Nikon 1 camera? (went with D3200)

Hmmm. A UV filter might be nice. A tripod really really helps. A telephoto lens of some sort might be nice so you can get pictures of your fish as you stand back from the tank a bit. This way you get more realistic shots of them swimming instead of the fish being distracted by you standing right next to the tank. lol A handy dandy camera bag never hurts either.

 

Yeah, I have heard a lot of people say after a year that they wish they hadn't waited to get a tripod. Seems like everyone puts it on the back burner then is blown away once they get one.

Ok, I'm pretty well settled on starting out with the standard 18-55 lens, a tripod and the d3200 it's self.

I want to get a lens specifically to take growth pics of corals. Exactly which lens should I get?

 

That sounds like a great plan. As far as a lens for lens for growth pictures the 18-55mm lens would work very well. But if you want to get more subtle growth shots a macro would be best. You can get a Nikkor 40mm macro lens off of Amazon for a good price. Its a good lens that can get in pretty close on things. Im sure your mom has higher end macros if she is a photographer but this lens can be used as a general purpose fixed lens as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-40mm-2-8G-Micro-NIKKOR/dp/B005C50H2Y

A friend of mine just ordered this lens, with a bag, a 24 inch tripod, and 3 lens filters for 310 bucks shipped off of Amazon. That might kill a couple birds with one stone for you. Ill see if I can find it. Im not having any luck with it right now.

 

I have the 3k series and it is better then I am in the pictures. I would get a polarized lense cover, makes a big difference with glare

 

Late for the Nikon party??

Ok. This is one of the extreme examples. Get a macro lens first, if you are sure about taking serious aquarium photos.
-Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens
or
-Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens
and borrow one of your mom's cameras. (I really wish I can afford either lens..)

That being said, I would invest in lenses more than a body. I wouldnt get D3000 or D5000 series: there still are few (older) lenses that wont auto focus with them (due to no built-in focus motor). And the more you into photography, the more you want tweak around and control, youd eventually outgrow them.

Here is what I use:
-Nikon D90 body with following lenses:
-Nikkor 35mm f/1.8
-Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
-Sigma 28-80 mm F/3.5-5.6 Macro
-I dont use a tripod or filters.

Just my .02

 

After reading for the last few months I finally bit the bullet and went all out (well all out for a beginner.) I just purchased my first DSLR.

Nikon D3200 that came with an 18-55mm lense. For lenses, I picked up a 60mm f2.8 Nikon and a 105mm f2.8 Nikon Macro lense (older model, no VR)... I also invested in a Vanguard Alta Pro 283ct carbon fiber tripod with a SBH 100 ball head. I'm sure this tripod is no Gitzo, but it felt much more sturdy and leaves a lot more options for arrangement over the Manfroto's I was comparing it with and it was lighter. A little more cash, but still in the same price range.

I picked up a class 10 8gb sd card and an infrared remote. And some white balance cap thing that was cheap just to see if it works!

I have been studying ISO, Aperature and exposure. The set up will all arrive tomorrow! After unpacking it all and having read a TON... where should I start? I'm thinking a low ISO with my full daylights on and a medium aperature with a laser fast shutter speed.. Does this sound about right, or am I going to just need to mess with it to get it right?

 

You will really need to mess around with it to get it right, but I usually shoot my tanks at around 400 iso. If I am shooting fish I shoot at around 800 iso so I can increase my shutter speed a bit to keep my images clear. For most things I keep my iso at around 400 actually and my aperture above 9. I rarely if ever go above 800 iso. Its really based on your personal preference however. There is no real right or wrong way to photograph something. But congratulations on the purchases! You will have a great time with them. Welcome to the Nikon family.

 

Congrats on your purchase, Norg has you given you some awesome advise.

 

I'm excited!! I have been needing to get a better representation of my aquarium.

The 2 macro lenses are on loan from my Mother's collection. She said she has only used each one once so she'll borrow them from me when she needs them rather than the other way around!! So I made out with only spending $1100 total!!! I'm thrilled with what I ended up getting.

 

Been a HUGE help! Between Norg, you and my mom. I feel much better about being able to get my money out of this investment.