Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok..I just got my camera a couple weeks ago. Right now all I have is the 18-55 kit lense. I am just beginning to learn about photography, my only experience so far is point and shoot. Anyway, I'd like to buy a new lens and can't decide if I should go with something like a Sigma 105mm macro or a 70-300 zoom with the macro function. A good portion of the pics I take are close-ups of my snakes, but I like somewhat farther back pictures occasionally too. Plus my snakes are hot so I can't get that close to them to take the pics, unless its through glass. What do you think would be the best all round herp/wildlife lense for me?

here's a pic I took. I wish I would've taken out the shed first, but it's not my snake so I can't redo it.

How do you edit a post or can you? I just realized I left the "s" off of lenses in the title.

Unfortunately, kingsnake.com is still using these archiac forums without many of the functions of other forums like editing. I can't count on 2 hands how many other forums were started up out of frustration with these forums. You just have to live with what you post!
-----
Virginia Herping
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
Virginia Herpetological Society
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS

"The irrational fear of snakes is the only excuse a grown man has... to act like a complete sissy" - Colchicine

... nature has ceased to be what it always had been - what people needed protection from. Now nature - tamed, endangered, mortal - needs to be protected from people. When we are afraid, we shoot. But when we are nostalgic, we take pictures.
Susan Sontag

I suggest you get a real macro lens rather than a macro zoom lens. You will be much happier with the results. I would also suggest you get a 90mm, 100mm, or 105mm macro lens as they are good herp photography lenses.

You choices for the D50 include the
- Nikon Micro Nikkor 105mm $659
- Nikon Micro Nikkor ED-IF VR $829
- Sigma 105 EX Macro $399
- Tamron 90mm Di Macro $489
- Tokina 100 ATX Macro $399

If money is no object, I would buy the ED VR Nikkor. I haven't seen any reviews of it, but the ED lenses are usually tack sharp and the VR would be a great bonus.

Comparing the other four is less clear.
If you look at photodo.com which rates lenses based on their optical performance you see that the Nikkor and Tokina lenses score 3.9, the Sigma gets 4.1, and the Tamron scores 4.3 (higher is better). Few lenses ever score more than 4.5 on this test so 4.3 is an excellent score. (The low score of the Nikkor 105 Macro is quite surprising since there are usually the sharpest lenses in most companies lines. A low score is atypical for Nikon who normally make sharp lenses).

Somewhere else online there is a site that compares these lenses that also picks the Tamron over the Nikkor and Sigma lenses.

I have the Tamron and can say without a doubt it is TACK sharp and a pleasure to use. Of course, people with the Sigma say the same thing. I don't think you would be unhappy with either of these lenses (or the Nikon). But if I was going to shell out $650 for the Nikon, I might be tempted to shell out the extra $125 and get the ED version.

Here's a shot with the Tamron -

If you want to take head shots of hots without glass in the way, I suggest you get a good 200mm macro, but now you are talking about significantly more money.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Thats a nice pic. I'll have to check out that Tamron. The Nikons are pretty much out of my price range. I've been looking at lenses on eBay. A lot of the ones I've seen are "like new" or "excellent condition." How do these lenses hold up over time? If theres not too much risk in a used one I would go that route and save some money, but if they wear out easily I would probably wait and go with the a new one. What do you think? I also saw some used lenses on keh.com which were really cheap, are their assessment of the lens condition pretty accurate?

How do these lenses hold up over time? If theres not too much risk in a used one I would go that route and save some money, but if they wear out easily I would probably wait and go with the a new one. What do you think?

I would be a tad wary of ebay sellers. Be careful to check their seller ratings.

I also saw some used lenses on keh.com which were really cheap, are their assessment of the lens condition pretty accurate?

KEH has very good ratings. To be honest, they usually underrate lenses. If they say it is an 8, most places would give it a 10. I have bought lenses from KEH that were rated as excellent (their fourth level) and it looked like it was brand new to me.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I've had great success with KEH. I purchased a used EX grade Sigma 90mm macro for use with my D50 which is flawless in appearance and operation. I've also purchased other gear from KEH in the past and had nothing but good luck. If you were buying used I'd only consider KEH or B&H Photovideo.

Trans-Pecos Rat Snake
Nikon D50 90mm Sigma macro - aperture priority mode - ISO 400 - onboard speedlight

-----
Matt Campbell

Big animals, little animals, plants - right down to the sea itself. We need them, not just for their own sake, but because all this has to be here for everybody forever. Only one thing is certain: if we are to preserve our environment and save this priceless wildlife we need much, much more knowledge.
Harry Butler from 'In the Wild With Harry Butler' 1977

That's one of the best suboc shots I've ever seen. Great composition and sharpness. It's even more amazing being produced with the on-board flash.

Cheers,
WK