Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For the past two years, I've been using my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 for taking pictures of herps. I just got back from a research excursion in Ecuador, and the person in charge of it took pictures of each of the herps that we collected. After seeing the pictures that he took, I decided that it was time for me to upgrade to a digital SLR. My Lumix is nice, but there are drawbacks in the lens, flash, etc.

I've been looking at digital SLRs, and I like the Canon Rebel XTi. I am a little familiar with my dad's Rebel, but I'd like one with 10 megapixels so I can get good, publishable pictures. It'd take a while for a poor college student to manage the funds, but I plan on getting the body, a standard 55mm lens, a telephoto lens (probably will be 300mm; I'd like a 500mm, but those are just too expensive), a macro lens, a flash, and a ring flash.

I'd like to take pictures of herps and insects, so the macro is important, but I'm also a bit of a birder, which is why I'm looking at telephoto lenses. The ring flash is something I only just learned about after this trip, and I've got to say that I like the concept of it. The one big issue I've got with my Lumix is that I get a semicircle due to the flash if I get to close to an object, so I have to back up a bit, which doesn't give me the closeness that I'd like.

So, with all of that said, I'm considering the Rebel because I'm familiar with it and I know it's a good SLR. Given my interests, would that be a good choice, or are there better ones out there? I'd like to stay along similar price as the Rebel, if at all possible.

If you are considering the Canon 400D (Rebel Ti), I think you should also look at the other recent competitive 10MP DSLRs-

Nikon D80 - a bit more expensive
Pentax K10 - a bit more expensive, but image stabilized and getting rave reviews from those who have it
Sony Alpha 100 - again image stabilized, and getting good reviews.

You can compare the specs of these four cameras here - LINK

Read the reviews of these four and compare not only the prices of the cameras, but the prices and availability of lenses, flashes and other accessories you might want.

Some people have questions about the future of Pentax in the camera business, but that is largely speculation, AFAIK. I know two people with Pentax DLSRs and they are both happy customers. The Pentax mount cameras also allow you to use older (cheap) manual focus lenses, which is a bonus.

The most important thing you should do, however, is go to a store that stocks these and handle them! Find the features/settings you will want to change frequently. How accessible are they (i.e. do you have to search through three menus to find them, or is there a button)? That's the sort of thing that makes a big difference over the long run.

As for ring flashes, I don't like them for herp photography. I much prefer to get the flash off the camera, either with a sync cord or with wireless flash.
(Wireless flash is another thing you should consider when looking at the system. Do you have to buy extra stuff, other than the flash, for it to work? Some brands require that, adding to the expense.)

I'm also a birder and try to take a few bird shots. I have some long lenses (a 500 f/4.5 and a few shorter lenses) and I bought most of them used from KEH.com for less than 1/4 their retail prices. Good lenses cost money, however.

As for macro lenses, certainly look at the other brands. Sigma and Tamron make excellent macro lenses that are significantly cheaper than the camera brand lenses and score as high (if not higher) on tests of optical quality.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Since money is a consideration, I have a few suggestions too.

The Sony will also accept all A mount konica/minolta lenses, which have been manufactured since the 80's. Like the pentax, good glass can be had cheaply.

A set of extension tubes (kenko makes AF tubes) will make a standard telephoto into a macro lens, and a 1.4x tele-converter will make a 300mm telephoto into a much longer lens...all for MUCH less than the three lenses that they replace. Granted there will be some loss in optical quality and light, but it's everything on a shoestring budget...the REALLY nice lenses can come later, after you have something to start with. That way, you can avoid the frustration of not having the versatility that you want.
-----
Erik Williams

fattailed geckos, western hognoses, and a bunch of postage stamps.
Contact me
www.chicagoherp.org
Chicago Herpetological Society

