250G back in the Photography Forum - Canon 40D Question

[250G]

While I mostly hang-out in the SPS forum, about 3 years ago I came here and you really helped me learn how to take pics of my tank.

...I am back again.

My father bought a Canon 40D and a 24 to 70mm canon lens 2.8 max, and well I coordinate to get my hands on it whenever possible but have limited time with it.

Question - with this lens, it is possible to get really nice fish pics? Do I need a lends that will get me closer to the glas such a a macro lens? When trying to shoot at 800-1600 ISO my pics were blurry and I had real trouble getting the focus sharp on the fish.

Is is me, or the lens? I am thinking it is not the camera.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would figure it out myself but I get limited time with the camera. Thanks.

 

[BlueCorn]

While not a true macro, you can focus really close with that lens. You need to work on your technique. A tripod can really help, even if you don't lock the head completely down. This was taken with a 30D and my 24-70

 

[250G]

Very nice - about 10x's better than anything I captured.

How many inches were you away from the glas on your tank? Were you shooting in macro mode with that lens? Can you share the ISO/shutter spead/apature you used on that pic?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14304173#post14304173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
While not a true macro, you can focus really close with that lens. You need to work on your technique. A tripod can really help, even if you don't lock the head completely down. This was taken with a 30D and my 24-70

 

[Jruberti]

woah that looks awesome

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

"Question - with this lens, it is possible to get really nice fish pics?"

Uhhhh yeah. In fact I think the 24-70 f/2.8 is THE BEST fish lens...out of any lens possible. I own a 40D. There is no "macro mode" with this lens. This is not a macro lens...although it says so on the barrel and it's more "macroish" than most other none true macros.

I didn't know you had a 24-70 Doug? Figured you for a 24-105 man (another great lens).

 

[250G]

Great info, and I am aware of the macro-ish feature relates to comparable lenses (with 14" being the deal shooting distange for this lens). This info however assists me little when I only get about an hour a month+/- on the camera.

Have a tripod and remote shutter release to use with the camera, and I can sit the tripod anywhere from 8" to 5-6' away from the tank.

Can you throw any additional info my way? I have mastered the use of my basic camera for coral photography but am not having any success with this fancy one! Thanks.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14309888#post14309888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
"Question - with this lens, it is possible to get really nice fish pics?"

Uhhhh yeah. In fact I think the 24-70 f/2.8 is THE BEST fish lens...out of any lens possible. I own a 40D. There is no "macro mode" with this lens. This is not a macro lens...although it says so on the barrel and it's more "macroish" than most other none true macros.

I didn't know you had a 24-70 Doug? Figured you for a 24-105 man (another great lens).

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

To get you started:
Set the camera to Av.
Set Aperture to f/2.8
Set ISO to 1600
If the fish is moving really fast, try to move the camera with the fish as the image is being taken.

Now your probably wasting a lot of resources with these settings and the image would turn out much better with other settings. What settings would work better depends on the color of the fish, how bright the lights are, the water clarity, how fast the fish is moving, how shaky your hands are, ect. ect.

f/2.8 ISO 1600 should be pretty fail safe though. Sure there are probably better options for better pictures but...at least your pictures won't be blurry.