Please HELP a new photographer

**Weirong** · 12th Mar 2006, 19:16

Here's the story. I don't know too much about photography BUT I do know it's time to change all my old digital cameras already.

I have done a bit of reading and I have decided to get a Canon Powershot cos I wouldn't know how to use an EOS even if you gave me one.

There are so many but which one to get? I'm getting a camera that should be able to take aquarium shots of reasonable quality.

Budget is below SGD$1000. A few that have caught my big brown eyes : A620, A700, S80.

So to sum everything up:

Brand: Canon
Type: Powershot
Budget: Under $1K
Uses: Aquarium shots and moving targets

Any recommendations is greatly appreciated. I know there are quite a few pro shooters here, so let me know if there's any tips. Many Thanks!

**hwchoy** · 12th Mar 2006, 22:13

aquarium shot as in fish or the whole tank?

anyway the whole thing depends on your expectation lah. cannot expect buffalo to run like horse.

**Weirong** · 12th Mar 2006, 22:57

I'm looking at fish shots! But no need SLR quality lah. Just enough for a decent clear shot. I'm just a beginner at this so I really am not asking for too much.

**hwchoy** · 12th Mar 2006, 22:59

the problem is not just the cam, but the accessories. do realise that what you want is not something simple. most people end up with blurry shots because of several reasons. primary among them is basically the user has not tried to be proficient with their camera before attempting a clear fish shot.

**Weirong** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:14

I'm not even looking at accessories yet.

Does that mean I will exceed my $1k budget? Actually money is not the problem here. I just don't want something too complicated to use.

**hwchoy** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:17

the usual thing, how do you get enough light for a clear shot. how to restrict the fish from swimming all over the place, are you satisfied with your fish occupying a corner of the picture? etc etc

**Weirong** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:23

Is standard aquarium lights enough?
Would I face that much problem if I were shooting plants? I'm more likely to shoot more plants than fish, most of the time. But I really don't want to get a bulky SLR...

**hwchoy** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:30

plants don't move mah. if your fishes don't move, like loaches, pleco etc then is OK.

**valice** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:31

From my short experience with shooting aquatic plants and fish... I can say that flash is the most impt accessory you must have if you want to take decent photos... I took 60+ shots to get a sharp image of a fish without flash, but only need 1 shot to do the same with a flash in hand..

It is the same with plants... You can use a tripod if you dun have flash... But the true colour of the plants might not be there if you purely depend on the aquarium lights... This is because the aquarium lights has different spectrum... Some more red or more green... It will affect the end picture...

My 2 cents...

**Weirong** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:31

Meaning I should be able to take reasonable closeup shots of plants in the aquarium?

So which Powershot is recommended?

**hwchoy** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:39

anything with manual control is good.

**benny** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:41

Originally Posted by Weirong

But I really don't want to get a bulky SLR...

There was a used Canon EOS 350D digital SLR going for only S$1150. Pretty close to your budget and definitely NOT big and bulky. Better than most compact digital cameras.

Valice gave some pretty good user's comments and all very valid in my opinion and experience.

Alternatively, buy a used Canon Powershot G5 and use the surplus budget for flash and cords/transmitter.

Cheers,

**Green Baron** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:41

Canon Powershots are good cameras. Get the best you can afford, if possible the G series (G6/5) if you are not considering SLR. Don't go for those ultra compact and thin cameras. They look slick but photo quality is

**hwchoy** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:42

yah, in fact it was too small for me

wah $1150 very low for a quite new cam huh?

**Weirong** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:48

Originally Posted by benny

There was a used Canon EOS 350D digital SLR going for only S$1150. Pretty close to your budget and definitely NOT big and bulky. Better than most compact digital cameras.

Valice gave some pretty good user's comments and all very valid in my opinion and experience.

Alternatively, buy a used Canon Powershot G5 and use the surplus budget for flash and cords/transmitter.

Cheers,

Used Canon EOS 350D? Where? I don't know if I can handle this. As long as it's not too difficult to use.

Flash and cords/transmitter???

Benny, please try not to confuse me. You know I know nuts about cameras.... haha

Yes, I really appreciate all the tips! So keep them coming!

**benny** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:53

If you can't use a simple entry level digital SLR, you can't use an advance compact digital camera either.

No short cuts to good pictures. It all about the technique and setup, not about the camera and the settings.

Cheers,

**ranmasatome** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:56

The problem with DSLR is the lenses... some of the lense cost more than the camera itself..
If you are on a thight budget..you can try the G6 or G5...they are good enough..
right now i'm using a G6.. still not too proficient with it but i'm learning to slowly catcha few techniques.. also hopefully when Choy is free he can give me a few tips on using this...*hint* *hint*..kekeke

Anyway.. you can check out my pix at the apisto gathering post.. i'm gonig to post some pics up in the next 5-10 mins.. all were taken with the G6 and a 550ex flash. All were my VERY FIRST fish shots with the camera..

**valice** · 12th Mar 2006, 23:56

Originally Posted by hwchoy

yah, in fact it was too small for me

wah $1150 very low for a quite new cam huh?

Wah! So cheap ar??!! Piangz...
Choy, too small can get the batt grip... Then can be like a 1DMk2 liaoz...

Sorry for the OT...

Back to the topic, you might want to consider getting a 2nd hand one if you feel that jumping into the pool with a new one is too much... A DSLR will open up alot of opportunity for you in the long run...