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Opening a can of worms...

TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Mods, please feel free to move this if you think it doesn't belong in this section.

My wife and I are looking to buy a new camera for ourselves for Xmas and I'm looking for suggestions. I know there are differing opinions over which brand to get, so hopefully we can keep this civil... I'm leaning towards Canon brand though since my bro-in-law uses them and I can borrow some lens to try out.

Basics we want out of the camera:

1. Digital SLR / EOS so we can take nice pics and video too (HD would be great).
2. 18+ Mega Pixel (not a deal breaker).
3. Ability to buy a waterproof case (for Scuba Diving) for it.
4. Mainly to be used for family portraits, vacationing, fish tank pics, and underwater photography.
5. Trying not to break the bank on the camera because I've heard lenses and the case will cost a lot later. Say $300-$700 range.

That's about it. Open to suggestions on cameras and would appreciate any links to deals or websites that have good deals. Thanks in advance.
 
thirty5

thirty5

I also use Canon. you can get a waterproof case for almost any dSLR but they are expensive for the high end ones. There are ones that are made like a ziplock bag that my buddy (professional uses sometimes for his vacations).

Your price range kinda puts you at the entry level camera

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753762-REG/Canon_5169B003_EOS_Rebel_T3i_Digital.html

Is prob the best that you can get for your rage that you want to spend.

But you can also go with the T3 which is lower end.

Both will shoot video and you can use other lenses...




 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Thanks for the input 35.

I was actually looking at This T2i from Canon. Any thoughts on whether that's a good deal or not? I know the lens that comes with it is just OK, but it should be fine to start out with from what my bro tells me.
 
asonitez

asonitez

Nikon D90 Body then invest in a good lens - Used or new this is an excellent camera and the body is not that expensive.
Nikon D3000 another good beginner camera.


I use a Nikon D40 - Its by far my fav camera for shooting. Its affordable uses a BUNCH of different lenses and other than a few settings and the ability to shoot video I don't miss many features of a more expensive camera. I frequently take this to other reefers houses when I visit to take pics of their amazing tanks.

I like canon cameras as well. You cant go wrong with either brand as both have great picture taking ability and minimal differences. BUT.. Whatever camera you buy be prepared to buy into the culture of that camera. After buying a 700 dollar camera and dropping a few grand on lenses... changing brands is like shooting bleach into your bank account's veins. Its painful....
 
trivan

trivan

I took the Nikon Photo classes and the pro's all say, once you decide on the company, set your budget, pick the best lens you can afford, then buy the body. The body is the least important piece as in 3 years there will be a better / cheaper one. Lens haven't changed except for a few tweeks here and there in 50 years. A Canon/Nikon lens purchased 10 years ago will still work on any body today. For Nikon, the senors are "basically" the same, it's the bells and whistles your paying for.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

here are the latest rebates on canon:
http://usa.canon.com/CUSA/assets/app/pdf/Promotions/camera/eos_ir_t2it3i_120411_poster.pdf

This is the main site:
http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products?pageKeyCode=53

They come out every so often with similar rebates if you buy two lenses with the body.

I ended up with a canon because the prior owner wanted a 7d instead and didn't want to deal with ebay selling his. Mine is an older model 30d. I use a 18~85mm lens. It came with it and although a DLSR is heavier than the push here dummy cameras, it's been pretty great for taking photos (especially low light ones where flash is not helpful).
 
trivan

trivan

Another saying is the "Best camera is one which you will use". So make sure that you'll actually want to carry the extra load of an SLR. If you want a great "Push here dummy" camera with low light, the Panasonic LX-5, is a awesome camera (Canon S100 is the competitor). They make it for Leica and it comes with a Carl Ziss (SP?) lens. It has the same manual settings as any SLR, just not as fast on the frames per second.

I have 3 camera: Nikon SLR - d300 with a number of different lens
the LX-5, my now go to camera for everyday shooting
and I have a old Canon Powershot, which I use for underwater as the housing for the powershots aren't that much compared to SLR housings.
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Thanks for the input guys, I'll look into those Nikon cameras as well, but I'm most likely going to go Canon just because I will have access to borrow some lenses to try with it.

Phil, thanks for the rebates link. I think the Amazon deal I had was about $100 cheaper than the rebate offer though... so it's looking like a good deal to me.
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
At one point, I was considering the GoPro Hero 2 since my nephew just got one and it takes great photos and video, plus the case included makes it waterproof to 197'. Not bad for 1080p recording at only $300. It's really small too (like 3"Long x 2.5" High x 2" Thick) and comes with mounting hardware to make it "hands free".

The wife wants more of a traditional SLR though because we will use it more every day photography than under water.

However, I may buy one of these later for my scuba pics/vids instead of spending $1000 on a case for the other camera we buy. ;)
 
thirty5

thirty5

They have the Canon there too!

