What camera to buy???

[desjardiniidj]

I have a Toshiba 1.5 mega pixel camera. I need alot better of a camera. I've been looking at some and asked others about what they thought. I'm looking at Canon's and Sony's. Other suggestions are welcome.

I'm mostly going to be taking close up pics of corals, specifically sps. I would also like to use it for outdoor, vehicle and people pics.

Here's the catch: I want something "beginner" friendly and I don't want to have to sell the old Dodge to afford it. I do know nice cameras aren't cheap.

So for a beginner that wants an easy transition into serious.......
what do you think?

thanks, D.J.

 

[edwing206]

First of all, are you looking to buy a DSLR or just a nice P&S?

 

[golfschosen1]

I personally would recomend for a DSLR either the Canon Rebel XT of if you want to spend a little extra get the XTi but you probably wouldnt go wrong with getting a nikon D40 or D50 but in my experience canons seem a little more user friendly and if you want to take close pics of your coral then get the canon 100mm f/2.8 lens i dont have it but is the next lens on my list and am sure you wont get many bad reviews especially on RC hope that assisted you a little ask if there is anything else you want to know

Steve

 

[desjardiniidj]

edwing206- Not sure what the dif. is. I want to take nice close-ups of sps, but I don't know a whole lot about how to adjust it to make the pics look better. I would like to have something that is easy to work with.

golfschosen1- Thank you for the informative response! Is the XTI alot better than the XT? Would it be worth the extra cash for a beginner?

So, a Canon Rebel XT(or an XTI) with a 100mm f/2.8 lens should get the job done?

 

[golfschosen1]

In my opinion the XTi isnt all that much better than the XT unless you are planning on blowing these pictures up really big and that is where the difference comes in between the 8 megapixel XT and the 10 megapixel XTi also the XT's LCD isnt quite as big but it doesnt bother me at all I would say save the 200 dollars get the XT and get a better lens or get a photoshop program CS2 is the best but its around 5-6 hundred dollars then there is Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 which you can do plenty with for 100 dollars or just save 200 bucks......... they both come with the same kit lens they both have the same internal processor Digic II if you get the chance take a look at Blazer88 pics on here they were all shot with a XT until just recently he got a 30D but those are some of the best pics ive seen taken of reef stuff ever and it was shot with an XT Good Luck and let me know what you get and enjoy

Sincerely
Steve

 

[golfschosen1]

Sorry forgot to mention the lens yes the 100mm f/2.8 is a sweet lens go with that for sure and as I said before if you go with the XT you can put the 200 you saved and put it toward your new lens

Steve

 

[desjardiniidj]

Thanks again for the help

D.J.

 

[edwing206]

Try getting looking of some of Blazer88's photos. He used a Canon 100mm macro with a Canon Rebel. He has upgraded to the 30D. His pics are soo good. My favorite reef photographer here on RC.

Here's a link explaining the difference between a Point and Shoot camera and a DSLR.( Or in simpler terms, the one with the removeable lens).
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/should-you-buy-a-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-digital-camera/


I found some of his photos.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1063043

 

[desjardiniidj]

Thanks again for the help guys. You're making this alot easier!!!