I am spending 10 weeks in Costa Rica this summer and am seeking some equipment recommendations. I must note that I am on a limited budget as I am a graduate student.
I currently plan on taking the following equipment:
Canon 400L f/5.6
Sigma 18-35
Canon EOS Digital XT (purchasing in the mext month or so to replace my A2E)
Bogen-Manfrotto tracker tripod with ball-head mount
I am currently looking at several macro lenses, of which the Canon 100mm is my favorite (surprise, surprise). However, given my limited budget, this might be out of the question at this time. Given the 1.6x magnification factor of the Canon digital xt, will the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 (1:1) be ok for photographing insects, frogs, and other small critters?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by Mike Moats on February 21, 2007 at 9:01 PM
Hey Jason, the 50mm is not a good choice for shooting critters, you would be right on top of them, and they won't tolerate that, you should have at least a 150mm, or longer. You could use the 400 and add extention tubes, a set of Kenco tubes would run about $160.00.
Posted by Brian Monk on February 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
I concur.....Unless you are going to work with immobile subjects, a tele-macro is a better choice. I consider extension tubes a necessity for macro work.
Posted by Ott Luuk on February 22, 2007 at 5:18 AM
I own the 400/5.6L and I think it`s rather uncomfortable to use for macro with extension tubes (note the minimum focus distance of 3.5m and long physical length). I also have a 50mm macro (Canon but I´ve handled the Sigma version, too). While it is an excellent general purpose lens, I must agree that the working distance gets too short for bugs.
If the Canon 100mm macro is too much for you, there are cheaper options:
- the older non-USM Canon 100mm macro, used
- Tamron 90mm, Tokina 100mm or Sigma 105mm macro lenses new or used
They are all good optically and go down to 1:1 on their own.
If you are going to take a lot of insect close-ups, you also want a decent flash with an off-camera cord. A set of extension tubes is almost a must and while at it, a 1.4x teleconverter is a good idea, too. (Both for the 400mm and for stacking macro lens + extension tubes + 1.4x) Ok, the TC is optional, but you really want a flash for macros.
Consider taking your film camera along as a back-up and for occasional ultra-wide scenes with the 18-35mm. Ten weeks in hot, humid climate is a serious affair for any camera. Bring some ziplock bags and silica gel packages to protect your equipment from humidity when not in use.
10 weeks in Costa Rica sounds amazing, BTW. A field research project, I guess?
Posted by Dan Borzynski on February 22, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Ott offers some really good advice on equipment choices. After you escape from graduate school, a macro in the 180-200 mm range would be even a better choice for insect work, but having been a graduate student myself for almost a decade, I really understand the budget issues. Try to come up with a 100 mm macro if you can - beg, borrow, steal, maybe contact some of the local camera clubs or even stores and explain your situation. From the stores, you may be able to arrange a three month rental, or a purchase, with having them buy it back afterwards. Mostly likely, you get a no, but it won't hurt.
Plan B: This is during the summer, isn't it? It wouldn't hurt to ask at the school paper or the photography/arts department for equipment to borrow. With classes being out, much of what they have will just be sitting around anyway, or they may be able to direct you to someone. You may need to enlist your advisor to help.
Lots of good advice above. Definately bring some silica packs and ziplocks as mentioned above. I just spent 1.5 months in Madagascar doing field work and it was unbelievable the amount of moisture and dust that landed on everything I owned.
I'd also look into a Kata Elements cover for your camera. It is going to be wet and drippy and the last thing you want is to toast your camera due to moisture 2 weeks into the trip.
I shot most of my stuff with the Canon 100mm (wish I had bought extension tubes). But, even with this lens it was tough to get shots of some of the more active spiders. So I agree that the 50mm will be too short. Get some extension tubes and try with the 400mm and see if it is something you can do and you're getting the results you want. I had my best luck: at night when things weren't moving around (watch out for the darn ants !) and while it was raining. These two conditions made everything hunker down and move slow.
Thanks for all the great advice, especially about talking to the photo department here at school. To answer Ott's question, I am an environmental planning grad student and will be studying sustainable development at the Monteverde Institute. The program is lecture-based with a service-learning component - not a lot of research involved.
I'm starting to think that I might just have to bust the budget and get the Canon 100. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, after all. I definitely plan on taking a lot of ziplocks and silica packets with me. Unfortunately, the command dial on my A2E needs repair and thus will not be making the trip (this, and the cost of film, was the impetus for getting the digital XT).
Probably a good choice. If you find that you're strapped for cash, or the lens just isn't what you need, you shouldn't have too much trouble selling it without taking too big a hit.
