camera

[R.Allard]

so im in the market for a new camera... any suggestions???i want to be able to take macro for coral polyps and my son plays soccer for Tivy and want t be able to take good action ones also.

[Robb_in_Austin]

What do you want? DSLR or point and shoot? There are some nice, manual control PnS ones out there but they approach DSLR price points.

The only real problem with DSLR's is when you look into lenses. That's where the cost goes up and fast.

No real need for the latest and greatest DSLR body; you can take great pics with a Nikon D40 or Canon low end Rebel/Elos(sorry, don't know Canon that well).

Go handle them all, Nikon/Canon/Sony/Olympus, and see which ones fit you. Go to a real camera store, not Best Buy/Wally World/Ritz, tell them what you want to do, and see what you come out with.

[ballardjr2000]

I love my nikon D40 kinda tricky getting the macro shots down but once you get it its a dream to use. just my .02

[R.Allard]

i think dslr. im considering a cannon rebel as their macro distance is under 9 inches for focus.there also reasonbly priced...anyone have one?

[JLiu]

Which rebel were you considering?

[Robb_in_Austin]

To get true macros, i.e. 1:1 magnification, on a DSLR you'll need a true macro lens. They aren't cheap, figure an additional $300 for a good used one.

Each lens will have a minimum focus distance, so don't read to much into that 9" rating.

Any camera you will buy will be able to take great pictures. The limits will be determined by you, not the gear. Princer7 can take better pics with a PnS than I can with a top of the line body/lens.

I'd recommend getting an entry level DSLR(if that is what you want) with the kit lenses, and maybe a nice macro(used or otherwise). If photography really hooks you upgrade the body later.

I think there is something to buying a nicer body, but it's mainly a want vs need thing. If you are going to spend the money, spend it on lenses.

I just got to thinking. Are you artistic? If so, you may get bit hard by the bug and it may be beneficial to go for a higher end body. I'd still suggest saving money for the glass though. You'll get more from the lens than the body(except for higher ISO ratings).

Go read KenRockwell.com and bythom.com; lots of good info on both those sites.

[R.Allard]

thank for the info Robb.

[Robb_in_Austin]

You're welcome. Post what you wind up with.