Which Dslr

[matt_xyz]

I would agree that it's possible to get a good macro set-up for £1000.

I would recommend Canon because if you really do get addicted to macro you might ultimately want to buy the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (1x - 5x magnification). None of the other brands produce a lens anything like this one and it really is a superb lens, but it's one to buy alongside a regular macro lens, rather than instead of.

If you wanted to buy new you could do a lot worse than a Canon 550D body with a Sigma 105mm lens. However, the body might be a bit on the small side and most macro photographers appreciate a slightly longer focal length than 105mm. So I would look out for a used 40D or 50D body and a used Sigma 150mm or 180mm, either body with either lens would give you an excellent macro set-up.

Matt

[John D]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I used 'everyone' in the general sense, as in 'everyone is going to watch the Olympics next year', or 'everyone has two arms, hands, legs and feet'.

Jim

Yes Jim I know what you meant but that isn't really correct and neither is the above.
I'm sure Sony,Pentax and Olympus wouldn't agree with you either.

John D
Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by John D

Yes Jim I know what you meant but that isn't really correct and neither is the above.
I'm sure Sony,Pentax and Olympus wouldn't agree with you either.

John D

O.K., I'll put it this way:

As a first approximation, every camera owner owns either a Canon or Nikon.

Happy, now?

Jim

[Daryll]

The most successful combination I have used is a Fuji S5 and the sigma 180mm f3.5 macro.
the Fuji S5 can be had for around £400-£500 , and the lens for around the same.
The S5 is based on the Nikon D200 ,it has the Nikon "F" mount so all the Nikon lenses will fit.

Daryll

[Ukwildlifeo]

A quick price up for a Pentax set up (simply as thats what I use and know best):

£360 Pentax K-r body - good high ISO noise performace so you can shoot at higher isos with smaller apertures

£400 Sigma 105mm macro (or one of the many cheaper K-mount second hand lenses). As the IS is in body all lenses will benefit from it.

Leaves £240 for a flash and tripod.

£1000 budget certainly do-able

Another Pentax option would be a 2nd hand K20d or K-7 with a Pentax 100mm macro (£475) which is fully weather proof set up

That said Matts point about the Canon MP-E 65mm is a good one. Squishy went for Canon at least partly because of the fact the lens is available in this mount

[bigdave60dog]

You may consider hanging around for while and looking at the "Mirrorless DSLRs".
That is really a misnomer but there don`t seem to be category for these as yet but look at them anyway.
Dave