Cameras! I know nothing

[atrox]

Holy shiat I thought technical was bad enough in reefing until I decided to research digital cameras.....ISO, aperture, wtf.

 

All I want is a good camera to take macro shots like a pro so my tank can appear to be cooler than it really is. I was looking at the olympus tg-2 it's waterproof and has macro ability.

 

What are you all using to get killer shots?

[seabass]

Underwater cameras are mostly used for things like snorkeling, around a pool, or in rough environments or weather conditions. The camera you listed has a minimum focusing distance of 1', so it wouldn't be very practical to use inside a nano tank. Many of the outstanding shots come from DSLR cameras with a macro lens (where the lens alone cost over $500).

 

However, there are less expensive options that can give you acceptable pictures. Here's a thread for somebody that was looking to spend less than $100. What's your budget like? Will it be used for anything else? Are you looking to buy used or new equipment?

[GHill762]

I'm also looking into a new camera right now as I can't even use my point and shoot for my tank.. all of my photos currently come from my samsung galaxy s3 (which does a pretty amazing job for a phone imo)...

 

I think I'm going to go with an entry level DSLR in the coming months, really looking at a Nikon D3200.. I have a little photography background so a DSLR shouldn't be much of a challenge for me.. I took a couple classes in college that required a 35mm and we did all of our own film and picture developing in a dark room..

 

as far as an underwater cam, that would be a fun toy but like seabass said they likely won't get you the pics you're trying to get..

[atrox]

$250 is my limit, and the only thing I want to take pictures of is my tank. I can't justify spending dslr money for a camera I'll barely use.

[atrox]

. This guy uses the olympus tg 2

[seabass]

Neat pic, I guess I was wrong about the Olympus. Turns out it has a Microscopic Macro Mode that allows you to focus as close as 1 cm.

 

Still I'd pick this used (like new-) Panasonic LX7 for a good point and shoot at that price level ($245). It's a very nice camera with bright lens, and image sensor that's larger than most point and shoots. Check out the review and some sample images.

[jservedio]

The biggest challenge taking good photos of a reef tank is the white balance. Auto White Balance simply doesn't work for our mostly blue tanks (especially true for LEDs). Sure, a point and shoot camera might focus up close and be capable of taking macro shots, but will autofocus work when the light source is around 20,000K and will white balance compensate enough to make it not look like a pure blue mess? Even my DSLR can't autofocus when my Radions are around 20K. Bottom line any camera for reef shots needs manual white balance and it needs to be fairly robust.

 

While macro is a requirement, you also need to asses the white balance capabilities of the camera. Most people taking sick up-close photos of their tanks are 1. using a DSLR with a dedicated macro lens, 2. manually focusing the lens, 3. using PRE white balance measured with a white card or at least manually setting it (or using a white wall behind the tank!), and 4. Manually setting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO (or at least using shutter or aperture priority mode). Yes you can take awesome shots with a point and shoot - but you need to be able to manually set WB.

 

Understanding the basics of photography (aperture, shutter speed, iso, and white balance) is trivial and can be quickly learned in about two hours on Wikipedia even as a novice. Once you understand the basics, go look at the camera you wish to buy in person and test it out - if you can grab a blue-led flashlight (can be had for $10 or $15 and is useful for reefing) you will be able to see how it handles blue lighting. Since it is only for reef shots, if it can't handle the blue light it'll be a $250 useless brick.

[atrox]

Jserv heck yeah what a great response. I appreciate the time you put into simplifying your answer.

 

Seabass I appreciate you taking the time to help me find a good camera. I'll let you know what I get. Thinking about hitting up a pawn shop.

[seabass]

Thinking about hitting up a pawn shop.

Do you know what you're looking for?

[SouthFlorida_Tron]

Is this the same guy that wanted pro macro shots for 500?

[jservedio]

Jserv heck yeah what a great response. I appreciate the time you put into simplifying your answer.

 

Seabass I appreciate you taking the time to help me find a good camera. I'll let you know what I get. Thinking about hitting up a pawn shop.

 

NP - check out the big camera retailers (like B&H) for used/refurbed last-generation Nikons and Cannons. I got my current D40x for under $300 refurbed directly from Nikon with the kit lens about 7 or 8 years ago. A used DSLR that is 5-10 years old is going to be better than any new point and shoot in your price range. For example, you can get a D40x body for around $120 with a decent shutter count and a used decent macro for about $300. You can even use the stock 18-55mm kit lens that comes with any DSLR, which you can get used for around $75-85 with some close-up dioptor filters (about $30) to get halfway-decent macro shots if you are willing to spend a lot of time and use a tripod.

 

Honestly, for that price range get a used DSLR. You will enjoy it much more, learn a lot more, and get better shots.

 

 

Is this the same guy that wanted pro macro shots for 500?

 

 

 

Even if it is, it is definitely doable. A used ast-gen DSLR body and a used 90mm Tamron can be had under $500 with some decen't shopping around. Even without spending time, you can get a last gen DSLR body and Tokina 100mm macro for under $500 easily right from Amazon or B&H. That glass will get you some really, really nice shots.

 

Edit: Actually, a D40x and Tokina 100mm can be had for under $400... so yes you can have cheap pro macro

If Ken Rockwell call's the Tokina an "excellent lens", it is probably safe to say it is very high quality glass.

[atrox]

From what I gather the olympus tg 2 seems to be a good candidate. I really don't think I'll photograph any thing more than the corals and fish? So it's hard for me to justify spending dslr money. Did find this camera locally thoughts

 

http://sanangelo.craigslist.org/pho/4546206491.html

 

 

Here's the olympus tg 2

http://m.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-tg2

[jservedio]

From what I gather the olympus tg 2 seems to be a good candidate. I really don't think I'll photograph any thing more than the corals and fish? So it's hard for me to justify spending dslr money. Did find this camera locally thoughts

 

http://sanangelo.craigslist.org/pho/4546206491.html

 

 

Here's the olympus tg 2

http://m.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-tg2

 

The TG2 will work - it allows you to manually set the white balance so it is good to go.

[seabass]

$250 is my limit...

Not sure why we are talking about $500 cameras. However, it's true that by expanding the budget a bit, you could buy a much larger image sensor.

 

From what I gather the olympus tg 2 seems to be a good candidate... Did find this camera locally thoughts

I still feel that the Panasonic is a better buy. I think that both of those cameras you listed are small sensor cameras. You might as well buy one of these for $65; it'll do a good job.

[atrox]

Man that's cheap thanks for the link!

[seabass]

I noticed that the Panasonic LX7 sold this morning. I'd like to think that you bought it. Did you?

 

The two Canon Sx150's are still available if you didn't (not to say that they won't have other nice cameras coming available).

[Havok_9]

Just got my Canon sx150 this morning (per seabass suggestion) and I am super pleased with it! Still need to download the manual and get a memory card, but very impressed with the quality of the camera.