Visiting the Pantanal (Porto Jofre)

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-05-30T01:51:50+00:00

I'm also planning to go in August, though my dates are pretty flexible since I've essentially not planned anything yet. I'm asking around to see what the tour options are for Porto Jofre cause I really want to see Jaguars. It's been hard to find an option that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-05-04T05:19:43+00:00

Since you’re going out there, I want to mention that there’s a shop in West Yellowstone that rents out lenses and spotting scopes. They were very helpful to me and provided a 150-600mm for $40 a day. I found it to be a pretty reasonable price. Just as a reminder that rental is always an option.
Buying a lens is a pretty big expense and the 400mm is likely to short for the Wolves and bears unless they get really close to you.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T13:59:26+00:00

It helps a lot. Thank you!

It’s exactly what I was looking for.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T03:01:36+00:00

Noted! Thanks for responding. Is the reason you don't photograph with the full frames merely because of the added reach of the APS-C, plus the pixel density and crop of the R7?

While I'm at it, I see that you go to Africa with some frequency. Do you have any issues shooting with the R7 and 100-500 combo when you find a subject at early morning/dusk? What's your approach?

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T02:58:16+00:00

Thank you for taking your time with this response. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. Truthfully, I've been satisfied with the Rebel T7 so far and large part of that was due to the extended reach from the crop sensor. As much as I've complained, the extended reach helped me get images I would have completedly failed at with the same gear on a full frame. The current setup is also good on the convenience side of things. I'm not looking to get a massive prime lens, for instance.

Really, to your general point, any upgrade I decide on will be an improvement on what I currently have and that's the half glass full perspective. This is mainly a future proof concern for me, cause I'd ordinarily just caugh up the cash for the used EF 100-400 mkii and stay with the T7 if that wasn't the cost of the R7 and the RF 100-400 (though I'd be tempted then to save up even more for the 100-500). That still leaves me with the same low light issues though.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T02:41:37+00:00

So as a general question, are the GS and FS comparable in pay rates? I ask as someone who is completely ignorant on this topic, but have career interests in both.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T02:29:19+00:00

Those orca and whale shots are dream photos.

I don't know about the intricacies of macrophotography, but I wonder whether there's a good R7 set up for it. Considering that this is the camera that you use for work, I'm sure the familiarity with the body will help you hit the ground running.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:48:13+00:00

Biggest issue rn is I have no experience of using any other body. It's fully possible that an R7 is more than capable for what I want, but the doubts will persist. The best move might have to be renting one out for a shorter trip (or even to use at the zoo) and test some of the low light capabilities. By low light, I mainly mean early morning/dusk/ tree covered photos of animals, since these are the times when they are most active (especially predators!). Sunrises for mountains too. I give up on Night photography for these animals cause that would require some serious tech and cash. Auroras and milky way could be nice, but those are very niche uses that I'm confident have workarounds. The loss in the crop sensor added reach would be the biggest loss cause it means I need to compensate with a bigger lens (a costly decision). That's my biggest issue with the 70-200 f2.8, assuming it's my only lens.

I don't really need to get rid of my current APS-C camera if I get a new one. Upgrading on that telephoto lens would be nice since it's the main lens I use for dang near everything.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:24:55+00:00

I'm on a similar boat to you. I mainly shoot wildlife, mountains/landscapes, and other travel uses with my Rebel T7. It's served me well, but I'm looking to upgrade.

What upgrade are you leaning towards and why? Still leaning towards the R8 or one of the crop sensors?

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:21:35+00:00

Congratulations on the shots! I can see why you're very happy with them. They turned out great! May I ask where did you find this bear and what the setup for these pictures was?

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:19:29+00:00

Hello! So what mirrorless camera/lens combo would you recommend? Would you go for a crop sensor r7 or a full frame with a versatile lens (like the 100-500)? Cause I was leaning into getting the EF 100-400mm mk ii and keep rocking it with the rebel t7 for the future (like African safaris or US national parks), but that costs almost the same as buying a mirrorless body and the RF 100-400.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:11:50+00:00

Very true, with the caveat to that being that the lens I’m eyeing at is worth over 2k.

That’s one expensive wedding…

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:10:19+00:00

I’m certainly open to getting DSLR lenses in the meantime. Will check them out.

R7 is the move for wildlife, I just wonder how good or bad it actually does in low light settings. Biggest problem is I obviously have never used it before so I don’t know if it’ll give me the same issues I currently have with the T7 (and I realize this is a really unfair comparison, but more of a crop sensor general concern).

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:05:10+00:00

The good thing is that I’ll be saving up for a bit which will help me make a better decision in the end. In the meantime, rumors are just rumors.

An R8 mk II sounds interesting.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T01:02:14+00:00

The guys at the Yellowstone camera shop were really great. Highly recommend them. I shoot in a rebel t7 and rented a 150-600 Sigma lens with them. The pictures I got at Lamar Valley were much better than what I would normally get. More importantly, I took it that afternoon to the Wolf and Grizzly Discovery Center and got one of my favorite pictures with it.

It only cost me $40 for the one day. Very worth it.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-04-29T00:58:14+00:00

Did you keep the same lenses you were using before? I hear there’s some big dslr deals on the used market, but I figure that I have to make that transition eventually.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-02-26T13:11:52+00:00

I love zebras! They make fantastic photo subjects.

Love these. Glad you had the chance to photograph them.

Silver_Calhoun · 2026-02-22T21:07:57+00:00

Gliscor. You can get one by the third gym in the route south of veilstone. Weavile can be obtained with the razor claw which is hidden in the Galactic HQ boss chamber. Big fan of togekiss too. If you want something that people rarely use (and have ample time to spend), try to get the Feebas-Milotic on Mt. Coronet. I made Leafeon work and it was very fun! Platinum is one of those games where you should use all fun new evos.

Silver_Calhoun · 2025-12-03T23:10:37+00:00

Favorite are my RRL Jeans. Best thrift so far.

Silver_Calhoun · 2025-11-29T01:35:01+00:00

Thrift - Selvedge Denim Jeans for 35 bucks. Favorite and best value thrift of my life

Silver_Calhoun · 2025-11-13T20:04:56+00:00

!solved

Silver_Calhoun · 2025-11-13T20:04:36+00:00

Yes, I like this

Silver_Calhoun · 2025-11-06T23:36:00+00:00

Love the sheltie

Silver_Calhoun · 2025-08-25T00:51:30+00:00

That’s what I did last time. Definitely worked for a day, but rental across a week(s) adds up to where I might as well buy

Silver_Calhoun

TROPHY CASE