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Need A Recommendation For A Camera And Accessories

Frank Cowherd

Global Moderators
Staff member
Hey, if you have already discussed this on the forum, point me to the achieves.

If not, I am looking for a camera to take fish pictures. I did attend the CCA workshop last year on how to use the camera and so I know I want a remote flash or maybe two. But I do not know what make or what other options I should be looking for. Not that I need to ask this group for their opinions, but I would like to know what you consider the best camera and options. I am planning on this being a Christmas gift, so I do not plan on rushing out to get one any time real soon. Digital of course. I have a 35 mm Ashi Pentax that I use to use all the time, like for 30 years, but have not used it since my wife got a digital 5 years ago, and now we are on our third digital. I have used them on occasion for fish pictures, but the results are just passable. The current one is a Cannon.

Frank
 

Pat Kelly

CCA Member
Staff member
Frank, There are lots of great brands out there. You will find that Bobby, Francine, Mike, Kevin, and I all use Nikon.
I can not say Nikon is better than Cannon or something else but with all the experience in the club with these, thats just the way I suggest to people. That way if you have questions you know where to go. lol

The SB 800 flash is what I have a couple of. As far as the camera its self, it depends on your budget. I have an old D70 and hope to upgrade soon. Bobby or Mike should chime in on this one.

Also good timing as we will have another Photography subject in Feb.

Take plenty of pics and we will see you posting soon.
 

maddog10

Members
Nikon currently has the edge in remote flash technology, which is very important with fish photography. That is reason enough to go with Nikon. I would suggest getting nothing less than a D80 (maybe a D70 if you got a good deal on a used one). All the models below the D80 are missing functions or capabilities that you will eventually want for aquarium photography. Anything above a D80 is icing on the cake :D You will want the camera body, remote flash (I suggest the first one be an SB-800) and a macro lens. A realistic budget is $1000. This equipment will last you a very long time. It doesn't hurt that you have 5 or 6 people in the club you can ask questions to. :lol:
 

RIFT_LAKES_RULE

Member of the Darkside Tang's Rule!
<span style="font-family:Century Gothic">If you are into ebay, there are numerous auctions for these camera's. Nikon D80 and everything else. There are also some pretty cool package deals, not sure that I saw any with

that exact flash and a macro lens but I didn't look at all the auctions. There are plenty of new as well as used. This might be a good way to get set up as there are numerous

sellers that have great seller ratings and have been on ebay for several years selling professional grade optics/cameras. Just a thought.

Mike</span>
 
Frank, I would strongly encourage you to buy exactly what you need and avoid packages that include a lens you will not get the best out of.

As Mike and Pat already suggested, get a body, a macro lens, and a speedflash. The absolute necessities for taking good aquarium shots are a macro lens and a speedflash.

Most of the DSLR bodies are good for the beginner, but if you get into the hobby more seriously and start adding more lenses to your bag for the numerous situations that demand a variety of focal lengths, aperture speed, wide angles, etc., make sure you get one that can handle all the new and old lenses out there.

I would recommend Nikon or Canon brands. Both are strong competitors that are always trying to beat the other for the best. However, most folks who are into aquarium photography seem to prefer the Nikon platform because of the flash convenience that is made available with Commander Mode in the camera's menu and the built in triggering device to fire remote flashes. The Nikon Creative Lighting System is the envy of all the other competitors. And nothing works better for fish pix than a controlled remote flash shooting down from the top of a tank.

Body:
Go with either a Nikon D70, D80, D200, or D300 body. They are all priced upwards from the D70. And they all are compatible with all the lenses made by Nikon. Including the older lenses as well as the new G lenses. Getting other bodies may offer restrictions on which lenses you use. And, most importantly imo, all of these bodies have built in pop-up flashes that will trigger your Nikon Speedlights without wires or adding any other device when you use the flash off the camera.

Lens:
There are two main considerations when buying a macro lens. Size of the subject, and working area. The longer the focal length of the macro lens, the more space you will need between the camera and the subject. That's why most of us carry at least two macro lenses when we take photos of aquarium fish.

The two most popular focal lengths are 60mm and 105mm. Nikon offers both. They are both exceptionally sharp, and they are both f/2.8 aperture maximum lenses. Which means they are faster and provide better exposure then most of the zoom lenses that are normally bundled with camera lens packages. So, for your first lens, I would suggest the Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 D Micro or the newer G version. These are are around $400 new and you will be able to photograph more subjects and be available to get into tighter areas more so than you would with the 105mm. Btw, you will likely end up with both sizes.

Tamron also offers a tweener focal length for Nikon bodies that is a very good lens too. That would be their 90mm f/2.8. I know a few people who own that lens and are very pleased with it. Probably not as sharp as the Nikkors, but still a good choice.

Speedflash:
You have two good choices (three counting the new SB900). SB600 and SB800. They are about $100+ difference, but the extra money is well spent for the SB800. It comes with a couple added accessories, but more importantly, it can be used as a "Master" to control up to 3 groups of other speedlights...remotely. You could literally set up around nine flashes wirelessly and be controlled by the SB800 when it is attached to your camera in the hot shoe or with a cable. It is also more powerful than the SB600.

I have been recommending the above initial investment to many folks...including Pat, Mike, and Kevin. It all depends on how much you want to spend for a body, lens, and flash. But, I guarantee that you will not be totally satisfied with your fish pictures until you get a good macro lens and speedflash that is compatible with a decent camera.
 

mscichlid

Founder
Good advice! I'll pin this topic to ensure others in the same position can find it easily! :happy0144:
 
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