Best DSLR for fish under 1,000 total setup.

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kamikaziechameleon

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Sep 23, 2010
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Ok guys I'm considering moving up from my fake DSLR I got when I asked for a real DSLR for graduation. After I looked at the photo guides is apparent I'll need to have more flash capability than my point and shoot has, primarily remote flash. I know this will probably start something of a nikon vs canon war, sorry. I'd love the body to be under 500 and I'm sure used isn't the end of the road. That leaves plenty of money for lenses and flashes and other peripherals. If I'm getting something wrong please inform me as I'm a newb. I'm ultimately looking for what would be the best buy so if its more or less that's cool. I need to put money aside for it and know what I'm aiming for. Thanks.
 
I'm a cheapo so this is what I'm getting next a canon 20d http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002XQI2E/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used , I had a 10d and this model is supposed to be noticeably better. My 10d died on me but I used it nearly everyday and have nothing but good things to say. I now have a canon 300d cause it is literally the cheapest dslr, body was $100. I would suggest getting the canon f1.8 50mm http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-St...3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1334854287&sr=1-3 , its great for taking fish pics on a budget. Also, I don't know much about the flashes yet cause I do a lot of outdoor photography but it seems flash is VERY important in fish photography.
 
Yeah I don't know how remote flashes are setup if its something a camera has to come with or how compatibility works.

Edit, Thanks so much for the uber budget recommendation. I wish my parents had known, this would be what I have right now.
 
I know at work we have the transmitter ones that hook up to the top metal piece above your flash and wirelessly transmits a signal to the off the camera flash, which I believe is similar to what they use here, they just set the flashes above the tanks. They're pricey though, maybe people here have some cheaper alternatives they can fill you in on as well.
 
Go to b&h photo best place to get a camera. I have purchased many camera through them and they are top notch with everything. Canon last you forever and No need to upgrade for many years. Nikon lasts along time also just you will want to upgrade sooner. But the Nikon is a little cheaper at start.

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hot shoe. Lol get advice from someone that knows camera I do weddings and everything many years experience. Pm me with what your wanting to do and what's most important and I will show you the options in the price. But remember you can't buy a stingray for the price of a guppy. Also why do you think you need remote flash? allot of pictures are taken with No flash. And a single lens will cost over 300.00 so get one that does what you need and save for something special latter. I have spent 3k before on just a lens

I know at work we have the transmitter ones that hook up to the top metal piece above your flash.



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849.00 bh photo rebel t2i. With 18-135 lens. start with that, order a good memory card with it 16gb. and then work into buying more later. Don't buy everything you might maybe need and find you don't need it.

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849.00 bh photo rebel t2i. With 18-135 lens. start with that, order a good memory card with it 16gb. and then work into buying more later. Don't buy everything you might maybe need and find you don't need it.

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Thanks, I was looking at that didn't know if it was a good buy or not. What are your thoughts on used? Not worth it?
 
Used is alright but you have to know what your looking for and such. Think about dust or dirt on the sensor all pictures will have spots on them from that and cleaning the sensor is not something I would imagine you would want to do. You need to know what your doing and it's expensive to get them cleaned. A good deal can cost you more if it's not such a good deal after the fact. Getting this camera will do everything you would want to do and with some time learning better photography and actually being able to use all the settings of the camera it will get even better. My wife has one of these but the t3i and they are good cameras. And the price has just recently come down so they are a great deal.

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Used is alright but you have to know what your looking for and such. Think about dust or dirt on the sensor all pictures will have spots on them from that and cleaning the sensor is not something I would imagine you would want to do. You need to know what your doing and it's expensive to get them cleaned. A good deal can cost you more if it's not such a good deal after the fact. Getting this camera will do everything you would want to do and with some time learning better photography and actually being able to use all the settings of the camera it will get even better. My wife has one of these but the t3i and they are good cameras. And the price has just recently come down so they are a great deal.

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I've taken lots of photography classes and worked with black and white film but I only ever borrowed or rented cameras. I understand the basics of photography from a technical stand point, how to combine ISO, aperture, and shutter speed with focal length to create good images/negatives. Its just the act of searching out what you think you want from the sea of strangely names offerings is very confusing. I also know about frame composition, positive and negative space... viewer orientation and how to direct the eye inside the frame of the image. I'm a designer by trade and I have to have a basic understanding of these principles for my work. This would be the first DSLR I've ever worked with, got 4 semesters of film under my belt. Still they don't teach you about cameras but pictures ya know. I used a Pentax K 1000 for most of my work. I'll go out on a limb and assume that pentax cameras aren't what they used to be.
 
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