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What are Recommendations for an entry level Digital SLR to take close up pictures of models? Would be getting a macro lens for this purpose and a making a light box. I was looking to pick up something not to expensive definitely under $1,000 for the camera and basic lens + macro lens. Would use it on vacations also. Everyone I know who has DSLRs has ones that are above $1,000 which are out of my price range at the moment.

Seems these are hard to find used as I been looking on forums anything with a decent price usually goes really fast. Trying to avoid feebay as price tend to be higher there. Wouldn't mind buying new if I can find a good deal. I was looking at a canon t3i package for $900 but they sold out :(.

Don't really have any brand loyalty but I'm thinking going major brand like Canon, Nikon, Sony would be best for availability of lens.

My old point and shoot doesn't really do all that well. I got a newer small pocketl point and shoot and its even worse at close ups then my old one.

Since my wife dabbles in jewelry making, I had to learn a few things about taking extreme close ups. I would tell you two things. First, as crazy as it sounds, SLR is not the best camera for macro - a highly celebrated master of insect macrophotography, Paweł Bieniewski swears by ordinary compact cameras. Apparently, smaller sizes of image sensors in compacts helps. Second, for real good shots, I'd suggest you get yourself, on top of any macro lens (there are compacts with detachable lenses), a Raynox conversion lens. I've bought a model with 8 Diopter magnification, and it works like magic.

My wife and I picked up a Canon Eos 550D for a variety of projects, including macro photography. It was the best camera around fro the rice point at that time, and probably still is.

For model pictures you might not even need a true macro lens, unless you want to take pictures of Epic scale stuff.

Marcin
I'd like the camera to double for vacations so it needs good zoom and panarama options for scenery as well as macro for flowers and models so was looking at digital SLRs. Might have to look into a compact with swap lens as well but those don't run cheap either.

Flinty
I'm mostly looking at t2i and t3i deals. Found some more deals here
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3123356

Is the t3i worth the difference in price over the t2i? t3i over t3 seems like a no brainer with 6 more mp.

big sensors make macro a nightmare. I've got a canon 5dmk2 and its sensor is the same size as 35mm film. Even at f/11-f/16 I stuggle to get stuff in focus.

Pretty much any compact canon is going to give you great macros provided you have a decent amount of light and a way of stabilizing the camera. You'll also get more zoom for your money with smaller prosumer cams.

I've found tha thte lens is a big a problem as the sensor. I use a Nikon D7000 for work and it came with an 18-105mm lens. Even on macro I can't get more then about a foot away from the mini.

That said, the image is so large that after cropping it's not that bad.

Now.. the D7000 isn't exactly entry level either, but... my office used to use entry level cameras, and a year and a half ago got the "company standard" D90. While the 90 was a vast improvement, I talked the boss into going to the 7000, and never looked back. It's not only better but easier to use then both the entry level cameras and the 90s. As a matter of fact we've gotten the word out and the 7000s are now the standard for our field teams.

Granted it's a a pricey item, but soo worth it. Plus if you decide to get one, drop me a PM and I'll send you a copy of the photo manual I'm writing for our people. The whole idea is to train the untrained and inexperianced, so it's got lots of little words and big pictures. And the D7000 is so flexible that you can do pretty much anything with it. Our field teams even use them to produce decent high def videos.

Marcin
I looked at that site you recommended. It looks like he uses a Sony DSC-H5 with Raynox RT5256H and Raynox DCR-250 w adapter ring 52/43 in between.

That is pretty old tech now but it does look cheaper then a DSLR $200 for the camera and about $100 for the rest of the stuff. Guess it would do ok for vacation photos.

Crablezworth
So what do you recommend for a compact Canon that takes good macros?

If you want one with decent zoom I'd suggest this one: http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/products?m=gp&pid=4698


If you want something a bit sleeker I'd suggest this: http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/products?m=gp&pid=8868

The Canon Powershot is also awesome, its true. Most of the pictures in my gallery are taken with an old SX100. The thing is just so damn forgiving

I got my wife a Nikon D3100 back in April, as after all my research, it came across that it was the best price/power entry level DSLR. Haven't done any mini photography with it yet since it's winter and horrible here right now (the pics on my blog were done with a compact Sony Powershot) but it kicks butt on 1:6 scale models.

Marcin Ciszewicz wrote:As crazy as it sounds, SLR is not the best camera for macro

This has been my experience too.