I just received the K10d about a week ago. I LOVE IT. I came from a Canon 300d, which is no comparisson. The ease of use os the pentax is amazing. All the controls are right at your fingertips. No searching around a menu. Image quailty is great, and I do really like the inbody IS. Also I the firmware update does allow the camera flash to wirelessly control an off camera pentax flash. Pentax right now is lagging behind in available lenses. However where you are hard to find a lens is the more expensive Fast telephoto zooms. Sigma does make a the 70-200/2.8 for pentax, but good luck finding one!!!! Right now many pentax users are getting along with the Sigma 75-300 APO macro($220) and the Tameron 70-300 LD DI ($189). There are cheap macro lenses available as well. If the k10d is out of budget look at the K100d. What you get with Pentax for the price is unbeatable.
I dropped about 1700 for the K10d with Kit (18-55), Sigma 500 super Flash(would have gotten a pentax flash if I would of known about the firmware update), and Sigma 105 Macro. That Same kit with the k100d would run about 1300-1400.
BTW: 10mp is not all it is cracked up to be, I would perfer a 6-or 8 megapixel. Both are PLENTY good for publishing pics, and you do not have to deal with the higher noise that a 10mp camera puts out.

Here is a pic from the first night with my k10d, Sigma 500 Supe flash, and sigma 105.

Hi,

I have had my XTI for about 3 weeks now and I know that isn't very long but so far I love it. This is my first digital SLR, and I still have alot to learn but so far it seems very user friendly. I have used 3 different lenes (I have a friend that uses Canon, and has loaned me a couple to play with) and have been able to get some pretty good shots with all of them.

Now if the weather would warm up so I can get out and try it in the field.

I have been looking at the Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax 10 MP cameras for several weeks, and finally am going to pull the trigger and buy the Pentax. For the money, it is the only one with the Dust Removal, IS in camera, AND weather sealed. While I loved the Nikon, I just do not think it is for me, prefer to get the IS in camera. The Canon just felt too small, kind of like a toy, and I do have small hands, so thought it would be great for me, but no. I plan on getting the K10D with the Kit Pentax lense, a Tamron Macro lense, a Grip, an Exta Battery, a card, for about $1200. I do not think I can go wrong, and I did actually hold all of them, all are pretty nice, the Sony is not a bad buy either, but the Pentax won out.

Dave

I'm curious where you are able to get all of that for $1200? I have been comparing, and I think that if I can afford it, I'd go with the Pentax, but I was expecting to pay a bit more for the set up...

If you go on Ebay, there is one company that has a 99.8% possitive feedback rating, that has at least 20 different kits/set ups. I think I will be getting the one with the grip, camera, card, etc., and buy a few lenses from other vendors.

dave

So be carefull, there are LOTS of scam artist camera shops. Many have full page adds in photo magazines. ALWAYS check out resellerratings.com before you buy cameras online.

The K10d can be bought for 899 from Best buy, But I believe they are out of stock again.

I ended up paying $1139 for the body, the 18-55mm lense, the grip, extra battery, two tripods, 4 gig card, case, and a few other odds and ends.

Dave

I don't show a lot of herps anymore but I have some good rig for my concert shoots and have put 15,000 clicks on my DSLR's since March of 06.

This is what I pack to a shoot.

Nikon D200
Nikon D70
3 8Gb 150xSpeed Compact Flash Memory
70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor
50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor
70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO Sigma
20mm F1.8 EX DG Sigma

I don't use a flash. I would like a better macro lense.
I think that the plastic body of the D70 may make it
more fragile but don't want to test that theory.

Stay away from "hard drive" based memory cards and try to get the fastest memory that you can or your camera buffer may swamp taking multiple frames at high speed. Get a camera with as big an onboard memory buffer possible if this will be done alot.

The D200 is in fact a Cadillac. Built rugged as a tank, large enough to not feel small in your hands.

I'm a "semi pro". I work for a photographer as a 2nd shooter but I do some solo gigs too, and have begun to make some money at this.

One very important consideration that all but eliminates everyone but Canon and Nikon is the selection of lenses available.

If you look at the guys who make thier money taking photographs, Canon and Nikon make up 98% of the market share. That's not to say that Sony or Panasonic don't make quality cameras. They do. They offer LOTS of bang for your buck and some neat features, but if you want a camera without limits, it's really just down to Nikon or Canon.

