Nikon D60???

[Hdhuntr01]

Is this a good camera for taking pictures of my reef tank? Are there better cameras in the same price range? What two lenses are a must? (One would need to be some sort of Macro lens) What would be the best flash for this purpose? Other than a tripod would there be anything else needed that I have not mentioned? How about filters?

Thanks for your input...

 

[qfrisco]

That's what I have, and have been very happy with it. I've been a lifelong Nikon guy and have a few lenses from the past 30 years that I wanted to use. Yes, all these lenses will still fit on the current Nikon D-SLRs.

For taking shots of your reef tank, you'd best get a macro lens as well. See my post in this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1679834 where I suggested a person buy an older manual focus macro lens to save $$$. As I mentioned earlier, current Nikon D-SLRs can use most of the lenses Nikon has made in the last 40 years. Some of the best of those lenses are their 55mm micro (Nikon calls macro lenses "micro" lenses) and 105mm micro released in the 1970s and 1980s.

Please also keep in mind that simply buying a "good camera" will not guarantee great pictures. You'll need to understand how to use the camera's features and order to take advantage of them.

 

[TWallace]

The D60 is a fine camera, if you can overlook the lack of an autofocus motor and bracketing. The lack of an AF motor means you need AF lenses with a motor in them, which usually cost quite a bit more. For example, a Tokina 12-24 is a great wide angle lens for $400. But if you want one with the motor built-in it's $500. The lack of bracketing means HDR photography is much more of a pain to do. Granted HDR isn't a huge deal for most photographers, but I like it.

FYI, the D40 also has the same features missing. The D50, D70, D80 and D90 all include those features. The D5000 has bracketing, but lacks an AF motor.

I started with a D50 and recently upgraded to a D90. Gave my old D50 to my sister. It was a great camera and can be had very cheap these days.

 

[xtm]

The D60 is a great camera, but I would wait a little. The D3000 was just released yesterday. When this thing hits the market in September, you'll see TONS of D60/D40's on the used market for cheap. The brand new D60's will drop in price too.

 

[Hdhuntr01]

I mainly want a really good camera to take pictures of my corals and fish. Trying to determine what is the best camera to do this with. It will not be used for anything else.

 

[bmwardo]

Hdhuntr01 - Based on my opinion, and the experience of many others instead of thinking about your purchase as wanting "a really good camera to take pictures of (your) corals and fish," you should replace "camera" with "lense/s" especially since you are being so specific. You can always find great camera bodies between Canon and Nikon, and you will always be able to upgrade bodies if you need or want to.

Here is a great website that I look at for lense tests:
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests

(Check out 3rd party lenses, the price/performance values are often much better than the Nikon brand lenses)

I agree with XTM: If the D40s/D60 is the range of camera that you are looking at then wait for a used one to pop up. Personally I think you might be better off going for a used D80 or D90. I find the lower end Nikons to be too small and lacking in some features that I like.

Also, if you haven't heard about this site yet it is worth checking out:
http://dpreview.com/

There are a lot of in depth reviews of every consumer camera out there.