New To Photography

[The Arson]

Im sure this has been posted many times, but im new to photography and am looking for a little help. I currently have an Olympus D-580 Zoom and although it is a nice little camera, Im looking for something that will do a little better job. Im really into close-ups or "zoomed in" shots. I dont want to spend a ton of money, but what is a decent digital camera I can get that fits a beginners budget yet can achieve the shots I want.

Thanks,
-Jim

*example of shots Im interested in*

 

[thebeginning]

Welcome to tpf! it really depends on what your 'beginners budget' really is. 200? 300? 500? i looked at some info on the camera you already have, and it is actually a decent point and shoot. you could easily do those pictures that you posted with that camera in macro or super macro mode. of course if you want to do REALLY close up, like this: http://home.stx.rr.com/laredojeeps/Fred/Fly5X.jpg or this: http://home.stx.rr.com/laredojeeps/Fred/Ant.jpg you are going to need a dSLR, or at least some kind of homemade add-on lens. for something satisfactory in the DSLR category, the price will start at around $700 (for a digital rebel).

 

[westman]

buy a cheap SLR + 1:1 macro lens , i think this is the best way