Help me decide??

[Jennie]

Can anyone with camera knowledge tell me if this is a good deal or not? I really would like to have a camera that will help me take great pictures of my corals and fish. I have no knowledge myself on cameras or photography. Thanks


{Canon Rebel T6 DSLR, in perfect condition-only used once, camera body, 75-300mm lens, 18-55mm lens, bag, cleaning kit, 2 spare batteries w/wall & car chargers, $350 firm.}

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

I'm no expert, but I've been cross shopping that exact camera. That is a good price (about what you could find a refurbished one from Amazon) and much cheaper than brand new.

The T6 is a good starter camera, from everything I've read. With the added lens and extras, that's a pretty solid deal. If you don't buy, would you mind passing the info along? :)

 

[Jennie]

I'm no expert, but I've been cross shopping that exact camera. That is a good price (about what you could find a refurbished one from Amazon) and much cheaper than brand new.

The T6 is a good starter camera, from everything I've read. With the added lens and extras, that's a pretty solid deal. If you don't buy, would you mind passing the info along? :)

Thanks, and yes if I don’t get it I will let you know.

 

[Chrisfish]

I believe @saltyfilmfolks would be a good member to help you with this:)

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

It's a good starter camera... if you're okay with Canon ;) (Don't mind me, I'm a Nikon/Sony fan haha)

Having two lenses for that price is a plus too, it will really help you learn the ins and outs of a DSLR and how lenses work :)

 

[Jennie]

It's a good starter camera... if you're okay with Canon ;) (Don't mind me, I'm a Nikon/Sony fan haha)

Having two lenses for that price is a plus too, it will really help you learn the ins and outs of a DSLR and how lenses work :)

Thanks!

 

[Jennie]

@saltyfilmfolks i could use some expert advice! Thanks

 

[erk]

Considering most of what you will want to do is macro photography, the 75-300 and 18-55 will be of little use to you. The 18-55 will be good for tank shots possibly. I'm a Nikon user, but I believe this is a crop sensor DSLR and those lenses are probably crop sensor lenses. Do not try to use these with full frame as they will damage the camera body if you force them together.

My recommendation is to buy a Nikon D5300 or Canon 70D. Even one iteration back is good. These come with swivel screens that make macro photography so much easier. They are also very light and easy to handle. The functions on the camera are very user friendly and allow one to learn basic DSLR functions.

 

[Jennie]

Considering most of what you will want to do is macro photography, the 75-300 and 18-55 will be of little use to you. The 18-55 will be good for tank shots possibly. I'm a Nikon user, but I believe this is a crop sensor DSLR and those lenses are probably crop sensor lenses. Do not try to use these with full frame as they will damage the camera body if you force them together.

My recommendation is to buy a Nikon D5300 or Canon 70D. Even one iteration back is good. These come with swivel screens that make macro photography so much easier. They are also very light and easy to handle. The functions on the camera are very user friendly and allow one to learn basic DSLR functions.

So if I buy either one of those (Nikon D5300 or Canon 70D) will I still have to buy another lens or does it come with the correct lens for tank photography? thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@saltyfilmfolks i could use some expert advice! Thanks

I does sound like a good deal for a solid beginner level camera.
Take a small led with you and shine it in the bottom of the lenses and look down, it should illuminate and dust build up , hazing or mold growth. Minor dust isn't an issue but....

 

[erk]

So if I buy either one of those (Nikon D5300 or Canon 70D) will I still have to buy another lens or does it come with the correct lens for tank photography? thanks

Possibly. I have the Nikon D5200 and you can find those for good prices with a lens or two.

As for correct lens for aquarium photography, there is no single good lens. Depending on what you are trying to photograph, the lens will change. Any lens that promises to be good at many different things is typically junk. So, if you are looking to do close up shots of coral or fish, you will want a macro lens, specifically something around 75-100mm. This gives the reach while still producing tight close ups with good detail. The Tamron 90mm macro lens is a good macro lens that I see a lot of people using. If you want to take wide angle tank shots, then you will need a lens with a very short focal length, something <20mm.

Don't skimp on lenses. The camera body is important, but the lens is what dictates image quality. You can't fix focus or aberrations easily, but you can adjust exposure, noise, and contrast in photoshop.

I use eBay for the most part in my camera purchases. I've purchased everything from my Nikon D5200, D7100, and D810 to even the massive Nikkor 300mm f2.8 lens off eBay. All used and in great shape. Heck, the 300mm was shipped from Japan and was in the best shape of any purchase I've made. A good rule of thumb to follow, if the seller doesn't or won't show close ups of the lens elements, then don't buy it.

 

[Jennie]

@saltyfilmfolks Thanks I will do that!

 

[Jennie]

Possibly. I have the Nikon D5200 and you can find those for good prices with a lens or two.

As for correct lens for aquarium photography, there is no single good lens. Depending on what you are trying to photograph, the lens will change. Any lens that promises to be good at many different things is typically junk. So, if you are looking to do close up shots of coral or fish, you will want a macro lens, specifically something around 75-100mm. This gives the reach while still producing tight close ups with good detail. The Tamron 90mm macro lens is a good macro lens that I see a lot of people using. If you want to take wide angle tank shots, then you will need a lens with a very short focal length, something <20mm.

Don't skimp on lenses. The camera body is important, but the lens is what dictates image quality. You can't fix focus or aberrations easily, but you can adjust exposure, noise, and contrast in photoshop.

I use eBay for the most part in my camera purchases. I've purchased everything from my Nikon D5200, D7100, and D810 to even the massive Nikkor 300mm f2.8 lens off eBay. All used and in great shape. Heck, the 300mm was shipped from Japan and was in the best shape of any purchase I've made. A good rule of thumb to follow, if the seller doesn't or won't show close ups of the lens elements, then don't buy it.

Very good feedback, I am trying to do as much homework as possible without having to spend major money in the process. (Like getting a piece of crud camera and lens) and then having to buy another one!

 

[erk]

Very good feedback, I am trying to do as much homework as possible without having to spend major money in the process. (Like getting a piece of crud camera and lens) and then having to buy another one!

Learn from my painful experiences. For instance, the kit lenses are typically junk for the entry level DSLRs. Don't pay full price for them. You can typically find someone trying to sell one for less than a hundred bucks online. The Nikon entry level lenses have a plastic mounting ring instead of steel. These tend to snap after heavy usage or mishandling. The 50mm f1.8 prime lens from Canon or Nikon is a good buy and they are typically cheap. Great for portrait type shots or those nice close up bokeh shots. The 70-200mm is a great zoom lens and typically has a macro function. I have the Nikon 70-200mm f4 from like 1980 or 1990. Still works great. Don't be afraid of older lenses, especially from Canon and Nikon. Typically the older lenses have the same element designs as the newer packages. Only difference is tech upgrades to electronics.

 

[Jennie]

Learn from my painful experiences. For instance, the kit lenses are typically junk for the entry level DSLRs. Don't pay full price for them. You can typically find someone trying to sell one for less than a hundred bucks online. The Nikon entry level lenses have a plastic mounting ring instead of steel. These tend to snap after heavy usage or mishandling. The 50mm f1.8 prime lens from Canon or Nikon is a good buy and they are typically cheap. Great for portrait type shots or those nice close up bokeh shots. The 70-200mm is a great zoom lens and typically has a macro function. I have the Nikon 70-200mm f4 from like 1980 or 1990. Still works great. Don't be afraid of older lenses, especially from Canon and Nikon. Typically the older lenses have the same element designs as the newer packages. Only difference is tech upgrades to electronics.

Wow, thanks. I am trying to take everything in. I really appreciate your advise.