Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm in the market for a digital camera and wanted to know what you all use. I've seen some absolutely stunning photos on this forum and would like to see what cameras produced them. Could some of you send out some of your best pics and give us the camera info as well? Thanks!

Research, research, research. And remember: a good camera can look bad in bad hands while a bad camera can look good in good hands.

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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

awesome picture! what kind of camera did you use for this?

>>awesome picture! what kind of camera did you use for this?
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I just have a Sony Cybershot 3.2 Not an expensive camera.
I have had it about 2 years. I have been happy with it for an everyday camera. It takes pretty good pictures for not spending alot of money.

This is the photo I was trying to show.

My biggest problem is too strong of flash and I wash out colors.

This is Frodo pic taken by a Nikon D 50 with a 18-55 mm lens

A lake near where we live.Same camera but the lens is a 55-200 mm


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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

Great pics you two
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g...

_____

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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

The problem is, Kingsnake only allows a up to a certain size picture. I can not post pictures taken with my Sony Sure Shot because it is to HUGE.
I have no problem emailing them, but can't use them to post or use for ads.

Ron Billingsley

Ron, Can't you re-size your pictures for KS ads?

Well,
Yes, I guess I could. But to be honest... I feel that is a joke.
You spend big bucks for a super nice camera, and then you got to skrink the picture down so small that is comes off looking so unprofessional.
I rather just use my old camera, that is less the 1M, and have a full sized picture.
Buyers want to view the animal(s), not dig out a magifyling glass.

Ron Billingsley

Ron - if you don't want to resize you can sign up for one of the free photo or web hosting services - then upload onto their server and post them here with the [ img][ /img] syntax!
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.42.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizard of unknown origin

Won't work. The file would be to large. Kingsnake has limits to picture size.

This is what happens when photobucket does not resize the pic when I upload it at full size & link to here. just an example for you
I don't like doing this though it is to big in my opinion.
This is a pic of 1 of our cats Rocky. I did not name him lol.

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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

Nice Kitty. I right clicked on your pic and got this informaiton: 53618 bytes.
A picture I took of my spider ball is: 2,160,000 bytes.
No way it can be posted here.

We are not talking SIZE of the picture, we were dicussing how with the newer cameras, that take 5G or even 8G, those pictures can not be posted here, unless you re-size them..... INTO SMALL LITTLE PICTURES.

Again, nice Kitty picture....

Ron Billingsley

>>We are not talking SIZE of the picture, we were dicussing how with the newer cameras, that take 5G or even 8G, those pictures can not be posted here, unless you re-size them..... INTO SMALL LITTLE PICTURES.

I'm not sure what you mean on this, but I have a newer camera that will allow me to change the size of the pictures it takes - from small to large. Also, I can easily resize my photos without quality loss. The picture of my spot nose (a few posts back) has been resized from a very large photo to a small, but clear one.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

My camera also, allows me to adjust the amount of megs I use. All the way down to something it calls "email mode".
But, at it's highest setting, which is what I usually use, I can not post pics here.
I attmepted to re-size a pic so it could be used for an ad.
OH MY. it was the size of a postage stamp!!
Do I know what I am doing? Proably not.
I feel like I need to go back to school. Forget about the job, paying the bills, etc. Need to learn to use this computer, camera, cell phone, IPOD, the list goes on.....

Ron Billingsley... old fart

>>Need to learn to use this computer,

I have this one covered - it's my job!

>>camera,

Still learning but not fast enough. I thought if I paid 2k for a camera it should correct MY mistakes. Sadly, it doesn't work that way.

>>cell phone,

It rings, I answer it. Don't know how to change voicemail though.

>>IPOD,

Hey, if my 15 yo can figure it out... I'll try again later.

>>the list goes on.....

Oh yeah!

>>
>>Ron Billingsley... old fart

Me too!
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

(Ron) LOL well I am in the 30 somthing bracit. My kids think I am an old fart lol. Thank you for the complement on the kitty pic. If I am not mistaken I had that on small 1500x1000 on med pic qulity. (Hey Jay) so how do like the D 70 I heard it is a little heavier than my D 50 but it has a lot more opptions? I do love the Nikons. Oh well Photobucket does automtically resize my pics for me. I don't know why that pic and a few others stayed at full size. Lol it is kind of like rolling the dice when I upload to photobucket they might resize to smaller thean I want or too big lol. no matter what camera you use have fun.
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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

I like it. I have a nice tele-sports lens 70-200 and I'm looking for a macro. I just picked up a speedlight about 2 months ago and only used it once - I'm just too busy at work, with snakes and family. I'm planning a vacation where I hope to be able to takes some nice pics.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Cool! Right now i can not afford new equipment for my camera. I do plan on getting a macro as well but tell then I will get a couple of extention tubes to add to my camera. Thanks Brian
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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

Need to learn to use this computer, camera, cell phone, IPOD, the list goes on.....

I know how you feel about these issues. I've come up with a few solutions.

Computer - I don't add software. If what I have does what I need, I keep everything as it is. I try very hard not to hear about anything else that I may need.

Camera - I bought a little "point-n-shoot" digital, but if I'm going to pay big bucks for a camera, I want one with full manual control. I want a button that I can push to make me think I'm still using my 70's era Nikkormat.

Cell Phone - I'm with Jay. It rings. I answer. I can also punch in numbers and click "Send."

