DSLR and Lenses

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aaron florian	DSLR and Lenses	Lead	[-]
Posts: 708 (08/29/05 19:31:50) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Anyone have any opinion on good lenses for macro / snake photography? I'm strongly considering joining the full DSLR gang, but the choices of lenses is baffling. FWIW, I'm going Canon line. Their DSLRs seem to be very popular and their lenses highly regarded. I'm going to miss my 25mm-200mm zooming, but I think i'll get over it.
chondroland	Re: DSLR and Lenses	#1	[-]
Posts: 393 (08/30/05 03:08:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hi: If you've decided on Canon get their 100mm Macro lens. It's not inexpensive but it will provide you with the possibility of outstanding images. Their 50mm macro is also good but the 100mm gives you more working room (distance between you and the subject). Also, if you're willing to use a tripod, take a look at their 90mm tilt/shift lens, if they still offer it. It's an interesting lens that would work great for a lot of reptile photography. Canon also makes a macro lens that goes all the way to 6X magnification (six times life size)!!! Expensive, but you get what you pay for (most of the time) with Canon. I've seen the image quality from this one-of-a-kind lens, and it's very good. If you change your mind about canon, and buy another brand, try to get a dedicated 100mm macro from the appropriate manufacturer. You shouldn't be disappointed. Remember though that the lens alone will not produce outstanding images. A combination of several things does that, one of them being decent light quality. No amount of money spent on a lens will make up for lousy light quality. Good luck, Stu
Greg Maxwell	Re: DSLR and Lenses	#2	[-]
Posts: 4753 (08/30/05 05:06:56) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I knew that Stu would have the facts for you, and ditto what he said about lighting. Lighting will make or break your photography, all other factors aside. Greg Maxwell Fine Green Tree Pythons E.Mail
fade2black	Re: DSLR and Lenses	#3	[-]
Posts: 3 (08/30/05 09:45:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Like has already been said, a dedicated macro lens is a must. You might also want to look into a good flash unit and a off camera bracket for it. They are especially useful, almost a necessity, for macro photography and close-up work. I have a Nikon D70 and a Sigma 105mm macro and love it.
RCulver	Canon Lenses	#4	[-]
Posts: 1187 (08/30/05 12:05:41) Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hi Aaron-- My brother shoots and evaluates for Canon and he emailed me his recommendations for Canon USA macros. I'll find his info and post it, as I don't have it with me at the moment. I do know that I would strongly recommend their "L" series lenses (if you can afford them). The optics in all their "L" series lenses are some of the best glass out there. Rich Culver
aaron florian	Re: Canon Lenses	#5	[-]
Posts: 708 (08/31/05 06:12:24) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for all the input.. Stu, these macro lenses you're talking about, these are fixed, not zoom? Tilt / Shift sounds VERY interesting... I will check that out. Rich, Thanks, I would love to get that information when you get it. I bought the Sony 8MP F828 a year + ago (it's like a DSLR, but fixed lens) and the first thing I noticed in taking "real" pictures (where you're controlling all the parameters of the shot) is that Light is REALLY important to photography! I mean, as silly as that sounds, when you take the flash off and are trying to get an image, say, of a building and a bright sky behind it, balancing that light out is tough! To the naked eye, you see it all because your pupil adjusts when you look from one to the other, but to a still ... whole different ballgame. Ditto lighting and movement. It's all about light, and I didn't realize that until I got a good camera. I'm likely going to get a couple of softboxes and set up a little macro studio here. Photographing these neonates (crosses fingers) is something that I'm dying to do... who doesn't love good baby pictures? And on a slightly related topic, who would have thought Chondros would be so expensive? Sure, the animal might not be too much dough, but the ACCESSORIES will kill ya! Thanks again, aaron
chondroland	Re: Canon Lenses	#6	[-]
Posts: 393 (09/02/05 04:27:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hi: *Quote:* "....these macro lenses you're talking about, these are fixed, not zoom?" Yes, they are fixed. However, there are some zoom lenses available that have so-called macro capabilities. Lens technology has come a long way the last ten to twenty years or so, and zoom lenses with macro settings are actually not that bad in some cases, depending on the brand. But you'll pay through the nose for the good ones. For the absolute best macro-image quality I believe a dedicated macro lens is the way to go. Having said that, I should also mention that photography is just about 100% subjective. One person's idea of a quality image might be completely different from the next persons, which is why I'm generally reluctant to recommend brands, models, etc. I know what I like to use. I'm convinced that if you buy from the 'big five' (Nikon, Canon, Minoltal, Pentax, Olympus) and stick with their high-end quality stuff, you'll not be disappointed (though you might be perpetually poor ). And lately there have been major strides in quality from one or two of the independent lens makers (Tamron and Sigma are two that come immediately to mind). I own a couple of outstanding Tamron SP lenses. I'd stack them against anything the 'big five' has to offer. They are that good. The benefit is that they don't cost quite as much as the major brands. I'm not into photography now as much as I used to be so I don't keep up with all the latest digital gear, etc. I have my equipment from a previous time when photography was my hobby. Now chondros are. Photography, for me, was just as addictive then as chondros are now, so I have a lot of photo gear, and have been fortunate to be able to try out lots of stuff, and compare it all, etc. And I'd suggest you try before you buy as well, if you have the opportunity. Good luck, Stu
Greg Maxwell	Re: Canon Lenses	#7	[-]
Posts: 4753 (09/02/05 05:58:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I use a Nikor 28-105 mm zoom lens with a macro function. I am not a dedicated photo-holic and have just enough equipment to get the job done "as I see it." Stu is very correct, photography is very, very subjective. A professional could undoubtedly pick all my work apart. My next equipment purchase will be a dedicated macro lens and perhaps some better flash apparatus. Greg Maxwell Fine Green Tree Pythons E.Mail
Kim Burge	Re: Canon Lenses	#8	[-]
Posts: 1499 (09/07/05 05:52:22) ezOP Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Aaron, Here is the 100mm macro lens used on a Canon 20D with natural light. I love the lens! Kim Burge Southern Chondros kimberly@southernchondros.com
aaron florian	Re: Canon Lenses	#9	[-]
Posts: 708 (09/07/05 13:27:01) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	OOH! 20D! How do you like the camera so far? Kudos and Complaints welcome! Nice pic, btw Also, what's the aperture on that lens?
Kim Burge	Re: Canon Lenses	#10	[-]
Posts: 1499 (09/07/05 18:15:51) ezOP Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Aaron, There were some bugs early on with the 20D since I got it hot off the press. Since the last firmware update, I haven't had a repeat of the lock ups and various other problems. Canon seems to have gotten a handle on things now, so I doubt you'd ever see the problems the first bodies came with. I do find myself manually focusing much of the time with all my lenses in most conditions because I'm never quite happy with where/how it chooses to focus. Being a previous Nikon user, this maybe a lack of practice with a different camera. Otherwise, I have been very happy with it. I would certainly recommend it...with the biggest memory card you can afford! The 100mm lens I have is f/2.8 Kim Burge Southern Chondros kimberly@southernchondros.com

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