Digital SLR for below S$2000

[lsz]

the full bodied cat, direct flash?

[loupgarou]

yeah.. neat demon cat effect.
heh
--
using the built in flash.

[hwchoy]

let's organise picture taking at LFS!

[lsz]

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On 9/25/2003 1:10:55 AM

yeah.. neat demon cat effect.
heh
--
using the built in flash.
----------------

haha green eye monster
maybe you can try bounce flash too..
get catch light instead of green eyes!

For myself i feel that just a little more space all around the cat will make the picture better. The tight framing does not add to the picture in this case. but great start

[FND]

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On 9/25/2003 1:24:50 AM

let's organise picture taking at LFS!
----------------

Good idea... but where? fish farm? aquatic plant farm? Will the owner be agreeable to such ideas?

Maybe plant it's ok but fish?

-FND->

[loupgarou]

seems like the 2nd batch of 300d is cheaper. just out on sept 24th.. 1750 or so. (make sure you get an equote from cathayphoto.com.sg first before purchase).

for those waiting. is there a point?

take note: your total cost of ownership can be under $2000 depending on what you want to do and give you upgrade options in the long run.

so eos300d + kit = $1750 to $1850
close up lenses: $15-$16 each, +1 to +4
cf card; 512mb :$150+
http://www.geocities.com/tongeh2001/Tongeh.html

so total cost of ownership:
around $2000

---
the following are handheld taken on auto mode
with (+1 and +4 ) close up filters,the 18-55 kit lens and the built in flash.

Concolor and Melini
Rasbora Agilis
Sturisoma sp.
Eirmotus Octozona
Atropersonatus
Malayan Shrimp
snail taken at odd angle
Pygmaeus
Malayan Shrimp
Dicrossus Filamentosus
Botia Sidthimunkis
Similis
What apisto is this?
Polystictus or Xinguensis
Hara Hara
brevist...
Sturisoma sp.
darter tetra
Sturisoma sp.
[/url]

[loupgarou]

taken with 100mm f2.8 macro no tripod.. (haven't bought yet).
so a little blur.

4 mm size snail on java fern cropped taken 31 cm away.



incidentally this is a bad snail. (and it survived limnacid/anti snail treatment)

[loupgarou]

summary:

cost of ownership of digital slr.
specifically Canon eos300d.

Mandatory items
eos 300d - $1750-$1850
hi speed compact flash card: 256mb = $96 , 512mb = $190
dry cabinet (30litre)- $99 - $150

(check prices at http://www.hardwarezone.com)
http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguid...ide.php?id=118


"mandatory" Optionals (ie: good to have, but can live without)
Camera Bag : lowepro nova 2 aw - $42 (cathayphoto equote)
tripod - $100+ (check for loading)

Canon Speedlite 420 EX - $327 (cathayphoto equote)
Canon Speedlite 550 EX - $606 (cathayphoto equote)
Rechargeable batteries (sanyo from eastgear.com: $12 for 4)
quick Rechargable battery station : $49 to $65 , sony is ok.
Canon ST-E2 Remote Transmitter - $295 or less
2CR5 lithium battery for ST-E2 - $10

UV filters (more for lens protection), $10 to $14
58mm close up lens +1 to +4 , anywhere from $10 to $16


Remote Switch RS-60E3 - $55 or less

Omnibounce - $50 or less

--if you have nothing better to do with your money--
canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro lens @ S$2,432.00
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM @ S$951.00

-take note somethings you can get for less secondhand

[hwchoy]

if you have a macro lens you wouldn't need the close-up filter right?

[loupgarou]

dunno.

close up lens is so that you can go closer to the subject (which at the same time magnifies closer to lifesize).

with the 100mm macro lens, you have to be like 0.31m away from the subject to focus.

however if you're using the built in flash, that almost assuredly means you get a flash reflection.

however according to the literature, they say the 100mm macro is not suited for close up lens and I don't have the need to try it out yet... heh.. but I'll try tonight and see if I can stick the camera against the glass and peer into an oto's stomach...hahah

[hwchoy]

haven't benny showed you his Ring Flash yet? damn thing look more evil than my M203 grenade launcher lahz.

[naturetan]

----------------
On 9/29/2003 1:23:50 PM

if you have a macro lens you wouldn't need the close-up filter right?
----------------

Depends on what magnification ratio you're looking for. If you can do without that filter, that will be best. Usually such filter suffers to certain degree in image quality, and it's always better to buy the best that you can afford. There're also other better ways than filter to do macro, without getting expensive macro lens. But then it has its disadvantage.

[hwchoy]

unfortunately for those of us without DSLR, no choice lehz []

[benny]

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On 9/29/2003 9:59:10 PM

unfortunately for those of us without DSLR, no choice lehz []
----------------

Yes you do. Don't keep small fishes like barbs and rasboras!! Keep big big fishes like arowanas!. []

Cheers,

[naturetan]

Isn't it better not to have choices? Don't need to spend and crack our head, just switch to macro mode and snap! No fish, prawn also can.

[loupgarou]

yes, I've tried the mp65 lens and the ring flash. apparently its good only if the fish is dead and you want to eg: check gills, liver etc.. haha

[hwchoy]

yah benny, I will come to your house and release some really big LH into your tanks [:0]