Dear MARMAM and ECS subscribers,

Once again I apologize for cross-postings.

A while ago, I made an inquiry on both lists about the use of digital 
cameras
for photo-id (dolphins in particular).

Several list members were interested in hearing the results I would get, so 
I am
summarising my findings here.
I hope it will serve as an useful information for other groups.


Clearly, there is a preference for certain digital cameras among researchers
working with cetaceans. Canon and Nikon are the most extensively used and
probably the best. However, there seem to be two groups of cetacean
photographers: those that clearly prefer Canon and those that clearly prefer
Nikon. The numbers are more or less similar. The quality of both labels is 
very
high and more or less the same.
I will not mention other cameras that people used, because they were somehow
»underrepresented«.

These are the best choices for doing photo-id on cetaceans:

Canon EOS 1D mark II
Canon EOS 20D
Canon EOS 10D
Nikon D100
Nikon D70

Here are the lenses that were used (either Canon or Nikon):

Canon 100-400 AF
Canon EF 70-200 F/2,8 L USM
Canon f/4.5-5.6L IA USM
Canon EF 70-200/2.8 IS USM (IS is stabilizer, although some people think it 
is
overrated, while others say it’s a must).
EF 70-200
EF 100-400
80-200 F.2,8 (Nikon)
AF 28-200mm (Nikon)



Although resolution is an important factor for chosing a digital camera, the
"frames per second" is also as important. The best choice is to get a
good
combination of both. It is also worth noting that the difference between 
(for
example) 6 and 8 Megapixels is very small.

Probably the important factor is also the autofocus speed. However, many 
people
find manual focus the fastest way possible.

Sealing of the camera is also something that will afect its price. Some 
cameras
have very good sealings, which prevent any water or salt to get into the 
camera.
People working with cetaceans might want to keep that in mind, as the salt
eventually destroys the camera. Especially the connection between the camera 
and
the lens is the weak spot.

Concerning storage of photos, most people advised me to store photos in JPEG
format and not in TIFF or RAW. It allows you to store more photos and you 
don't
really lose quality.
It is wise to buy two 1 Gb cards and not one big one, becasue bigger cards 
are
not stable.

In case of bad light conditions, digital cameras have the advantage, because 
you
can pop up the ISO / ASA and get good results (although don't forget the 
grain!).

Probably the main problem with digital cameras is their cost. They tend to 
be
very expensive, although prices are dropping. It is also worth checking why 
a
certain camera is twice as expensive as some other one. It might have very
similar resolution and "frames per second", but if it is lighter and/or
less
robust, the price will jump up. Also, it depends whether it is made of 
magnesium
or plastic (or both). Therefore we advise researchers to pay attention when
buying the camera. The most expensive one might not be the best choice.

For example, Canon EOS 1D mark II and Canon EOS 20D are quite similar.

Canon EOS 20D = 1.500 EUR
Canon 1D mark II = 4.300 EUR

The resolution is the same (8,2 M)

Canon EOS 1D mark II = 8,5 frames per secons
Canon 20D = 5 frames per second

Canon EOS 1D mark II is made of magnesium, while Canon EOS 20D is made of 
both
magnesium and plastic.


Most researchers and photographers recommended the Canon EOS 1D mark II, if
money is not a problem.
However, most of them also stated that Canon 20D is as good as the 1D mark 
II,
but much cheaper and therefore more cost-effective.

The other two best choices would be Nikon D70 and Nikon D100 (D70 being 
slightly
better, especially as it is cheaper, but the quality is the same or even
slightly better than D100).

All the cameras mentioned above are suitable for photo-id. The choice that 
the
researchers make will largely be affected by the budget. Also, researchers
should understand camera's specifications and decide which things are 
important
for research and which are not. It is better to buy a cheaper camera, than a
very expensive one, but of the same quality.


According to the responses we received, after comparing the camera with the
others and after talking to professional photographers, we clearly decided 
to
purchase Canon EOS 20D. It seems to be very cost-effective and it should 
suit
all our needs. We don't have the money to buy Canon EOS 1D  mark II, but 
then
again, we don't need it. The 20D is almost the same and it has everything we 
need.
The lens we will buy is most likely Canon EF 70-200 F/2,8 L USM or something
similar.

So, in our opinion, Canon EOS 20D is the winner! :)

If anybody needs more information or some details (perhaps I left out 
something
important), please feel free to contact me with any questions you might 
have.


A big THANK YOU to all of you who kindly responded with your comprehensive
messages and explained all the details!

Good luck to all of those purchasing a digital camera. I hope this 
information
helps in any way.

Best regards,

Tilen Genov

Morigenos - marine mammal research
and conservation society
Jarska cesta 36/a
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
phone: +386 1 541 07 45
mobile: +386 70 943 266
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
website: www.morigenos.org

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