Recommended camera equipment

trigger11

trigger11

Member
Hello All,
I have tried searching but I must not be looking for the right words. I am looking for any recommendations on a good digital camera to get to take pictures of my tank with. I have a digital camera now but I only know how to operate it in automatic mode. I dont have the manual so I cant mess with the manual settings. It takes really crappy pictures in automatic mode. I have seen lots of different posts with good pictures. If someone could recommend a camera that is easy to use in manual mode so I can take good pics I would sure appreciate it. Or at least say what the most important features are then I can look for that in a camera. Thanks in advance.
~Russ
 
joncat24

joncat24

Active Member
It all depends on your budget. I use a kodak z612, it has 12x optical zoom 6.1 megapixels. It does a really good job, I think, for a $250 camera.
The next step up from there is a slr which is pretty much unlimited on what you can spend depending on which lenses and accessories that you buy with it.
some of the good lenses go for $700-$1500, just for the lense.
 
05xrunner

05xrunner

Active Member
what is your budget.
thats the main key.
I mean you can get a decent point and shoot for around 350 or so.
A good DSLR for the body is around 600
I spent $1000 on my 30D body. 800 on my Sigma 70-200 f2.8, $350 for my tamron 28-75 f2.8..as you can see the price SKYROCKETS once you get into DSLR and good glass. So do you wanna make that jump. I mean you can buy cheaper lens. BUT once you try a good one you will think they are junk.
 
npage

npage

Member
All depends on your budget.
If you want to start off with a digital SLR, I'd recommend the Canon EOS Digital Rebel series. Ive see the Rebel XT bodies (without lens) for around $500.00, with a lens kit for $600.00. (not a great lens, btw)
For doing reef photos you do want a lens that has a macro option.
I'd wouldn't go with anything less than an SLR. It will be the last camera you'll buy in years and you'll always have the open option of upgrading your lenses.
 
trigger11

trigger11

Member
This is good information. I am not up to speed with digital camera terminology. What does SLR stand for? Or what is a main feature of it?
 
05xrunner

05xrunner

Active Member
DSLR is a Digital Single Lens reflex.
Meaning there is a mirror prisim in there that bounces the image up to the viewfinder to show you what you are going to take a pic of. When you press the shutter it flips up exposing the sensor to the image and it records the image. Its not a live sensor like point and shoots. the LCD screen is only used to set settings and review pics. You must use the eye piece to take pics. Plus DSLR have much better IQ with alot less noise at high ISO..MUCH MUCH more control, Able to interchange lens. Much much more as well. Could probably going on for a while.
 
trigger11

trigger11

Member
Thank you all for the responses. I did some research on the DSLR Canon EOS Rebel's and read some reviews about the lens that comes with the camera being crappy. Nobody ever really said how it was crappy. Does it just not telephoto out very far? Or not do very well close up? I am seriously considering getting one but I hate to spend that kind of money if I have to get something else to make it be ok.
 
05xrunner

05xrunner

Active Member
the stock 18-55 is a wide angle and standard length zoom. its not a tele at all. Its crappy compared to the better stuff out there. As being a first lens it is a nice one to start out with. Just cause its cheap doesnt mean its no good to learn with. Once you master that lens and start to find it limiting you. move to better ones.
 
npage

npage

Member
Originally Posted by 05xrunner
As being a first lens it is a nice one to start out with. Just cause its cheap doesnt mean its no good to learn with. Once you master that lens and start to find it limiting you. move to better ones.
Well stated!

Any crappy SLR lens is 100 times better than any point and shoot.
One other thing to remember is you can pick up some very nice used lens at any decent camera store.
 
05xrunner

05xrunner

Active Member
also remember..its 80% user and 20% camera
You can have the BEST lens and BEST body and give it to a yutz and you will get garbage. You can give apro a Point and shoot and get beautiful images. Its all up to you on how good your images look.
 
N

nemo_66

Guest
the stock lens is not crappy at all. on another forum, there is like, 40 pages of good pictures taken with the stock lens. like said on that forum, it is like an economy car, gets the job done. and i agree with 05xrunner, the lens is a good one to get practice in. here is the link
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=185522
PS, i dont own a Rebel xt yet, but if i get a stock lens, you should too, cuz i am on a tight budget, maybe tighter than yours. lets just say, im not old enough to get a job and not in high school either
 
05xrunner

05xrunner

Active Member
the kit lens CAN give you decent shots..BUT the kit lens is more a Hit or miss...I am on that forum and I have read that thread. It takes a decent pic. Stacked up against good glass though you will see night and day difference.
 
begginer10

begginer10

Member
I think it has alot to do with the user. look at murph145 pics, probably the best on the board. and he is using an older point and shoot. i am using a kodak z610 and love it, but if you have the budget go ahead and get what you want :notsure:
 
katz

katz

Member
You will want to invest in a tripod. It is all in the steadinest of the camera that allows you to get a great pic. I have a Canon SD800 IS and I love it. If I had the bucks for a camera I would have gone for the Nikon d50 SLR camera.
Katz
 
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