Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some recent photos:
1. Nerodia upset after we disturbed its slumber this morning
2. Small fly of some type (much smaller than a housefly).
3. Burrowing wolf spider (Geolycosa) upset after we pulled it out of its burrow

All hand held with D70 and SB800 on camera hot shoe. Number 1 & 2 with 180mm macro lens, number 3 with 105mm macro lens.

f/16 1/200s

f/16 1/200s

f/11 1/200s

All critters returned unharmed where found except fly.

Cheers,
WK

Great shots ! Curious though, whose 180 macro do you use? and how do you like it compared to the 105? Once again.... very nice shots.. even more impressive that they are from the field....

MDK
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www.thegardensofeden.org

Thanks very much MDK. Both of those macros are Sigma EX series. The 105mm is also a "DG" version supposedly optimized for digital work, but it also works fine on my old film body.

I went with these over the Nikkor equivalents due to price (Niks are double the cost) and the Tamrons for build (my perception was Sigmas were sturdier). I will say though that I think the Tamron 90mm looks to be a better performer optically than both the Nikon and Sigma 105mm's, or any other lenses in that class.

Cheers,
WK

They both have their uses so I don't find redundancy in having both of them. For photographing animals in the field I much prefer the 180mm for its extra reach. I wouldn't have been able to get the fly photo with the 105mm, and snake would have bitten me on the forehead if I was using the 105mm. The 180mm is heavier, however, and can be cumbersome to carry around for long periods.

Cheers,
WK