What DSLR should I buy

Mr.Acro · Mar 4, 2015

Hey everyone,

So for the past couple years I've been using the sony a290. Great camera, but in the past couple of months it's gone bust on me. I'm looking to get a really good camera, no more entry level stuff. Something I could use for tank photography, as well as wildlife.

Any ideas would be appreciated

Mr.arco

Reef Pets · Mar 4, 2015

I find my Canon T3i to be a great body and easy to use. Just as or more important is a good macro lens for reef photography. A good example is the Canon 60mm f/2.8 or the 100mm f/2.8. For outdoors the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is an awesome lens. If you want even better quality go with the L serious lens.

reefins · Mar 9, 2015

Reef Pets said:
I find my Canon T3i to be a great body and easy to use. Just as or more important is a good macro lens for reef photography. A good example is the Canon 60mm f/2.8 or the 100mm f/2.8. For outdoors the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is an awesome lens. If you want even better quality go with the L serious lens.

+1 to that! same camera here and it works great.. OR you can splurge a little and get a Canon Mark III

splurge being an understatement haha

LetItReef · Mar 9, 2015

+1 on Canon. Check out B&H store.

3dees · Mar 10, 2015

there really isn't a bad dslr out there. the most expensive camera will give poor results if you don't know how to use it properly. especially for reef tanks because of the actinics.

reef1980 · Mar 10, 2015

+4 on Canon and their T series DSLR's. The main reason to pick Canon is for their glass! They are the kings I say.

ptreef · Mar 10, 2015

Nikon d7100 will be a great buy and great price as the D7200 just came out!
Love me my d7100.

Really decide whats your budget. Most of the money will come down to glass.

zesty · Mar 10, 2015

3dees said:
there really isn't a bad dslr out there. the most expensive camera will give poor results if you don't know how to use it properly. especially for reef tanks because of the actinics.

yes, exactly this. DSLRs are great tools, but with any tool, it needs to have at least a basic understanding before using said tool. THEN, you can go nuts trying to take pictures with actinics.

I am not going to reiterate what is in the stickies. However, the one piece of advice that should be for anyone with a DSLR is to shoot in RAW. This is how I'm able to post-process all the blue out of my pictures. I'm not saying it's the best way, but it is working for me, now.

However, there are some great stickies on this forum that have helped me take better reef pictures. It can be just as daunting as reefkeeping, well to me it is... I picked up a DSLR last year just for better reef pictures. I'm still learning, soooo much more to go.

However, do not let that discourage you! The last thing I want you to take from this is to give up. I've taken the best pictures from my DSLR and I love em. It's those little moments that give you a glimpse of what you can do!

Last but not least,
Practice, practice & practice! We have the ability to take hundreds of photos at a single time... so why not?