New FinePix S5000

[reptiguy]

Hey all,
Had a run-of-the-mill digi cam for the past year and decided it was time to go to something better for taking pics of my animals. I decided on the S5000 because of it's range of features and the sweet price I got on it.

Just wondering if there is anyone else out there that has this camera and can give me some pointers on how to get the most out of it when photographing my animals. I picked up a tripod which helped big time in getting better pics. I have read through the manual a bit but just wondering what works best for you guys.

Any tips with this camera or tips in general for photographing herps would be great.

The strategy that I used the other day was to drape a black sheet down the wall and onto my bed, I then setup my tripod at the end of the bed (yes I know, this sounds like a porn shoot LOL) and then I kept a snake hook with me behind the camera. I would set the animal in the middle of the sheet in the position that I wanted to take the pic, then run to the camera. If the animal moved, I could quickly re-adjust it with the snakehook and then take the pic.

Thanks for the help ahead of time!

-Reptiguy-

[Scales Zoo]

I've got that camera and am still playing around.

The tripod helps.

For taking pictures of herps, I leave it in auto. I take a few with the auto flash, and a few with the flash thing closed (you need to be steady to do this, it leaves the shutter open longer to compensate for having no flash)

Generally the flash ones are better, but real steady no flash shots can be very usefull in certain situations.

Most of my shots are on macro mode (for herps). I do not use the zoom for this in most cases, but you can use it up to 5x and it will still focus.

I've been on a picture taking frenzy lately - I'm glad to have a good camera to learn this stuff on. I've also posted a bunch of pictures lately, feel free to search for my posts to see some of the shots I've taken with the s5000.

What did you pay for yours?

Ryan

[reptiguy]

I work at a computer store so I got a good deal :)
I get everything at cost/manufacturer price. Paid like $450 which is nice... I think retail was at least $550, or at least it was at our store. It helped that I was able to sell my old camera setup for $350 :) Had to put out some more cash for a bigger memory card, a nice camera case, the tripod, and some good rechargable batteries but it's all good. It's a really nice setup and I think that once I learn how to use the different features I'll be able to take some really sweet pics. We have an in-house digital camera expert at the store so he is showing me some helpful things. Thinking about getting one of the add on lenses too.
Any other pointers from anyone on using this camera with herps would be great!

Here are some photos that I took the other night. These images have not been edited or anything yet, just resized. Let me know what you think and if you can give me any pointers on better angles, backdrops etc that would be awsome.

Here is my big female borneo short tail python.
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2563borneo_short_tail_python.jpg

Here is my female juvi central american boa.
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2563central_american_boa.jpg

Here is my baby female jungle carpet python. Couldn't get her off the snake hook without drawing blood so that's where she stayed :)
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2563jungle_carpet_python.jpg

Last but not least... Here is one of my baby mexican pines. Gotta love those tongue shots!
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2563mexican_pinesnake.jpg

Thanks for looking!
-Reptiguy-