New to the art of photography!

Whitlicious · Apr 2, 2012

Hey there! I've been interested in photography for a long while now, and my heart is definitely set on getting into macro photography most of all. In the past I would take photos for fun using a Kodak EasyShare MD41. Despite how serious I got about getting a great shot, it was still just a la-dee-da hobby, you know? I think I'm ready to buckle down and get more serious. Time for a digital SLR, perhaps?
I've been doing research on different digital SLR cameras since yesterday while trying to stay as cheap as possible. I plan to make a purchase on my birthday later this month. I'm eager to get started, but I'm trying to be careful. I've mostly looked at Canon cameras; I will probably research Nikon a bit tonight. I believe those are the two big brands? Or so I've heard..
What I'd like to ask is...
What would be a good starter camera for a beginner like myself? I think I'd sound too picky if I ask "What is a cheap camera that can take decent macro shots?"
I'm trying to stay under $700. I would love to buy a macro lens later on, but I'm gonna see if I can get this to go anywhere first.
Any replies will be deeply appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read all of this.

Aetherbound · Apr 3, 2012

From my limited experience, you will need a dedicated macro lens. All the lenses I've used on my Nikon just will not focus automatically within 4-5 feet. (I don't trust my eyes well enough to focus manually)

Judobreaker · Apr 3, 2012

Macro shots?
Camera doesn't really matter. It's the lens that does most of the trick.

Just get a nice body you feel is going to work for you.
Canon and Nikon are indeed the bigger and most known brands in this area.
Whether to take Nikon or Canon? That decision is up to you.
They're both good brands, they make nice stuff. Go into a shop, hold a Nikon, hold a Canon, choose the one you think you'll like most.
It doesn't make that much of a difference in performance, having a camera you feel good about is most important.

Both brands have very nice macro lenses.
3rd party macro lenses from brands like Sigma will work on both brands.

If you have any friends with the same hobby you might want to check the brands they use too by the way.
My choice for Nikon was partially because both my brother and a good friend used Nikon too.
That way we would easily be able to lend lenses and other Nikon specific equipment to each other.

Judobreaker · Apr 3, 2012

Aetherbound said:
From my limited experience, you will need a dedicated macro lens. All the lenses I've used on my Nikon just will not focus automatically within 4-5 feet. (I don't trust my eyes well enough to focus manually)

Manual focus with macro shots is basically a must.
Your camera will have a very hard time with auto-focus on large magnifications.

nicancai · Apr 3, 2012

@Whitlicious

Go for it ! keep trying , at the end of the you will learn more and more by your own experience. We all knew that photography is too expensive kind of hobby, but hey !! who cares LOL .. don't forget to post some shots so that we can see your art.

Buckster · Apr 3, 2012

I'd agree that you can't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon. But, specifically talking about macro, there's one more thing to consider: Only Canon offers the super-macro lens called the MP-E 65. If you get into macro and then decide to really get DEEP into it, that's where you're going to find yourself eventually.

By the way, in case you haven't looked very deeply into this yet, SLR photography is an expensive hobby, and macro photography is even more expensive. You don't get very far or obtain very good results with it trying to do it on the cheap. Just keep that in mind.

Judobreaker · Apr 3, 2012

The MP-E 65 is indeed a monster macro lens. It is however not impossible to get the same results on a Nikon camera, just a little less easy.
That lens offers a 5:1 magnification while on a Nikon you will need to work with extension rings or bellows to get past the 1:1 ratio.
Quality-wise other options may be better though as the MP-E 65 is a zoom lens and not a dedicated lens.
Its quality still is pretty darn strong though... ^^

KmH · Apr 3, 2012

The MP-E 65 isn't actually a zoom lens per se, but it's primarily designed to be used for the highly specialized close up work of Macro.

The MP-E 65 has no focusing mechanism, manual or otherwise. Focus is achieved by moving the entire lens closer to, or further from, the intended point of focus. Consequently most also get the Canon tripod collar for the lens and use a tripod head that has precision focusing rails.

Using a Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras and/or doing macro photography with any gear set up requires meticulous attention to detail and a lot of patience.

Supplimental lighting is also often needed to get good exposures.

groan · Apr 3, 2012

To keep the cost down, get a entry-level body, any brand will do but sticking with Canon or Nikon will gain you greater lens access.
Now this is where the 'cheaper' part comes in, go out and buy a 50mm prime lens. These can be found used for under $100. Go to you rlocal photo store and buy a reverse adapter. This allows you to mount your lens backwards on your camera. This will give you great magnification, and with the 50mm lens you will likely have an awesome wide aperture of 1.8-1.4. (hint here, it does not even have to be a lens of the same manufacturer!)
This does mean that your photography will need to be done manually but with an off-camera flash setup you should be able to set your camera on manual, set your flash to TTL and set your aperture to about 16. Fire off a few test shots and adjust.

Flash will need a standard bracket with a mini ball head adapter on it so you can bend the flash down to point in front of the lens. With that setup[ you can buy a very cheap flash. This setup can produce some excellent results.