IPOD - A recent college graduate at work showed me her IPOD a few months ago. I felt like a grandfather being shown his grandaughter's new toy. I had no clue what it did or why, but I said nice things because I thought that they were appropriate.

Blackberry - I don't need to be reminded that I'm late. I'll live longer without one of these devices.

Bill (middle-aged fart)
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

That's a great picture. You people are bad for my resolve not to spend any money right now. I'd enjoy having a camera that good. Does it have full manual control? Can I set it so that I think I'm still using my 70's era Nikkormat or even early 80's era FG?

It's funny that you mention that you didn't name Rocky. My kingsnake is named Elvis, and I certainly didn't name him Elvis. Unfortunately, as I carried him out of the pet store, the store owner told me that the previous owner had called him Elvis. I've never been able to quit thinking of him as "Elvis," so Elvis he remains. Whenever I tell his name, I add that I didn't give him that name.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Lol my son named him. And as for another name how does squiggels grab you. He was a rescue and the owner told us that his name was squiggels so that is what he remains. Brian
PS. lol no pregnancy here lol
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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

Sorry I forgot to answer your qustion in the other post. but in a nut shell yes you can the Nikon D 50 has a manual or automatic switch on the side of the lens. so you have full controll of that if you want. Love the Nikon. Brian
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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

Thanks for the answer on the manual mode question. Do you know whether it has a sync cord connection for shooting with an off-camera flash? That's one of the best techniques for indoor shooting, and I'd want to have that option.

You take beautiful pictures. There may be too many people shooting with digitals right now for you to make any money at it, but you have tremendous skill.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

As far as I know on this model it has a remote for it but you have to buy it separately. Sorry I can not give you more info on it but I am still learning about my camera my self. Gota lov it

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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

I have a little Olympus C-740 Ultra Zoom. It does well enough for me. If you're in the market for something in the medium price range, I'd recommend it among its class. The 3.2 megapixel resolution is plenty considering the quality of the lens and the general lack of creative control. More megapixels are useless if the optics and controls don't allow one to take better pictures.

If I win the lottery, I'll buy a digital SLR. For shooting snakes, I'd strongly recommend a camera that allows you to use an off-camera flash on a sync cord. I've had many pictures that could have been great if I'd been able to control the flash more carefully. Macro shots almost depend on having some control of the flash angle.

Bill

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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Cool pics ... I like the flag and that last pic is sweet
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g...

_____

Thanks, she's a sweet little animal. My snakes are a good influence on me. If I were that patient and non-aggressive, my co-workers would have an easier (but maybe less amusing) time.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Do not buy anything without spending a good chunk of time at www.dpreview.com.

PS: I have no affiliation with that site!

Joel
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0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Leopard Gecko

I've posted this a hundred times, no one reads it .

Go to www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx and find "Image Resizer" on the right hand side. Download, install. Then right click on any picture or group of pictures and choose "Resize" ... that's it. Play around with the various sizes and you'll get the point.

This is for Windows XP. Google "power toys windows XX" for other versions ... and Mac folks, you're on your own!

Joel

PS: This pic taken with a Canon 350D. (Converted to TIFF in Photoshop, then to JPEG, then resized for web...)

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0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Leopard Gecko

Don't know why Kingsnake automatically links to the small version of the pic!

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0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.0 Leopard Gecko

I shoot with a Canon D-30 SLR. It has a mounted flash and i use a 50-200mm zoom lens. I love that camera, i use to do weddng photography and its all i ever used. Below are some pics, i will email you them at full size, unfortunatley they loose some clarity when resizing them.
Good luck in your searches
Kim

I realy like the pied pic. LOL can I have lol. What do you use for background and lighting the pics are great? Do you use external lighting? I have been told I take good pics but I want to improve on that. Thanks Brian
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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

Thanks so much. I actually use the black table cloth i use at shows for the background. As for the light, those pics were taken in my cellar so i use a mounted flash that i bounce off the ceiling. It dosent wash out the animals b/c the flash isnt directly on them. But i think it makes the look natural, like they would look if you were in the room with them. I have seen your pics also, you have some great shots. I love the one you took outside with the blade of grass. Amazing shot..
Thanks again Kim

Ok that is what I thought about those pics, that they looked natural and I love that look. Thank you on the complement. I do love that pic. Can not wait tell it warms up again so I can do more outdoor pics love them. For my indoor pics I do not have any speacial lighting yet. But plan on that soon. Again great photos I like your pics always great.
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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

These are great shots, but it is possible to go off camera with a sync cord using your camera? One of the things that I want to be able to do is use a full sync cord setup. Ideally, I'd like to get one of those old junctions and control multiple flashes off one sync.

Thanks,

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Here is a shot I took with my Panasonic DMC-FZ5. I got this camera because I didn't want a full blown SLR, but I wanted more advanced features and better zoom then most of the consumer cameras out there. I also have a couple of Olympus D-5## cameras that work pretty well and are easy to use.

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1.2.0 ball python (aragorn, arwen,`eowyn)
1.0.0 100% het pied (frodo)
1.0.0 columbian boa (squiggles)
1.0.0 rat snake (alabastered)
0.1.0 corn snake (baby)
0.0.2 whites tree frog (trevor, kirmet)
0.0.5 pacific green tree frogs
3.2.0 cats (rockie, bs, brownie, lerrado, kole)
1.3.0 kids (dilyen, dakota, chyanne, sierra)
Brian n Chrissy
"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

n/p