Best Camera

[ReeferDan]

Looking to get a new camera and would like to purchase a top quality camera without spending a fortune, so i was wondering whats the best bang for your buck camera you can get in the $500 price range tops, but prefer lower then that.

 

[returnofsid]

Yikes, with that budget, you'll be best off looking for a used set up. A "Top Quality" camera will cost you much more than your budget allows. Find something from Canon or Nikon, in a DSLR. Anything in the Canon Rebel or Canon 40D would be great. Any Nikon D40 or D70 would be great, as well. You'll want a good Macro lens, if you're wanting to take coral photography. Unfortunately, a used 100mm Macro will run you close to $400.00, alone.

Another option, in an advanced P&S camera, would be the Canon G10, G11 or G12. These P&S cameras take amazing photographs, and aren't near as complicated as a DSLR.

 

[clowns101]

This is the set up Id buy if I were in your shoes.

Canon XS-Good camera for pictures!
Amazon.com: Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black): Camera & Photo
Canon 50mm f/1.8,totaly a cool lens!
Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens 2514A002 B&H Photo
Extension tubes,these will get you macro shots!
Zeikos AF Macro Extension Tube Set - 13mm, 21mm, and ZE-CVAFC

You will attach the extension tubes to your 50mm lens,and by doing so,you will get macro abilities from it.There are a few diffiernt extension tubes out there,but these will work,but not the best.

Good luck!

 

[Troylee]

bodies aren't that important it's all about the glass... the lens will cost more than a camera it's self and the person behind it makes the biggest difference...

 

[elegant_reefer]

At that budget, look for a Nikon D40, D60, or D90 on craigslist with an 18-55.

The 18-55 is the best and only lens you will ever need. Whoever objects to this has no idea what they are talking about.


Take a look at kenrockwell.com

 

[Troylee]

Really my 18-55 sucks royaly!!! Lol I bought a 90mm macro and it made all the difference in the world!!!

 

[drainbamage]

Not to sidetrack-but for someone on a budget, can you guys point to a good macro lense for a DSLR? right now just shooting with a 14-42mm and would like to get something at some point that'll allow me to take better close ups.

 

[clowns101]

Look at the sigma 70-300,its a cool lens.

 

[m and m]

Not to sidetrack-but for someone on a budget, can you guys point to a good macro lense for a DSLR? right now just shooting with a 14-42mm and would like to get something at some point that'll allow me to take better close ups.

there is no cheap one a "cheap" one would still be 300+ and IMO it would be crappy.

 

[subielover]

Not to sidetrack-but for someone on a budget, can you guys point to a good macro lense for a DSLR? right now just shooting with a 14-42mm and would like to get something at some point that'll allow me to take better close ups.

Tamron 90mm

 

[clowns101]

At that budget, look for a Nikon D40, D60, or D90 on craigslist with an 18-55.

The 18-55 is the best and only lens you will ever need. Whoever objects to this has no idea what they are talking about.


Take a look at kenrockwell.com

Ya,and I can get macro shots with a 18-55mm...I think that the lens is a very low end lens,you really need more than just the 18-55 to get macro shots and decent FTS shots...IMO...

 

[Pufferpunk]

If you're looking for something to dive with I've got a great total system FS.

 

[Troylee]

Tamron 90mm

Agreed way better lens than the sigma line and will last a lot longer...

 

[gar732]

I'm about to pick up a canon SX30IS for the wife. If you don't get anything by then I'll let you know how it does. Its gotten pretty good reviews and can be found online for about $370. I wouldn't recommend a DSLR unless you plan on spending some cash on lenses. They usually cost as much as the camera itself and I have to agree that the stock lens sucks. I got to play around with my buddy's macro lens and it makes a world of difference. It just depends on how involved you want to get with it, photography is another hobby within its self and can be just as expensive as reefing.

 

[customcolor]

i got a used good condition canon 20d off ebay for little over $200 and all i needed was class on the front! a friend of mine had a cheeper 18-55 lens that i could have...still takes good pics though!

see

 

[RogerWilco357]

^^^was going to mention that same thing buy A nice used 20 or 30D and A decent lense and you will learn all you need to learn about the Canon's body so when you are ready for the 5D or 7D you will know how to handle them and their price tags..you never know you might want to go in another direction and at least save money in the long run..good luck either way your going to spend alot of time in front of the tank having fun shooting those pics.

 

[joelq]

Unfortunately, it will be impossible to get a true macro rig for just $500, but you should be able to get a great all-around rig for $500. As has been mentioned, most macro lenses will be more expensive than $500 by themselves. I agree with the recommendation of a Nikon D40 + the 18-55mm kit lens (or whatever the equivalent Canon is). Start with this, then purchase a dedicated macro lens when your budget allows. You'll be able to get by pretty well with a rig like this. Moreover, it will be a versatile setup for non-tank photos.

EDIT: Check adorama.com or keh.com for some great deals on used/refurb equipment. I just checked adorama.com, for example, and they have a complete Nikon D40 kit (including 18-55m kit lens) for $429. Check here: 25420B Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera 3X Zoom Kit Outfit, with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. I'm sure there are similar deals on equivalent Canons.

By the way, the term "macro" (or "micro" in Nikon vernacular) is so often thrown about and misused, unfortunately. In order to be considered "macro", a lens needs to be able to project a focused image of the subject onto film or the digital sensor at (or close to) life-size or 1:1 scale. To give some perspective, this means being able to focus on a nickel (US 5-cent coin) close enough so that it fills the frame horizontally (not quite 100%, but close) and the image needs to be focused. Sensors from various manufacturers differ, but Nikon's crop sensor (used on the D40, D60, D90, D300, etc) is ~23mm wide, and a nickel is ~21mm in diameter. Canon's crop sensor is 22mm wide.

Unfortunately, many P&S cameras marketed as capable of macro photography and even some DSLR zoom lenses with a "macro" setting don't even come close to this, which eliminates them as macro lenses. These are really "close-up" lenses because they can't reproduce a focused image of the subject onto the sensor at 1:1 scale.

Having said that, while the 18-55mm might be able to take pictures up close, they are not macro photos. The Nikon 18-55mm is an awesome all-around lens (at least the Nikon is. I shoot Nikon and am not familiar with the Canon 18-55mm), and can take great close-ups (1:3 scale), but it isn't capable of taking macro photos. I like using the 18-55mm (1:3) and my 35mm (1:6) to take fish shots and relative close-ups of the tank as well as FTSs, but for macros, I use my 105mm micro (1:1).