Camera advice.

[Langleyz]

Hi guys

I could probably ask this on a photog forum, but after seeing so many amazing looking shots on this forum I thought I'd ask the question here. What camera should I buy...? Obviously you'd like some specifics. I'd like to be able to recreate some of the great macro shots I've seen here, but still be able to take scenic type shots - via a lense change I presume. Something that could still be fairly point and shoot, but with options to take a more pro looking shot.

I haven't quite decided what my budget is because I'm not sure what a decent dslr costs... For what I'm looking at using it for, I wouldn't mind spending $1500 - $2500ish. Is this realistic? Just looking for a starting point.

Cheers for your help.

[chstoft]

Go for the Canon EOS series - I just bought one and couldn't be happier :-)

[xbox]

Or the Nikon D that fits your budget.

[rr-nyc]

You have quite a few choices for that budget. You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. The lens is the most important part of the hard goods so buy the best you can afford and it can be like collecting watches... There is no one-lens-does-all so you will end up buying a few over time. Whatever you do, don't buy a camera kit with lens. Buy the body and choose the lens yourself. Many will discount a package for you.

[renfield33]

5D mark II for that budget.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by renfield33

5D mark II for that budget.

You can get the 5D Mark II with a 24 / 105 L for 2.7K (adorama.com). That is a great price for that setup! That lens alone used to be around 1,200 (and the body 2.5K!!).

http://www.adorama.com/ICA5DM2K.html...ce=rflaid21866

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by masterserg

You can get the 5D Mark II with a 24 / 105 L for 2.7K (adorama.com). That is a great price for that setup! That lens alone used to be around 1,200 (and the body 2.5K!!).

http://www.adorama.com/ICA5DM2K.html...ce=rflaid21866

Thats a great deal! I don't know if I would suggest a 5D as a first DSLR though.

I would suggest a less expensive cropped T3i or 60D and buying quality full frame lenses so that they can always upgrade the body when/if the time comes

[wantonebad]

Here's another one

EOS

[JasoninDenver]

I think you should decide how MUCH camera you want before deciding HOW MUCH TO SPEND.

You have the budget for a top-quality dSLR and a great lens. I like something like the Nikon D5100 (mid-level camera) and the 16-85vr lens (higher- level lens). The previous posters are bang on with their advice as to brand as well as purchase sources.

I would second all recommendations to get a dSLR separate from the lens as the kit lenses tend to be fair to middling in quality. Other things that you should bundle into the order are: dedicated flash, uv lens cap, camera bag, tripod, remote shutter control, etc.. You will be fine with your budget.

Also, check COSTCO if you are a member as their kit prices are sometimes below the body only prices elsewhere.

I should also mention that you may want LESS camera such as a prosumer P&S. The Canon G12 is a great example. The trade-offs in image quality can be acceptable unless you really want to blow up some images to poster size. They are, however, slower in taking pictures than a dSLR and this may be a problem if you want to take photos of young kids.

The G12, as well as similar models from other manufacturers, will give you enough control and flexibility to do nearly everything you want to do. Many professionals use these as secondary or pocketable daily cameras.

I highly recommend this website as a great resource:

www.dpreview.com

Have fun.

[2careless]

Hmm how close do you want the pic to be?
Do you want to shoot the movement with gear and teeth level, or you want to shoot standard full dial shots?

If you want the former, I believe your best option would be a Canon with their MP/E 65mm macro lens. This lens can do 5x magnification, one of the highest in the market or u have to hunt for vintage lens or microscopes.
Unfortunately it does not focus infinity so it's a dedicated macro lens. Goto flickr and search for photos using this lens and you'll see lots of wonderful bug shots...

If you are content with dial level macros, the choices are very wide, e.g. Tamron 90mm macro is a very capable lens.

So I believe either way the canon system would suit well (I shoot nikons...)
Next is body. I would say a 60D is good enough as you need money in other things too, e.g. A good tripod that can fit a macro guide, a light box with multiple strobe lights, and a good CPL filter.

Btw shooting macros can be quite boring, if that's the only thing you want to do... :-)

[Grissom]

Ben, as has been said, lots go into the process of choosing a camera system, much more than price. Decide as specifically as possible, what your total photo needs might be, ie., what you want to be able to do with the camera. Then, spend some time reading different folks opinions/reviews, online, such as kenrockwell.com.

Sometimes, one can get exactly the functionality they need for a few hundred dollars, with something such as a Canon S95 (less than $300 on Amazon), while others find they need what a Nikon D3S, or Canon 1DS MKIII, along with what are often very expensive professional lenses, if shooting professional sports, photojournalism, and the like.

Starting off with something like a Canon S95 can be a nice way to spend not too much money initially, in order to see how you like taking pictures, and might be a good way to get your feet wet. Also, taking a class at a local community college might also be a way of finding out what your path might be. My wife is a professional photojournalist, who shoot Nikon but who also carries a Canon S95 for those times when a professional DSLR set up is inappropriate or simply not warranted.

Taking your time to make the best decision is always good. And, finally, should you go the DSLR route, also as has been touched upon, ones best use of their money is in lenses (glass, as they say).......always go for the most you can afford, quality wise, for your lens will serve you through MANY body upgrades, over time, if you buy quality professional lenses, whenever possible.

Good luck!

[conrail]

Right on, JasoninDenver. You do NOT need to spend anywhere near that much for what it sounds like you'll be doing. Granted, if you want to do it right, you should get each lens on its own, so that might add up (e.g, the macro, wide angle, etc.)

[77T]

Ben you have already recived lots of good advice here. There is a trade-off on advance features and easy point and shoot.

