Help pick a mid level camera

[zachtos]

Currently I have a fujifilm e550. piece of junk. I use dpreview.com to compare cameras, but am still fairly new to photography. As I read through these threads, I begin to realize how expensive cameras can be, it's staggering. I can not justify spending $1000+ on a camera when I could spend that money on the tank to make it better. I have a 240G SPS reef and I have a very hard time taking macro shots w/ the camera i have being a compact.

Let's pick a unit based on my tank, 28" wide x 7' long ' 2' tall. I would want to take some decent macro shots, I can't macro anything past 6" from the front currently, and can only get average shots now.

Let's say, a budget of $500, what can that get me vs $700? perhaps an example photo of what a $500ish setup can do for me vs $700?

Really, it's all in the results for me, if you can get decent shots for the money, then I'm happy, I'm no pro, so the excess money would be wasted on me I'm sure. But my compact is just too hard to focus, can't focus on anything deeper in the tank, and is terrible at fish shots.

*keep in mind all my photos will be stored at photobucket's 'free' 800x600 compression, so really don't need to go overboard. This is just for macro shots that will likely be used in forums.

example of my current cam

this is a macro shot 6" in, I can't go any further back then that.

 

[old95er]

Canon.

Digital Rebel from b&h photo. the 8 megapixel kit with a lens is $4

 

[old95er]

sorry, hit reply to soon

it is $459 with the lens. However a good macro lens will cost a few hundred more. You can start with the kit, and upgrade to the better lens later. The new version at 10 megapixel and better sensors (worth the extra) is a littel more than $500 for the body alone.

I am a very serious amateur photographer, and I would use nothing other than Canon. I can send you a pm with my photo site, if you would like.

If you are planning to spend more, spend on the 100mm f2.8 macro lens. That lens took this picture: (albeit with a 40D body; which is a totally different camera, and 3x the rebel cost)

 

[redline]

that's a nice camera, i have one like it.

 

[zombiereef]

i second the digital rebel. i just nabbed one on craigslist for dirt cheap. saving up for the 100mm macro as we speak.

 

[jnfallon]

i'm a nikon guy, never having tried a canon.

either way, remember that the bodies are pretty much disposable, but the glass should last a lifetime. Do yourself a favor and buy only nice lenses. 2-3 nice lenses accumulated over time should do almost everything you could ever want.

for nikon there are 3 fixed length macros by nikon that people use for the most part. 60mm , 105mm, 200mm . I have the 105 mm and like it.

you can pick up a used d70 for cheap - $300 or so, and a used 60mm for $300, and used 105mm (non vr) for probably $400.

Then you can always trade up to a more recent camera body when you get bitten by the camera bug.

 

[zachtos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12108300#post12108300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnfallon
i'm a nikon guy, never having tried a canon.

either way, remember that the bodies are pretty much disposable, but the glass should last a lifetime. Do yourself a favor and buy only nice lenses. 2-3 nice lenses accumulated over time should do almost everything you could ever want.

for nikon there are 3 fixed length macros by nikon that people use for the most part. 60mm , 105mm, 200mm . I have the 105 mm and like it.

you can pick up a used d70 for cheap - $300 or so, and a used 60mm for $300, and used 105mm (non vr) for probably $400.

Then you can always trade up to a more recent camera body when you get bitten by the camera bug.

Thank you so much, that is excellent camera advice. I think I will go on the lookout for a used decent SLR and put the bulk of the money towards a nice lens.

 

[zachtos]

I've been researching alot lately and am close to deciding on what to buy:

To start with I will likely buy one of these dSLRs:

*Cannon Rebel XTi w/ 18-55mm lens kit

or

*Nikon D40 w/ 18-55mm lens kit

It looks like both are in the $500-600 range new and $400 range refurbished. I would like to start with one of these cameras as a major improvement over my compact so I can start getting some nice full tank shots, fish shots, and general non macro coral shots.

I will then later purchase a good macro lens:
if nikon:
*nikon 105mm macro ($770is for this, CANT FIND NON VR!?)
or
*tamron 90mm macro ($400-500ish)

if cannon:
*cannon EF 100mm ($470ish for this)

Questions:
-I kind of want the nikon because of that awesome 18-200mm VR lens that I've read about. I understand VR/IS is not used in macro photography, nor is autofocusing in tank photography in general. My issue is, Is there a non VR/AF macro lens by nikkor for sale anymore? $800 is too much if I can just switch to the cannon brand and get a great one for nearly half that.
-I am scared of buying the Tamron/Sigma macro lenses for fear of quality on behalf of savings. This is affecting my choice of namebrand to start with.

 

[jnfallon]

Sure.

D40/D40x seem great. Just rememebr it wont autofocus non-afs lenses.

Also, I dont think the 18-55 lens is all that highly rated.

You may be able get the 18-70 or 18-200 lens as a kit or used.

I started with the 18-70, which is available for under $200 and it is very sharp. Very sharp. Then got the 18-200. The 18-200 lens is also very well-regarded, and you can use that everywhere. Great for having just one lens with you. Both of these are af-s.

I like both, and use both. But now I have the bug, and started buying other things.

So now I own

70-300 VR which is my favorite at the moment
12-24 which is great too. So great that I'm now looking for a used d200 so I can carry both the 12-24 and the 70-300 at all times.
50 1.8 - good for parties, etc - and cheap. like $100 used.

