If you were to buy any camera for reef pics.......

[stlouisguy]

what you would buy and why? Including which lenses?

I need a new camera and thought I would ask the experts for opinions.

Thanks!!

 

[Nikon_Guy]

Reef pictures as in underwater photography or pictures of your tank?

 

[golfschosen1]

1st I followed your 450 cube build and it looks great...............2nd I personally like Canon's they just feel better and seem easier to use but for every 20 people that like canon there will be 20 people that like Nikon I am assuming this is for pictures of your tank and so I would go with a Canon Rebel XT or XTi or if you dont mind spending a bit more the Canon 30d as for a good lense it depends what you want it for and since macro shots seem to be the "in" thing right now I think most people can agree that the canon 100mm f/2.8 lens is great, I personally use the Canon rebel XT with a macro 50mm f/2.5 with the EF25 II extension tube and can get quite close with that but soon I think I will upgrade to the 100mm f/2.8 there are a lot of people that know a bit more than me on this forum but that is just my 2 cents I hope it assists you and if there are anymore questions just ask or PM me

Sincerely
Steve

 

[stlouisguy]

Steve, THANKS!!!

Thats exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for the kind words regarding my build, it was fun. I want to update wtih some good pics, but my older camera just cant handle it.

Guess it time to start shopping!

 

[louist]

I would buy:
EOS1Ds mk2
180 f3.5 macro
Gitzo Explorer tripod (biggest one)
A couple of 580ex flashes
ST-E2
bean bags
A large lite disc and Manfrotto holder for it

The equivalent from Nikon would be just as fine.

 

[hogpark7430]

One thing I like about my canon is is is easier to shoot from the top of the tank because of the fold out screen. I should explain this better here are some examples:

lens adapter for macro lenses

top down Photo example:

 

[louist]

Unfortunately I am not brave nor rich enough, to go commando on my 180 macro lens and just dip it straight into the water

 

[awd2k]

i would go for the following items

Canon 5D
180mm f3.5 macro
24/105 L IS USM

plus different goodies

awd2k

 

[Bathypelagic]

You will find great macro's for either Canon or Nikon including 3rd party ones like Sigma's 105 or Tamron's 90. I would go to a brick and mortar camera store, have them put on a decent zoom lens and hold and shoot several different models of Canon - Nikon and whatever else they carry and then choose the body that feels most comfortable in your hands.

 

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9355351#post9355351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louist
Unfortunately I am not brave nor rich enough, to go commando on my 180 macro lens and just dip it straight into the water

The macro lenses and adapter are cheep and have held up over 4 years.

 

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356098#post9356098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hogpark7430
The macro lenses and adapter are cheep and have held up over 4 years.

The 180mm macro is over $1200...I wouldn't be getting it near the water.

 

[gregr]

Everything Louis said except not the 1DsMII-- get the 1DMII unless you plan on printing billboards. The image quality is better on the smaller sensor- I've used both cameras quite a bit for aquarium photography and the results are conclusive in my mind. Same goes for the 5D and D2X.

 

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356370#post9356370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
The 180mm macro is over $1200...I wouldn't be getting it near the water.

ouch 1200.00 I wouldn't take it out of the case near water. The one pictured above: 11.00 for the adapter and about 10.00 a lens.

 

[asnatlas]

Unless you are looking to spend almost 3k+ just for the body, I would stick with a Canon 30d (if you are looking at canon)... This camera is more then enough for taking pics of a reef tank... Even with the 30d and an "L" lens or even the 100mm macro (475.00ish) Your looking at 2-3k for a body and lens... Even spending 2-3k you will not be able to "point and shoot" as a DSLR is total diff and will take some getting use to...

dpreview.com

Canon EOS 30d

 

[RevHtree]

Rebel XT and the Canon 100mm lens will do you just fine!

 

[JeffReef]

What's your budget? For a sub 2K set-up, I'd go with a Canon XTi, Sigma 150mm f/2.8, Gitzo carbon tripod and Photoshop Elements 5.0.

If you can spare more $$, get the Canon 30D. If you have less $$, buy a used 20D or Rebel XT.

 

[Blazer88]

I have thought about getting the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro lens but the working distance would be difficult to work with. At something like 18", you are going to have to stand across the room if you want pictures of fish or corals. I like the EF 100mm F/2.8 since the minimum working distance is about 6" and is much easier to use as I can generally press it directly against the glass. Of course the 150mm would be fun with a TC+tubes...hmmm.

And the Rebel XT is a magnicificant camera which I have used for a while but I'm going to upgrade to a 30D or 5D. You can pick up a used XT and 100 F/2.8 for under $1K now if you are on a budget.

 

[JeffReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9365665#post9365665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
I have thought about getting the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro lens but the working distance would be difficult to work with. At something like 18", you are going to have to stand across the room if you want pictures of fish or corals. I like the EF 100mm F/2.8 since the minimum working distance is about 6" and is much easier to use as I can generally press it directly against the glass. Of course the 150mm would be fun with a TC+tubes...hmmm.

And the Rebel XT is a magnicificant camera which I have used for a while but I'm going to upgrade to a 30D or 5D. You can pick up a used XT and 100 F/2.8 for under $1K now if you are on a budget.

I think it's about 15 inches minimum focusing distance for the 150mm f/2.8. It's not bad specially if you're into other types of macro photography (i.e. insects and such) where the extra distance can be a plus. It's also great for using 2x and 1.4x teleconverters when shooting birds.

But you're correct. The 100mm is easier to use for shooting corals since you can be a lot closer to the glass.

In photography, you really can't have enough glass. I had over 20 lenses at one time. Now, I only have 6: 24-70mm, 150mm, 10-20mm, 50mm, 1.4x and a 2.0x. I've narrowed it down to the lenses that I'm actually willing to use and carry in my bag.

 

[GSMguy]

i got a rebel xti for under 1k and the cannon 100mm f/2.8 for under $500 i had the culman tripod allready so i spent about 1500 for the whole setup and i will be learning how to use it for the next couple years

 

[louist]

Keep in mind that the minimum working distance quoted for all lenses is the distance from the subject to the sensor. You must take the length of the lens body into account, i.e. subtract it out to get the subject to front element distance.

I love the 180 macro, but the 100 is more convenient to work with when working distance isn't a limiting factor. I've heard much good things about the 150 macro but haven't got the chance to try one yet, my 180 keep me busy enough

The original poster wanted to me what *I* would buy if I am buying a setup for aquarium photography. It would be more appropriate to state the budget and levels of dedication or was that addiction?