Need DSLR Advice.....

[misterted]

Anyone here know cameras really well?
I want to get into the DSLR thing but I don't want to spend the $$ on a new setup so I want to buy a used one to "train" on.
I looked on Ebay and have no idea of what's good and what's crap.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[emartin]

Anyone here know cameras really well?
I want to get into the DSLR thing but I don't want to spend the $$ on a new setup so I want to buy a used one to "train" on.
I looked on Ebay and have no idea of what's good and what's crap.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I'm personally just buy a used one off bhphotovideo.com ...they're HIGHLY reliable, and give you a brand new warranty with the camera.

I'd give them a call and tell them what you're looking for with a used camera and they'll point you in the right direction. I've ordered from them tons of times and they are highly reliable.

They even have new dSLRs in the $300-400 range, which is dirt cheap compared to how much they used to cost just a few years ago.

Either way, I'd get all flashes, lens, etc, used... You can find those also on B&H and on ebay.com

Anyway I just looked at a decent camera I had bookmarked that was only $300 used on b&h but it's completely sold out... So I'd just surf their site or give them a call.

Hope that helps,
~Ed

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

I agree with Ed as far as where to buy. Myself I have a Nikon D70 with an SB800 flash and various lenses. I love it! I still have a lot to learn with it but for not knowing too much about it when I bought it the camera takes great fish pics!
Definitely get a flash for it along with a good macro lens. I am ready to upgrade my 60mm macro soon.

[finman57]

I agree.
Stick with Nikon
I too have the D70 and SB800 remote flash.
I use the 60mm macro.

[dunk]

I have a Canon Xti. I run the stock flash with a diffuser. Helps out with reflection and softens the light a bit on both the front and back glass of the tank. I run a canon 100mm F2.8 macro lens. 2.8's are more expensive but the picture quality will be unmatched compared to shooting a subject at an fstop of say 4.5. Invest in a decent tripod as well. I have a second set of strip lights i turn on my tanks when it's picture time. The more external illumination the better. If you can tie in both a quality lens with an fstop of 2.8 (or better), increased external lighting, fine tuning with the manual settings, you won't even need the flash. Only then can you truly appreciate, and capture the natural beauty of a displaying cichlid. Hope that helps.

[Bev N]

I have the Nikon D40 and really want the macro lens along with a good telephoto lens. If you guys know where to get good deals on the lens please let me know. I think the telephoto I wanted was around $1500 while the macro was I believe $600. I am not one to real the manual so I'm learning as I go. And you thought guys were the only ones that didn't read the directions.

I am really looking forward to the photography talk at the CCA meeting and getting some good pointers on getting good pics.

[nick a]

I haven't upgraded to the nice macro lenses or flash units yet, but i don't think you'll be dissatisfied with what you find used for reasonable $s in either the Canon or Nikon families. The Nikon D50 I have is essentially an entry-level body, but will take the zoot-capri lenses (when I can afford them :)).
Unless you intend to blow-up pics into large posters or you want to be able to crop a tank shot down to zoom in on one fish in post-processing, you don't need to be overly concerned with getting the highest pixel rating available. The tremendous advantage over the PNS's you'll notice right away is (even on the entry-level DSLRs) is the high speed shutter. Fish in perfect pose?--BAM, picture taken--no frustrating lag time.......

[misterted]

I'm really trying to get a deal on a setup with a lens.
I'm watching Ebay and see that I can get one for the mid $200 range.
Not sure which though.
I checked B&H and they sell used bodies for the mid $200's.
Am I better off with a Nikon D40 than any Canon (which will probably be a 2005 model) in the same range?

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Good luck on the hunt Ted! I love my Nikon but it was the better deal I got when I was torn between Canon & Nikon.

[nick a]

http://www.digitalreview.ca/Content/Nikon-D40-versus-D50-versus-Pentax-K110D-K100D.shtml

http://www.dpnotes.com/comparisons/nikond40nikond50.php

http://inphotos.org/nikon-d40-tips-the-scales-in-canon-vs-nikon-fight/

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/8691/311284.html

Ted, you can read, review & try to make the BEST decision with the most information--but as you can see from just the few links above, it's really gonna be just a gut call on your part. Get the best deal you can get on whichever brand/model & I'm sure you'll be sastisfied with better pictures. No matter which one you get, you'll evenatually want to upgrade--it's kinda like the fish disease---start with a 20....end up with a 265 :)