Alex
Posted by Dan Borzynski on February 22, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Assuming that you are in no immediate hurry to buy, you may also want to look at the used market. KEH seems to have the largest variety of equipment come through, but BH is also pretty good.
Another possibility, given budget, is third party lenses. At least for fixed focal length macro lenses, it is pretty hard to find bad lens. Yes, some are a bit sharper than others, but technique is more likely to be a limiting factor.
You'll still need to deal with flash. Take a look at John Shaw's books for building a flash bracket. I've several versions of it in the field and it does seem to work, but my version of it reminded me of the good reasons why I stay away from power tools. I als ran across this on building a flash bracket that stays away from tools. First estimate on building it is $80 - $90.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=22089389
Just cut and paste that into your browser since I can't get the hotlink to work.
i spent some time in costa rica last year and a few weeks in peru last month.. i have a sony dslr body and i use the sigma 105mm 2.8 macro.. it probably runs about $350 and it is tack sharp.. look at my portfolio if you want to see some images,, all the frogs were taken with the sigma macro... good luck
Discussion
9 repliesI am spending 10 weeks in Costa Rica this summer and am seeking some equipment recommendations. I must note that I am on a limited budget as I am a graduate student.
I currently plan on taking the following equipment:
Canon 400L f/5.6
Sigma 18-35
Canon EOS Digital XT (purchasing in the mext month or so to replace my A2E)
Bogen-Manfrotto tracker tripod with ball-head mount
I am currently looking at several macro lenses, of which the Canon 100mm is my favorite (surprise, surprise). However, given my limited budget, this might be out of the question at this time. Given the 1.6x magnification factor of the Canon digital xt, will the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 (1:1) be ok for photographing insects, frogs, and other small critters?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
If the Canon 100mm macro is too much for you, there are cheaper options:
- the older non-USM Canon 100mm macro, used
- Tamron 90mm, Tokina 100mm or Sigma 105mm macro lenses new or used
They are all good optically and go down to 1:1 on their own.
If you are going to take a lot of insect close-ups, you also want a decent flash with an off-camera cord. A set of extension tubes is almost a must and while at it, a 1.4x teleconverter is a good idea, too. (Both for the 400mm and for stacking macro lens + extension tubes + 1.4x) Ok, the TC is optional, but you really want a flash for macros.
Consider taking your film camera along as a back-up and for occasional ultra-wide scenes with the 18-35mm. Ten weeks in hot, humid climate is a serious affair for any camera. Bring some ziplock bags and silica gel packages to protect your equipment from humidity when not in use.
10 weeks in Costa Rica sounds amazing, BTW. A field research project, I guess?
Plan B: This is during the summer, isn't it? It wouldn't hurt to ask at the school paper or the photography/arts department for equipment to borrow. With classes being out, much of what they have will just be sitting around anyway, or they may be able to direct you to someone. You may need to enlist your advisor to help.
Lots of good advice above. Definately bring some silica packs and ziplocks as mentioned above. I just spent 1.5 months in Madagascar doing field work and it was unbelievable the amount of moisture and dust that landed on everything I owned.
I'd also look into a Kata Elements cover for your camera. It is going to be wet and drippy and the last thing you want is to toast your camera due to moisture 2 weeks into the trip.
I shot most of my stuff with the Canon 100mm (wish I had bought extension tubes). But, even with this lens it was tough to get shots of some of the more active spiders. So I agree that the 50mm will be too short. Get some extension tubes and try with the 400mm and see if it is something you can do and you're getting the results you want. I had my best luck: at night when things weren't moving around (watch out for the darn ants
Good luck and play safe,
Cheers,
Alex
I'm starting to think that I might just have to bust the budget and get the Canon 100. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, after all. I definitely plan on taking a lot of ziplocks and silica packets with me. Unfortunately, the command dial on my A2E needs repair and thus will not be making the trip (this, and the cost of film, was the impetus for getting the digital XT).
Thanks again, everyone!
Jason
Probably a good choice. If you find that you're strapped for cash, or the lens just isn't what you need, you shouldn't have too much trouble selling it without taking too big a hit.
Alex
Another possibility, given budget, is third party lenses. At least for fixed focal length macro lenses, it is pretty hard to find bad lens. Yes, some are a bit sharper than others, but technique is more likely to be a limiting factor.
You'll still need to deal with flash. Take a look at John Shaw's books for building a flash bracket. I've several versions of it in the field and it does seem to work, but my version of it reminded me of the good reasons why I stay away from power tools.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1025&message=22089389
Just cut and paste that into your browser since I can't get the hotlink to work.