Digital SLR's And Lenses

[Kaiser79]

Hello,

My name is Kaiser79 and I am completing the Cert.3 in Investigative Services from the Albury/Wodonga region. I'm enjoying my first module and learning a lot from reading this forum.

I was wondering what Digital SLR Investigators prefer and your favourtite lens to capture images at night?

Also, if usings a large telephoto lens- What are some good concealment/comouflage techniques?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Kaiser79]

Can anybody clarify for me if digital photos can be used in court as evidence?

[SUPERSLEUTH]

I would think yes you can though they would need the time and date stamp on them and a chain of evidence for the photos. I would think it would be the same as the Hard drive video cameras we use here in Darwin. You are able to submit them as evidence though they need the chain of evidence with them.

[PhilD]

Hi Kaiser79

When it comes to cameras it really comes down to two things;

1. Comfort and ease of operation in your own hands
2. Budget

The major players are Canon & Nikon however Sony & Fuji have some fantastic models in the market.

Look for a camera that has Date & Time Stamp as well as ability to manually focus and switch off flash function (all DSLR have these features).

Also stick to one brand so lenses and batteries can be interchanged. Canon lenses can be used with any Canon body whereas Nikon varies.

As for a telephoto lens that shoots well in low light you will need a 'fast lens' ie one with a large aperture, usually f2.8 or one that has an optical stabiliser. Costly though Canon L series comes to mind. A focal length of 300mm will be ideal if your starting out.

As for concealment techniques there are various ways. You may have to wait until you do the surveillance workshop with ASSI.

[Kaiser79]

Hello PhilD & Supersleuth,

Thanks a lot for your responses. The post was a requirement of my first assignment so I really appreciate your help.

I'm really into my photography and I understand your comments and will certainly take them on board.

I can't wait to get stuck into more of the course and hopefully the industry.

Thanks again,

Kaiser79

[huddo]

Hi there Kaiser 79.
whos the training provider you are going through? if its who i think it is, ther have dramatically raised there course fees. im on the border and im happy for you to sit along side me at some stage so you can have an insight of the juob! let me know.
regards,
hudson investigations group

[icancu]

I'm really into my photography and I understand your comments and will certainly take them on board.

I am also a keen amateur and have a Nikon D90 and 2 main lenses, a 18-55 and 50-150, both 2.8 and they are great although for ease of use I am considering a single lens, the new 24-120 F4 to replace both, but at $1500+ the wife would kill me.  However if you want a single do it all 'hobby' lens, there is a Tamron about 18-270, mine was about a grand when I bought it but they have come down now.  

Need any advice, feel free to PM

[eagles#1]

I use a Sony dslr but to tell you the true i hardly use it any longer, i go for the video with a 2x lens every time and capture stills from the video which i can  then add date stamps.
Only time i would use the camera would be for quality id shots.

[nighttimer]

Use Nikon or Canon.

The Canon 100-400mm zoomm is good for day-time with plenty of ambient light.

The Nikon equivalent is the 80-400mm zoom or their more costly 200-400mm zoom which is more bulky, far more costly, but also better at night as its maximum aperture is f4.

Having said that, there are numerous options, including independent (after-market) lens brands such as Tamron, Sigma and Tokina.

Canon telephoto lenses (the L-Series upmarket ones) are usually white in colour.  Nikons are black. Canon claims that heat can adversely affect black lenses in daylight, but their distinctive white lenses are also a branding/advertising thing.

Some surveillance and paparazzi photographers in Los Angeles are said to use (white) Canon lenses in the daytime and (black) Nikon gear at night. However that would be costly and really depends on what you are doing/photographing.

For camouflage, there is really only one superb option: take my advice and go to http://www.lenscoat.com  :wink: and in crap weather go to http://www.aquatech.net for rain covers, if needed.