Looking To Buy A Used DSLR Camera, Which One?

drummereef

drummereef

Team RC
I'm primarily going to be taking shots of my 180g reef tank. My current Canon point & Shoot is junk so an upgrade is needed. The biggest problem I'm having is getting a good FTS in a low light situation. Obviously the tank lights are on but my pics always come out grainy and blurry with my current camera even after setting the white balance, ISO, exposure, etc...

Since this will be my first "real" camera I'm strongly considering buying used from a reputable dealer like B&H or Adorama etc... I'm looking into slightly older models under $500 (used). So really a good starter camera is what I'm leaning towards.

Can anyone recommend some used cameras to start looking into? Just getting started is a little overwhelming with all the cameras that are out there. I don't have a brand preference but have been looking mostly at Canon and Nikon.


Thanks! :)
 
Brett, first read the stickies up top. Setting the white balance works better in post processing. Really any DSLR will work fine. Learning to use it is where most begin to get confused. Don't worry if you can't get a manual as most are available online in pdf format, (at least that's what I've found for Nikons). Read the manual when you get the camera and go shooting. A good tripod also becomes a useful tool.
 
Misled said:
Brett, first read the stickies up top. Setting the white balance works better in post processing. Really any DSLR will work fine. Learning to use it is where most begin to get confused. Don't worry if you can't get a manual as most are available online in pdf format, (at least that's what I've found for Nikons). Read the manual when you get the camera and go shooting. A good tripod also becomes a useful tool.
Click to expand...

Thank you Misled. I read and re-read Beerguy's sticky prior to posting. ;)

Maybe I should have been more specific... White balance is a moot issue on my current Canon Powershot A60 since the source image is bad to start with. I've tried both white balance adjustment during shooting and in post to no avail. This camera doesn't support RAW either. This is one reason why I need to step up to a real DSLR. I've been researching the Canon XSi series as I know I can pick a body up fairly cheap. Any experience with these?
 
I have an XS and a T1i. I think the XSi is a great camera to start with. The XS took the picture in my avatar. It will be able to do all of the things your P&S couldn't. I would suggest the kit lens to start and a tripod if you don't have one.
 
You really hit the nail on the head. Trying to adjust the white balance on the camera "normally" doesn't work. Doing it in post processing is the best way. The other thing you also hit on. You can't shoot in raw. Editing a raw image is different than a jpeg, which is probably what you were doing. A raw image is likely to have 5 times the information to work with.

That's why really any DSLR or P&S that can take raw images, can do a good job. The other things for shooting tanks are all up there. The one thing that doesn't get touched on much is curved glass. It doesn't work well and that's one reason I don't post many pics of my tank. Having a bowfront just creates too much distortion.

Of coarse, you having a starfire tank, no problems. Just be sure to stay perpendicular to the glass.
 
Misled said:
You really hit the nail on the head. Trying to adjust the white balance on the camera "normally" doesn't work. Doing it in post processing is the best way. The other thing you also hit on. You can't shoot in raw. Editing a raw image is different than a jpeg, which is probably what you were doing. A raw image is likely to have 5 times the information to work with.

That's why really any DSLR or P&S that can take raw images, can do a good job. The other things for shooting tanks are all up there. The one thing that doesn't get touched on much is curved glass. It doesn't work well and that's one reason I don't post many pics of my tank. Having a bowfront just creates too much distortion.

Of coarse, you having a starfire tank, no problems. Just be sure to stay perpendicular to the glass.
Click to expand...


Great Misled. Thanks for the tips. I have some leads on a used XSi so we'll see how it goes. :)
 
There's also the part in Dougs thread about going out and holding some of the cameras. You want something that will be comfortable in your hands.
 
I know this doesn't answer your question directly but I cannot emphasize enough (as mentioned by others) the need for a tripod! It will make all those blurry pics go away. Next I shoot with a panasonic LX3 - its a high end point-n-shoot but it has a separate white balance correction (this is not the auto WB setting) that adjusts for what ever lighting I am shooting in --- allows me to shoot even under actinics and blue LEDS. It shoots jpeg and/or raw. These pics were taken in jpeg with it through the side of my tank under straight t5 actinics. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!
 

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I have a Canon 50D, retail is $1000, but you could find a 30D or maybe 40D for around $300. I dont know if the older models have this feature but on the 50D you can adjust your Kelvin values for white balance. I usually crank mine up to 9000k to 10000k which gives me the best color. Also you really dont want to shoot above 1000 iso so a tripod is necessary.

I would go with a Canon either way, you will not be disappointed with the color reproduction!
 
I will say that even though post processing WB is almost a must, I like to use a custom white balance in odd lighting situations. Using a simple white card or piece of paper, can make a world of difference. Then, when you review your photo's they will be 99% of the way there.
I got into the habit of using CWB after IR modding my camera, it was one of the best things you can do for color reproduction. And sometimes, images require too much work and get artifacts.
 
drummereef said:
Since this will be my first "real" camera I'm strongly considering buying used from a reputable dealer like B&H or Adorama etc... I'm looking into slightly older models under $500 (used). So really a good starter camera is what I'm leaning towards.
Click to expand...

B&H is selling refurbished D3000's with 18-55 kit lens for $365
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/635660/Nikon_25462_D3000_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

I've bought many, many refurbs from B&H without a problem and they basically look brand new. Get this for $365 and use the extra cash for a decent tripod. Here's a Manfrotto for a hundred bucks:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479933-REG/Manfrotto_190XDB_190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

Add a ballhead and you're set.

Use BING cashback and you'll even get some money back ;)
 
xtm - Thank you, that's what I'm talking about. :D

There's someone in my area with a Canon XSi selling for $450 with the kit lens and a couple extra accessories (batteries/sd card).

Fair deal?
 
Check out Costco they usually have great package deals with cannon and nikon. They also have a great return policy: 90 days used or not.
 
You may want to check the number of actuations, but otherwise it sounds good.

drummereef said:
xtm - Thank you, that's what I'm talking about. :D

There's someone in my area with a Canon XSi selling for $450 with the kit lens and a couple extra accessories (batteries/sd card).

Fair deal?
Click to expand...
 
Less emphasis on the camera - more on the glass. Any decent SLR body will do - you can't go wrong with just about any Canon or Nikon if you're wanting to mainly stick with aquarium and family shots.

Then get a good prime lens - 50mm is great. Both Canon & Nikon make a very fast and inexpensive 50mm prime. Next get a good macro with a decent reach - also fairly fast. I use a pretty inexpensive Vivitar 100mm macro - it's not lifesize, but does 1/2 lifesize which works fairly well for the tank. It also comes with an adaptor to allow you to shoot in lifesize. The kit lens will work fairly well for most FTS - or if you have room to step back, use the 50mm.

Then ... practice, practice practice!
 
Do a Google search for POTN. That is a forum like this but for Canon products. Sign up and make a screen name and there are tons of cameras for sale. That being said I would look at a 40d and a 100mm F/2.8 macro non L. Canon released there new 100mm macro, made it a L lens and added IS to it so people are sometimes dumping the old version. In my opinion I would stay away from the Xti and XSi. They are decent cameras but I like the functionality of the XXD's better and at the used level it may only be $100 more. The 40d will also have better ISO range then the Xti and maybe the same as Xsi. Good luck... Jeff
 
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