Camera rec's

[kynan]

Walmart has a unit on friday for ~150 w/ a 10x optimal zoom...is this good for coral pics?

[InsaneClownFish]

Brand? Model?

[doublec]

are you talking about the one in the sales paper i was looking at that one, but i think the one that comes with the hp laptop and camera, and printer is way better for 750 IMO

[ShiftNation]

Can almost say 98% chance your not gonna get decent quality pics with it . Without a brand and model I cant say for sure . Man with all that money you dropped in your system go grab a canon DSLR . Unless its all gone now ... lol .

[MADtanks]

earl what is a good point and shoot non DSLR cam for some decent macros :)

[ShiftNation]

I think thats an oxymoron man . Im not an expert on point and shoots but I dont think there is any that will do quality macro . But thats also depending on what you wanna call macro . You wont be getting any polyp shots with any point and shoots ive heard of . I did have some decent shots with my fujifilm s5100 which was kind of a beefed up point and shoot .

[MADtanks]

werd... i aint think i would get anything just thoght i would ask lol... might end up with another DSLR for xmas ;) so should be all good anyways.

[ShiftNation]

Nah I figured you werent . I know you man , DSLR or nothin , thats how rich rolls .

[MADtanks]

lmao ;) when we gonna chill man!!! been a long time bring the kiddo, and wife and lets drink some beers ;) haha

[ShiftNation]

You got a Pm , no more hijackin ... :thumbsup:

[MADtanks]

ma bad lol.... Hijack ninja out... Haha

[Herpn]

I use my camera almost daily in the summer and I need something that takes GREAT macros. I have settled for the Sony Cybershot DSC H9. I think for $400. +/- it has some of the best macro capabilities (not being a DSLR) and the zoom is 15X Optical. Worth checking out. I dont think (could be wrong) that you can get a good camera for under$300-400. This is the best I have seen at this price. Spending $150 on a camera is like setting your tank up with a PC lighting, it will work but there will be drawbacks.

Good Luck.

[amcarrig]

Although I now primarily use a DSLR, I was always able to get good macro shots with my Nikon CoolPix. If anybody remembers it, the picture of the scroll coral that was on the "old" membership cards was taken with the Nikon.

[MADtanks]

Hmmm that was indeed a sweet macro :) i think i still have that card lol.

[craiglanda]

Im looking into the nikon dslr.... Looks like a sweet cam! any down side to this cam?

[Herpn]

That or the Canon DSLR. Those are both top dogs. One has better color and one has a better focus.

[craiglanda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11243607#post11243607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Herpn
That or the Canon DSLR. Those are both top dogs. One has better color and one has a better focus.
which has beter color? which is better focus? I know nothing of cameras :)

[Herpn]

I THINK that the Nikon has a faster focus but the cannon has better colors? I think both are great, it is analogous to comparing Bare Bottom and Deep Sand Bed..

[kynan]

what about this one:

Ritz has it on sale for 499 after 100 dollar rebate.

Pentax K100D Super Digital SLR Camera w/DA 18-55mm Lens
Only $499.99 after Mail-in Rebate + Free 70-300 Zoom Lens $150 Value - Instantly - Four-Day Only Thanksgiving Sale!

[Herpn]

I THINK that the Nikon has a faster focus but the cannon has better colors? I think both are great, it is analogous to comparing Bare Bottom and Deep Sand Bed..


That sounds like a good deal BUT once you get into DSLR's keep in mind that you will be changing lenses(carying extra lenses). That is one reason I am using the H9. I personally like Canon and Nikon for the DSLR. I like Sony for point and shoot. If you are getting a DSLR and want to take nice Marco shots you may want to pick up a Macro lens.

[reefman13]

Just remember, that if you put the $$$ into the camera right at the start, you will get your money's worth in the end.

I have the Nikon D50X with the VR 18-200mm lens, and it was just over $1300. But, I can with out a doubt tell you, that it is much more 'camera' than any normal 'day-to-day' pictures you will ever need.

One other thing, in regards to this:
I THINK that the Nikon has a faster focus but the cannon has better colors?

I would have to say that the camera bodies themselves do not have such differences that we can tell with our naked eye. For example, if you were to take the same lens and take a picture with both of the cameras at the same 'subject' with the same kind of enviroment, you will not be able to tell the difference.

A lot of the picture quality that comes out of the DSLR is the lens. Awesome camera + crap quality lens = crap pictures; Awesome camera + good lens = great pics; Awesome camera + Awesome lens = Awesome pics. And when it comes to lenses, the quality of the glass in the lens is absolutely crutial.

HTH

[craiglanda]

But the lense can always be upgraded with those kind of cameras right? So i wouldnt have to drop all the money at once? It is a lot of cash to put down and just like my reef i am always upgrading :) i just dont have the cash to do it all at once...

[kynan]

OK,

then what about this one?

Canon Rebel XTi SLR Digital Camera w/EF-S 18-55mm II Lens, Black
Free 70-300 Zoom Lens $150 Value - Instantly - Four-Day Only Thanksgiving Sale!

I realize the lens is a middle of the road lens, but figure it would be a good "learning lens"...Ritz has a nice site as you can scope out user reviews with pics taken with the camera.

Most important question, wouldn't the 70 to 300 lens be the lens you use for macros? Do you need a tripod to take decent macro shots?

[reefman13]

Websites wise, I don't know if you haven't been to it yet, by try this site:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/6222/SLR_Digital_Cameras.html
That company is one of the #1 retailers for ALL camera equipment in the US.

