Camera Recommendation?

[workingmal]

Hello!

I currently have a Canon PowerShot A40 but am looking for something with higher megapixels and (most importantly) more ZOOM!!!

I want to be able to take some of those great shots I see in the galleries, the ones that can film every scale on a butterfly's wing while sitting far enough away that the insect isn't disturbed.

Ideally, the camera would have at LEAST 10x optical zoom (I am not interested in digital, so that number doesn't particularly matter) and would be in the 5.0+ megapixel range. The camera would be comfortable to carry around but doesn't have to be compact, and would have USB connection. The option to save the photos in TIFF would be a major plus, though I do have software to convert them if need be.

The above is my ideal, but I am flexible on most points. Can anyone suggest a camera for me? Alternatively, I'd look at adding a zoom lense to my existing A40 (can I even do that?)

Thanks in advance!

[dtrayers]

Digital Rebel (300D)

[stopbath]

Yes, an SLR with a really good lens on it. To photograph butterfly scales at several feet away, you'll likely need a very good lens.

An add on lens for the A40 just won't cut the mustard for such a task.

[CyberDyneSystems]

An SLR like the Digtal Rebel/300d or a 10D for an SLR,. to get the kind of "zoom" you are looking at you will need to spend an additional $600.00-$1000.00 on a bargain zoom lens (yes,. that is the "low" price range)

And another $450.00 or so for a macro lens.

The other option is the Olympus C750.
It has a 10X zoom built in and is 5 megapixels.

The problem with a camera like the C750 is yes it is amazingfor the price and yes it will satisfy your immediate desire as it will seem better than what you had befroe,. BUT

.. it leaves no room for improvement,.. the only way you will be satisfied is with an interchangable lens system. And right now the two best choices are the Canon 300d and 10D as they give you acces to literally hundreds of lenses to choose from including about 60 Canon lenses that are the best there is :D

[Andy_T]

Ahem.

Actually, a very knowledgeable Canon sales rep with an in-depth-knowledge of the Canon EF lens offering :) might come up with the following:

Digital rebel: 899.-
18-55: 100.-
55-200: 300.- (alternative: 75-300: $ 200.-)

Total: 1,300.-

Granted, it's a lot more than the $ 500 you'd spend on the Olympus C750, but you'll have more fun with it in the future...

I don't really trust the picture quailty of 10x zoom lenses...

Regards,
Andy

[workingmal]

Thanks all!

Fantastic responses... I am working with a limited budget, but that only means that I want to buy as LITTLE as possible, not sacrifice on quality. I'd rather spend 3x as much on a GREAT lens than buy several mediocre lenses that don't accomplish what the better one does anyway.

I just don't want to WASTE money. I have decided that I am going to use the camera for candid shots and nature shots (including macros) I am not really interested in vast landscape photography. So this means I'm likely going to need 2 really good lenses, eh? One for general shots and close-up nature (like butterflies, deer and birds) and one for macro shots that can get REALLY close to insects. Or would this be 3 lenses? One for general, one for close up, and one for macro?

I want to be able to take shots from a fair distance so I don't interfere too much with the animal I am photographing.

BTW, I have been looking into them all and I really think I like the 10D... Apparently it has all the features I am looking for, and if I add a good lens set I will have the zoom capability I want for starting out in the hobby.

Thanks again!

[dmalek]

a possible choice is to focus on the lens, not the body ? because digital sensors are limited by the quality of the lens. even with lots of megapixels

another solution is to go for macro lenses, because whatever the zoom you might still be limited by the magnification ratio. for example a 300 mm lens might only give you a x0.8 ratio (ie the size of the butterfly on the sensor is x0.8 the size of the butterfly in nature).

if i were you i would try to buy a digital SLR, and a macro lens.

another question is : what do you want to do with your pictures ? is this a web only application, printing not larger than A4 ?

[HoldenMan]

what about Olympus C750? 4MP, 10x optical zoom, image clarity and sharpness and colour better than most digital compacts