I just wanted to get an idea of a good camera that will take good close-ups for the bee pics. I don't (can't) spend alot of money on this. All ideas will be helpful. Thanks
I use some type of Olympus that has a super macro feature. Parents got it for me in November and I think it's a 2007 model. I'm sure anyone at Circuit City will be willing to sell you one. I would expect to spend $250 to $300 on them but I'm not sure. It takes good shots of bees and fair shots of ants.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Beesheadshot.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/mrilovetheants/Bees/Pollen2.jpg)
I haven't had a chance to take many pictures of the hive however.
Professionally you should find an expensive macro lens that gives you the quality you want and buy a camera that works for it.
I haven't been able to take closeups yet with it, but we bought a 6.1 mp Kodak Z612 (http://kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=8824&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=5872)with image stabilization and 12x optical zoom (then you can go into digital zoom, which isn't as good) from Best Buy for ~$250.00. No doubt it's cheaper now as $250 is the 'dropped' list price. It has the Schneider Kreuznach optics that Kodak has received accolades for. It's a nice camera, with more options I need to explore.
i don't know what you consider expensive. i have been happy with both the Canon and Olympus cameras i own. my favorite are the Olympus. the next one i'm probably getting is the Olympus SP-550. it runs around 500 dollars. you can add lenses, etc. nice basic with room to move up without having to buy a new camera.