Female Aphonopelma moderatum Exploring

[Arachnophobphile]

She's been sealed in her burrow since 11/23/2024 right after I received her. She's still 2.5 inches and I suspect she'll be 2.5 inches for a long time.

Last night I pulled the corkbark back slightly to check on her but most importantly to offer her a giant mealworm, which she ate.

I expected her to reseal her burrow entrance but instead she has come out to do a little exploring, very exciting to see her finally come out.





I've starting looking into DLSR cameras with macro lenses to get better photos. I'm a dummy to cameras and think I need to take a class in photography just to learn how to use them correctly.

Oh yeah, that's my psycho 6.5 inch female T. vagans in the background.

 

[viper69]

She's been sealed in her burrow since 11/23/2024 right after I received her. She's still 2.5 inches and I suspect she'll be 2.5 inches for a long time.

Last night I pulled the corkbark back slightly to check on her but most importantly to offer her a giant mealworm, which she ate.

I expected her to reseal her burrow entrance but instead she has come out to do a little exploring, very exciting to see her finally come out.

View attachment 492624

View attachment 492625

I've starting looking into DLSR cameras with macro lenses to get better photos. I'm a dummy to cameras and think I need to take a class in photography just to learn how to use them correctly.

Oh yeah, that's my psycho 6.5 inch female T. vagans in the background.

You will need a flash and diffuser.

Make sure the macro lens is 1:1.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

You will need a flash and diffuser.

Make sure the macro lens is 1:1.

Thanks, writing that down

 

[Stu Macher]

She's been sealed in her burrow since 11/23/2024 right after I received her. She's still 2.5 inches and I suspect she'll be 2.5 inches for a long time.

Last night I pulled the corkbark back slightly to check on her but most importantly to offer her a giant mealworm, which she ate.

I expected her to reseal her burrow entrance but instead she has come out to do a little exploring, very exciting to see her finally come out.

View attachment 492624

View attachment 492625

I've starting looking into DLSR cameras with macro lenses to get better photos. I'm a dummy to cameras and think I need to take a class in photography just to learn how to use them correctly.

Oh yeah, that's my psycho 6.5 inch female T. vagans in the background.

Dang she's beautiful

 

[viper69]

Thanks, writing that down

Also, I don’t know what your budget is- but I would get a mirrorless over a DSLR.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Dang she's beautiful

The photos do not do her justice. She's actually a very pale orange-whitish. The color in the photos make her appear tan like A. chalcodes tan. Aphonopelma have a cutesy appearance which is why I adore them.

Also, I don’t know what your budget is- but I would get a mirrorless over a DSLR.

I was already out looking at Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras and they are pricey. The most expensive one was a little over $2100 and the cheapest around $600. The macro lens 1:1 average over $300 to $400.

The flash and diffuser are actually reasonably cheap.

I'm going to look at the mirror less cameras.

 

[Charliemum]

Also, I don’t know what your budget is- but I would get a mirrorless over a DSLR.

Any specific brand or will any mirrorless be ok?
I love to take pics of my spoods, (even if I am not good at it,) and any help so I can get a clearer pic I am here for.
Was looking at them preowned on ebay as I don't think I could ever afford a brand new one lol but have no idea what I am looking at. Any suggestions or info I would be grateful . I trust your expert knowledge more then any random interwebs info.
Others always suggest a DSLR, n then suggest Nikon, your the first person to challenge that info.

 

[Scoot]

Any specific brand or will any mirrorless be ok?
I love to take pics of my spoods, (even if I am not good at it,) and any help so I can get a clearer pic I am here for.
Was looking at them preowned on ebay as I don't think I could ever afford a brand new one lol but have no idea what I am looking at. Any suggestions or info I would be grateful . I trust your expert knowledge more then any random interwebs info.
Others always suggest a DSLR, n then suggest Nikon, your the first person to challenge that info.

I'm watching this with interest, as my current photos are all taken with my (rubbish) phone camera and don't do justice to my striking clutch of tarantulas.

I have been contemplating upgrading to some proper equipment but I'm a bit lost as to where to start - and I want it cheap!

@Arachnophobphile that is a lovely spider.

 

[Charliemum]

I'm watching this with interest, as my current photos are all taken with my (rubbish) phone camera and don't do justice to my striking clutch of tarantulas.