I just got the 105 VR, and it seems like a winner. I have only shot handheld with it so far, with vr on, and I like the shots. I dont think I focus fast enough to get any keepers on moving fish otherwise. The depth of field is really really tiny. Of course, I could maybe get the same fish shots using the 70-300 or 18-200.

Nikon does have the non VR 105. I just did a quick search and i found a cheap one on Bhphoto.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=buyUsed&Q=333758&O=productList

If I was making a recommendation for lenses, I'd say get 18-70, 70-300, non-vr 105, and whatever body you want. These with a d40 would probably cost about $1000 altogether, and they are all excellent and can be re-sold or traded whenever.

The 18-200 is good too, and you could sub that for the 18-70/70-300, but I find the other 2 lenses sharper, faster, and having 300mm is really really nice.

For the real macro shots (polyp, etc) I have gotten handheld shots, but most are trash. I will need to use a tripod to get any good ones regularly I think. DOn't forget to leave some money in the budget for a good tripod.

Best,

Justin

 

[jnfallon]

One more thing. There are other macros too.

Nikon 60mm - 300 used

Nikon 200 mm - ?? to rich for me

Nikon 70-180 - not made anymore and hard to find. Only real zoom macro ever made.

Sigma 150mm - apparently this is the best of the bunch optically. People rave about it. And is $600 new.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...alSearch=yes&O=product.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

I will probably trade out some of my lenses over this year and try each of these. The zoom macro really seems cool and I almost broke down and got one last week.

 

[zachtos]

Nice price on the non VR 105mm macro lens. I know I don't care about Autofocus or anti vibration w/ a macro lens since they are useless for tank macros. I'll look out for a better starter kit lens, but may just get a 18-70mm seperately.

That nikon 105mm macro lens non VR is only F/4, instead of F/2.8, is that a big issue for what we are doing in tank macro photography? If not, that is the lens I will buy!

 

[jnfallon]

I dont think the f4 is an issue at all.

I think thats a great choice. If I would have come across one that cheaply, I never would have bought the VR.

Another good site for bargain hunting is nikonians.org -> forums -> i want to sell

keh.com will give you a retail number for used lenses too.

have fun, but be careful, gets addictive and expensive.

 

[spscrackhead]

make sure the canon comes with the new 18-55 IS lens. if its the older non IS dont get it, they are junk. if i were you i would get either the 350D or a used 20D or 30D. as far as canon goes ne way

 

[zachtos]

OK, I revised my budget to reach $1000 now, so I will help stimulate the economy by buying:

Canon rebel XT: body only -$400
Cannon 100mm macro EF f/2.8 - $450
50mm F/1.8: $85
4gb CF card - $40
Infared remote RC5 - $20
Carrying case and misc shipping: $50

=Aproximately: $1045

The macro lens will be bought in a few months after I play w/ the camera a bit. Obviously, I have gathered that the Cannon 100mm lens is very good, I still have a hard time deciding if the tamron 90mm is the better choice though. I'm sure either will be great!

I am hoping the 'fantastic plastic'/'nifty fifty' 50mm lens will do a great job at being my walk around lens, and getting good fish shots. Do you think this will do OK for full tank shots too?

Opinions?

 

[old95er]

Great choices! Stick with Canon. Don't be pulled over to the dark side of Nikon!! When you look on the sidelines of sporting events, what do you see in the pro's hands, those nice long white Canon lenses!!!

The 50mm is the best cheap buy out there.

The 100 will quickly be your favorite lens. It takes great portraits as well as the aquarium shots. I have used it to take the majority of shots on my site although I have started renting the bigger glass 70-200 f 2.8 for live perfomance shots. Man what a lens! But at almost $2k it's a little steep!

The D40 and 100mm 2.8 took this (which is cropped in) When you crop, it really shows the resolution of your sensor, the upgrade for me from a 6 megapixel older Rebel to the sensor on the 40D really shows up when I crop in . Keep in mind that this is a really low resolution version of the original to keep within the file size limits here. I have more high res shots on my site.

 

[zmckenzie]

I just wanted to say thanks for starting this thread for I am also in the market for a new digital camera. I am also having issues decided between the Nikon d40 and the rebel xt. After going through this thread and reading reviews elsewhere I will also be going with the rebel xt body. Now picking the lens is the next step, which will be a little more difficult. I have around a 600-dollar budget not 1000 dollar budget like you. Once again thanks for starting this thread and for all who have posted.

 

[zachtos]

I picked up a refurbished: Canon rebel XT: body only -$330
50mm F/1.8: $85
4gb CF card - $40
Infared remote RC5 - $20

Grand total was just under $480...

that hopefully will be a great start towards great tank shots and a good walking around lens. I will purchase a canon 100mm macro lens down the road when I'm ready for macro photography. A lot of my corals are browned out right now and are coloring up, no hurry to macro them yet.

 

[old95er]

Congratulations! Welcome to another addictive and expensive hobby!!

Next you should start collecting and restoring vintage Ferraris!

 

[MCary]

Even with a cheap camera, a little post processing helps:

My apologies if you don't like me messing with your image.

Mike

 

[zachtos]

No I don't mind at all, I need to learn more about post processing and photoshop soon enough... It's just another time consuming 'sub-hobby' to the reefkeeping. Learning how to keep things alive came first... taking photos of them, is next. =)