Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, the title pretty much sums it up. My wife and i are expecting a baby in 7 weeks, so i need to start my research. I have been wanting to share my growing collection of herps with my fellow herpers here. With the baby on the way its time to make this purchase. Any input you guys have, links, informative sites, personal experience/advice. All would be greatly appreciated. Thanx, Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
1.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie" & "Oreo"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

Based on my own person experience, I am much happier with a digital SLR than a point-and-shoot. With the SLR (you can change lenses and manually focus by turning the lens) I can easily control focus, which is critical for tight close-ups.
I found the p&s to be frustrating when I wanted to get the eyes in focus for a close-up.

Also, the SLR I have (Nikon d70) has much better autofocus than the digital P&S's I had (nikon 5400 and Olympus C3030). If you are going to photograph moving kids or animals, and you need the camera to help you follow the action, then an SLR may be the best option.

Of course, the P&S cameras from Nikon come with great macro functions. The lens that comes packaged with the d70 (the 18-70) doesn't focus very closely. It's a great lens for kid photos and larger animals, but I ended up buying a $400 Sigma macro lens for real close-ups. On the other hand, the P&S close-ups require you to get within an inch or so for maximum magnification, while the Macro lens on the SLR positions you within a foot of the subject.

So, from my experience, the SLR is better for action photography and subjects that require easily adjusted critical focus. If the subjects you'll be shooting are more static and you have time to work on the focus, then a P&S is the way to go. Also the P&S has much cheaper options.

As for brands, I'm not sure I would push the Nikon P&S cameras. I found the focus to be really bad in low light situations. The Olympus was better at autofocus, but didn't have macro function. With an SLR, if the autofocus won't work, you just switch it off and manually focus the lens.

I'll post a couple photos - one from the d70/sigma macro (tight close-up on frog) and one from the Nikon 5400 (frog under red heat lamp).

Just be prepared to spend ALOT of money on one. In the long run it will probably pay for itself cause you save money on processing and all, but just call me old fashioned i love working with manual focus SLR's with Transparancy film. Trust me tough if i had the money i would upgrade to a Digital SLR. A didital SLR with maybe a small zoom on it may cost (depending on the brand) anywhere from $1,000-$1,500 and up and for additional lenses anywhere from $300-$500 and up. But well worth it. Also dont go looking for the highest Megapixel you can buy, its a waste of money anything arounsd 6 is probably all you'll need. Good luck witht he camera and the kid!
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-Doug Daly

"Dad, Can I scratch your Beard?"
"Did you finish your homework?"
"Yes"
"Well ok then."

0.1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe Obsoleta lindheimerii)

Thanks Brad, that is a beautiful pic, crisp, i like it. What was the base price of the camera that took the pic?? Now i'm on a path so an slr is my starting point, what else should i be considering. I was thinking of trying to keep the price tag around $800 or so. Keep the info coming, Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
1.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie" & "Oreo"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

Doug, Brad thanks for the replies. How complicated are the slrs to operate? A point and shoot sounds alot easier. On the other hand i don't want to buy a digi cam that will not give me the results i'm looking for. what else should i be looking for in a camera? I admit, i was looking at pixels, shows you how much i know. Keep it coming guys. Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
1.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie" & "Oreo"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

An SLR can be used in "point-and-shoot" mode. Just put it in one of the automatic modes and go. On the other hand, some of the p&s cameras, like the 5400, have lots of options.

I think if you want options, full control of focus, and quick response, you'll want an SLR over a p&s. The d70 is expensive (about $1000-$1100 for the camera and 18-70 lens), but the d50 and canon digital rebel models are a bit cheaper.

For reviews of digital cameras of all sorts, go to

www.dpreview.com

Looks at p&s cameras, too.

I personally hate point and shoots. I have one its a nice little 5mp and good for occaisional pictures of family and such but i hate the fous on it. I have tried and tried taking pictures of my snake on it and it just doesnt seem to want to focus properly. I took about 30 pictures and only 1 or 2 were clear and in focus. I like to have control over everything on my camera, shutter speed, aperature, focus, Everything. You may want to consider spending a bit more money on a nice DSLR and then maybe get some books about photography and go from there, its a great hobby and the price is well worth the rewards. And if you dont want to get into it then just use the camera in the Full Auto mode (as one book describes it "The really expensive, really nice camera becomes a box" I like to remember that I am the Photographer, the camera is just a tool to help me photograph just like a paintbrush is a tool to help an artist paint, the paintbrush doest make the art rather the artists Uses the paintbrush to paint the art, see what im getting at? Anyways im off topic. If your going to take lots of pictures (which is the beauty of DSLR's) than thats what i would invest in, just buy a standard DSLR and a short zoom lense (28-70 or something in that range) and then as your interest in photography progresses (if your interest in photography progresses ) expand your equiptment. If you are just going to take occaisional shots than stick with a film or p&s camera. I use a 15-20 year old manual focus, manual film advance, alright its old! But i can still take good photos with it and prefer it over DSLR's (not to say that if i could aford one i would have one right now!) If your going to be taking alot of photos with a camera but not enough to warrant a DSLR than get a point and shoot, you can always crop a little if need be. But considering you have a new baby and will probably be firing off pictures left and right, if you can afford it, go with a DSLR. If you have anymore questions, Brad and I and everyone else here will be glad to help! Good Luck!
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-Doug Daly

"Dad, Can I scratch your Beard?"
"Did you finish your homework?"
"Yes"
"Well ok then."

0.1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe Obsoleta lindheimerii)

I appreciate the replies. My wife seems to think that a $400 for a camera is plenty to spend. Myself, i would like to take some nicer pics of my snakes, crisp, clear and detailed. I'll try to play the kid card and see where it gets me. When i have done some more research and started to decide on the camera that i want i'll stop back in here for some more advice. Thankx alot, Clint
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0.1 Colombian Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "Honey"
1.0 Hogg Isle Boa-(Boa Constrictor Imperator) "un-named"
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa-(Epicrates Cenchria) "Houdini"
1.1 Argentine Boa-(Boa Constrictor Occidentalis) "Lacie" & "Oreo"
0.0.2 Green Tree Python-(Morelia Viridis)Biak type-"Smog" & Sorong type- "un-named"

I just got a panasonic dmc fz5 digital camera a few days ago. So far the pics have turned out pretty good. It has a 12x optical zoom, and the macro works fine on snakes. It is a 5mp, and was only about $370
online, but dont expect to find it in stores, since there are so many digital models out there. just go to some camera review sites and do your research. This is one of my first pics of my spotted python, I have much better ones, but i havent uploaded them yet.