Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need to get a new camera this year. Please give me some feedback and imput on what you guys use. I need a nice camera kind of mid range, not a $50 junker but not a $2000 pro model either. Somewhere in the middle of the road, something that can be point and shoot plus some adjustments but not like a crazy ton of apature/speed/level/etc type of deal (I have no desire to become a professional photographer just to do better with my animals that I want to proudly represent). Thanks in advance for your thoughts. E
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Evan Stahl Reptiles
www.evanstahl.com

I've been using a Nikon D40 which works great for me. It was in the 500-600 dollar price range and is fairly simple to use. You can also swap out the lens with other Nikon lenses.
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www.jasonrbartolettreptiles.webs.com

I like my Nikon Coolpix. It is old and I'm sure they have improved not just these but all cameras. You don't need a lot of mega pixels unless you intend to print. I take a lot of pictures to identify hets, big files are not needed for this purpose, they just take up harddrive space. The pictures for ads, forums etc. don't need and can't use a lot of mega pixels, they would have to be resized to use on ads or forums. I almost always use a low setting on my camera so I don't have to resize. The only exception that I can think of was when I took pictures for my business cards. I don't have to worry about an expensive camera getting damaged. I'm sure there is a lot more to consider, but for my purpose the little point and shoot is OK.
Mike

My new nikon Coolpix takes awesome pictures and didn't break the bank. It has great macro (10x Zoom), true coloring, and it is super easy to transfer pictures from the camera to the computer etc. Here are a few pics that I took with this camera. (not all of these snakes are mine, just my pictures)

Het PB Female

Bone White Hypo Male

Peabino x WS Hypo

Swamp WS

Hypo Flame (Fengya Line)

Please excuse the vermiculite fingers!!! Check out the vein in this thing's tongue!

This camera takes such detailed pictures that for the money it was the way to go for me.

These last two were not taken by my camera, but of two of the nicest snakes in my collection (IMO)

Pearl Snow Line Normal

Pearl Snow Line Ghost

Thanks for looking!

Jeremy Thompson
Captive Born Investments Inc.

Aren't there several different models of coolpix? Which model do you have and how new is it? Mine is the L4 and is at least a few years old. I think it cost $125. It does take good macro, I took pics of baby eyelash vipers, they are very small. The tongue shot is cool, very nice detail.
Mike

Point and Shoot Panasonic Lumix 12X Zoom!!! Mid Range Nikon D40.
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John Light

I got rid of my Rebel XSi because it was entirely too complicated and the lens I NEEDED is about $450 so... I got rid of it and got a Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Digital Elph. I did a little research and found one on Ebay for about $250. There may be a better model out by now but I'm super happy with it. It's great for snake pics, friend's stuff, travel stuff... you name it. Its easy to use and its the size of a pack of cigarettes.

-Jeff Byers

I agree...I have an older powershot sd880is and for the money and ease of use, you cannot find a better camera for all around use.

>>I need to get a new camera this year. Please give me some feedback and imput on what you guys use. I need a nice camera kind of mid range, not a $50 junker but not a $2000 pro model either. Somewhere in the middle of the road, something that can be point and shoot plus some adjustments but not like a crazy ton of apature/speed/level/etc type of deal (I have no desire to become a professional photographer just to do better with my animals that I want to proudly represent). Thanks in advance for your thoughts. E
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>>Evan Stahl Reptiles
>>www.evanstahl.com
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Homepage
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2011 European Shows

The Nikon CoolPix P80 works well for me. It has a nice macro and is not complicated, easy to point and shoot. It takes great shots without needing a flash most of the time and does have more involved settings if needed. I still use my old camera too, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-F57. It is tiny and easy to carry along when on the go.

Pretty much any Canon or Nikon camera in the 150-300 range will take excellent pictures if used correctly. Don't let the number of pixels get in your way or the claims of 100x digital zoom. 8mp is enough, and the only zoom that matters is the optical zoom.

I use a Canon 20D that has to be a good 6-7 years old. It's a nice 8.2mp DSLR, but possibly more complicated then you are looking for. I would say the recommendations for the Nikon coolpix and the Canon powershot models are right where you should be looking. Play with a few at Best Buy or where ever and see which one feels good in your hands. Some people don't like where certain buttons are located, etc.

I just got a Nikon L120 at BJ's for $300 (after the protection plan)

14 mp, 720 HD video (for youtube) and it takes some nice pics. I was messing with the close up mode...and well...

This pine cone is about the size of a dime...

One of our beardies, through the glass of her tank.

I can't wait to get some shots of my snakes.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)