Which DSLR should I put on my x-mas list?

[P-Daddy]

So I'm tired of IPhone pictures and am looking for something to photograph my tanks with, and to also use when traveling etc.

While I want something that will perform keep in mind I am inexperced, and wouldn't consider myself interested in taking photography on as a serious hobby. Ease of use, performance, size/transportability matter to me.

Furthermore I don't want to be a jerk and ask for a $1000+ camera, so budget friendliness is a huge factor. If someone could point me in the direction of a solid bundle which includes a camera body, lens, bag, etc. that would be awesome.

I have a few ideas, but any info you guys can provide would be very much appreciated. Even info about the best accessories for aquarium photography would really help me.

Thank you in advance!

 

[IslandCrow]

Canon 1D Mark IV!

OK, not really, unless you have $4K+ just burning a hole in your pocket. Seriously, in your case, I'd probably recommend one of the Digital Rebel series cameras, like the T3 (just under $500 with lens at Adorama.com). I say Canon only because I'm most familiar with Canon. Nikon, Sony, etc. have equivalents that are all very good cameras. The kit lens will probably fine for you initially, and make it easy for the gift giver, but if you want to get a bit more specific, there are some pretty decent lenses out there that won't necessarily break the bank. I really like this website for lens reviews: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ (it also has camera body reviews). If it's a Canon lens, and it has a red ring around the front of the barrel, you may want to skip that one for now. That's the higher end glass, and usually starts at around $1500.

As far as places to shop, I really like Adorama.com and bhphotovideo.com. If you have any questions, they have a great staff (especially B&H Photo), so I wouldn't hesitate to call.

When it comes to aquarium photography, I'd say your two best tools are a good macro lens and a good tripod are your best tools. A good macro lens is going to be around $500+ and a good tripod can be even more expensive, though I'm sure you can get a decent one that will fit all of your needs for not much over $100. Also, another option for the lens is to get a 50mm prime lens, which you can pick up for not much over $100 and use extension tubes if you want to do macro.

 

[Misled]

IMO, just go with a higher end point and shoot like the Canon G12. You can shoot raw and in full manual mode with it and you can also go full auto if you want.

 

[P-Daddy]

Thank you very much for the input guys, especially in giving me some direction for further research.

I'd love to hear some other opinions

 

[P-Daddy]

Double post sorry.

 

[BlueCorn]

IMO, just go with a higher end point and shoot like the Canon G12. You can shoot raw and in full manual mode with it and you can also go full auto if you want.

Being able to shoot in RAW mode is probably the single most important tool for aquarium photography. The light colors we use play havoc with most cameras. RAW allows you to account for that in software vs. in the camera. The G12 is a great little camera (I have one that I use in addition to my back full of professional gear).

That said, it's very hard to find a good fit with a camera solely via recommendations. Everyone a has very different personal style. Take a peak at the DSLR sticky. It won't tell you which camera to buy but it will give you some information that make it easier to choose the best fit.

Cheers

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1503490

 

[Ruskin]

I always tell people that ask me to shoot what your friends shoot with. If you have any friends in the photo hobby as well use the same brand they have. This allows you to 1. have someone with experience that is probably willing to help out, and 2. lets you borrow some of their gear to try out :smokin:

Also, if you go the route of a point and shoot look for something that allows custom white balance settings. That's probably one of the more important things you will want to be able to adjust.

 

[MTWiley]

Ruskin, that's the exact reason I went with the camera that I went with and it's been a major plus. I got an older used Canon D30 since that's what my dad shoots and he's been able to help in so many ways and it's awesome that I can just borrow any of his lenses for anything I want. Still having trouble adjusting for the lights we use though since he hasn't done much work with aquariums he hasn't been much help there, most of his experience is weddings and while scuba diving.

 

[Misled]

Also, if you go the route of a point and shoot look for something that allows custom white balance settings. That's probably one of the more important things you will want to be able to adjust.

Still having trouble adjusting for the lights we use though since he hasn't done much work with aquariums he hasn't been much help there, most of his experience is weddings and while scuba diving.

This is what shooting in raw is for. Adjust your white balance in post processing.

I won't get into using other peoples gear. I'll just say, I won't let you use mine.

 

[MTWiley]

Working on trying to adjust the white levels in processing after shooting in RAW, but I haven't had a whole lot of experience with this particular task. I've done some stuff in photoshop and aperature in the past but that was mostly just cleaning up red eye and removing dust from scanned slides. Any tips or hints. I've got Aperture on my mac and Photoshop on my PC at home.

 

[Misled]

I don't have aperture, but in PS when I open a photo, there's sliders to adjust the pic for WB and Tint before it brings the pic to the editing window.

 

[Snowape]

^^^^ you only have that option when shooting RAW or choosing to open the picture in CameraRaw when using Bridge.

 

[Snowape]

I started shooting tank pics with a Nikon coolpix 5700. I have now moved up in the world with a Nikon D7000. You may have trouble getting a D700 or 7000 due to the flooding in Thailand. But you may be able to pick up a nice used D300S for a nice price on a few sites.

It all comes down to what you really want to do, no matter what you buy your going to want to get a Macro lens and maybe a strobe flash for it as well. If you think this hobby is expensive, wait until you dig into your pockets for some nice photography equipment.

 

[1shot1kill]

Love my D5000.
New model is your you might be able to get a deal on one down a days or the new model.

Both Nikon and Cannon make great products. Keep in mind one you start getting lens you are more then likely going to have that brand for the rest of your life.

 

[110galreef]

Been looking a lot lately for a DSLR. You basically can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon!

I decided on the T3I or the D5100. The big plus for both of these was the 3.0 in screen and they swivel. If you don't want this then get a step down and save a $100.

I ended up deciding on the D5100. Basically overall a better camera, about the only thing the T3i does better is the HD video. But your buying a CAMERA!

Again both are great camera's, just the D5100 wins a little bit on a few details.

Few point I really like:
D5100, larger sensor, faster burst, also can hold way more for the buffer, about 50% better battery life, better auto focus,

I have seen mixed reviews, that points the canon a tad better, and others that say the Nikon is a tad better. May be based on the lens used in the tests. Just weigh what you like better.

here is the article i found most informative:
http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T3i-EOS-600D-Compared-to-Nikon-D5100.shtml

Good luck.

 

[InLimbo87]

With DSLR's, it is all about the lenses. You say you don't want to ask for a $1k setup, what do you feel comfortable with?

Photographing your tank means you'll likely want to find a macro lens. You'll also likely want a standard "walk-around" lens .

For a good book, I'd recommend "understanding exposure" by bryan peterson. It is short, easy to read and hits the basics for dslr photography.