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11704153&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=87150&b=1&lang=en-US

I love my dSLR, I have the Canon 50D and it is a great Camera. I have to agree that the body is not as important as the lens. But I would still say to buy the best body that you can. Lenses are EXPENSIVE!! Like the Canon 100mm Macro IS lens is like $900. The ever popular 70-200mm IS is about $2400.

The kit lenses are actually pretty good so I would not worry about upgrading lenses for now. But getting a couple basic ones would be great, with a good ALL-AROUND lens. I have a Tamron as an all-around. Then I have a 50mm Prime 1.8, and a 28mm Prime lens.

Just remember with these Cameras it is not a full-frame sensor, it is actually a 1.6 sensor. So a 200 mm lens is really not 200mm it is actually 200x1.6 so really a 320 mm. It does not make it zoom any more, but you can only see that portion of what the lens can do.

Nickjr000 said:
I did way way more research than an extremely obsessed person. This is what i went with and I am more than happy!


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.costco.com%2FBrowse%2FProduct.aspx%3FProdid%3D11622027&ei=1EvdTv_eLaLb0QHBuvDGDQ&usg=AFQjCNHT_ypObSWXLqkRKCrQDaPWSOIOUg

Nice part about costco is u can use the thing for somethin like 90 days and if you dont like it u can just bring it back. The hd video works great too
Click to expand...
 
trivan

trivan

Ok first controversy. I would disagree about the body. If you take the best body out there stick on a cheap Len the picture will never ever look as good as a cheap body with a good lens. I'm not saying buy a 4 figure lens but great lens can be had at a reasonable price. If you don't believe me go to b&h and do this test. The clarity of the better lens with a cheaper body will be very noticeable.

If you also compare the sensors you will probably be very close between the high end and the lower end body.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

thirty5 said:
Lenses are EXPENSIVE!! Like the Canon 100mm Macro IS lens is like $900.
Click to expand...

is the the L series version? i've been keeping my eye out on this non L series one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194451-USA/Canon_4657A006_100mm_f_2_8_USM_Macro.html.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-...189.p?id=1110266578488&skuId=7170189&st=canon 100mm macro&cp=1&lp=1

lowest price i've seen in a couple months.

Of course relative to the T2i (camera plus lens) it is ridiculous to spend this much just on a single lens! Ah this hobby is not cheap! LOL.
 
thirty5

thirty5

That is the non IS (image stabilization). While it is a good lens for a 100mm I would rather get IS unless you only plan to shoot with a tripod or only with decent light where you can shoot with a fast shutte speed.

Sent from my Piece of crap Sprint Epic
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Wow, lots of great input gang. If nothing else, I'm getting a free lesson in photography equipment!

I'm glad this thread is staying civil too. Keep it up. I'm learning a lot.
 
thirty5

thirty5

Would help if you asked more questions. This is how you will make a true educated decision on what you will invest your money on.

Before you order, I would actually got the store and put your hands on the camera. I have not physically touched the cam that you are looking at. But some of the models will fit in your hand differently.

I started with a Canon XT, and then upgraded to Canon 50D. The 50D is a larger frame, but for me fits in my hand much better. Also is a little heavier.
But if you plan on purchasing other lenses a smaller camera is tougher to hand hold because the lens will most likely be heavier than the camera body. I have a pretty stable hand and can shoot hand-holding pretty well. But my camera is pretty even in weight. This will help when you are trying to shoot in low light and still want to shoot with a wider aperature (more of the field of view will be in focus).

There is alot that goes along with spending this much cash.......
TanksNStuff said:
Wow, lots of great input gang. If nothing else, I'm getting a free lesson in photography equipment!

I'm glad this thread is staying civil too. Keep it up. I'm learning a lot.
Click to expand...
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

thirty5 said:
That is the non IS (image stabilization). While it is a good lens for a 100mm I would rather get IS unless you only plan to shoot with a tripod or only with decent light where you can shoot with a fast shutte speed.

Sent from my Piece of crap Sprint Epic
Click to expand...

That's the L series. The L series offers the image stabilization. Frankly I intend to take photos of the corals in my tank. They are not moving and using a tripod is a no brainer.

I guess i could take some pics of flowers or such. But even then I'm not 100% convinced I want to drop another $400 for the image stabilization. I mean don't get me wrong, if money were no object I'd be all over the L series lens.
 
thirty5

thirty5

Hawkeye said:
That's the L series. The L series offers the image stabilization. Frankly I intend to take photos of the corals in my tank. They are not moving and using a tripod is a no brainer.

I guess i could take some pics of flowers or such. But even then I'm not 100% convinced I want to drop another $400 for the image stabilization. I mean don't get me wrong, if money were no object I'd be all over the L series lens.
Click to expand...

I agree, but then you are sorta stuck with using that lens for one purpose. I agree over $900 is a lot of or a lens. I was also looking into an attachment to my 50mm lens. I know it is out there. When I find it I will link it!
 
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