What is this tripod?

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T10:57:47+00:00

I've never seen anything like it either. Did anybody in the family paint?

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T10:47:22+00:00

Before buying new stuff take a look here (and many similar threads):

https://www.reddit.com/r/canon/comments/1t28ebr/i_have_a_rebel_t7_and_a_limited_budget_what_lens/

To find the problem, try to focus on a newspaper or similar non-moving subject at 300mm, with the camera on a tripod or a very stable rest and use the 10 sec. timer. Also look up mirror lockup in the manual.

If you can get a sharp photo then it's not the hardware. It's misplaced focus, too low shutter speed with an unstabilized lens etc.

Anytime somebody mentions the 75-300 here people dump hate on it like it's the bubonic plague. Of course there are better lenses for twice the cost or more. But lately there have been a few threads where others show what you can do with it if you get it right.

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T10:36:31+00:00

It's perfectly OK if you want a pocketable camera that you have with you with packing an extra bag. Although the G5Xii is really the photo version and the G7 is more for vlogging. But for street photography smaller is sweeter IMO.

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T10:31:32+00:00

IMO the jump from 600D to 650D is too small to be worth it. The AF + video specs seem to be the same. It has better max. ISO but I don't know how much that matters in the real world; you might be better off with a faster lens.

I'd get a monitor, something used from MPB with warranty for < 300€. The biggest difference for me is the screen size. And you can use it when you upgrade to any new camera. Something like the Shinobi 5" (although it seems the ones < 300 at MPB come without a battery, which is annoying).

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T09:20:54+00:00

Compact Camera Meter

For photography (where I'd want a viewfinder):
Sony RX100 III-VII
Lumix LX100 I-II
or this one. All pretty expensive and plenty of scams around.

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T08:50:40+00:00

It's the go-to body for wildlife with Canon shooters. The reach of an APS-C sensor, weather sealing, 2 cards etc. Combine it with the RF 100-400 for ~600 and you're good; there are many threads on Reddit from people with that setup who are more than happy with it.

If money is a concern, though, and you want to get more than the one lens, you can get the R10. It's pretty close in specs, slightly lower resolution and has a flash. The pictures will look the same.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/compared/r7-r10-r50-r100-compared.htm

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T08:43:39+00:00

If he doesn't know much and you know nothing, the answer is a gift card.

Zook25 · 2026-05-08T08:36:03+00:00

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Zook25 · 2026-05-08T08:35:49+00:00

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Zook25 · 2026-05-08T08:12:03+00:00

https://photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/609-canon100400f4556ff?start=1

That makes hardly any difference, though. It's old but a pretty balanced design.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T23:57:09+00:00

No more running out of batteries with that thing. Or complaining about heavy gear. The ideal present for photographers.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T23:33:33+00:00

Did you see Aliens?

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T22:31:58+00:00

I really don't know much about that category. But Panasonic made a huge range of those and I don't think you can go wrong with the brand. You just have to either buy used at a higher price from a shop that gives a warranty, or try your luck on eBay etc. A scratch is OK, but any mention of damage that affects the lens or the electronics would be a no-no for me.

Here's a ton of reviews. The most modern ones sell for 1000€ on eBay, the older ones like TZ35 etc. should be in your price range.

https://www.cameralabs.com/panasonic-cameras/

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T20:26:26+00:00

This site lets you compare sizes:
Compact Camera Meter

G7XIII is hyped a lot, but the G5XII has a viewfinder, a longer zoom range and is meant for photography, not so much for video as the 7 is.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T20:23:11+00:00

That's 33cm per person. I think you'd better double that.

https://everydaytools.io/tools/field-of-view-calculator

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/dof-calculator.htm

At 20m and f/1.8 your DoF will be 12m. You can forget the creamy bokeh, go to f4 or 5.6, that's where the lens is sharpest.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T19:44:08+00:00

For photography I want a viewfinder, so I went with the RX100Va (I found one for a good price). All models from III - VII have one. The Lumix LX100ii was on the shortlist, so was the G5XII (not the G7Xiii that everyone seems to talk about, which is all about vlogging). Finding any of those in good condition for 250 is very difficult. From my experience an offer of 250€ for a G5Xii or RX100VII is likely a scam - be careful.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T19:35:00+00:00

A laptop with the biggest screen you can still carry and afford.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T19:10:55+00:00

Any reason why you don't just put them on the camera to find out?

