Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Poll for those of you who post pics: what kind of digital camera do you have (megapixels, optical zoom, etc.)? I need to get one and want to make sure I can get good close-ups of the gex -- don't want to have to take pictures from 3 feet away or any fuzzy faces!

I just bought a camera for my parents for their wedding anniversary. It's the Cannon Powershot A70. it's a 3 megapixel camera and has more features then any other comparably priced camera. It lets you control many asspects of the picture much in the same way professional photographers control their cameras. It even has the capability of getting extra lens attachments for it. This may sound like a lot, but for $300 it really can't be beat. When I got it I was told that I was lucky to get my hands on one, cause they sell out of them so quickly. And of course, just after I got that one, like 2 day s later, they came out with eh A80, which is the same camera, but a 4 megapixel version, selling for $400. An A60 also exists, but it's a 2.2 megapixel I believe and lacks many of the features of the other one, and goes for about $220. Hope that helps you.

I've heard really good things about Canons, and they're so nice and small. I find myself getting all caught up in megapixels, but if a 2 or 3 gives good picures (which I think Monte's 2 does!), I have to ask myself if I really need 4 or 5. (The salesguy at Best Buy sure thought I did.....!!!)

. . . I read some comparison articles and bought a Fujifilm "FinePix 2650". It is 2 megapixels - 3 x optical zoom, plus more with digital zoom - it also has an absolutely necesary feature - MACRO.

I think you can get it for under 200 bucks - and it takes very sharp, pictures, and really cool MACRO - which allows you to get real close to objects/animals - such as GECKOS!

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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
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No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room

Wow, that's a really clear picture, and with only 2 megapixels. The MACRO feature sounds like a winner, I'll have to do some more research on that. Thanks!

You need to assess your needs. If you're not going to be printing anything bigger than 4x6, you'll be alright with a 2mp, but you should always try to get the most that you can afford. If you get higher resolutions, you'll be able to crop the photos and get closer to the subject, which is always nicer. Try to get as much optical zoom as you can, with an absolute minimum of 2x, with 3-4 being more helpful. Pictures just look a whole lot nicer when you can get closer to your subject. Some of the Fuji's come with enormous optical zooms, like 5-10x. Disregard Digital zoom; it's just the camera cropping the photo for you, which is pretty much a gimmick. You can do the same thing but better with photo software in your computer. Also, filter out 'combined' zooms, where the salesperson says 'This cam has 6x zoom', but it actually has 2x Optical and 3x Digital, which 2x3=6, but not really.

MACRO is essential, as Monte pointed out. Nikon's are FAMOUS for thier macro capabilities. Most Nikon digitals can get closer than 1" to the subject, but be aware that you'll need supplemental lighting for any camera at that range. The on-camera flash will wash out the subject that close, if it can illuminate it at all. Something that works better for me, is to use MACRO at a range of a few inches and high resolution (above 2mp), then crop down closer to the geckos. There's where your higher resolutions will come in to play.

Digital Photo Review is an excellent resource for camera information. There are some excellent reviews and expert-filled forums that should be able to send you in the right direction as far as which camera may be best for you and where you'll probably find the best price.

Personally, I always recommend Nikon, but I've heard excellent things about the Canon A70 as someone mentions above. I've seen Nikon's as low as $179 and up into the $1,000+ range. I have a Nikon Coolpix 995, which I love soooo much. It has the split-body swivel design, but isn't sold anymore. There is a newer model with some more features. I also own a Sony U20, which is only 2mp, but fits in the palm of your hand, so it's easier to carry around.

This isn't the best picture, but it's a beautiful gecko. She's Kelli's now.

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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Buy Geckos Here
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I have the A40 and it takes a very nice shot. Also has the Macro feature and allows you to also upgrade to different lense sets. If you can spend a bit more get the A70.

Just about any digital camera you get these days has a macro function. Mine is 3-4 years old, is a 1.3 megapixel point and shoot, ie no optical zoom, below is an example of the pictures it takes. This picture was taken using the macro on my camera.

not bad for a really old camera

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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 mali uromastyx

These were all taken with a Nikon Coolpix 2000. I'm sure you could still find this camera for extremely cheap.

Here are links to more macro shots:

members.shaw.ca/youkai/geckos/fire3.jpg
members.shaw.ca/youkai/geckos/gargeye.jpg
members.shaw.ca/youkai/geckos/hypo4.jpg
members.shaw.ca/youkai/leos/hypoclose.jpg
members.shaw.ca/youkai/cresteds/HQRC.jpg

So basically the camera is really cheap and easy to use, and takes fantasic photos. I see them selling on ebay routinely for around $100 US. I do not know if you can still purchase it in stores.
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I am highly prized for my meat.

I haven't checked your other pics yet, but what kind of goni is that? It's beautiful. Hatchling? Looks just born.

You may be able to find the 2000, or at least the 2500(swivel lens) in some stores now, and they're likely pretty cheap. I've seen the 2500 for $179 in Ritz Camera ads in the past few weeks here in Maryland. Like you mentioned, though, you can also find great deals on brand new cams on Ebay.

Thanks for the pics!
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
Buy Geckos Here
Email Me

Thanks for the compliments!

You're right, it's fresh out of the egg there. Goniurosaurus luii.

I have tons more pictures, including some of it's clutchmate in the process of hatching, but sadly they are all located on an evil Canadian based site.
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I am highly prized for my meat.

Hi
I have a Sony F707 5 mp camera. Will post pics in a day or too, first day logged on to this form, learned alot from it.