Help with choice and website address?

[Shooter7]

Hi, photog gurus. I asked some questions in here in the past regarding trying to make a choice on a camera. Some other things came up (Ca reactor and Tunzes, to be specific) and didn't have the money for a camera. Got a little surprise windfall in the mail recently and I think I'm going to at least consider using some of it for a new camera.

So, that being said, could any of you guys give me some direction in looking for a new camera? I'm looking not so much to become a major photography whiz, I'd just like something that will take some really nice close up pics of my corals, while still being good for taking shots on the holidays and around the house. Something pretty user friendly, I'm not sure on the interchangeable lens thing but that might be ok depending on price. I'm putting a range of $0 - about $600 for now to see what comes up.

Also, I had seen on here previously a website that I think you could go to and see a whole range of camera reviews and capabilities/specs. If someone knows what I'm talking about, could you post the website address on here for me?

Thanks so much for any help. I'm probably going to be looking in the next couple of days as there are sales on I'd like to hit for this purchase. Thanks again!

 

[Shooter7]

I did some digging around during lunch here and found the website I was thinking of, so that's at least taken care of.

 

[Shooter7]

Ok, I'll help my own cause here a little...how about comments/opinions/feedback on some of these?

Canon Digital Rebel XTi

Canon S5

Sony DSCH9

Sony DSLRA100 with ??? lens

Nikon D40

thanks

 

[BlueCorn]

If you go the DSLR route you're going to be spending more than $600. Good lenses cost money. Cheap lenses make bad pictures.

 

[Shooter7]

Thanks for the reply.
Ok, so scratch the rebel and the sony SLR.

Have a Nikon D40 with 18-55 mm Nikkon Zoom lens for around $550, plus whatever percentage off this sale has. How is that? Does this lens cut it or would I need something better? If so, how much better? Remember, I'm not looking to stun anybody, just take some decent pictures with some macro capabilities.

And then, what about the other cameras?

Canon S5

Nikon DSCH9

And any other suggestions?
thanks

 

[Scythanith]

The D40 will get expensive with more lenses you will likely add.

 

[Shooter7]

Are any of the point and shoots worth it when it comes to trying to get halfway decent macro shots?

I've got corals I'd like to get pictures of that are more than a foot away from the front glass and would like to be able to get better pics of them. I am currently using a Nikon coolpix 3200. Some shots I've gotten with it:

 

[Shooter7]

oooookay....Can anyone comment on using the Canon S3 or S5? I have seen some pics in searching on here that look pretty good, and some other comments of people being frustrated with them. I like reading the reviews on dpreview, but the discussion and sample pics pretty much never include taking closeups of corals in reef tanks, which is one thing I want to make sure I can do. So, can the Canon cameras I mentioned do a good job of this? If only marginal, are there particular lens add-ons that I could get that would significantly help in getting good closeups? Going out this afternoon shopping, so help would be very much appreciated. thanks!