I have been contemplating upgrading to some proper equipment but I'm a bit lost as to where to start - and I want it cheap!

@Arachnophobphile that is a lovely spider.

I am in exactly the same boat . Phone pics just aren't good enough any more I want to be able to take better pics of my gorgeous baby's. Do them justice.

I know my skill will always be an issue to the lvl of pic I can get, but even if the pics aren't the best I am hoping at least they will be clear with colours that match what I see with my naked eye not what my phone decides to make them .

Yes @Arachnophobphile she's beautiful and sorry for semi high jacking your post .

 

[Spifdar]

The photos do not do her justice. She's actually a very pale orange-whitish. The color in the photos make her appear tan like A. chalcodes tan. Aphonopelma have a cutesy appearance which is why I adore them.



I was already out looking at Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras and they are pricey. The most expensive one was a little over $2100 and the cheapest around $600. The macro lens 1:1 average over $300 to $400.

The flash and diffuser are actually reasonably cheap.

I'm going to look at the mirror less cameras.

First off that is a gorgeous spider. This is the only NW species I've seen pics of that actually look almost white at times! If I ever end up with a collection I'll be on the lookout for one myself. Though it might tempt me too much to touch the fuzz...

Second, if you want to get some practice in, look over used cameras! Yes, they're privately sold without warranties at that point, but you can still find them in good condition for cheap. If you use an online vendor that rates sellers and pick someone with a good rating you're safer, ofc. I got into it and while I'm still extremely new, I found a Nikon D3400 (still a solid older camera, just missing a few new advanced features) used, with accessories, for about 250 euros. It came with its charger, a spare battery, second lens (expensive in its own right) and a couple other things. You can check how many total photos they've taken over their lifetime--it's like a car's mileage--and I believe mine was quite low, so you can definitely find good deals.

 

[viper69]

Any specific brand or will any mirrorless be ok?
I love to take pics of my spoods, (even if I am not good at it,) and any help so I can get a clearer pic I am here for.
Was looking at them preowned on ebay as I don't think I could ever afford a brand new one lol but have no idea what I am looking at. Any suggestions or info I would be grateful . I trust your expert knowledge more then any random interwebs info.
Others always suggest a DSLR, n then suggest Nikon, your the first person to challenge that info.

Canon Nikon Sony all do well. Used is fine.
It depends on what you want, macro only?
No, tons of people use mirrorless for macro and photo stacking too for macro and have world class results.

check out DPReview forum to start.
There’s a dedicated macro site/forum but I can’t remember its name.

 

[Charliemum]

Canon Nikon Sony all do well. Used is fine.
It depends on what you want, macro only?
No, tons of people use mirrorless for macro and photo stacking too for macro and have world class results.

check out DPReview forum to start.
There’s a dedicated macro site/forum but I can’t remember its name.

Detailed pics of my spiders so yes I suppose macro would be what I would need to use.
I am totally new to this so any input is very welcome, thank you for giving me a starting point for looking into cameras . I will be checking out DPReview this afternoon .

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I'm going to have to take up photography as a hobby if I make the investment in a camera and accessories. About $3000+ for mirrorless camera, macro lens 1:1, flash and diffuser, camera stand, carrying case and whatever else I need.

Then I need a model, (female only) to be in my photos when doing size comparisons of wildlife. That's going to be the most expensive side.

 

[viper69]

Detailed pics of my spiders so yes I suppose macro would be what I would need to use.
I am totally new to this so any input is very welcome, thank you for giving me a starting point for looking into cameras . I will be checking out DPReview this afternoon .

Prettty sure they have a dedicated macro forum. I know they have a nature forum.

There are people who only do macro, it’s a niche area all to its own, like astro.

The good part of macro is you can shoot 12 months a year if you have subjects.

IF you get really into it, you can shoot using a microscope objective for higher magnification.

 

[Charliemum]

IF you get really into it, you can shoot using a microscope objective for higher magnification.

I think I have seen arachnid addicted taking pics like that, close ups of toe claws and eyes....think it was them taking the pics. Was very cool I wondered how they got shots that close.
I only plan on taking personal pics of my t's for my own use tbh. I have been trying to up my phone pic game but without editing them I think I have taken them as far as my phone will go.
I have been onto DPReview I was having difficulty trying to navigate it so I have wrote macro photography into the search bar and am looking through results now thanks again for sharing.