My girlfriend has a little Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, which is amazing, and in many ways superior to my DSLR. It can do great macro, it can do video too. It has 18x optical zoom, which I would say is comparable to about 270mm telephoto zoom lens on an SLR. I would need to carry around two or three lenses for my DSLR to be able to do what the Lumix can do. Yet the Lumix is much smaller and more convenient.

I would definitely have a look at the Lumix cameras before you commit to anything.

EDIT:

Actually I just looked at the manufacturer's specs and it says...

"Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 28 - 504mm"

Which if true is insane...

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm still using an old Canon Powershot G5. It does the job but is really old and has no image stabilization and isn't very good at macro at all so looking to get something new.

Smacks
I'll have a look at the Panasonic Lumixs also. The one your talking about is out of print what about this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ40-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003WJR694/ref=lh_ni_t

Kirika wrote:Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm still using an old Canon Powershot G5. It does the job but is really old and has no image stabilization and isn't very good at macro at all so looking to get something new.

Smacks
I'll have a look at the Panasonic Lumixs also. The one your talking about is out of print what about this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ40-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003WJR694/ref=lh_ni_t

Yeah that appears to be an updated version. It's a really nice camera particularly the zoom, but it really depends on what you want it for (obviously). It would definitely be good for miniatures, wildlife, and holiday snaps. Probably not so good for landscape shot, though I think there is are lens adapters that might be able to fish eye etc... you'd have to check that out.

This is a photo I took of Space Marines:



This is quite a casual photo, no light box, or preparation of any kind really (it's a before/after stripping photo) as you can see it can focus very close up, this is waaay better than I can do with my DSLR, though I don't have a macro lens for that.

Smacks
That came out really clear def have to look at the panasonic lumix. How are the other pix with the lumix like taking pictures of games indoors? What you use to strip the mini? That was really clean.

Erm...

I think any camera would be fine for taking pictures of games indoors. If that is all you want to do then the Lumix should more than meet your needs.

If you wanted to shoot something more complicated, like lots of fast moving action shots, in low light, then you might need something more expensive.

Remember this isn't a professional camera, it's a bridge between compact and SLR cameras. Even SLR cameras aren't professional cameras until you start paying thousands for them, and many thousands more for the lenses.

The mane advantage of it is that it's small and easier to take around with you than a DSLR. It's probably not going to outperform an expensive DSLR with the right lens and someone who doesn't mind carrying around a heavy camera + lenses + tripod. Except maybe on price.

The product I used for the strip is called Biostrip20. It's seriously amazing, though I think it's only available in the UK. Someone told me it melted their rhino, so if you do manage to get hold of some, test it on a small area first. I have't personally had it melt anything and I've stripped about 140 minis with it now.

Well I been looking to pick up a DSLR to get more into photography but now I'm getting told that DSLR isn't that good at macro because of the big sensor.

Jeremy took some pictures of my army with his D5000 with 18-55mm and they came out better then what my old Cannon Powershot G5 could do.

Some of his pictures are below.

Full army on Display Board








Gil ra hm (Counts as Alrahem's Platoon Command


Veteran Squad


Veteran Squad


Company Command Squad with
Company Commander Anna Udinov, Astropath Kassandra , Officer of the Fleet Revan,

Misty Snake is hidding in the corner.

Inquistor Alexandra + Retinue


Smacks
I don't see taking that many fast action shots but wildlife on vacation especially birds can move pretty fast. Low light does happen too.

Don't want something professional. I looking at an entry level dslr like a canon t2i t3i, nikon d5000 vs getting a point and shoot like a lumix.

I got spoiled using my Dad's D90 and Brother's 7D so dunno if I can settle for a Lumix.

I am pretty impressed by the Lumix though. Does really good for Macro. It is on the pricey side for a point and shoot though.

Getting both isn't in the budget right now unless I find some insane deals.

Those are some excellent shots of your army, the detail you're getting is excellent.

How expensive of a camera were those taken with? I know less than most about cameras, I confess.

With some of the deals you can get a D5000 for about $500-$600 maybe subtracting lens and other stuff in the deal package.

Still torn on what to get. Deal ends soon on the t3i/t2i so need to decide. The Lumix is cheaper and seems pretty good but I been looking to get a SLR to get more into photography.

Want something new for my upcoming trip anyway.