What camera to get?

Aussie Pythons & Snakes Forum

Help Support Aussie Pythons & Snakes Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Status
Not open for further replies.
i bought a canon 600d and its the best, i got the twin lens kit with it. great camera highly reckomend it.
 
The tamron is good through the whole length.

At 300
DSC_0159_edited-1.jpg

I already have a tamron 90 1:1 but I am actually getting better results with the 28-300 without having to get so close you scare the subject.

DSC_0120_edited-1 (2).jpg

I have just purchased a sigma 150-500 (haven't had a chance to use it yet), and I,m looking at a sigma 180 macro as my next acquisition.
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0147_edited-1.jpg
    DSC_0147_edited-1.jpg
    66 KB · Views: 58
Thanks for the info SteveNT, I was looking at getting the Tamron 90mm macro now I will have to research the 28-300 instead!
 
Thanks for the info SteveNT, I was looking at getting the Tamron 90mm macro now I will have to research the 28-300 instead!

The tamron 28-300 is not a true macro but you can see from the spider shot it can work as one (that was taken at about 120). I have a problem with depth of field with the 90 and you do have to get close to the subject. That's why I am looking at a sigma 180 macro. I just find the 28-300 the best all purpose lens I have come across. I just keep it on the seat next to me when I'm driving (across the Top End weekly). I still have the specialist lenses with me but often time is an issue, blink and the picture's gone!

The 28-300 is also very light and compact. (they really don't like swimming in the sea though- this is my second one)

tamron also make a 70-300 which can switch to macro at 260-300. I have this one also but Darlyn uses it most of the time.
Here's a shot using the macro at 300.
DSC_0003_edited-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'm a bit fanatical when it comes to sharpness (within reason) and I've got some high end gear (telephoto lens) that is really good. I still like the tamron 90mm because it's sharp. I never found my Nikon 18-200VR sharp enough at the long end to be any good for small creatures, just for getting close to big creatures (monitors etc). The 90mm is a bit limiting in that regard.

Here is an example from my 500mm lens.


pp black swan-2714 by Henry.Cook, on Flickr


and heres the crop


Swan crop-2714 by Henry.Cook, on Flickr


And the Tamron 90mm is sharper than that.

Here's a couple of pics i just uploaded: straight out of the camera, no post-processing.
Juvenile N. laevissimus from near Uluru. Full frame.


LAEV juve BIG-2484 by Henry.Cook, on Flickr


and the crop.


LAEV juve crop-2484 by Henry.Cook, on Flickr
 
Buy via Ebay or big o/seas dealers in the USA on the o/seas grey market .... cheaper, no GST.

Bugger the local distributers and retailors and their extortionate markups.

Get the best quality glass (as fast as possible for the f/l and apeture) you can afford, consider buying a new camera body and some secondhand pro quality apo quality (L , LD , APO depending on brand) glass.

Consider a couple a high quality FAST zooms to give max range of subjects and distances, and include one that has Macro capability.

Consider adding a tripod to the kit.

MOST IMPORTANT - DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING.
 
Last edited:
A couple more with 28-300 (on an ancient D100)

DSC_0012_edited-1.jpgDSC_0022_edited-1.jpg

for a $200 second hand lens it's pretty good (if you're on a budget!)
 
can any lens fit on any camera or do you have to buy for the brand/ model
you can , using adapters , use most any brand lens on any slr/dslr , these are designed to fit the female and male ends of the various brands and to compensate for the different register distances (to the focal plane) but ....

.... you will find those that use a converter lens in the adapter ie FD - EOS , will suffer image quality drops (and usually 135mm becomes 200mm) , and you loose autofocusing and other auto-in-lens capabilities so you need to operate the lens and camera manually.... no drama for us oldies who grew up using manual slrs and manual lenses who have the photographic skills .... too bad if you are the new breed of dumb photographers who use idiot mode (full automatic) and never learnt the hard way.
 
Hey everyone looking at a canon 650d and am planning on gettin one with an 18-55 mm and maybe another longer lens. Headed out of the budget and am also deciding to get a speed lite and macro lens. Just wondering what size macro lens would be appropriate for reptile photography. I am looking at the canon 430EX II speedlite and am wondering if it is truly needed or if there is a cheaper one ahaha!

Cheers, Bohdi.
 
I do not really see the point buying a high end camera or lens unless you really know how to use it. I have seen a good photographer take really good shots with a cheap camera and an amateur take bad photos with a really good camera.
 
canon 550d with 18- 55 lens
11175_10151457240694446_441549417_n.jpg


also go to the canon eso web site they have some good vid to show you how to use the cameras
 
Ive been researching the 650d and nikon d5100 and found that the nikon has sharper and better quality images but the canon is better for videoing. Comparison if you want to look at it, look at the asvantages of the nikon d5100.. [FONT=.HelveticaNeueUI]http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-650D-vs-Nikon-D5100[/FONT]
 
What are people's opinions on the Sony a37? Can get one brand new with 2 lenses for $509 or one lens for 425 delivered
 
Hey everyone, whats a great common macro lens for reptile photography(canon EF-S fitting) also will I need a separate flash(speedlite) ? If so what sort of features should I be looking for?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Back
Top