JoeBlog Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 There are many of you on this forum that post absolutely amazing pictures and want to ask your advice on what camera to get. I am currently thinking of something in the Canon range from a EOS 350D, EOS 20D, to possibly the EOS 5D. The latter can be a bit pricey, but seems to have all the bells and whistles, plus comes very highly rated by those on RC. Do any of you use these cameras? If so, what do you think of them? If not, what cameras do you use and are you happy with them so far? Also, what macro lens are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I dunno how much experience you have with photography, but unless you've got enough to make it worth spending well over a grand on a camera without even including lenses...Well, basically that expensive of a camera is just going to help, it's not going to take good pictures for you. You could probably get something like a Powershot S2 for half the price(Or even a quarter if you include a good lense or two) compared to a dslr or a tenth compared to the 5D and take nearly as good of pictures. So, my advice is you're looking to spend WAY more money than necessary if you're looking for a DSLR, they're nice but overkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I just brought the 350d this week, its awesome, takes great photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 What’s your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 yes i need an upgrade to, have been looking at some really nice cameras out there with big $$$$$ remember you have 7 days right of return so get to know the guy or gal and the shop and have a play with some sometimes the most expensive is not always the best for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 whoops... went in twice my finger got the shakes, lol old timers setting in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 canon of fuji seem to be great camera's i dont think you'll go wrong looking at your possible choice's make sure you put up some pics of your tank when you get the camera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I would not spend over $1000 as they devalue fast as always better models come out. I use a olympus 5050 which takes great photos. just about to upgrade to a sony f828. Most of the nice photos are not because of the good camera more the way you take them and the lighting you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 so true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted January 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Thanks all for your comments. Ira - I totally hear what you are saying and getting "overkill" is certainly what I want to avoid since I can always spend the saved money on the tank. However, I'm hoping to make photography a nice extension to the hobby and possibly make my life less one dimensional. I took some photography class WAY back in the day and I think that it would be cool to take some more to really get into it. Given that, I don't want to get a camera that only suits my needs/ability now. Fay - I'm going to the States in March and will probably pick up the camera there since they seem to be a bit cheaper. I've was looking online at a few shops and the prices for the higher range were around $2500-3000US and $500 for a 100mm macro lens. I'd be willing to spend this for a sweet combination. Slappers - Excellent advice. Getting chummy with the sales/help people is always a great idea. I didn't know about the 7 day return policy either, so if I do end up purchasing it here, that is very helpful information. Thanks! Brianemone - That's basically what I figured especially since Canon seems to be one of the most popular brands in the photography section of RC and there are some crazy pictures in there. Drifty - Awesome purchase!! Is this your first digital camera? Did you end up getting a macro lens for it as well? If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it and how much did it cost you? This is just to help me to decide whether it is cheaper for me to buy it here or in the States. Thanks again everyone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelifaxNZ Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Digital Cameras are like computers, they are going down in value all the time, but you could be spending ages just waiting for the right one at the right price and never getting one! Just bite the bullet and purchase one at the cheapest price you can find. I looked extensively for a DSLR and was going to purchase the Canon 350D but was slightly more than what I wanted to spend, and also I find the Canon menus not as intuitive as the Olympus. I eventually chose the Olympus E-300 - now superseeded by the e-500. Got this on E-bay for under NZ$1000 with 2 lenses! The good thing about the Canon are the lenses. They are more readily available and "slightly" cheaper than the Olympus lenses which are few and far-between at the moment. The picture quality of them both are on par although I think the Canon is slightly better. I suggest you go to a camera store and test out the cameras and choose one that best fits your preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 the camera i am using at the moment is the Sony FD83 it was good in its day stores your pictures on a floppy disk :oops: i think it was about $1500 about 5 years ago been a good camera with no worries might go to Harvey Normans today for a look it i get time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Joeblog - I've looked and used many cameras. I currently