I need a camera for coral shots - budget $500 possible?

[dseg]

I am very tech savy and am really big on doing extensive research before buying anything. I am looking for a great camera for my girlfriend and I want to be able to take awesome pictures of my coral. I plan on getting one during Black Friday but as i started my research it seems I need to be an already camera expert to figure out what the best camera for my budget is...
Does anyone have any suggestions on cameras for $500 that would be what i am looking for? Do I also need a lens?

 

[cdness]

I did this about a year ago with my new camera... I needed one within a tighter bugdet than that and was able to find one. I went with the fuji F550EXR.

Things to consider when purchasing a camera for corals is manual control. Make sure you can control shutter, aperture, and especially white balance. The ability to shoot in RAW mode is extremely important as well because post processing is important with the lighting spectrum we use to make sure the correct color of the coral is represented.

If you are not against going with a used item, consider looking at the entry level DSLRs from Nikon or Cannon. They can be picked up fairly cheap from photographers who want the latest and greatest camera each time it is released so they sell off their older equipment.

 

[returnofsid]

If you're wanting to take Macro Photography, of your corals, your budget MIGHT get you a used Macro Lens, but not a camera AND Maro Lens.

I would suggest forgetting about Black Friday as camera sales are usually pretty pathetic on Black Friday, except Point and Shoot cameras. DSLR Cameras have a very small profit margin so aren't usually discounted much at all.

I would look for a used DSLR in the Cannon or Nikon line. You should be able to pick up a decent used DSLR, along with a kit lens, with your $500.00 budget. Then it's time to save up for additional lenses, including a Macro lens.

 

[dseg]

Thanks guys. I found a used Canon T2i 550D for around $500. Should I get something like this?

 

[returnofsid]

Thanks guys. I found a used Canon T2i 550D for around $500. Should I get something like this?

This is a member of Canon's Rebel line, a couple of generations older than the most current model. The entire Canon Rebel line is made up of very well built consumer DSLR cameras. Does it include any lenses at that price? If so, what lenses? If it only includes the kit lens, EF-S 18-55mm, it's not a bad lens but also not a great lens. You'll definitely need to add more lenses to round out your equipment list. The Canon 100mm Macro (one of the best macro lenses made) will fit on that camera and take great photos. What other accessories? How "used" is it? Any idea of the shutter count? At that price, used, it should be in immaculate condition.

 

[dseg]

This is a member of Canon's Rebel line, a couple of generations older than the most current model. The entire Canon Rebel line is made up of very well built consumer DSLR cameras. Does it include any lenses at that price? If so, what lenses? If it only includes the kit lens, EF-S 18-55mm, it's not a bad lens but also not a great lens. You'll definitely need to add more lenses to round out your equipment list. The Canon 100mm Macro (one of the best macro lenses made) will fit on that camera and take great photos. What other accessories? How "used" is it? Any idea of the shutter count? At that price, used, it should be in immaculate condition.

One has the following:
anon T2i EOS REBEL body (barely used in new condition, only 50 shutter count!)
Canon 50mm F1.8 II Lens(w/ original box as pictured below)
HOYA 52mm UV filter (as seen on lens in pictures below)
Original Canon paper manual books (as pictured below)
Original 2 Canon Software Instruction Manual Disks, Canon Solution Disk (as pictured below)
2 Batteries with Battery Holders and Battery Charger (as pictured below)
Original Wire to connect the t2i to your television (as pictured below)
Original Canon Neck Strap (as pictured below)
Lowepro Bag in NEW condition. (as seen in pictures) (model TLZ 1)
Original Canon t2i Rebel Box (as seen in pictures below)
SPECIAL BONUS!! Used AMOD agl3080 gps photo tracker (worth $75 + and will come with a printed out user manual.

And another I am looking at has:
EOS Rebel T2i
18-55 mm lens
Battery charger
Battery Pack LP-E8
Interface USB Cable (NEW)
Wide Strap
Stereo AV Cable (NEW)
Software CD (NEW)
Manual User Guide
Original Box

EXTRAS INCLUDE:
HD2 High Definition Fisheye Lens (NEW)
2X Telephoto Lens (NEW)
Vidpro SLR Camera Case (NEW)
Remote Control (NEW)
Digital Card Reader (NEW)
5 Piece Cleaning Kit (NEW)
Extra Battery Pack LP-E8 (NEW)
Leather SD Card Case (NEW)
LG SD Memory Card

 

[dseg]

50 shutter count. IS that good?

 

[STL]

Add a tri-pod to your shopping list if you want to do macro photography. A remote or timer cord too, though you can get around that by using the self timer on the camera. At macro magnification, shakes of any kind are greatly exaggerated.

 

[returnofsid]

50 shutter count is basically in brand new condition. I'll easily take over 300 photographs, every time I pick up my camera...lol

The 50mm 1.8 AKA "Nifty Fifty" is a really good Prime lens but is also very inexpensive, less than $100.00 new. The problem with the first one is that it only comes with the 50mm 1.8. You'll have no flexibility to zoom in or out. However, you can pick up a Canon 18-55 or much better a Canon 18-200, for not a whole lot of money.

Tripod for Macro? MEH...I don't know about that. I take thousands of macro shots, of my tanks and other subjects are rarely ever use a tripod or a remote shutter. I have a remote shutter and the only time I ever use it is if I'm taking astronomical photography or shooting fireworks.

However, I would never suggest someone not purchase a tripod. I do use my tripod often, just not for tank shots.

 

[Wesley42079]

If you want to shoot macro shots, you will need a macro lens (105mm).

You may have a hard time with the 18-55mm.

The 50mm is a good lens, but it won't allow you to zoom in.

 

[dseg]

What about a 55-250mm lens?

 

[cymaster007]

I did this about a year ago with my new camera... I needed one within a tighter bugdet than that and was able to find one. I went with the fuji F550EXR.

Did this camera perform well?

 

[clowns101]

Get a rebel t1i, it will suit your needs, used they are $350, good macro lens, it's $250 or so depending on the brand you go with used...

Pm me if you need to.

 

[dseg]

Hows a 55-250mm lens?

 

[returnofsid]

Hows a 55-250mm lens?

Absolute garbage, honestly. I purchased one, inexpensively, without researching it. Got rid of it about a month later.

 

[Reefer831]

50 shutter count lol..... What did the person only use it for 5 min..... My mark III will take that in a few seconds....I think you can find the t2i for cheaper then 500.... It is a great camera... I have it... I use it for hd video...the thing your going to want to spend the cash on is the glass.... I have way more money in my glass then in my camera body.

 

[408reefer]

Hows a 55-250mm lens?

Although having a big zoom is important to shoot corals. It is more important that the lens is able to focus in close up distances(12inches or less). Which is what a macro will be able to do that a 55-250mm will not. I hope this makes sense.

 

[dseg]

Can someone link a macro lens? What mm are they?

 

[returnofsid]

Google Canon 100mm Macro. You don't need the L version.

 

[Ike]

The G15 is worth serious consideration and the G is more camera than most people will ever use. It's also a favorite among serious photographers wanting a more compact camera than their SLR.

I own a Canon 110 hs, great little compact camera for when you just want something to shove in your pocket and takes suprisingly good photos. Then I own a T2i, also a great camera and worth the investment as are any of the Rebel series. In fact my lens from my 20 year old Rebel works with it, so it's never going to be obsolete and can be a great camera for years to come.