[Reefland]

Since we use our cameras for posting pictures of our tanks, I think this is relevant in the Reef Forum.

1. What kind of Digital Camera are you using (please list brand and model number)?
2. Is it a great camera for all around reef photography including full tank pics and macros?
3. What features is it lacking?
4. What was the cost?
5. Where did you purchase it at?
6. If you had to purchase another camera that was practically priced, which would you get?

[flip_3_6_0]

Im using a minolta dimage 5mp. I like it alright. I have a hard time getting good macro shots and the white balance is automatic with presets so i cant really dial it in for the 20k bulbs. Im not sure where it was purchased or even how much it cost since it was a gift. If i could choose a new affordable camera i think i would buy a nikon coolpix of some sort.

[flip_3_6_0]

This is about as "macro" of a shot as i can get.

[drlowz]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Since we use our cameras for posting pictures of our tanks, I think this is relevant in the Reef Forum.

1. What kind of Digital Camera are you using (please list brand and model number)?
2. Is it a great camera for all around reef photography including full tank pics and macros?
3. What features is it lacking?
4. What was the cost?
5. Where did you purchase it at?
6. If you had to purchase another camera that was practically priced, which would you get?

Gonna have to stick with my finepix E550...
E550

[tatuvaaj]

1. What kind of Digital Camera are you using (please list brand and model number)?
Konica Minolta A2
2. Is it a great camera for all around reef photography including full tank pics and macros?
It is a great camera, lots of good and useful features but the macro capability is not as great as in many other cameras
3. What features is it lacking?
It's not a DSLR
4. What was the cost?
$800

[naser]

What kind of Digital Camera are you using (please list brand and model number)?
nikon coolpix 4300

Is it a great camera for all around reef photography including full tank pics and macros?
macros are great and so are basic shot. but the best way to get anything is with a tripod.

What features is it lacking?
it takes movies with not sound.

What was the cost?
400 but now its like 2 somthing.

[Reefland]

Naser,

Does the 4300 allow for manual focusing as well? Do you have control over shutter speed, ISO, etc.? I'm not sure what all that means but I think it's important. I need our resident camera guru to jump in here and help me...where are you at Mike!

[Poseidon]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Since we use our cameras for posting pictures of our tanks, I think this is relevant in the Reef Forum.

1. What kind of Digital Camera are you using (please list brand and model number)?

Canon EOS 20D

2. Is it a great camera for all around reef photography including full tank pics and macros?

I think so! With the proper lens of course!

3. What features is it lacking?

It is a DSLR, so it does not come with the "toys" like movie mode, and you hold it to your eye like a traditional camera, some people think you should be able to view the image on the LCD like the point and shoots...

4. What was the cost?

Body only? $1379.00

5. Where did you purchase it at?

www.adorama.com

6. If you had to purchase another camera that was practically priced, which would you get?

I think my practical and yours will be a little different, I am trying to talk the wife into https://www.adorama.com/ICA1DM2.html that one, but at $3500+ it will take some time for sure!

For those of you that think I am NUTS I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, senior pictures (high schoolers), and high school sports! I also do a few macro of flowers and of course my tank for FUN!!!

Here are a couple "cool ones"...

[Poseidon]

LOL I was posting when you did!!!

Look at the Nikon 4800... http://www.adorama.com/INKCP4800.html

Or if you want a little better, meaning more money, let me know I will find you a
good one!

Or here is a VERY highly regarded point and shoot!

http://www.adorama.com/ICAG6.html

[Reefland]

Ah there you are! I've been waiting for you to chime in.

What do you think would be a really nice practically priced camera for myself or any other hobbyist that is looking for a camera that takes good macros and full tank shots of their tank? Practically priced being 300-400. What do you think of the Nikon 4300 as naser has described?

[Poseidon]

That was a good camera, I think it is now dicontinued. The 4800 is only $324.95 once you add it to your cart. I think Best buy and Circuit City sell it at the MSRP. I was talking to Samper about this not long ago, and this was the recommendation I gave him. I like the Canon CMOS sensors better, but the Canon's in this price range lack the Macro mode we need. The Nikon CCD is made by Sony, (I think) and features Nikon glass... A great combination! The G6 also has a CCD made by Sony. I think Canon is selling out there P&S models to other companies to make more money and focusing there efforts more on the DSLR's even though they make a SMALL market share. They just announced this one http://www.adorama.com/ICADRXTB.html...20XT&item_no=1which is based on my 20D for a lot less cash, add a macro lens and you can't beat the result! Another advantage to a DSLR is the size of the sensor. My 8.2 sensor is 5 times as large as most P&S sensors. THat allows me to crank up the ISO to 800 or more and still less noise then most P&S have at 400! That REALLY helps for tank pictures, because even as BRIGHT as our lights our they are not ideal for photography! I am sure Gene will chime in too, he is getting FANTASTIC results from his Drebel and a Vivitar macro lens. I have the 500D close up filter that I attach to one of my lenses and I get good results too. I just have to spend my photography money on parts that make me MONEY!!!

[Reefland]

Ok, so reading all that what your saying is that the Nikon 4800 is the best bang for the buck between the 300-400 price range?

[Poseidon]

yup!

[Reefland]

Ok, so would there be any better options other than the 4800 for this price range? Sorry to sound redundant, just want to make sure the money is well spent and that I can add some cool pictures to your gallery.

[Poseidon]

I'll have to get back to you on that, I'll do some digging and find some in that price range that have a good macro mode. I'll get 1 from each of the big names and post links here....

[Reefland]

Sweet! I just want to make sure this camera purchase, if we make one, is a good purchase that provides us with the features we want/need and will last us a long time!

[naser]

im llokings at the nikon 8800 now. ive found it for 574 with a 100 dollar rebate on certain websites. its a 8 megapixil..

[Reefland]

What is between the 8800 and the 4300?

[zhenya]

Scott,

Have you looked into Fujifilm cameras? i think S602Z would be exellent camera for the money but I am not sure what it cost this days. I know Marc(melev) is using it and he's getting exellent results.
Here's a link to the review of that camera http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujis602z/
and you can find some info on it with pictures on Marc's site as well.

Like Mike said, I use Canon DRebel for most of my pictures but I think it all boils down to what glass you own when it comes to DSLR's. I like my Rebel to a point, I also think that you can get exellent results with P&S cams without investing tons of money in the glass(lenses) without which your DSLR is just an expensive body.
Mike already covered sensors and all that so it really boils down to this- dtermine what exactly you are looking to use your camera for, select a couple that you think is the ones you are interested in via research( Like you doing now ) and then had for the store and play with each one. I stood with two cameras in my hands for hours, the D70 by Nikon and Canons DRebel(300D) and finally chose the Rebel. To be perfectly honest, I think I regret my decision now and then, for the money the kit lens on the D70 is much better made than Conons "kit" lens. But most of all is that I needed more time to learn a new camera again after shooting with Nikon for couple of years.
So, choose wisely grasshopper.
Should I add a macro shot that I took with my cheapy macro lens?

[naser]

heres a nikon 4100 all for under 200 bucks.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...kon%2520camera
nikon 4800 for around 300
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...kon%2520camera
just look around im shooting for the 8mp nikon just cause ive had a nikon and there prettyeasy to use. no crazy amount of buttons. the 8mp also has a rebate so that helps too.