Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok,
I'm very new to the world of digital cameras, and am forcing myself to learn best I can. And fact is, I'm about as camera illiterate as they come! I bought, think it's been a year now, an Olympus C-720, with 3 megapixel, 8 optical zoom and have been practicing a little more often with it. I sure get a LOT of fuzzy pictures, so, if I'm understanding this right, I should use a tripod that would eliminate some of the fuzzy picture shots? And in Macro Mode, you can't zoom in closer without everything getting blurry, at least that's what I'm finding, so I get the camera up close to the snake in question. I'd like to be able to get close up shots of baby corn snakes, that show such detail that it looks like the snake is right in front of your nose! Here's a shot of last years baby Northern Pine Snake. Any helpful comments would be greatly appreciated! This camera does have various settings you can shoot in, but I'm not totally sure whats what on it.

I should use a tripod that would eliminate some of the fuzzy picture shots?

It depends on what the problem is. If the picture is "fuzzy" because the camera isn't focused correctly, a tripod won't help. If the camera is focusing but you are moving, then a tripod might help. Using the flash will help minimize that somewhat as well.

And in Macro Mode, you can't zoom in closer without everything getting blurry, at least that's what I'm finding, so I get the camera up close to the snake in question.

I used to have the predecessor to this camera (C-700UZ) and took some decent macros with it. The trick is that the lens reaches its closest focusing ability right about 200-250 mm focal length (about 3/4 of the way zoomed out). So zoom out to that focal length, turn on the macro button and then see how close the camera is able to focus on something like a marble or a coin. You will find you can fill the frame with something as small as 2-3 inches across from about 12 inches away. That is about the max magnification I ever got out of mine. Figure out what that minimum distance is and don't get any closer.

You can take pictures of that pinesnakes head only with this camera if you learn how to use it. Experiment on some non-living stuff to get comfortable and them try your snakes.

I also recommend you use the flash to give you faster shutter speeds and prevent blur that way.

I photographed this baby pygmy rattlesnake with the 700. This snake could have coiled up inside a tablespoon.

Your camera is capable of doing what you want, you just need to learn how to use it better.

Good luck,
Chris

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Chris Harrison

I'm in the same boat, but am slowly making progress. What has helped me the most is good lighting and learning to shoot in aperture mode. Like you, my shots were consistently blurry. The lighting in our snake room was very dim, so I bought a softbox. That improved the lighting greatly, but watch out -- they get really hot! With that, putting the camera on a tripod and shooting in aperture mode at f8 (smallest aperture available on my camera) with macro setting, this is what I'm able to get:

These seem to be the best close-ups I can get with my camera (Canon PowerShot A80). Considering getting a digital SLR so I can buy macro lenses, but am poor at the moment!

Best advice I got -- know your equipment. Get out the manual and read it. My camera had all these different settings that I had no clue how to use until recently. Take a basic photography class and get to know how aperture, shutter speed, etc., will affect your pictures. Another good piece of advice -- when you take a picture, note your settings. It improves your learning curve dramatically. That way you can say "OK, I took this picture with these settings and it turned out perfect (or horrible, whatever the case may be)" and you will know what works and what doesn't.

Sorry for being so long-winded. It's just nice to know I'm not the only one out there struggling! There are lots of good resources on the web for learning basic stuff about photography. If you're interested, e-mail me and I'll give you the links.

Rachel

Hello Rachael;
Try this. Find out the filter thread size on your Canon digital camera, and buy a set of close up lenses. They usually come in a set of 3 lenses, " 1", " 2", and " 3". They will provide magnification on any lens they are attached to. They can be stacked, so as to give tremendous closeup capibility to your camera when in macro mode. I have used them sucessfully with a Minolta Dimage 5. My Sony F828 has a much larger filter size, and I can't use them to show you a sample photo. I have 52mm closeup lenses, and my Sony is a 58mm.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

For some reason, the plus sign does not show up on these posts. Those closeup lenses are "plus 1", "plus 2" and "plus 3".
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

Hello Rachel!
Would love to have the links on improving my photography skills. I've read the manual, but I'm sure I'll be going back to it again...and again...LOL! Just seems taking the time is what I need to do. Usually busy doing something else! And I forget to check this forum to see what's new. Thanks ahead of time for the links and the advice! Much appreciated!
Russell Keys
Keys Reptiles