The new S100 from Canon is awesome if you want a compact. I also like the T3i if you're looking for entry level SLR's. (I just wish the awesome lenses didn't cost so damn much!)
Yeah I dont need a super high tech one, all I have now is one of the cool pix cameras lol i like that Canon but too much money and looks way to complicated for me Haha. I don't know the first thing about cameras, lenses ect..
I say any sub $300 point and shoot camera is fine. They all produce similar image quality and some may have more options than others. Maybe more ergonomic than others. If you want to use for aquarium photography, there are a lot of factors involved. Light..I am sure our own home aquarium would have enough light. Fish is probably won't be swimming as much. You may need a marcro feature to shoot your home aquarium fish, comparing to a public aquarium (bigger fish). Some shots from the Brooklyn NY aquarium:
Shot with a 1dmarkIII, Sigma 50 f1.4, and flash...
Depends on what you're going to do with the final output.
Internet only? Maybe a few snapshots to print out occasionally? If that's the case any P&S will do.
Want to get into photography as a serious hobby? Then a DSLR is the way to go. I still recommend (and use) Pentax cameras. A lot of bang for the buck without breaking the bank. A lightly used K10D or K20 will do well. Even a *ist will produce a 16 x 20 with good results. Well good enough to sell them anyway. And all the lenses ever made for Pentax are at you disposal. And Pentax and other third party manufacturers made some awesome glass that will match and in many cases rival what's available today. Pentax uses a mount that is still in use today on their digitals. Canikon can't claim that.
I am not worry considering that I don't believe I have the permission to sell them since they were taken from NY Aquarium. I do sell photos but mostly cycling races. Here, none of my photos would ever be on a publicly shared hosting site.
You don't need to spend a ton of money but it helps, some of the smaller point and shoot cameras can give nice results and with smaller sensors than the DLSR you can get awsome macro pics, look for manual control and overall picture quality and this doesn't mean the highest amount of megapixels you can get.
Lurk at dpreview.com/ and look at newer cameras in the last year or so of reviews and try to find something in your budget, then ask about the pros and cons in the forum for that model, good luck.
OK that's great, but I'll go out on a limb and say most here don't have $6,000 professional cameras. With most using P&S and entry level SLR, adding additional light is necessary to capture moving fish in home aquaria.
What are you guys opinions on buying used? I've been looking and I see a lot of them are roughly half price or less if used. I know you have to watch for different things but not experienced enough to know what is good or bad.
Where did you see it used and who is selling it used? Used is fine as long as you know who was using it and you can see the condition of the body. Normally, you should ask for the shutter counts. How many times the shutter has been "clicked" or "cycled?" The shutter has its own lifespan. My 1dmarkIII is rated for 300,000 cycles. Other bodies could be less, 100,000 cycles.
So, you want to get a DSLR? Remember that a DSLR is big. You need lenses and other accessories. There is a learning curve. You don't want to shoot anything in Auto mode. I am a Canon guy. If you want to switch to Canon, I think I know a thing or two about their DSLR bodies. Their top of the line PS camera is the powershot G12.
+1 thanks for sticking to topic. As I said guys I don't need a really high tech camera and id rather a used if possible as I am not experienced. A used would save me money and give me some practice ect..
Ummm... I thought were arguing that P&S cameras would be able to capture pictures such as your Pro camera? Now you're saying that they wont? You lost me lol.
It comes down if the fish is moving or not. With your own home aquarium, maybe. For the lighting issue, just turn on all the lights. In a public aquarium in which you have NO Controls of your lighting and the fish behaviors, you need at least a semi-pro body to accurately focus and capture the fish. For the lighting, you need to know what you can do with the flash, not just firing the flash at full power.
For an entry level camera you could look at the K100, K100Super, K10D *ist. All would be used and a lot less than the Canon and the Nikon. K10D is a 10mp. *ist is a 6mp and will still give you a poster size picture with good quality. High quality glass can be had new for a lot less than a Canon or Nikon.
Although I say "entry" level I know many photogs who shoot Pentax professionally. And you've seen their shots on many a magazine cover.
Speedie I have the 60d as well. Did you debate spending more and getting the 7d. I considered it, but for my purposes I didn't think there was any clear advantage for me.
I love my 60D and actually chose it over the 7D. The 7D wasn't practical for me and also had a much higher price tag which was a NO NO with my banker. If you ask me, the 60D is a bit more advanced as far as technology. I absolutely love the video with the swivel LCD screen (which is much bigger than the 7D screen). That's just me :icon_cool
Speedie I have the 60d as well. Did you debate spending more and getting the 7d. I considered it, but for my purposes I didn't think there was any clear advantage for me.
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