Suggestions for beginner macro photography equipment

[jf3193]

@howswedeofme one thing to consider is just not the cost of the camera and housing, but strobes and strobe arms. Good lights will make a huge difference in your ability to capture good photos. I would take an entry level camera like the TG4 or TG5 with decent strobes over a dslr with no strobes.

For reference - Bali, Indonesia - 2018 - Elsasser Photography - all shots in that gallery are with the TG4.

Oels

@howswedeofme one thing to consider is just not the cost of the camera and housing, but strobes and strobe arms. Good lights will make a huge difference in your ability to capture good photos. I would take an entry level camera like the TG4 or TG5 with decent strobes over a dslr with no strobes.

For reference - Bali, Indonesia - 2018 - Elsasser Photography - all shots in that gallery are with the TG4.

pelsasser c amazing shots. Would you mind sharing your setup? ( strobes housing, wtc)

 

[pelsasser]

@jf3193 - absolutely

@FezUSA Happy to share my journey through equipment.

Started out with the TG-4 and YS-03 package.

A few years later paired it with a YS-D2, eventually sold the YS-03 and bought a YS-D2J.

Finally I sold the TG-4 last year, and upgraded to an olympus EM1 mk 2 but am still using the YS-D2 and YS-D2J strobes on my current set up.

The YS-D2 does have TTL modes, as well as Manuals modes. I have found better luck with full manual settings on my strobes but many people find the opposite, so perhaps just a preference.

While my new set up is much larger and much nicer, I really enjoyed the journey of learning with the TG4 and a single TTL strobe. Only when I started becoming frustrated with not having full manual, and missing shots because of settings I couldn't access, etc, did I really consider a larger set up. I cannot imagine jumping into my current set up without having taken the intermediate steps in learning. For people who are already land based photographers, that its probably a lot easier. But when I first got my TG-4, I didn't know what aperture or ISO really meant and am glad I learned through a simpler and smaller camera initially.

I am using the Nauticam housing and dual YS-D2s now. See above for the rest

 

[Navymarkv]

Second hand great way to go! The compact Olympus that has been suggested is terrific for macro. Look for one a few years old. Better deal if you can find someone selling camera,housing and strobe as a set. One decent strobe to start is fine. Lots of people selling these as they upgrade to dslr setups. And the compacts are super nice to travel with!,