Novice trying my hand: I sell pet supplies at bird shows. I am going to try my hand at pet photography. I have mostly novice equipment, I'm about to purchase a speedlight (I have...

sletter Loc: Daytona Beach Area

I sell pet supplies at bird shows. I am going to try my hand at pet photography. I have mostly novice equipment, I'm about to purchase a speedlight (I have studio lights and a Sunpak 3000 flash I use to trigger the studio lights).

I'm looking at used SB800 speedlights (D3200 camera). Any thoughts, suggestions?

I am including one of my shots. Using the Sunpak (bounce)

Wife with Parrotlet

(Download)

MarkD Loc: NYC

That is a fantastic shot! I think you're set with what you have now.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Nice picture and set up. Nice to meet another bird Lover. You may also be interested in the SB700. It's a little newer and a bit more compact. I have a SB700 I used on my previous camera, a D3100. I like it a lot. If I can be of any help, PM me. I'd be glad to help.
Check out the little guy on my shoulder in my avatar image. That was Buddy. Here's a pic of his successor Cammy.

Cammy

(Download)

cntry Loc: Colorado

Cammy looks just like my Kelly... :D

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

cntry wrote:

Cammy looks just like my Kelly... :D

Thanks, does Kelly ever "shut up?" Cammy seldom does. But he's a real character, a real lover-bird. My wife named him Cammy, she said it's short for camouflage. So it has kind of stuck. :thumbup:

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

sletter wrote:

I sell pet supplies at bird shows. I am going to try my hand at pet photography. I have mostly novice equipment, I'm about to purchase a speedlight (I have studio lights and a Sunpak 3000 flash I use to trigger the studio lights).

I'm looking at used SB800 speedlights (D3200 camera). Any thoughts, suggestions?

I am including one of my shots. Using the Sunpak (bounce)

Other than the somewhat shorter forehead with no markings and very different feather patterns on the wings, how does a parrotlet differ from a parakeet?

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

mwsilvers wrote:

Other than the forehead markings how does a parrotlet differ from a parakeet?

Cammy is a Cockatiel. They are indigenous to New Zealand and bred widely here in the US.
They are like a FF Camera compared to a DX. Larger, faster, smarter, better colors, more expensive, 1.5x bigger(at least) and way better IQ.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

EDIT: sletter Nikon has also a new SB500 that would suit your needs well too.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Nikon_DonB wrote:

Cammy is a Cockatiel. They are indigenous to New Zealand and bred widely here in the US.
They are like a FF Camera compared to a DX. Larger, faster, smarter, better colors, more expensive, 1.5x bigger(at least) and way better IQ.

Thanks, but I know a bit about your bird. I was actually curious about the OP's bird which in some ways resembled a parakeet.

sletter Loc: Daytona Beach Area

mwsilvers wrote:

Other than the somewhat shorter forehead with no markings and very different feather patterns on the wings, how does a parrotlet differ from a parakeet?

Budgies (parakeets) are from Australia and are very docile birds. They make great first birds as do the other common Australian bird, the cockatiel (like the pied cockatiel above, Cammy).

Parrotlets are from South and Central America and have quite an attitude. They have much stronger beaks and will draw blood if they bite. They need more attention than budgies and bore easily. They are much more individualistic that budgies. Some are very loving and want to be with you all the time, others are independent and have a mind of their own. Not recommended for a first bird as they require more attention and training.

Just my opinion as a hobby bird breeder.

sletter Loc: Daytona Beach Area

Nikon DonB, We have 4 cockatiels, two pairs. Spikey (our granddaughter's Pied) with his mate Violet (Cinnamon pearl), Alice (my male, a pied) with his mate, a Cinnamon.

I will look at both of those speedlights, thanks.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

sletter wrote:

Budgies (parakeets) are from Australia and are ver... (show quote)

Thank you very much.

Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

Very nice photo for a novice. It seems to me that
your equipment is very adequate for this type of photography.

sletter Loc: Daytona Beach Area

MarkD wrote:

That is a fantastic shot! I think you're set with what you have now.

Thanks.

sletter Loc: Daytona Beach Area

Yooper 2 wrote:

Very nice photo for a novice. It seems to me that
your equipment is very adequate for this type of photography.

Thank you.