Camera

[JoeWilliamson]

wasn't sure whether to post this in general discussions or here, but decided here. Anyways, what camera does everyone use for photography of their mantids? I've found that the lens on my phone isn't adequate and the lens on my bridge camera cant focus?

 

[Digger]

You'll find a lot of different camera users around here Joe,  Some members produce really outstanding macro stills and video.  I've been doing photography for 40 years and still find macro some of the most challenging work.  It takes enormous patience, well-placed and designed lighting and good glass.  Like exceptional astrophotography - macro is not snapshot territory.  Did you write PHONE up there ??? 

I just took a couple of quickies of Nia, an L6 Taumantis sigiana.   I used a Canon 50D with a Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro. Promaster Tripod.  2 tungsten fill lights.  1/6 sec @ f/22.  And I still consider this pretty much a "snap shot."  I guess some phone "cameras" can get fairly close - and the advantage to most of these devices is their tremendous f/ratio which yields a longer depth-of-field (something macro photographers often die for -- or come close trying to rewrite the laws of optical physics).

If you want your socks knocked off by some extraordinary mantis macrophotography, take a look at some of papilio's work.  Do a search on this board: "papilio."  He's just one of several members who are true artists.

 

[aesculpius]

I used to use a canon 5Dii now I'm using a 5Ds.  Lens wise it's the canon 100L macro and the MP-e 65 1-5x.  Light set ups are generally extensive and similar to what you would see in studio photography.  To get going any DSLR will do with Nikon and Canon being the trusted brands.  You'll also want a dedicated macro lens that does magnification at 1:1  There's plenty of other equipment that would be nice but there's plenty of well written articles about this sort of thing on the net that would be better to refer to then this thread.  Do you have any specific questions?

 

[GayJerk]

I haven't photographed mantids yet (as I still need to get some) but I have photographed frogs and other small animals before. I use an EOS Rebel T5 DSLR (I do however recommend the T5i over the one I have). Those two are great beginner cameras! I have two different lenses, (one regular and one long-distance lens) I'm not SUPER experienced with lens types but so far I really love this camera. The only thing it isn't great at is taking pictures of the moon, but I kinda expected that.

 

[JoeWilliamson]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback! I have an ancient canon somewhere and I will definitely try and set it up at some point, I'll post the results up here!