If you were to buy any camera for reef pics.......
- Thread starter stlouisguy
- Start date
maroun.c
New member
D70s with the 105 mm macro lens (or the VR version of it if you have the cash) Image stabilization is not really necessary for macro shots as you will need to work on a tripod anyway, also it does not correct for fron to t back motion which could be important at the shallow DOF of some macro shots. the 105 non macro will save you 2-300 usd compared to the VR version. it will be a 157.5 mm with the 1.5 crop factor of Nikon so it is a good compromize between the 60mm macro (which is very sharp but a bitt oo short) and the 180 mm which is too long for reef shots.
If you want to print larger you can go with the D80 or if you even want to pay a bit more and gain weather sealing and better quality built the D200 would eb an option.
the 105 macro lens is one of nikons sharpest lenses ever made, it doubles also as a protrait lens (and sometimes is said to be too sharp for portraits) bare in mind that you will need a wider lens for full tank shots. you can go with the kit lens 18-70 (with D70s) or 18-50 (with D50) 18-135 or 18-200 VR ( with the D80 or D200) the 18-200 is a very nice everyday lens, wide enough for scenery and in your case full tank shots, very sharp on most of it's reach. Maybe just abit less sharp at around 200 but really it's nothing to talk about. also it is good for inside picture taking as it's wide enough and has VR for low lit room if you're not using your flash.
Also it's long reach 200 mm or 300 with the crop factor is really not bad.
then comes the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 which is great for portraits and for fish shots where the 105 could be a bit too long.
You still ahve to get the flash SB600 or a bit more for the 800 which is a bit more powerfull and has some more capabilities and gadgets that come with it which totally justifies it's price.
You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. I went with Nikon because holding similar range cameras of both canon and Nikon felt really cheap on the Canon side. I know it's a low budget or entry level DSLR but a better grip or a bit better body built would have been nice on Canon. Remote flash and Nikon's creative lighting system beats canon and it's a great advantage to use the flash off camera (in aquarium shots too) without cables that get in your way.
your best bet is to go to a store that has all the range of Canon and Nikon that are in your buget and play with all of them and get to feel which one feels better in yoru hand and which one has a better buttons placement. differnet people have different preferrences, to me I prefer heavier cameras whcih balance better with a heavy lens and feel more stable that's why I chose the D70s and added a vertical gripp and two batteries to it to increase the weght and have better balance.
Believe it or not I bought a F100 (film one) today just because of a very nice construction, feel, and weight.
If you want to print larger you can go with the D80 or if you even want to pay a bit more and gain weather sealing and better quality built the D200 would eb an option.
the 105 macro lens is one of nikons sharpest lenses ever made, it doubles also as a protrait lens (and sometimes is said to be too sharp for portraits) bare in mind that you will need a wider lens for full tank shots. you can go with the kit lens 18-70 (with D70s) or 18-50 (with D50) 18-135 or 18-200 VR ( with the D80 or D200) the 18-200 is a very nice everyday lens, wide enough for scenery and in your case full tank shots, very sharp on most of it's reach. Maybe just abit less sharp at around 200 but really it's nothing to talk about. also it is good for inside picture taking as it's wide enough and has VR for low lit room if you're not using your flash.
Also it's long reach 200 mm or 300 with the crop factor is really not bad.
then comes the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 which is great for portraits and for fish shots where the 105 could be a bit too long.
You still ahve to get the flash SB600 or a bit more for the 800 which is a bit more powerfull and has some more capabilities and gadgets that come with it which totally justifies it's price.
You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. I went with Nikon because holding similar range cameras of both canon and Nikon felt really cheap on the Canon side. I know it's a low budget or entry level DSLR but a better grip or a bit better body built would have been nice on Canon. Remote flash and Nikon's creative lighting system beats canon and it's a great advantage to use the flash off camera (in aquarium shots too) without cables that get in your way.
your best bet is to go to a store that has all the range of Canon and Nikon that are in your buget and play with all of them and get to feel which one feels better in yoru hand and which one has a better buttons placement. differnet people have different preferrences, to me I prefer heavier cameras whcih balance better with a heavy lens and feel more stable that's why I chose the D70s and added a vertical gripp and two batteries to it to increase the weght and have better balance.
Believe it or not I bought a F100 (film one) today just because of a very nice construction, feel, and weight.
michaeldaly
New member
The new pentax DSLR cameras have nice features and take good photo's for a lot less cash than a nikon or cannon.