I agree completely with one of the other posters, the D200 is a beautiful camera. Unfortunately it's probably out of your price range. The photographer I work for uses a D200, it's built like a tank and is definetely a pro camera in the truest sense. The D80 got some great reviews, as did the D70. I use a Rebel XT. It fits my hands nicely and I have made some money using it. I thought about upgrading my camera when I got more seriously into photography but I quickly learned that good glass makes more difference than the number of Megapixels you've got.

For macro, extension tubes are cheap and do work quite well. You need a firm understanding of depth of field to use them, but they defintely do work.

Of the longer telephoto lenses, the 70-300IS is a good choice for ~$600. The 75-300 is a poor quality lens and should be avoided.

The best, I repeat best, bang for your buck in Canon's lineup today is the 50mm 1.8 (also called "the fantastic plastic" it's a $75 lens that can produce images that rival a thousand dollar lens.

Whatever you decide on, get yourself some good books, or if you can find good photography classes nearby, take them.

Most of all - HAVE FUN!
-----
"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

I just got done having this debate on another forum. The whole Canon and Nikon are the only players is bunk. Pentax does not have ALOT of lenses currently available. But they have what is needed, you do not need 50 lenses.
Here is Pentax Lens roadmap with L quality glass to be coming out this year.
www.digital.pentax.co.jp/en/lens/roadmap.pdf

There is not one quality lens available with C or N that does not have an equivelent in a Pentax mount. you are covered from 10mm to 600mm with prof quality glass. Plus you get more primes and TONS of Used quality glass.

After looking through the options, I think that I've decided to save up for the Pentax K10D. I've got a few months before I want to get it, so I've got some time. Just looking at the features, I like the in-camera IS as well as the weather resistant seals.

Reading through the reviews, it looks like Pentax always got the highest marks.

Having made that decision, I'm looking at, to begin with, 2 lenses. I think that I'll get the body and lens package that comes with a 55mm lens, and in addition, I'll get the Tamron 70-300mm macro zoom lens. Since herps tend to zip away when approached, it'd be nice to be able to get natural pictures of them, close up, at 5-6 meters away. I think that that'll double as a long range lens (it looks like there's a switch that I can flip to go from normal to macro mode). I'm also considering getting a teleconverter. That'd effectively double my lenses. I can't decide if I want to get a 1.4x and just up the lens by one f-stop or 2x and up it by 2 f-stops. I think the former would be better.

Eventually, I'd like to get a large lens like a 600mm to get good bird shots, but for now, I think that between a 10 MP camera and a 300mm (possibly 600mm with teleconverter), I'll be able to get good pictures of such. Also, in the future, I'll probably get a short wide-angle lens. I think that'd be the extent of what I'd want, at least for now.

I'm still looking for flashes. I do like the idea of ring flash when working close up so I don't get shadow, but I don't know if I'd like a ring flash or a twin flash. I imagine the former will do well just because I can control what lights light. I'll also get a large "regular" flash for longer distances.

I think that after all of that, and a good weatherproof backpack, I'll be set!

When I got my k10d I got the sigma 105 macro and the kit lens. I plan on getting the sigma 70-200 2.8 macro and 1.4tc. It should be available in march (the old 70-200 is sold out everywhere).

On the Tamron + TC you only be able to use it in manual mode I believe.

For the flash I got the Sigma 500 super + a gary fong lightsphere. It has always worked great even on camera. After the 1.1 firmware update I wish I would of opted for the Pentax 540, as that can now be used as a wirelessly with he onboard flash, the sigma can only be used as a slave and you lose PTTL. I just got an off camera extension, but have not been able to play with it. Here are some flash shots with a diffuser on camera. Hopefully getting it down lower will reduce the chin shadow.Last two were taken with 300d sigma 500, stoffen diffuser

How do you like the Sigma 105mm, that is what I might get too, for snake pics?

Dave