Need help purchasing camera please.

[t11t5]

Im looking at buying a camera. I see all these kick a@@ pics on here and I want to take them also. I love the macro shots. Any suggestions would help. Cost is unimportant, I believe you pay for what you get. Thanks, Terry

[blstravler]

I have recently moved innto the digital SLR world and I was looking at 2 cameras. A Nikon and an Olympus. Both came with 2 lenses. I spent A LOT of time looking at both, as did my brother in law. In the end my Brother in law went with the Nikon so I went with the Olymups. I can say I saved several hundred dollars in comparision to what he payed for the Nikon. I have since picked up several new lenses for my e500. In the end what I have noticed, fancy lens or not, it's up to the the person using the camera. My brother in law leaves his Nikon on auto 100% of the time, in comparison I am constantly screwing around and since have learned a lot.

So what's my advice, it's not the money you pay, it's if you are willing to take the time to learn how to use what you have. I compare it to purchasing a new guitar, it doesn't matter if it's a fancy guitar if you don't know how to play.

These were taken with my e500...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/blstravler/2007_0214Macro_Lens0111_B.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/blstravler/2007_0212New_lens0008.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/blstravler/2007_0214Macro_Lens0106_B.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/blstravler/2007_0214Macro_Lens0113_B.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/blstravler/2007_0212New_lens0005.jpg

[dendro982]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9246744#post9246744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t11t5
Cost is unimportant, I believe you pay for what you get.
I was impressed by macros, made by point-and-shoot Pentax Optio 30, but this thought lead me to buy new and more advanced camera Fuji FinePix S6500fd - expecting the better quality. I'm not a new to photography, but just can't make the new camera make even comparable shots.
Optio 30 photos:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/blastomerlettiDec05.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/BabyMaxima1Dec18.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/Dec16ZoPlan.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/Dec05.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/spongeSept25.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/Pentacta_ancepsAug9.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/Xenia.jpg

[t11t5]

dendro982, and blstravler you have amazing pics. Great to look at. I could look at macro pics all day. I appreciate the info. Im not sure what camera I will buy. I will keep looking though and I will check out the mentioned cameras. Thanks

[t11t5]

Could the macro option be called something else.

[BlueCorn]

Another good idea would be to read and familiarize yourself with the terms and concepts in Greg's article in ReefKeeping last month: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/gr/index.php

Most of taking great pictures is practice and knowing what to do. The camera is only a tool. ;)

[dendro982]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9256512#post9256512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
Another good idea would be to read and familiarize yourself with the terms and concepts in Greg's article in ReefKeeping last month: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/gr/index.php

Most of taking great pictures is practice and knowing what to do. The camera is only a tool. ;)
:D I see, this is why the best pictures are taken by a great guys with pinhole cameras... :D

[t11t5]

dendro982-- Are the pics you posted here inside the tank or through the glass? They are really clear.

[dendro982]

Clam and cucumber are shot from the top, flow off, they were within 2" from the surface.
Others: through the glass. Nano-Cube 6 has excellent glass for photography (gorgonian and xenia) and others - in the common rectangular glass tanks.
Could be camera-specific, from 4 digital cameras I worked with (same class, only one is higher), only this camera makes satisfactory photos.

[t11t5]

I have a Sony cyber-shot. This is the best macro shot I can get. The ricordia is 2 inches away from the glass. The glass is 1/2" thick. If I zoom in any more it wont focus.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/t11t5/150g161.jpg


A few more I took with the sony.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/t11t5/150g156.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/t11t5/150g197.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/t11t5/150g171.jpg