Best Camera for $500

[Hobox]

Okay, I'm not a camera guy at all. But my father needs a good camera for taking pictures of items he will sell on eBay. Sometimes the pictures need to be very close-up to the product, so a good macro feature/lens is necessary. Are there any recommendations for what a good camera in this price range would be? Are there any special lenses that are needed for macro images? If so, I'd like to include that lens price in the $500, but if it has to go up to $600 that can be acceptable. Thanks.

[TechSage]

Canon T3i

[Hobox]

I'll look into that.

 

As another question, I first looked into these two:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NEX-5TL-Compact-Interchangeable-Digital/dp/B00ENZRP38/

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Compact-Interchangeable-Digital-20-50mm/dp/B00D5N6792/

 

Before I thought about asking here. Are those any good or is the Canon undeniably better in your opinion?

[brownninja97]

The nikon d300 is quite a badass camera, if you want control then for the price range its what you want, by that I mean the D300 allows your to change anything and everything. The thing with all these DSLR cameras is that they expect you to have some sort of editing software so until you go super baller in the over 1k range then you will need to edit. Also in your price range you will need to consider the price of the lense, i recommend you get a solid lens which has no zoom, they are great for look bloody amazing and then get a lens in which you can zoom in and out for the wider FOV. 

I have a decent amount of experience but I will not go crazy with jargon to confuse you, you need at least two lens, that is a must. Also for lens dont go under $150, quality is everything, also you will need a flash for the camera.

[Hobox]

Well this camera is only for taking pictures of product. At most the camera will be maybe 5 feet away from something if it's a really big item, but normally it will be within 2 feet of it. Does a good zoom lens still matter at this point?

 

Also if it requires any kind of color editing, brightening, etc it's a no go. My father isn't that computer-literate. He can crap, rotate, etc but that's about it. Also since I don't know anything about cameras I pretty much need to be linked to the camera and lenses you each recommend. I can try to compare prices afterwards.

[Silvercall]

Sony Nex cameras are quite good and sony glass can produce good photos.  I don't think you can go wrong with a Nex camera especially for what your dad is intending to do with it. Any basic SLR will also be more than enough for the intended purpose.  Ebay product shots don't have to be amazing, they just have to be able to show the product accurately.

[Hobox]

The biggest question I have though is the lenses. Do I need some sort of special lens for macro shots? Some things have very fine detail, where the camera will be less than 2-3 inches away. Will the stock lens be able to handle that?

[Hobox]

Still looking for opinions, especially on lenses for Macro shots, if that's even necessary because I have no idea.

[Puppet]

Still looking for opinions, especially on lenses for Macro shots, if that's even necessary because I have no idea.

 

Yeah for proper 1:1 macro shots you'll need to invest in a specialised lens. Don't know a great deal about Sony's range of lenses, but I'm pretty sure that it will push you over budget along with the body.

 

The kit lens with the NEX-5TL you linked has a minimum focusing distance of 25cm, which inst too bad, its not macro though. Its hard to advise without knowing the products and quality you are after, but for $600 there will be limitations.

 

Best to call into a camera shop if you can and see if you can get hands on to see if those kind of focusing distances work for you.

[VictorB]

For product shot you can better invest in good lighting. And just a good point and shoot with macro function. No need for a highend camera.

[Hobox]

Some items have buyers that want to see really accurate, detailed photos when the item values go above a certain point.

 

Here's a good example: Coins. If I wanted to show extremely precise detail on a coin the camera would have to be within 2-3 inches (5-8 centimeters) to really show fine markings.

 

The cameras I linked/suggested don't have to be what I buy at all. What I'm asking you guys is suggestions for a camera AND lens (if that's the best option) that is around the $600 mark. If that means the lens has to be $300 and the camera only $300 please let me know and tell me what they are. If there's a good lens for $200 and the camera can be $400, that's fine too. Basically any combination that is close to $600 (can go above a bit if it has to) is what I'm looking for.

 

Also, it doesn't have to be one of those fancy cameras with custom lenses and such. If you think a point-and-shoot camera is a better option for me, then which ones would those be? Again, it's just gotta be able to capture fine detail and be accurate. I don't really care what the object is that's doing it, as long as it does it well and isn't more expensive than that price point.

 

Thanks.

[EpicGeekonFire]

Canon T3i

Ona really good good sale? Maybe on Black Friday. I got mine for 530 great little thingy!

[VictorB]

I'm not an expert in macro photography.

 

But I found some links

 

The Art and Craft of Point-and-Shoot Macro Photography

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/photography/tips-solutions/art-and-craft-point-and-shoot-macro-photography

 

Top 6 cameras for macro photography

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-top-6-cameras-for-macro-photography-1715861

 

Most camera's have an newer version of the models but then you got some guidance where to go and look.

When you find some nice models let us know and search on youtube for reviews.

[LaoJr]

T3i don't get fooled by the t4i cause they are the same except the t4i has a touch screen

[Hobox]

Awesome thank you very much and thanks victor I'll look into that and post back when I've done some research. I'll be busy the next few days.

[cloud]

I'm a nikon guy. So my vote goes to the d5100. But I've also seen a few canon 60d's go in your price range. You might have to save up for a better lens later on but it's definitely one of the better bodies that fit in your range.

[FranktheDinosaur]

If you're on a budget look at the Canon T3i, Canon T3 or Nikons (D3200, D3100, D5100) and pick up a macro prime. Canon T3+50mm 2.5 Macro might be within your price range. 

[Tomislav Matic]

T3i-as for macro lenses, if you are starting you can get your self some macro extension tubes, they can be reasonably cheap (they won't be as sharp as nice glass )

[Guest]

get the Nikon D3200 body and get the 35mm f1.8 lens should cost you €600 on amazon.

Or save some money on this bundle http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-10-30mm-30-110mm/dp/B005OGR1R0/ref=sr_1_5?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1387991315&sr=1-5

[1funnygame]

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-18-55mm-75-300mm-Telephoto/dp/B005Z3DWIY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1388086146&sr=8-4&keywords=Canon+EOS+1100D+Digital+SLR+Camera+%28inc.+18-55+mm+f%2F3.5-5.6+DC+III+Lens+Kit%29

this should do it

[Hobox]

Well looks like I need to start researching this a bit again as I will be having to get the camera for my Dad now. Before we weren't sure if he wanted to get a new one but now there are some issues with his current camera.

 

Just to clarify again, I'm looking for the best point-and-shoot camera that is accurate and has really good macro functionality. Nothing that needs color editing or ANYTHING of the like. The extent of "editing" my father can do is cropping. Thanks for any and all info!