use the 5050c from Olympus, which when I brought it I felt it was un-matched for what I wanted it for (underwater as well as macro). I've looked at the EOS range, and they are well thought of. I am currently looking at upgrading and think it will almost definatly be the Olympus 8080. The prosumer cameras suit me better than the full SLR style, and money is also a factor for me. dpreview.com is a great source of reviews and information. Its best to take advice from people who have used lots of cameras as opposed to people who sing the praises of the only camera they own, I am sure you know what I mean. A few things to consider. Personally i'd not buy a camera with propriotry battries, i'd only choose something with AA battries. Most are re-chargable, but when your traveling its good to know you can get AA battries ANYWHERE, where a failed charger, lost cable or damaged battery could spoil the trip a little. Also check the memory card types, there are big differences in the cost and performance of different types of memory cards. You may get one camera for $300 cheaper and find it will cost $500 more for the memory cards. Also remember the higher the resoultion (mega pixel) the larger the still images will be. My 5mp takes 2mb pics in SHQ compressed. Also check for white ballance features, this is IMPORTANT for fishtank photos. This is the reason many people can't get good colour reproduction, lens (not letting in enough light is common with lower end digitals) and no white ballance correction (manual) can cause greens to look purple, bules to look lighter and whiters, gold/brown to look red. So being able to correct this on the camera is a must for the blue light range tanks like our reefs. A remote control or plunger is also important for tripod work. If you are taking photos of static corals you can use the timer, other wise its difficult to take good photos of moving objects as when you press the camera shutter the camera moves, which defeats the point of having the tripod. Macro and SUPER macro are also good options. Being able to focus within 5cm (closer than normal macro) is a good feature for fishtank work. Good luck, can't wait to see some pics you generate. Buying on Ebay can be a great way to save some bucks, most places will overnight so will work in with you over seas adventure. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Slappers buy me one for my birthday :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 i have seen a nice one down the $2 dollar shop with your name on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelifaxNZ Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Pies, you will like the 8080, it is such a great camera. I was going to get that model, and decided to go for a DSLR for even more flexibility, although it would be good to get that model too, just as a smaller camera to lug around. I totally agree with the battery comment, but you will find most DSLR will have their own proprietory batteries, which is a bugger, but some of them have an optional grip which uses AA batteries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatdog Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I bought a Canon EOS 300D kit, unfortunatly just before the 350D was released. To me being able to shoot in the RAW file format is important. I'm real pleased with it. A friend got the 20D but had to wait for her lenses to arrive so had the same rubbish lens I got with the kit. She got me to do some work on some of her files and they looked worse than I was getting off my 300D. It's all about the lenses... Just need to get a tank and some fish etc, then it's time to start saving again for a new lens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 Sweet slappers book it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted January 23, 2006 Report Share Posted January 23, 2006 I've got a sony dsc-f828 - fantastic camera, without the "I need more lenses" of a DSLR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted January 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 WOW!! I went out and checked out some cameras around town today. DAMN, they are expensive here. I will definitely be buying mine during my trip to the States. I’ve decided that the Canon 5D ($5000NZ+) is pretty much complete overkill (in terms of functions and cost) no matter how much I get into photography. So, now I’m considering the Canon 20D (~$2300NZ, ~$1300US Amazon.com for body only) with a sweet macro lens, EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM (~$1300US Amazon.com). I should be able to get some nice pictures of my little beauties with that setup!! 8) Thanks for all your comments. Excellent suggestions Pies. I was checking out dpreview.com last night and the review section is very useful. I will continue to search/annoy camera store staff and probably change my mind another 10 times before I make my purchase in March. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 i got the 350d duty free on my way back into the country. I was in hong kong but they are only 150 cheaper over there and warranty issues would have been a problem. I paid $1400, with 1 gig memory card for another 100. My brother has the older model of the 350 thats why i got it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 DSLRs don't really depreciate very fast. Not compared to the non SLRs. You're going to have a hard time finding ANY dslr ,even 5+ years old for less than $500, but even a prosumer non slr usually drops to less than that in a year or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.