Think of the macro's like studio work and everything elsa as snapshots unless you're going pro. Believe it or not Annie Liebowitz recently named the iPhone as the best all-round camera because it's the one you'll use over and over again.

Not suggesting that - just pointing out that a big DSLR isn't going to be handy when you want it. So maybe buy 2? One like the Nikon D3100 as a starter studio camera and a point and shoot for the other?

[apeogre]

All good advice here. The S95 or G12 would be my suggestion. Don't blow a bunch of money, unless you've got money to throw away, on a several thousand dollar camera just cause you can. You can get great results from these two and practice with Manual settings. The little green square or P won't always get you what you are trying to do.

Also, buy a book on how to take photos! That's probably the best advice I can give. Taking photos is 90% camera operator, 10% camera.

[Langleyz]

Wow. Awesome advice. So much advice. I like the sound of buying a slightly lesser camera, but opting for a top quality lens. Or lenses.

After doing a little reading, it seems both the EOS600D and the D5100 are definite possibilities. After the body purchase, I'm left with money to spend on the lens and other stuff that's been mentioned. Just need to decide out of those two.

I travel quite a lot and want a really nice camera to take with me to capture the things that the iphone just can't capture. I enjoy taking photos, and would love to have the quality there so I have options to print etc.

The type of things I shoot; I'm really sorry for my obsession with the Hipstamatic app!








Not the greatest photos, but it was more to show that I do take a lot of photos when I'm out and about somewhere new. Obviously that app adds a little something to the pics, but that's because the iphone camera is pretty terrible, and I'd rather view pics I've taken with it effected to the max!

[Langleyz]

Of course, they're all pretty much point and shoot shots, but I'm using an iphone... With the right equipment I'd love to spend some time trying to set up some really nice pro looking shots. I love open aperture night time type stuff. Obviously the macro type stuff I see on the forums too.

[2careless]

Ben, you take great shots! Especially like the QVB Sydney(?) and Bourke St shots
As for travel, I'm starting to get sick of lugging around a DSLR with several lenses on every trip, as well as a 3kg tripod. You may want to consider that too :-)

[masterserg]

Love your shots!

iPhone rocks as a camera! (now, for some shameless self advertising, I posted some iPhone piccies here a while ago ... http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=190637 )

[GradyPhilpott]

Dan Pierce takes consistently stunning photos of his watches and such with a Lumix Point and Shoot with a Leica lens.

If posting pictures to the internet is your primary interest, one of these cameras might be just the ticket and would save you a bundle.

Perhaps Dan will chime in soon.

[Langleyz]

Originally Posted by 2careless

Ben, you take great shots! Especially like the QVB Sydney(?) and Bourke St shots
As for travel, I'm starting to get sick of lugging around a DSLR with several lenses on every trip, as well as a 3kg tripod. You may want to consider that too :-)

Cheers. Good point too.

Originally Posted by masterserg

Love your shots!

iPhone rocks as a camera! (now, for some shameless self advertising, I posted some iPhone piccies here a while ago ... http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=190637 )

Awesome photos

[Langleyz]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Dan Pierce takes consistently stunning photos of his watches and such with a Lumix Point and Shoot with a Leica lens.

If posting pictures to the internet is your primary interest, one of these cameras might be just the ticket and would save you a bundle.

Perhaps Dan will chime in soon.

Yes, I've seen some of Dan's amazing shots. Hard to believe it's a point and shoot setup.

[JasoninDenver]

The OP Iphone shots show some pretty fantastic composition skills.

[RolexWatcher]

If you travel around, you have to consider if you are willing to lug around all the dSLR equipment. It gets annoying...

[Langleyz]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

The OP Iphone shots show some pretty fantastic composition skills.

Thank you thank you

[kyle L]

I would go with the Canon Rebel T3i, I had the XSi and it pretty user friendly when I started using a DSLR. Here's some stuff with the XSi:

[conrail]

Kyle, those are some killer pics - and love your GMT ones as well!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Dan Pierce takes consistently stunning photos of his watches and such with a Lumix Point and Shoot with a Leica lens.

If posting pictures to the internet is your primary interest, one of these cameras might be just the ticket and would save you a bundle.

Perhaps Dan will chime in soon.

Originally Posted by Langleyz

Yes, I've seen some of Dan's amazing shots. Hard to believe it's a point and shoot setup.

Thanks for the kind words, gents!

It's a simple as you can get. Works great up close.


And not too bad on the larger subjects.


Plus, nice zoom.


dP

[bodybump]

S95 or Leica Vlux 5 or Vlux 30 for point and Shoot...and Nikon D3100 or D700 or D700 and buy a good lens...:)

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by bodybump

S95 or Leica Vlux 5 or Vlux 30 for point and Shoot...and Nikon D3100 or D700 or D700 and buy a good lens...:)

D700 is over the budget and he won't be able to get a lens

I wouldn't suggest a 5D and certainly wouldn't suggest a D700 as a first camera. I've been shooting mine for over a year (3000+ actuations) and still working on all the fine tuning

[psv]

Start off reasonable and grow if you like it. I'd rather spend money on lenses than houses as they come and go.

I've used Canon a lot but really I prefer the more intuitive user interface of Nikon. I'd say that the Nikon D7000 is a great house to start with, then buy a macro (Nikon calls in micro) lens for watch/product shots. Get a fast 35mm or 50mm fast prime lens for available light stuff, especially portraits. Learn to shoot in full manual mode instead of all that auto cr-p. Invest equal amount of time to learn the post-processing side. Have fun!