The Orchid Source - Orchid Forum

I am not sure about which Canon to buy. I have read many opinions from camera techies like David Pogue from the NY Times. It's a bit confusing. Since 80% of my photos will concentrate on close-up photography (orchids) and 20% of grandchildren on the go, which camera would you recommend?
I know I will need some workshop instruction, so I need as much guidance as possible.
I have a budget of approx. $2,500....that is for the essentials.
Thanks!

After Christmas, go to your nearest good camera store. Spend some time, a couple of hours, talk to the salefolks. See what they have, hold it in your hands, play with it.
Go home EMPTY HANDED.
Go to Cnet.com & read the reviews.

I was convinced I wanted a Nikon.
I ended up, very happily with a Canon ProSHot 8 MP.
Friends, camera & orchid buffs LOVE the Canon 50d.

Have fun!

Thanks, Karen...I have actually been told about the hold it, see how it feels, etc. I do intend to do that.
I have been reading this part of the forum to get some ideas...seems that model comes up a lot. That will head my list.
I knew I could count on OSF....

The Canon Rebel Xti work well for me.
Skip the lens they offer with it and go body separate
with the Canon EF-S 60mm Macro for your close-ups, (much sharper).
For a good general lens try the Tamron XR Di 28-300 zoom for best Weight : Sharpness : Cost ratio
Toss in a cable release, mag slider and a good tripod if you're serious about macro work.

Get at least a 1G card for it too. Shooting Large files and RAW will eat up anything less faster than a breeze can move a flower.

Rich....got it! It is now on my list. Trouble is, there are so few camera shops left here in SE Fla. for me to visit so I can look at cameras, Karen had a good idea to stop in in one of these shops so I can get a first hand look at them. I noticed that at the orchid shows, many photographers carry an array of equip. inc. a monopod. Seems very important. What do you think?

Shari, I have the camera that Rich told you about and it is very nice. I bought it at COSTCO and it included two lenses, a big camera bag, 2G card for the same price that body alone would cost anywhere else ( around $900 )!
Last month I got the 60mm Macro lens. Still have not gotten the hang of it.
I also bought a 4G card for taking award photos, since you cannot take too much time there to view and revise the photos, so you have to take as much a possible so you can have enough to chose from.
Are you going to the Ft Lauderdale show? I'll be there but I will be taking just my little GE Digital camera with me.

Hi Irma...thanks for your input. I found out that the camera you and Rich have has been discontinued. It was the first model that I inquired about when I went to the camera store. Something about better AF sensor...the Tamron general lens has also been discontinued. But, I still got a bit of info reg. the replacment model for the Rebel XTi called the T1i. But the store did recommend the 60mm Macro lens. So that's a go.

B&H prices the body @$799.. But I'm going to Costco as it probably offers a better deal.
Yes, I will be clerking for the Ft. Lauderdale Orchid Show. I gather you will be there for the judging on Jan. 14th and just wondering if you will be at the preview party that night. I will certainly look for you.
Thanks, again, Rich and Irma..I just love OSF!!!!

Yes, I will be judging, together with my other PR judges friends ( including Julio David Rios also from the OSF ) and will stay for the Preview Party. So, see you there!

Fantastic!

Shari, the latest DSLRs are all good. Just buy one at the top end of your budget and then invest in the Tamron 90mm micro len. the kit lens package should do for the family photos. As you go along, you may upgrade when necessary. Camera bodies have poor resale value so take more time to think about the purchase but most good lenses (even second hand) could maintain a high resale value...

Dear Rainforest....sounds like sensible advice. I just don't know enough about photography, period. So deciding on a camera now, might be premature. I'm going to enrol in a course. Then I should be able to make a decision. So, it sounds like it's about the lens since you advise that all the cameras are good. I've been doing some research, seems like the EOS 50 or 70D seems like the direction. Several fellow OSFians have mentioned the Tamron lens.
Thanks, rainforest, where ever that may be.......I've been to several, and in March will be heading to Belize....maybe by then I will have my new camera!