TheFantasticG · Apr 3, 2012

I have to agree with Buck and KmH. I have shot Nikon doing macro for a solid year (or more). I have over 10,000 images from 2011 that were strictly macro or close up. It takes too much crap to get beyond 1:1 with a workable rig out in the field with a Nikon body. Sorry, Judo, but it just sucks for someone who is DEEP into macro, shoots Nikon, and wants more than 1:1. Given what it takes to get even to 3:1 with my D7000 and Sigma 150 or Tamron 2.8, I said "fark that," and bought a Canon 60D and Canon 65mm MP-E. I'll be getting the Canon MT-14X ring flash within four weeks. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Now I have a tripod setup with the Nikon D7000, Sigma 150mm 2.8 HSM EX, Sigma 1.4x TC, and Nikon R1. The other tripod is setup with the Canon 60D and MP-E. The only catch is to use the MP-E out in the field I have to up my ninja game as the working distance gets stupid short the closer you get to 5:1... Now back to reading the 60D manual :/

WesternGuy · Apr 3, 2012

One thing you can think about, at least to start with is to get your camera with a decent kit lens, or even just the body and a good 50mm lens and then buy some extension tubes to go with it. Get something like the Kenko tubes here - Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG for Canon EOS Lens AEXTUBEDGC and then work with this for a while to get the hang of macro photography and maybe give you some time to save some $$ to get a good macro lens. The reason I suggest this is that with macro lenses, like all other glass, you get exactly what you pay for and good glass is probably even more important for macro work as any "flaws/imperfections/limitations" in the glass will be magnified by the "macro" effect. The advice I would give you is do your research on macro lenses like you are doing your research on the cameras, maybe even rent a lens or two and try them out. My 0.02¢ FWIW.

WesternGuy

Whitlicious · Apr 3, 2012

Woah! Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I've been reading everyone's responses a few times over. I had to look up a few things that I didn't understand, but that is great because I am still learning. I looked into lenses a bit more, and I think I am favoring one from Sigma - the 50mm F2.8 EX Macro. The price is decent, I think.
As for a digital SLR camera...I'm leaning more toward Canon. I really like the EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS II Kit. I must admit, though, that I have no idea what everything between "rebel" and "kit" mean. :meh:
I'm gonna do more research about bellows and extension tubes today.
Again, thank you all soooo much for taking the time to reply to me! I LOVE ALL OF YOU.

banderson · Apr 3, 2012

Whitlicious said:
Woah! Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I've been reading everyone's responses a few times over. I had to look up a few things that I didn't understand, but that is great because I am still learning. I looked into lenses a bit more, and I think I am favoring one from Sigma - the 50mm F2.8 EX Macro. The price is decent, I think.
As for a digital SLR camera...I'm leaning more toward Canon. I really like the EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS II Kit. I must admit, though, that I have no idea what everything between "rebel" and "kit" mean. :meh:
I'm gonna do more research about bellows and extension tubes today.
Again, thank you all soooo much for taking the time to reply to me! I LOVE ALL OF YOU.

Well, T2i is a more specific explanation of which rebel body you're looking at (Like Honda civic vs honda accord), the EF-S refers to the type of mount that the lens is. EF series lenses are used on "Crop" camera bodies. Crop just means that the sensor inside of the camera magnifies the image 1.6x in comparison to a higher end full frame camera. The 18-55 part refers to the lens as well, Its simply the zoom range of the lens. And the IS means that the lens has Image stabilization. Good luck with your photos!! I look forward to seeing them

Whitlicious · Apr 3, 2012

banderson said:
Whitlicious said:

Woah! Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I've been reading everyone's responses a few times over. I had to look up a few things that I didn't understand, but that is great because I am still learning. I looked into lenses a bit more, and I think I am favoring one from Sigma - the 50mm F2.8 EX Macro. The price is decent, I think.
As for a digital SLR camera...I'm leaning more toward Canon. I really like the EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS II Kit. I must admit, though, that I have no idea what everything between "rebel" and "kit" mean. :meh:
I'm gonna do more research about bellows and extension tubes today.
Again, thank you all soooo much for taking the time to reply to me! I LOVE ALL OF YOU.

Click to expand...

Well, T2i is a more specific explanation of which rebel body you're looking at (Like Honda civic vs honda accord), the EF-S refers to the type of mount that the lens is. EF series lenses are used on "Crop" camera bodies. Crop just means that the sensor inside of the camera magnifies the image 1.6x in comparison to a higher end full frame camera. The 18-55 part refers to the lens as well, Its simply the zoom range of the lens. And the IS means that the lens has Image stabilization. Good luck with your photos!! I look forward to seeing them

Thank you very much for clarifying that!

That helps a lot. Thank you, thank you!

banderson · Apr 3, 2012

Whitlicious said:
banderson said:

Whitlicious said:

Woah! Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I've been reading everyone's responses a few times over. I had to look up a few things that I didn't understand, but that is great because I am still learning. I looked into lenses a bit more, and I think I am favoring one from Sigma - the 50mm F2.8 EX Macro. The price is decent, I think.
As for a digital SLR camera...I'm leaning more toward Canon. I really like the EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS II Kit. I must admit, though, that I have no idea what everything between "rebel" and "kit" mean. :meh:
I'm gonna do more research about bellows and extension tubes today.
Again, thank you all soooo much for taking the time to reply to me! I LOVE ALL OF YOU.

Click to expand...

Well, T2i is a more specific explanation of which rebel body you're looking at (Like Honda civic vs honda accord), the EF-S refers to the type of mount that the lens is. EF series lenses are used on "Crop" camera bodies. Crop just means that the sensor inside of the camera magnifies the image 1.6x in comparison to a higher end full frame camera. The 18-55 part refers to the lens as well, Its simply the zoom range of the lens. And the IS means that the lens has Image stabilization. Good luck with your photos!! I look forward to seeing them

Click to expand...

Thank you very much for clarifying that! That helps a lot. Thank you, thank you!