Good first camera

[Reefer911]

Having a new Waterbox 35.2 and a pair of candy basslets on the way, I’d like to get serious about taking quality photos.

I’m looking for recommendations on a good first camera. I have an old Nikon 35mm that I’d like to play around with at some point but I’d have to relearn everything

Im ok finding a used camera and would like to stay under 500, and preferably a Nikon.

DLSR vs mirrorless, at this point I don’t even know the difference. But I will research it today.

Thanks

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I see a lot of people use the Olympus cameras, I think they are around $300ish and they take some great pictures!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Having a new Waterbox 35.2 and a pair of candy basslets on the way, I’d like to get serious about taking quality photos.

I’m looking for recommendations on a good first camera. I have an old Nikon 35mm that I’d like to play around with at some point but I’d have to relearn everything

Im ok finding a used camera and would like to stay under 500, and preferably a Nikon.

DLSR vs mirrorless, at this point I don’t even know the difference. But I will research it today.

Thanks

For that price point you’ll need to go with a used Nikon. I have a D800 and a Z50. If you think you’ll be using the camera for general “walking around” shots, I’d get the Z50 - much smaller and lighter. Nikon won’t be bringing out any new lenses for the dx or fx dslrs, so you’d have to buy used lenses also if you go with the dslr.

 

[iannarelli]

Mirrorless is exactly what is sounds like, it doesn't have the mirror that's in the body of a DSLR which reflects the light into the optical viewfinder, and hence it can be more compact. A mirrorless camera uses an electric viewfinder.

I've always liked Nikon's colors better. I am not a professional photographer by any means, but if you are planning on getting a camera where you can change lenses, and your goal is to take photos of your fish, look for something with fast autofocusing and good focus tracking. Eventually you'll want to upgrade to a nice prime macro lens. When I'm not using my phone, I shoot on a Nikon Z6ii with a Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 lens. You'll want a lens with a low f-stop, and you'll also want an orange filter (85B if you're going to buy the kind that screw onto the lens).

For your budget, I would definitely look at used gear. An older DSLR is probably the best way to get a higher end body. It's worth spending some time on r/AskPhotography, there will be a wealth of information and advice on the best way to maximize the $500.

 

[KStatefan]

I have not played with it yet much but I purchased an OM-Systems (used to be Olympus) TG-7 camera. It is water proof so you can take underwater photos.
I also have a Cannon EOS M50 that I like.

I am very much a novice photographer that does not want to carry around a big camera and lens

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Nikon D3400 or Z50. First one is a bit cheaper so you can buy macro lens or filters and keep your price under $500.

 

[exnisstech]

Just throwing this out there. TBH for tank pics I find a good phone camera much easier to use. I used to shoot with Minolta then Sony years ago so I decided to buy a Sony A7 II body and a sigma 105mm 2.8 Marco lens a couple years ago for coral pics. Macro was my thing years ago but it was insects and such. Shooting through aquarium glass was whole new level a difficulty level for me and I gave up. A camera with a decent macro lens will yield better results in the end but requires a lot more work IME.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

If you just want to take pictures of your tank, just use your phone.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If you just want to take pictures of your tank, just use your phone.

It honestly amazes me how impressive phone cameras have gotten over the years!

 

[Reefer911]

If you just want to take pictures of your tank, just use your phone.

I don’t. I want close up shots of corals too.

 

[Reefer911]

Ok so why not a GoPro?

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Ok so why not a GoPro?

GoPros are neat, but the wide angle and color always looks a bit off. After messing around with one, I jumped over to the Olympus TG-6 for underwater shots. Especially coral macro photography. It is really specialized for that. And I shoot a used Nikon D810 for fish shots.

Here are some TG-6 shots

 

[iannarelli]

Just throwing this out there. TBH for tank pics I find a good phone camera much easier to use. I used to shoot with Minolta then Sony years ago so I decided to buy a Sony A7 II body and a sigma 105mm 2.8 Marco lens a couple years ago for coral pics. Macro was my thing years ago but it was insects and such. Shooting through aquarium glass was whole new level a difficulty level for me and I gave up. A camera with a decent macro lens will yield better results in the end but requires a lot more work IME.

You basically have to shoot straight on, once you angle your lens at the glass quality suffers a ton. I get great shots of my coral with the setup I mentioned above on a tripod, and sometimes even my fish. Much better than my phone (which is no slouch).

 

[stE26wy14]

Ok so why not a GoPro?

gopro doesnt have a good focus distance

 

[Dragen Fiend]

You basically have to shoot straight on, once you angle your lens at the glass quality suffers a ton. I get great shots of my coral with the setup I mentioned above on a tripod, and sometimes even my fish. Much better than my phone (which is no slouch).

Yea finding the right angles is tough. I prefer snapping pictures with the lid off and flow turned down. The quality in shots jumps up!

 

[iannarelli]

GoPros are neat, but the wide angle and color always looks a bit off. After messing around with one, I jumped over to the Olympus TG-6 for underwater shots. Especially coral macro photography. It is really specialized for that. And I shoot a used Nikon D810 for fish shots.

Here are some TG-6 shots

I've always wanted to get an Olympus TG for snorkeling trips since as others have mentioned the GoPro wide angle isn't great for stills. I have a housing and filters for my GoPro that fix the color issues but would only consider using it for videos on my tank. Do you just stick the Olympus in your tank to shoot? Are the colors pretty good or do you need to do a lot of post-processing? I've been using the Avast Top-Down Porthole with my Nikon, but it's bulky and can only go so far into the water.

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

Olympus TG line is the best bang for your buck. It has a built-in microscope mode, eliminating the need for macro lenses. They are waterproof up to 15m without an additional housing. And they take really good pictures and video.

These are recent from my TG-5

 

[IntrinsicReef]

I've always wanted to get an Olympus TG for snorkeling trips since as others have mentioned the GoPro wide angle isn't great for stills. I have a housing and filters for my GoPro that fix the color issues but would only consider using it for videos on my tank. Do you just stick the Olympus in your tank to shoot? Are the colors pretty good or do you need to do a lot of post-processing? I've been using the Avast Top-Down Porthole with my Nikon, but it's bulky and can only go so far into the water.

I shoot in RAW with the TG-6 and just adjust the color temperature slider in Lightroom. It's pretty easy to color correct. I attached an orange lens to my GoPro, but I still wasn't happy with the color. I have tried wide shots with the TG-6, but most of the picture is out of focus. I think people add a wide angle lens for non macro photos while diving.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

I've always wanted to get an Olympus TG for snorkeling trips since as others have mentioned the GoPro wide angle isn't great for stills. I have a housing and filters for my GoPro that fix the color issues but would only consider using it for videos on my tank. Do you just stick the Olympus in your tank to shoot? Are the colors pretty good or do you need to do a lot of post-processing? I've been using the Avast Top-Down Porthole with my Nikon, but it's bulky and can only go so far into the water.

Since the TG series is built for underwater use, it has built in presets to offset the blue light.

 

[exnisstech]

You basically have to shoot straight on, once you angle your lens at the glass quality suffers a ton. I get great shots of my coral with the setup I mentioned above on a tripod, and sometimes even my fish. Much better than my phone (which is no slouch).

It just wasn't worth the effort for me because I also had to use MF to get clear shots. A focus rail helped but again just not worth the effort for me. If I were printing sure but not for screen viewing and sharing digitally which is what most peoples are doing these days.

Pixel 8 pro for these. I like it a little better than my Samsung S24. It seems to capture colors better.