I would like to know what cameras (and lenses) i could use for some decent macro shots, and quality that could be professionally printed.
I dont only want a camera for close ups, also a good quality camera for good landscape shots etc.

My dad already has a Nikon coolpix 8700, which i find doesnt take as good pictures as my 7.1mp canon ixus.

I would rather buy used so that i can get more for my money, and i dont want a full professional set up that costs loads of money.

Any price and set up ideas from the camera professionals on this forum would be very appreciated. I've been really inspired by the macro shots thread!

Thanks for any help

A good starter is a Nikon D50 DSLR and then get the lenses you want. I got great shots with mine but then upgraded to the D80.

Sold mine with case, spare batteries, memory cards and two lenses for £300 so can get a bargain on them.

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Thats a nice price to work around.
Do you have any photos from either camera i can see?

The photos in this thread are all taken with the D50, obviously they have been scaled down and the quality reduced to 640x480 pixels to put them on the forum

Some dartfrog pics (may not be DU friendly)

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Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either, just f*** off and leave me alone.

They are nice photos. Particularly impressed with the orange dart frog.

The D50 is 6.1mp and the D80 is 10mp. This seems like quite a large difference. How does the picture quality compare? Also the features compared.

2nd hand canon 400d its what i use and u can pick it up cheape now because the new 450d just come out

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My flickr gallery - http://www.flickr.com/photos/hooked_on_macro/

My deviantart - http://macrojunkie.deviantart.com/

Prayingmantis breeding stock

Idolomantis Diabolica - giant devils flowermantis - Out of stock
Phyllocrania paradoxa - ghostmantis - Out of stock
Pseudoharpax Virescens - gambian spotted eyemantis - Out of stock
Hymenopus coronatus - orhid mantis - Out of stock
odontomantis planiceps - Antmantis - Out of stock
Pseudocreobotra Wahlbergii - flowermantis - Out of stock
Blepharopsis mendica - devils flowermantis - Out of stock
Phyllovates chlorophaea - Texan Unicorn Mantis - Out of stock

The D80 has a few more features such as in camera editing and obviously the extra pixels, but I have found it to be less forgiving of any errors in technique and it can be harder to produce a focused picture, particularly in the field where mine gets the most use and I find myself rejecting far more pictures than I did with the D50

__________________
Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either, just f*** off and leave me alone.

Thanks for the ideas. Theres quite a price difference between them, but perhaps the d50 isnt far off the d80 if its easier to use. I just think the 6.1mp sounds a bit low for an SLR?

Don't make the mistake of comparing to a 6MP compact, the picture quality from an SLR is completely different.

If you PM me your email addy, I will send you a couple of full sized pics from each so you can compare them

__________________
Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either, just f*** off and leave me alone.

PM sent. Thanks a lot.