do what you want to do.

I truly appreciate everyones help.

Jeremy
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14511931#post14511931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
The DSLR is the Xsi. You will pay a MINIMUM of $1000 which will get you excellent closeup capability and nothing else.
This
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542177-REG/Canon_2756B001_EOS_Rebel_XSi_Digital.html
AND This
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194451-USA/Canon_4657A006_100mm_f_2_8_USM_Macro.html

A point and shoot is the G10 which will do everything.
This
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583955-REG/Canon_2663B001_PowerShot_G10_Digital_Camera.html
Click to expand...

Reviewed this body and lens. Sorry I forgot you posted these links earlier. This lens says it has a MFD (I'm starting to get the lingo - you guys are rubbing off on me) of 1'. So that means the lens must be at least one foot away from the object - correct? Will this allow me to zoom in for a much closer pic? Will this allow me to take a full (8ft) tank shot?

Thanks

Jeremy
 
OK. I've been reading constantly for the last 3 hrs about cameras and photography and I'm now convinced that a DSLR is the way to go. I really like the body and lens that titusvilesurfer linked to. After reading the reviews, they sound like an awesome combination which has the capabilities of a wide variety of photography, but it sounds like the lens performs best for macro photography which is what the majority of what I'll be using it for. I feel like I'm over the initial intimidation of a DSLR but still have a lot to learn. I'll be saving my pennies and likely invest in the lens body combo that titusvilesurfer linked to initially - thank you!

Any recommendations on a tripod??

I've really learned a lot over the last few days and truly thank everyone for their input. The image quality that I'll be able to get with the DSLR vs a point and shoot sounds like a considerable difference and I think I'll really appreciate that (as will everyone viewing the pictures of my prized corals).

Jeremy
 
This is a good Tripod/head
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...gen_Imaging__055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

It isn't the best for macro specifically but it is an excellent all around combination. The legs are kid of like a DSLR and the head is kind of like a lens. You can unscrew the head of the tripod (the part the camera actually rests on) and change it for a different one.

A macro specific tripod head would have a focus rail for instance.

The 100mm f/2.8 is EXCELLENT for closeups of corals or virtually anything else within reason. I wouldn't want to shoot a birthday party, vacation, or even fish with it, though it isn't to say it can't be done.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14529447#post14529447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jtrasap
Howe so?
Click to expand...
Well for one it can't shoot RAW which is critical in a reef tank with bluish lighting. Correcting for white balance will be a nightmare and anyone who buys it will be posting in this forum "Why do my rocks/sand/fish/corals look blue?"

Secondly you loose 7mm (equivalent) on the wide end. Outright on paper you may think "that doesn't sound like such a big deal", but it certainly is. The G10 is already a little long on the wide end for my tastes as it is. While they both zoom in to an (Equivalent) 140mm, which is about what you would see with an XSi and 100mm macro lens, the A590IS looses a full stop of light to get there. This is a huge disadvantage in a reef tank.

Thirdly there is no hot shoe which allows for a wide range of options from speed lights to bubble levels. Admittedly, most users of a G10 who are not into photography enough to also own a DSLR won't have a speed light. The possibilities gained by having the option are greatly broadened though.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530734#post14530734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Well for one it can't shoot RAW which is critical in a reef tank with bluish lighting. Correcting for white balance will be a nightmare and anyone who buys it will be posting in this forum "Why do my rocks/sand/fish/corals look blue?"

Secondly you loose 7mm (equivalent) on the wide end. Outright on paper you may think "that doesn't sound like such a big deal", but it certainly is. The G10 is already a little long on the wide end for my tastes as it is. While they both zoom in to an (Equivalent) 140mm, which is about what you would see with an XSi and 100mm macro lens, the A590IS looses a full stop of light to get there. This is a huge disadvantage in a reef tank.
Click to expand...


Actually the A590's firmware can be upgraded to support RAW images. Everything else that you mentioned is a moot point considering the price difference. The G10 is a camera for that photo guy who already has $15,000 worth of photo equipment and has an extra $500 in change in the cracks of his couch to throw on a point and shoot for those times that he doesn't feel like lugging his bigger equipment around. That's not the case here and considering that you can get more camera for the same money in an entry level DSLR and he now understands that, I really don't see any point in you trolling the thread posting your pointless sarcasm to start arguments.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14530627#post14530627 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer


The 100mm f/2.8 is EXCELLENT for closeups of corals or virtually anything else within reason. I wouldn't want to shoot a birthday party, vacation, or even fish with it, though it isn't to say it can't be done.
Click to expand...

Is the Xsi body capable of taking decent pics without the macro lens (for B-day parties, etc..). Sorry, not sure if I can take pics with it without a specific lens.

Jeremy
 
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