Camera and lens??

saltrookie53 · Dec 26, 2016

I see some beautiful pictures of corals!!! My question is what camera are you using with what lense?? Looking for something that I can use for family pictures and also reef photos.. Needing I guess just a place to start looking, cause I am not Photographer...

Rob.D · Dec 26, 2016

You can get a decent macro lens fro your smart phone on Amazon. If you're looking at a DSLR, Cannon and Nikon are great all around cameras but a macro lens for them run about $500 new plus the $300-$500 for an entry level DSLR.

LetItReef · Dec 26, 2016

I would get a body first then invest in a nice lenses like 100 mm for macro shots and probably 24-70 mm for daily use.

Jerel · Dec 26, 2016

Full tank shots to micro shots..

Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Jerel · Dec 26, 2016

Jerel said:
Full tank shots to micro shots.. My tools.

Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

I'd recommend a entry level DSLR and a 50mm lens for your out and about images.

BlueDevil · Dec 28, 2016

I use a Nikon D70S with an AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm lens for my tank pictures. I do not have a macro lens yet but would like to get one. It is an investment for sure at ~500 for a decent lens. It's not something I would use daily which is why I'm holding off on getting one just yet.

I would recommend getting a DSLR package that typically comes with a body and two lenses (one everyday lens and one telephoto lens). Prices have come down substantially in recent years so you should be able to get a decent Nikon or Canon package. A little late now but Black Friday or Xmas is the best time to get a good sale. I personally am a little partial to Nikon.

As far as macro lenses goes you can hold off on that while you master just the basic operations on the DSLR. To get the most out of the camera you will need to know (if you don't already) how to use it in full manual mode with custom white balances and such to get the best pictures. Once you're there and you want to try out a macro lens you can always rent one for a weekend. I have in the past rented a macro lens from a local store called f-Stop.

Hope this helps.