That is a great camera/deal. What is the price for the package? You just have to realize that the freebie lens that they are giving you is not going to be of the greatest quality. And the other lens will be the same, if not, a little better.

If that is a camera you like here are two links (one for the cam. and the other for the lens):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457530-REG/Canon_1239B002_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XTi.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351548-GREY/Canon_9517A002_EF_S_17_85mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html
If you wany a soley macro lens here's a great one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371176-USA/Canon_0284B002_EF_S_60mm_f_2_8_USM.html

Craig- Dumping $$$ all at once is not always a possible option, but if possible can end up being the more economically friendly option.

[craiglanda]

yeah i just cant drop 1300 on a cam now... anyway how does this one look? I am trying to find a better price so just to show you the cam i am looking at not necessarily gonna get it from best buy...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8288293&st=nikon&type=product&id=1172276684244

[hans1976]

Personal experience....I bought the Nikon D80 and am very happy with it. But it is more camera than I need. Yeh, the 10.2 mega pix are great, but I really didn't need the 11 area's of focus (7 would have been fine).

I have picked up a nice 105 mm macro lens, zoom is next. I wold highly recommend getting a camera from Ritz. They know what they are talking about and give you a few extra's like 18 FREE photography lessons (although they only offer 8 - 10 courses locally).

[reefman13]

The D40 is a great camera. The abilities it has for the price it is is offered at is near to unbeatable.

It is what most serious photographers would consider a hybrid-like camera. It is a super-duper point and shoot inside a SLR body, that has the ability to interchange lenses.

I am a Nikon guy personally, and can say that like all the other Nikons, you will not be disappointed if this is the camera you choose.

Here are the B&H and Ritz camera links to that cam:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1160.htm
http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&keyword=Nikon-Digital-SLR-Store
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486460-REG/Nikon_25424_D40x_SLR_Digital_Camera.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486717-USA/Nikon_2166_55_200mm_f_4_5_6G_ED_AF_S.html

Just FYI, the lens that I gave you the link for, from B&H is a VR lens, bacially meaning that it is the professional grade lens.

HTH

[stevedola]

i saw a nikon d40 for 500 at CC or BB

[craiglanda]

Is this a good price? So far it is the best i can find.
http://www.abesofmaine.com/shoppingCart.do?item=NKD40X1855K&addItem=NKD40X1855K&l=DEALTIME

[reefman13]

That is a perfect price! A really good deal.

[CT Clownfish]

You want a real sweet camera, check out the Olympus E-510. Very Nice. Bob

[saltman123]

Depending on your situation if you could afford a sweet camera now, go for it and spend close to $1000+ at the very base minimum to get the camera, and a lens. I started considering a good camera like this, and then opted for a simple point and shoot Canon. Yes, it is not able to do much, and the macro's are only so close but for now that is cool with me.

If you have the green, go for it. If not, shop around in the under $250 to $300 range which will get you a really nice point and shoot that you can use all around and not worry about lugging a huge piece around. It will also take a half decent macro, but will NOT be a super zoom.

Money is always the option and deciding factor. Spend now, or save and get better later.

[Obi-dad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11290154#post11290154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltman123

If you have the green, go for it. If not, shop around in the under $250 to $300 range which will get you a really nice point and shoot that you can use all around and not worry about lugging a huge piece around.

I spent a lot of cash on a DSLR (Canon 20D), and while it takes nice photos, it is so big and bulky I don't take it with me. I had a small camera with big zoom (Canon S1) and took that with me everywhere, getting shots I never would have had with the big unit. And for viewing on a PC they look fine. The S1 died due to abuse, now hoping Santa gets me another point and shoot to replace it!

One big plus for me in the DSLR vs point and shoot - the point and shoots takes movies, my DSLR does not. Big advantage point and shoot.

[NoSchwag]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11248153#post11248153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Herpn
I think both are great, it is analogous to comparing Bare Bottom and Deep Sand Bed..

Not really, there is a lot more science behind the BB vs. sandbed debate. ;)

Here is a macro with an older point and shoot..

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2576/hydnopora007da6.jpg

[NoSchwag]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11246349#post11246349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by craiglanda
which has beter color? which is better focus? I know nothing of cameras :)

They're both good enough that you will be the weak link. The camera body isn't that important, it's all about the lens.

[Herpn]

I personally like cameras with fixed lenses for the fact that I do not feel I need to keep buying Lenses. I had a Canon Rebel and ended up spending thousands on lenses. When I was on hikes in Central America ( and all over the world, cause I rock! haha) it would drive me nuts when I would see a monkey or a Toucan way up in a tree I would throw on my 300 mm with a 2x extender. Then there would be some tiny Dart frog on the trail I would throw on a 150 mm Macro. The changing of lenses frantically was stressful and I would have all this kickass equipment and the people with disposable point and shoots would get shots that I would miss. The carrying 30 lbs of camera equipment got kinda old too. I switched to a Sony DSC 717 (best camera ever!) AWESOME camera with a fixed lens. I highly suggest getting this camera. The only problem is they no longer make it. You can get a used one though. I jumped in a river with it around my neck and it got soaked. I sent it back and had it fixed. I still have it and now have my new Sony H9 as well.


I guess it depends on what you are going to use it for. Also do you feel like spending hundreds or thousands on lenses? If you do Canon and Nikon make great cameras and lenses.


PS: I am not a photographer but I play one on the Internet. ;)