Alligator help...

Im going to be going to the Everglades next month and am looking for some tips on photographing alligators. My best lens is a 200/2.8. Does anyone know where I can find some info?

Thanks

Hmm, get a longer lens maybe

I just shot some although not there. NC coast. I went up to some in some ponds and needed 400mm to get good shots even when they were close, it seemed like a few feet away. Full frame shots of heads are really great to see texture and that's hard to get with only 200mm. I use a 2X with my 200mm and I'm happy with it even though it blurs the detail some. I can post process to make up for it. Some people don't think the 2X is worth it and go for the actual lens.

here is how you do it.. You get some really fresh cut up chicken and you tie it on to your feet and then you dangle them in the water to draw them in close enough to get the macro shots..... I am just kidding of course, you definitely want to keep some distance between you an mr big teeth... You may want to invest in the 1.4 teleconvertor to get some extra range. You will lose an fstop , but you will have plenty of light so it shouldn't be a problem...

so that was chicken around my feet...what kind of string would you suggest?

unfortunatley new equipment is out of the question right now. My wife keeps saying something about needing money for the house we are building. i keep telling her we need to keep our priorities straight.

from i can find online they say not to get closer than 15 feet so if I am feeling brave i might be able to get some good shots. of course a gator can cover 15 feet faster than i can get out of the way so we'll see.

thanks, i'll post my results .

Last Year I got following with my 70-200 f/4 from inside a tourbus. I have no idea what the distance was but this might give You an idea. If You will be riding on a tourbus I think the prime might be rather limiting.

http://photo.klein-jensen.dk …p?n=2005april_g​lades1.jpg
http://photo.klein-jensen.dk …p?n=2005april_g​lades2.jpg

Are you going to be in a boat or owalking or on a bus??? If you are on a boat, you will probbly get close enough to easily get some good shots with a 200. Remember if you are not using a full frame camera that is about 320 mm.. We do the everglades, but way further south of you at the top of the keys.. The last time, we went on one of those airboats with the big fan on the back.. This guy put us right next to gators.. THere are also tons of cool birds and animals to shoot in there....

Thanks Tommy, that gives me a good idea.

I will probably be walking for the most part. I will be shooting birds, bugs and landscapes as well as some macro stuff but I really want some good gator shots.

I'm a little worried about getting tunnel vision on one while another moves on the side of me. If anyone has experience on foot and has some tips my wife would be grateful .

In the everglades the alligators can be right there- soometimes 200mm will be too long-and they've been eating people this year- be careful.
Which part of the everglades are you going to?

Problem solved.. get the wife to stand up and hold the chicken out of the side of the boat. That way you can get your focus set on the chicken set your camera to burst mode and as the alligator comes up out of the water fire away. Should get some great shots.

I forgot to tell you to use a polarizing filter. Night and day difference between shots. Lets you see beneath the water and brings out the colors in their skin, otherwiase you would only see 1/4 of the alligator. I took pictures again this weekend with the 200mm. 2 mamas and 12 babies. I got very close by using my car as a barrier and shotting out the window. I was right next to a swamp on a driveway to a plantation.

Are You going to show them?

tommykjensen wrote:
Are You going to show them?

I'm on vacation using someone else's computer. You'll have to wait until I get home.

Ok

I'll have to make sure her insurance is paid up

Thanks, the polarizer is a must.

I'd like to see your shots as well when you gt home.