Ah, yes... it's a difference of opinion that makes a horse race. Jarrett, you've opened a can of worms because you're going to get a different opinion from every person.
I very strongly disagree with buying a different brand lens from the camera you buy. It's the glass, man, it's the glass -- and you want the finest possible (Nikkor -- or, Canon if you buy a Canon camera) -- not some freakin' "off brand" glass. Don't listen to the propaganda that they are "just as good" -- they pay the reviewers in advertising money to say that crap. It makes NO SENSE to buy the FINEST camera body you can buy, and then stick a piece of crap glass on it.
I even MORE strongly disagree with getting a telephoto lens (will define that in a minute) to take close ups of corals in your tank, which will be anywhere from 1" to 24" from your lens. Get the WIDEST damn macro lens you can find.
Now then... a 35mm film camera makes an image on film that is 36x24mm. Only within the past few years have the top of the line (read: most expensive) digital SLRs been able to equal this -- but the manufacturers continue to produce the older digital format which yields an image the equivalent of ONE and a HALF TIMES that size -- this is a very important factor!
In 35mm film photography a so-called "normal" lens is 55mm -- this yields an image approximately what the eye sees -- neither enlarged (telephoto) nor widened (wide angle). So, with a DSLR, you would multiply the focal length by 1.5 to get the 35mm film camera equivalent. A 55mm lens is no longer "normal" -- it is a telephoto with a factor of 1.5 power. A 35mm lens now becomes a "normal" lens (35 x 1.5 = 52mm) -- AND... here is the kicker... a 90mm lens (which has been recommended in this thread), on a digital SLR, becomes the equivalent of a 135mm lens, or a 2.5 power telephoto lens!!!!!!!!
I don't know... I really can't put enough exclamation points after that. It is insane to use that lens for close up pics of corals. It would be, however, perfect for taking close up pics of rattlesnakes, where you wouldn't want to get within striking distance! LMAO
Ok... bottom line... conclusion... wrap-up... MY recommendations for Jarrett... Get a Nikon... from what I've read, Ninja is correct that the D90 was one of the best, but it's from 2008... the latest (and cheaper) is the D5100 which sounds like a great camera, too.
Here's the link you asked for -- read all about 'em here:
http://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/slrs
And remember, *body only!* Do not buy a "kit" -- get the WIDEST (lowest number of mm) macro NIKKOR lens available for the camera you buy (35mm or LESS, if possible).
Sorry for the length of this, and sorry it's a bit complex. It's just not as simple as saying, "Buy a Kodak Brownie!" LMAO
Hope it helps.
George
P.S. -- tell your wife I'll be happy to go shopping with her!
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