Robbo2232 Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 Hello Friends, I am looking to get a DSLR for taking photos of my fish and when i travel overseas, apart from the usual shots i will be taking macro and landscape shots. any one got any ideas of what camera, lenses and a good place to get one from? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Miller Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 G'day, Basically it comes down to 'Canon or Nikon', mainly because they are the two most popular brands out there. Both have a good range of lenses and other accessories (their own brands and 'after market' suppliers) and you would be more likely to find somone who can fix them. I did a DSLR course and I believe the ratio of students' cameras was approx 60/40 in favour of Canon. The next question is 'How much money do you want to spend?' At the top end of the scale there are 'full-frame' DSLRs (sensor equivalent to 35mm film cameras), but these are probably not a good idea for a newby. 'Entry level' cameras with smaller sensors (approx 1.5 crop factor for Canon and Nikon) still do a great job. The lenses to suit your needs will also help determine what camera you purchase. Lenses will be a significant proportion of your spend, many people keep lenses forever and update the camera body occasionally. The same lens on a full-frame DSLR will produce a much different result on a camera with a smaller sensor. E.g. a 200mm lens on a 35mm film camera or a full-frame DSLR will give a very similar result, but if you then attach the lens to a camera that has a crop factor of 1.5 the image will be much larger (closer) - producing a result equivalent to a 300mm (200 x 1.5) lens on a full-frame DSLR. I have an 18-200mm zoom lens that I believe is ideal for travel. It covers most situations from landscapes to close-ups. Many camera packages come with two lenses, maybe 18-75mm and 75-200mm, these are not good value. It is such a pain having to change lenses all the time - and this is when dust and moisture get into the camera. I also have a 105mm macro lens (f2.8 = fast!) which is great for fish shots. Digital Discount Photographics has good deals (check their warranties - they used to be a 'grey market' supplier) they have a Canon 500D with the 18-200mm lens for $1550, the Canon 550D with the 18-200mm lens for $1950 and the Nikon D90 with the 18-200mm lens for $1830. A 100mm macro will cost about $1000. Go to http://d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm Good luck! Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo2232 Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share Posted March 16, 2010 Thanks Lee! hows somthing like this go? http://d-d-photographics.com.au/canon500d.htm I am looking at the twin lens kit @ $1095.00 8-55mm IS + 55-250mm IS lenses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Miller Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 That's a pretty good deal. The camera will almost definitely meet your needs. My only issue is the two lens thing. If you're travelling around OS do you really want to be carrying an extra lens? Probably in a separate bag? "Wow, there's a great shot, hang on, wrong lens! Damn, missed it!' I know it's another $445 dollars (approx another 40%) but if you can afford it..... Cheers, Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 I have to back Lee up on the 18-200mm lens thing. Best decision I made was getting my 18-200. (My other lenses were 18-70 and 70-300) While I still prefer my 18-70 (its nicer) the 18-200 is a way better bet for carrying around for a full day, rather than hauling extra lenses and worrying about changing them. So really my only regret is not getting a better 18-200. I may upgrade that shortly though :-) ps. I use Nikon, but Canon is awesome too. I'm not one for brand wars. They're both great so use what you are comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 If you've never used a SLR before don't automatically assume a DSLR will give you better results than a high end compact/bridge camera. IMO the cheaper consumer end of the DSLR market and their kit lens are manufactured to a price point and you get what you pay for whereas a lot of the high end compacts have Zeiss or Leica lens and much better sensors. Before you decide on a camera based on price or internet recommendations go into a real camera store and actually handle some of the cameras. You might find that camera A is more comfortable to hold than camera B or that the controls on camera C are set out in a more logical way than camera D, all of which are personal preferences and can't be decided by anyone else. Cameras are almost like cars in the passionate debate they inspire. People that own Nikons will tell you Nikon is the best, people with Canons will tell you Canons are the best and the camera store guys will tell you whichever has the most margin in it is the best. Buy whatever will do the job you want it to and whatever you feel comfortable using. With cameras it's the nut behind the wheel that makes all the difference. Don't limit yourself to Canon or Nikon, there are other brands out there without the big marketing budgets and loud fan boys that are just as good (some might argue you get more bang for your buck). Canon and Nikon might sell more cameras but Hyundai sell a lot more cars than Rolls Royce too. Personally, I'm not a fan of super zoom lens, their image quality isn't generally great and they're slow but if you're comparing them to most kit lens you probably won't notice the difference unless you're a pixel peeping measurbator. If you go for a two lens outfit just stick on the lens that you think will suit what you will be shooting and adapt your technique to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo2232 Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Thanks all I have used a dslr before but as it was not mine i took some shots and that was it. at the moment i have a compact which never goes on auto as i am always adjusting the settings, so i figured that i will take the next step up. my plan is to go into a few shops and have a muck about, but you cant really trust the sales guys. any recommendations of shops to go to? preferably around the shire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japes Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 I'm on a budget DSLR setup but I'm quite happy with the results. Just a Canon 400D, and I do most of my fish photography with a super cheap Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II. I think an F2.8 24-70mm is the perfect walk-around lens for travelling, and also works well for fish photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Miller Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 G'day Japes, I agree, the F2.8 24-70mm is a nice lens, but at $1625 it's twice the price of the F3.5-5.6 18-200mm ($800). It just demonstrates there's plenty of options - to suit all budgets and tastes Cheers, Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lepperfish Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 G'day Japes, I agree, the F2.8 24-70mm is a nice lens, but at $1625 it's twice the price of the F3.5-5.6 18-200mm ($800). It just demonstrates there's plenty of options - to suit all budgets and tastes Cheers, Lee. Have you used a 24-70 f/2.8L ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Miller Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japes Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Have you used a 24-70 f/2.8L ? Sure have, can't say it was mine though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lepperfish Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Yes. Great.. On a crop camera or full frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lepperfish Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Yes. Great.. On a crop camera or full frame? If you trying to prove a point why not just say it. Cheers Watch your tone there pal. I was asking if he had any experience with the lens to back up his comment. Don't go getting involved where your not needed for no reason, if you can't contribute anything useful then negative comments then don't post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtiger Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Yes. Great.. On a crop camera or full frame? If you trying to prove a point why not just say it. Cheers Watch your tone there pal. I was asking if he had any experience with the lens to back up his comment. Don't go getting involved where your not needed for no reason, if you can't contribute anything useful then negative comments then don't post. You are so right about not contributing. Sorry Robbo best of luck finding your gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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