• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Canon vs Nikon

Nice...hehe I also got a new lens recently. The sigma 70-300 and a sigma 28-90. They both have macro functions, but I havnt really been able to put them through there tests, as we have been moving into our new house.
 
The Digital Rebel XT would be a great choice. Even the 300D would be a nice affordable choice. I had the 300D and upgraded to the 20D and love it. Nikon and Canon will both treat you right. The new canons (XT and 20D) are extremely low in noise at high ISO's I think they're at the top of the list with noise levels right now. I shoot with a Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, 50mm f/1.8, and a Tamron 17-35 f/2.8-4 (think I got that tamron right off the top of my head)with a 420 EX flash when needed. I couldn't be happier.
 
Hey TopShelfExotics:
Where did you get your 90mm Tamron 1:1 macro lens?? Also you wouldn't happen to have a link to the site that you got it from, would you??

Also in yours or anyone elses opinon, which is the best macro lens to buy??

Thanks Erik
 
slitherstuderik said:
Hey TopShelfExotics:
Where did you get your 90mm Tamron 1:1 macro lens?? Also you wouldn't happen to have a link to the site that you got it from, would you??

Also in yours or anyone elses opinon, which is the best macro lens to buy??

Thanks Erik
Click to expand...

Actually I looked everywhere for one and could not find it. I finally found a seller from Hong Kong on eBay list it and I snatched it up. Your best bet would probably be browsing ebay, I do not know many people who keep that lens 'in-stock'
 
I have heard amazing things about the 105 nikon, one of the best pieces to own from the word on the grape vine ;) Might invest in one when I have a few extra big bills to unload lol
 
slitherstuderik said:
Also in yours or anyone elses opinon, which is the best macro lens to buy??

Thanks Erik
Click to expand...

If you are using a Nikon body, go with the Nikon 105mm Micro lens. It's a superb lens!

Nikon makes 60mm, 105mm, and 200mm Micro lenses. Maybe even more now, as it's been a while since I have been looking for lenses. Each has it's own strengths and weaknesses. I use the 60mm for adult snakes, the 105mm for baby snakes, and the 200mm if I want to get a photo of the eyes of a spider.

Of the three, I use the 105mm the most.
 
Wish I knew someone local personally that owned those lenses. I wouldnt mind checking them out.....
 
Check Ebay. If you can find a used lens in good shape, you may find a real bargain. If you want to buy new from a reputable dealer, try B&H Photo in New York.
 
Oh Hey! I found where I can buy them! I went to www.pricegrabber.com and found www.bhphotovideo.com and they had a ton of perfect ratings. Here are the links to the lenses and prices!!

~60mm Micro lense
HTML: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=66987&is=USA
This one is $354.95

~105mm Micro Lense
HTML: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=66988&is=USA
This one is $589.95

~200mm Micro Lense
HTML: 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=66989&is=USA
This one is $1,339.95

On all of them you do have the option to buy an "imported lense" which is alittle cheaper, BUT if it needs work during the 1 year warranty, the lense has to be sent back to this company!

If you buy the "USA" made lense you can take it anywhere for work during the 1 year warranty!

When I get back from vacation (Yes, It is FINALLY HERE, I leave on the 9th!!!) I will probably pick up the 105mm and the 200mm.
 
Honestly, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't buy that 200mm Micro lens. It is probably the least used of any of the lenses I have. The autofocus is VERY slow. So much so that it is actually easier to use it in full manual mode. The 105mm and 60mm are MUCH faster lenses and will give you a lot more use and versatility, in my opinion.

BTW, if you are looking for an excellent all around GOOD lens to use out in the field, take a look at Nikon's 24-120mm zoom lens. That is the one I tend to have on my camera most times except when the babies are hatching out. It doesn't have macro or micro capability, but for closeups of adult snakes it does a fine job. The zoom capability allows you to frame your image a whole lot better then moving your camera back and forth trying to get the frame the way you want it.

Go with the cheaper import. I have NEVER had a single solitary problem with ANY Nikon lens I have ever had.
 
Back
Top