PLEASE help me find a new Camera !!!

[MacHush]

my olympus just died... now i want something to take Macros with.
my max price is $600 or so, but realistically looking for 200-400 range.

Macros and Landscapes are the only things i need the camera for....

please help me out guys and gals, i'm a complete NEWB to the photography scene.

here is what i was looking at.... but the photos i've seen taken with it aren't really that great? http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/kodak_easyshare_z981_review/

thank you everyone

 

[MacHush]

here's what i'm looking at... any suggestion?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_fz38_review/comments/P200/#comments
here is an AMAZING macro taken with it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51782392@N06/5193696260/sizes/o/in/pool-1137287@N25/

and also the

Kodak Easyshare Z981
couldn't find a macro example other than whats on this review page http://www.photographyblog.com/news/kodak_easyshare_z981/P400/
but there seems to be mixed reviews?

thanks everyone

 

[MacHush]

hmm.... okay here is some encouragement.... mighty might x freisland ;

Those are literally the best pics i was able to take, and now my camera is dead.

Please help me upgrade!

 

[Hammerhead]

DSLR from nikon or Canon. You can find some good deals on older models. Nikon D40 OR D60. Look for one that comes with a lens. Macros are a whole new game and can run up the cost beacuse u need special lens.

The Macros where taken with a Nikon D90 with a Prime Macro lens with a extension tube. The Portait photo was taken with a
Telephoto lens. This setup was 1500$ a few years ago. Most of the cost is in the lens.

Here is one just a quick search

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D60-Black...626343?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item255ef0c127

 

[MacHush]

thank you very much for the input Hammerhead !

anyone else?

 

[green_land]

check out this camera :

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-XS-Digi...KJGG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290326394&sr=8-1

it`s an entry-level DSLR from canon.

 

[Hammerhead]

If u want something easy the point and shoots are what u need. I have one of these as well its a 10.1mp from sony. I like the macro of the canon better. These are allot cheaper. Like the one u posted 14.1mp are out now. Im a Nikon/Canon fanboy lol

 

[overbudjet]

cannon eos t2i around 750 cdn dollards comming with 18/55 lens good for portrait for macro you need another lens and maybe a better flash

 

[Anti]

Nice thing about the Sony DSLRs is that they use GLASS Carl Zeis lenses, while canon generally uses PLASTIC lenses.

First year you won't notice much of a difference... but over time the plastic lenses can scratch much easier and they can also discolor and cloud with time.

Took these the other day with a 10.1mp Sony DSLR that was about $250 or so....



First pic is the size of the frame when i took the shot. Second pic is when I zoom in to 100% in Photoshop of SAME PICTURE. Tripods are wonderful.

 

[Corpsey]

overbudjet is right the Canon eos t2i looks like a good choice, 18MP too. but it is more expensive.
I have the model before that t1i, and i love it. 15MP. I do need macro lens, but once i have 500 bucks to spend on that i will get around to it. but it still takes nice pictures with the stock lens...

thats about as close as i can get, and it would be more clear at this distance if i did have the macro.

Flash is also essential, i use something like this http://www.amazon.com/Bower-SFD290-...6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1292425234&sr=1-6

with a diffuser like this http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Univer...4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1292425234&sr=1-4

im not near my flash so i don't know which one i have but i know its close to that but i paid around 200 for the flash. but you always can get something nicer down the road.

 

[WasntMe]

need to do Macros on a budget?

here is an option or 2...

http://photocritic.org/macro-photography-on-a-budget/

http://bugguide.net/node/view/250284

good luck
-WasntMe

 

[supersmallgiant]

A300 with the kit glass and no tripod... and I have no clue what I'm doing.

 

[SKAGITMAGIC]

Hey McHush, do you have a costco card? that Lumix mentioned in this thread (newer model) is on sale there this month for 169.00, thats 16x stands for smarter than me i think. camera is a great deal.Since they partnered with Leica, the quality has really jumped.

 

[SKAGITMAGIC]

Heres a few pics taken with my older lumix, landscape and closeups.https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=4468169#post4468169