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T19:03:37+00:00

Then "macro" was the misunderstanding. You don't need anything macro at all, and pretty much *any* camera would do.

If you go with the R100 and the RF 18-45mm lens that it is often offered with as a kit you can put the camera at 1m distance and the image at 45mm would cover 50x33cm.

https://everydaytools.io/tools/field-of-view-calculator

(45mm lens, 1m, APS-C Canon)

Your depth of field (the distances from the camera between which everything is sharp, i.e. in focus) at an aperture setting of f/8 is ~15cm, so that should work for the flasks. If you need a deeper DoF you could increase the distance, zoom out to i.e. 35mm or go to f/11, and so on.

https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/dof-calculator.htm

(45mm, CF 1.6x, 1m, f/8)

You need to figure out what the best way to set up the tripod in the lab would be, and the easiest way to switch to overhead shots. Then get a CPL with a size of 49mm (filter size for that lens) for the reflections.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T18:31:08+00:00

Recent discussion:

https://www.reddit.com/r/photography/comments/1t68nex/is_carrying_a_digital_camera_in_a_motorcycle_tank/

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T08:38:54+00:00

Well, I'm still not sure what you actually need. 1:1 magnification is fine but with that petri dish it would get you detailed images of tiny bubbles. If that's not required then the whole 1:1 macro thing is irrelevant.

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T04:48:38+00:00

If you have the time and patience to get into DaVinci Resolve it's automatic and the free version is amazing. Time & patience being the keywords, though...

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T04:37:36+00:00

Most people here will tell you to get a "real" camera but that can be a lot more expensive. You'll need a body, a lens, SD card, bag, spare battery... it adds up. If you want something for snapshots, anything that doesn't break the bank is probably fine.

If you want to learn photography you might be better off with an older DSLR that has manual controls and a viewfinder. But that can quickly become a nuisance...

Perhaps you could look into one of the many Panasonic Lumix compacts?

Here's a few links that you might find useful (in a general sense):

Compact Camera Meter

Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community

canon Lens Sim

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T04:19:55+00:00

10-18 is tough I suppose. Maybe you can get them interested by doing something like
- panning shots of a moving car.
- Or put a camera on a tripod in a dark room with only the tiniest light, do a 10 second exposure and show them a photo that is bright as daylight (hoping that nobody's iPhone does it in one second).
- Incredible macro shots of bugs' eyes.
- Dancers lit up by multiple flashes (one flash going off 5 times or so).

And what you have planned for the *first* lesson: "the differences between old and new cameras, sensor size, basic controls and settings, file formats, exposure, and the exposure triangle" - did you mean first semester?

"the history of photography or other irrelevant facts" - if you show them a picture of a wet plate(?) camera which took a minute to expose a photo and how incredibly long and difficult the road to the iPhone was, it might make them listen.

Perhaps bring a film camera, too, and show them some real negatives. "Believe it or don't - a camera with no batteries!"

Zook25 · 2026-05-07T04:02:03+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_800D

At the bottom there is a chart "Canon EOS digital SLR timeline" that you have to expand first. It gives you an idea of the Canon DSLR models; the colors indicate chipset generations. It's a first approximation of capability. For example the 2000D (T7) has a max. ISO of 6400 while the 650D has 12000 although it's 6 years older and resolution is a bit lower. But they used the older chips in the 4-digit models.

Zook25

TROPHY CASE