If you were to buy any camera for reef pics.......

[stlouisguy]

what you would buy and why? Including which lenses?

I need a new camera and thought I would ask the experts for opinions.

Thanks!!

[Nikon_Guy]

Reef pictures as in underwater photography or pictures of your tank?

[golfschosen1]

1st I followed your 450 cube build and it looks great...............2nd I personally like Canon's they just feel better and seem easier to use but for every 20 people that like canon there will be 20 people that like Nikon I am assuming this is for pictures of your tank and so I would go with a Canon Rebel XT or XTi or if you dont mind spending a bit more the Canon 30d as for a good lense it depends what you want it for and since macro shots seem to be the "in" thing right now I think most people can agree that the canon 100mm f/2.8 lens is great, I personally use the Canon rebel XT with a macro 50mm f/2.5 with the EF25 II extension tube and can get quite close with that but soon I think I will upgrade to the 100mm f/2.8 there are a lot of people that know a bit more than me on this forum but that is just my 2 cents I hope it assists you and if there are anymore questions just ask or PM me

Sincerely
Steve

[stlouisguy]

Steve, THANKS!!!

Thats exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for the kind words regarding my build, it was fun. I want to update wtih some good pics, but my older camera just cant handle it.

Guess it time to start shopping!

[louist]

I would buy:
EOS1Ds mk2
180 f3.5 macro
Gitzo Explorer tripod (biggest one)
A couple of 580ex flashes
ST-E2
bean bags
A large lite disc and Manfrotto holder for it

The equivalent from Nikon would be just as fine.

[hogpark7430]

One thing I like about my canon is is is easier to shoot from the top of the tank because of the fold out screen. I should explain this better here are some examples:

lens adapter for macro lenses
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/hogpark7430/home/SSPX0038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/hogpark7430/home/SSPX0040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/hogpark7430/home/SSPX0042.jpg

top down Photo example:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v97/hogpark7430/coral/IMG_4470n.jpg

[louist]

Unfortunately I am not brave nor rich enough, to go commando on my 180 macro lens and just dip it straight into the water :D

[awd2k]

i would go for the following items ;)

Canon 5D
180mm f3.5 macro
24/105 L IS USM

plus different goodies :D

awd2k

[Bathypelagic]

You will find great macro's for either Canon or Nikon including 3rd party ones like Sigma's 105 or Tamron's 90. I would go to a brick and mortar camera store, have them put on a decent zoom lens and hold and shoot several different models of Canon - Nikon and whatever else they carry and then choose the body that feels most comfortable in your hands.

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9355351#post9355351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by louist
Unfortunately I am not brave nor rich enough, to go commando on my 180 macro lens and just dip it straight into the water :D

The macro lenses and adapter are cheep and have held up over 4 years.

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356098#post9356098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hogpark7430
The macro lenses and adapter are cheep and have held up over 4 years.

The 180mm macro is over $1200...I wouldn't be getting it near the water.

[gregr]

Everything Louis said except not the 1DsMII-- get the 1DMII unless you plan on printing billboards. The image quality is better on the smaller sensor- I've used both cameras quite a bit for aquarium photography and the results are conclusive in my mind. Same goes for the 5D and D2X.

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9356370#post9356370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
The 180mm macro is over $1200...I wouldn't be getting it near the water.

ouch 1200.00 I wouldn't take it out of the case near water. The one pictured above: 11.00 for the adapter and about 10.00 a lens.

[asnatlas]

Unless you are looking to spend almost 3k+ just for the body, I would stick with a Canon 30d (if you are looking at canon)... This camera is more then enough for taking pics of a reef tank... Even with the 30d and an "L" lens or even the 100mm macro (475.00ish) Your looking at 2-3k for a body and lens... Even spending 2-3k you will not be able to "point and shoot" as a DSLR is total diff and will take some getting use to...

dpreview.com (www.dpreview.com)

Canon EOS 30d (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/)

[RevHtree]

Rebel XT and the Canon 100mm lens will do you just fine! ;)

[JeffReef]

What's your budget? For a sub 2K set-up, I'd go with a Canon XTi, Sigma 150mm f/2.8, Gitzo carbon tripod and Photoshop Elements 5.0.

If you can spare more $$, get the Canon 30D. If you have less $$, buy a used 20D or Rebel XT.

[Blazer88]

I have thought about getting the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro lens but the working distance would be difficult to work with. At something like 18", you are going to have to stand across the room if you want pictures of fish or corals. I like the EF 100mm F/2.8 since the minimum working distance is about 6" and is much easier to use as I can generally press it directly against the glass. Of course the 150mm would be fun with a TC+tubes...hmmm.

And the Rebel XT is a magnicificant camera which I have used for a while but I'm going to upgrade to a 30D or 5D. You can pick up a used XT and 100 F/2.8 for under $1K now if you are on a budget.

[JeffReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9365665#post9365665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
I have thought about getting the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 macro lens but the working distance would be difficult to work with. At something like 18", you are going to have to stand across the room if you want pictures of fish or corals. I like the EF 100mm F/2.8 since the minimum working distance is about 6" and is much easier to use as I can generally press it directly against the glass. Of course the 150mm would be fun with a TC+tubes...hmmm.

And the Rebel XT is a magnicificant camera which I have used for a while but I'm going to upgrade to a 30D or 5D. You can pick up a used XT and 100 F/2.8 for under $1K now if you are on a budget.

I think it's about 15 inches minimum focusing distance for the 150mm f/2.8. It's not bad specially if you're into other types of macro photography (i.e. insects and such) where the extra distance can be a plus. It's also great for using 2x and 1.4x teleconverters when shooting birds.

But you're correct. The 100mm is easier to use for shooting corals since you can be a lot closer to the glass.

In photography, you really can't have enough glass. I had over 20 lenses at one time. Now, I only have 6: 24-70mm, 150mm, 10-20mm, 50mm, 1.4x and a 2.0x. I've narrowed it down to the lenses that I'm actually willing to use and carry in my bag.

[GSMguy]

i got a rebel xti for under 1k and the cannon 100mm f/2.8 for under $500 i had the culman tripod allready so i spent about 1500 for the whole setup and i will be learning how to use it for the next couple years

[louist]

Keep in mind that the minimum working distance quoted for all lenses is the distance from the subject to the sensor. You must take the length of the lens body into account, i.e. subtract it out to get the subject to front element distance.

I love the 180 macro, but the 100 is more convenient to work with when working distance isn't a limiting factor. I've heard much good things about the 150 macro but haven't got the chance to try one yet, my 180 keep me busy enough :)

The original poster wanted to me what *I* would buy if I am buying a setup for aquarium photography. It would be more appropriate to state the budget and levels of dedication or was that addiction? :D

[CAreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9357319#post9357319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hogpark7430
The one pictured above: 11.00 for the adapter and about 10.00 a lens.

Please, tell me more, such as where to find one. Either for a canon Powershot A95 or Nikon D70. Looks like a great alternative while saving my pennies for the 100mm macro.

CAReefer

[maroun.c]

D70s with the 105 mm macro lens (or the VR version of it if you have the cash) Image stabilization is not really necessary for macro shots as you will need to work on a tripod anyway, also it does not correct for fron to t back motion which could be important at the shallow DOF of some macro shots. the 105 non macro will save you 2-300 usd compared to the VR version. it will be a 157.5 mm with the 1.5 crop factor of Nikon so it is a good compromize between the 60mm macro (which is very sharp but a bitt oo short) and the 180 mm which is too long for reef shots.
If you want to print larger you can go with the D80 or if you even want to pay a bit more and gain weather sealing and better quality built the D200 would eb an option.
the 105 macro lens is one of nikons sharpest lenses ever made, it doubles also as a protrait lens (and sometimes is said to be too sharp for portraits) bare in mind that you will need a wider lens for full tank shots. you can go with the kit lens 18-70 (with D70s) or 18-50 (with D50) 18-135 or 18-200 VR ( with the D80 or D200) the 18-200 is a very nice everyday lens, wide enough for scenery and in your case full tank shots, very sharp on most of it's reach. Maybe just abit less sharp at around 200 but really it's nothing to talk about. also it is good for inside picture taking as it's wide enough and has VR for low lit room if you're not using your flash.
Also it's long reach 200 mm or 300 with the crop factor is really not bad.
then comes the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 which is great for portraits and for fish shots where the 105 could be a bit too long.
You still ahve to get the flash SB600 or a bit more for the 800 which is a bit more powerfull and has some more capabilities and gadgets that come with it which totally justifies it's price.
You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. I went with Nikon because holding similar range cameras of both canon and Nikon felt really cheap on the Canon side. I know it's a low budget or entry level DSLR but a better grip or a bit better body built would have been nice on Canon. Remote flash and Nikon's creative lighting system beats canon and it's a great advantage to use the flash off camera (in aquarium shots too) without cables that get in your way.
your best bet is to go to a store that has all the range of Canon and Nikon that are in your buget and play with all of them and get to feel which one feels better in yoru hand and which one has a better buttons placement. differnet people have different preferrences, to me I prefer heavier cameras whcih balance better with a heavy lens and feel more stable that's why I chose the D70s and added a vertical gripp and two batteries to it to increase the weght and have better balance.
Believe it or not I bought a F100 (film one) today just because of a very nice construction, feel, and weight.

[michaeldaly]

The new pentax DSLR cameras have nice features and take good photo's for a lot less cash than a nikon or cannon.