Shari, did you get your new camera yet? If not, then I strongly suggest the Canon Rebel Lxi. I believe that is the model that my sister had on her visit this past weekend. She's been reluctant to dive into the digital world. I convinced my brother in law to get her the Canon Rebel and a couple of lenses.

She was down for the Steeler Dolphin game this weekend and she took some really great pictures there. Camera is very light weight and with the 55-250mm lens she was using, it was easy to manuever.

I have a Canon EOS 40D with several lenses and I must say I was impressed with how the Rebel worked. Very easy to learn and I did like the on/off button being on top of the camera.

I like my rebel XTi and the Sigma 105mm macro I bought to go with it. I also got the EF-S 70-300mm IS telephoto (it actually does pretty good macro as well). Now, if I had a sky-high budget, I'd go for a 5D Mark II or a 1D Mark-whatever-it-is-now. For shooting wild orchids in low light, being able to go up a bit higher in ISO would be very useful. But, you make do with what you have...a good flash unit helps a long way in that dept.

My 2 pence...

---Prem

Hi Shari
A few tips. The Canon 40D or 50D rock. Cost is under 1K at BH Photo for the body. I got mine with a 28-135 lens (has macro). This is one of the APS sized sensors so you need the special lenses that go with them. If you go up to the 5D you can get the regular lenses but I suggest you might not need to spend as much on the camera, as the 40 or 50 will do fine for what you need. I'd spend the extra money on flashes. I have a ring flash for close up and then a second flash for other things. The on board flash is a waste. With the two flashes I can use the 580 as a slave and get nice photos as close ups and you can also use this when you want to do other photography. Of course if you want to splurge you can get the 5D which is a full sized sensor. The 7D still has the APS sized sensor, so not much gain over the 50D.
I find the zoom with macro to be better all around than the 60 or 100 macro lens. I had both of those and sold them as the zoom was not only sufficient but I could frame the pix without having to move in our out (handy on a tripod or fixed position)
I've been photoing for years but just got two books vol 1 and vol 2 at Costco on Digital photography by Scott Kelby and they really are fantastic. Get them and it will help you a lot.
Call the folks at BH photo and talk to them. Their sales folk are NOT on commission and they will talk to you all day long. They are fast and honest and fabulous (if you go to NYC go visit them.. fab store). Do not call on Sat as they are closed. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

I love my canon. I want the 5D next but I think spending for a 3rd flash and good background is first. Remember it's all about the light, not as much about the camera

Bob, you are correct on the Canon EOS 40D. I have the same lens as you and it works just beautifully for 85% of all of my photography needs. I do have a long telephoto for going to the drag races to get more unique images. But, the 28-135mm would also be with me.

I'll have to check the books out. Thanks for the tip.

Learned the Zone System many years ago so I am totallly tuned in with using light correctly. More fun than with artificial in my book.

Chuck I agree natural light is more 'interesting' and 'challenging' but it depends on what you are doing. For my purpose I'm a commercial flower nursery. I need to have the color be the same for all my photos so the pallet of color can be evaluated evenly. So artificial light is the only way I can keep consistency in color shots. Not as artistic and the ring light makes it a flat picture. But consistent so a customer can evaluate better. I just saw a photo mag where Ring lights are now the rage. I do love mine and have used one for 30 years. What I do is if I want more 'texture' is to use it as a master light and use multiple other flashes to create shadow and texture and kill shadow etc. So my answer to light is that more flashes are better than one for artistry and I'd say three is a nice number to start with.

BOb, thanks for the info on the Canon. I was all set to go with one when I fell in love with a Leica...it's not a SLR, but it sure takes great photos, and the color is to die for.
but I am still in the market for the SLR and all I have heard about the EOS 40D is fabulous. thanks,
Shari