Eagle Eye Zoanthid / Best 3 dSLR rationalizations

[Reef Bass]

To paraphrase Scotty: "I'm givin' it all she's got. She can't take much more."

I can see in my mind the pic I want and this is headed in the right direction. However, I believe I have pushed my poor non dSLR camera with its built in lens at least to if not beyond its limits. I'd like to get even closer with crystal clarity but it's not gonna happen with this camera. Image quality is already suffering.

Which brings me to the second part of my post - my 3 best rationalizations why Daddy needs a dSLR (with 100mm macro lens of course).

1. It's not an impulse purchase if I've been thinking about it for months.

2. Think of the great pictures of my kids I could take for their grandparents!

3. My own personal economic recovery program would stimulate a whole chain of consumer product and service organizations (all the good folks at Canon USA, B&H Photo and even the local parcel delivery agent)! :lol:

 

[Timanator]

You can prob do better with more playing time?

This is with a SD750 point and shoot. No editing other than cropping.

 

[Reef Bass]

Nice pic.

It is impressive how much point and shoot cameras progressed in the 3 years between Canon's release of my camera and yours.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

What did you have in mind?

xxxD? mild
xxD? medium
5D? hot
1D? fire
1Ds? 911

 

[Reef Bass]

I'd get the 5D if my budget matched my desires. That is a sweet piece of hardware. Besides, it's currently out of stock at B&H!

That would be a "medium", I guess. 40D with the 100mm f2.8 macro lens.

The hardest decision for me on this has been deciding on the 100mm lens v. the 180mm L lens. I can totally see wanting the 180 after getting used to the 100. I can see how just as the 100mm lens lets one move back a bit from the 60mm's minimum focal distance without loosing frame filling ability, the 180 would do the same compared to the 100.

However, I'm not a professional photographer and with the 180 about 3 times the price of the 100, I'm less inclined to pay for the ability to visually climb into a coral polyp. But gosh that sounds like fun!

The 100mm lets in more light (f2.8 v. f3.5).

I know you're an L series guy, but did I read somewhere that you have the 100mm lens too? If so, you must have deliberated on this issue. Care to share?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Yes I use the 100mm Macro because of the price issue you mentioned. The image quality is nearly identical (although I would give a slight edge to the 180 if you want me to judge one over the other). A friend of mine has the 180 macro and MAAAAAAAN I want it so bad. The 100mm was actually my very first lens, along with the 50mm f/1.8. I love the 100mm but I do sometimes wish I had more working distance. Someday (possibly a long time from now) I do intend to upgrade to the 180mm. They are both superb choices.

As far as camera bodies go, I currently use a 40D so you struck a soft spot on my heart there. =) I did forget one category though...

xxxxD? bland

 

[Reef Bass]

Ah, but would you want the 180 quite as badly if your buddy didn't have it???

And you are happy with the 40 v. 50D?

If I had a 40, I don't know that I'd bother upgrading. The bump in megapixels to me isn't that exciting if they have the same image sensor.

However, having neither, the 50 shoots a bit faster, has a higher max ISO setting and allegedly less noise at higher ISOs. I admit I'm a sucker for higher resolution displays like the 50 has, virtually dripping with 920,000 pixels (4 times the pixels of the 40's display). To me, it makes telling if the shot is actually in focus easier.

Sounds like I'm talking myself into a 50D...

 

[Slakker]

IMO you'll be checking focus primarily through the eyepiece, so the LCD on the camera isn't really that important. After all, you'll be spending a lot more time scrutinizing your shots in post-processing anyways

Don't spend extra money on a body simply for a fancier display...you don't really need it.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I was talking to someone on here about the 40D/50D and they (was it NickB?) reminded me of the greatest feature the 50D offers. If your lens has front or back focus, you can now adjust for this in camera!!! I don't have any problem in this area so for me the point is moot, but it is an impressive step forward none the less. I have been waiting on that one for years. I do not feel compelled in any way to upgrade from a 40D to a 50D, but if I had neither and was starting fresh I would get the 50D.

 

[Reef Bass]

Valid points Slakker, thanks.

I have been moving away from using the eyepiece and favoring the display (ok, let me have it), which is an additional reason I find this attractive. I wear glasses and it's easier for me to not to have to take them off and put them back on every time I go to compose or check a shot. The ViewFinder Police are on your side to be sure.

 

[Reef Bass]

Thanks for the input TS. I haven't run into the front / back focus issue before but it's nice to know the 50D's got me covered.

A revised reply to your first question on this thread:

"Medium. 50D with the 100mm macro lens"

Sweet. I expect to pull the trigger on this in the next 24 hours.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Keep in mind using the screen on a DSLR is very differant from using the screen on a point and shoot. You have obviously heard this all before but looking through the viewfinder is the whole point of a DSLR. This allows you to see through the lens directly. When you turn on "live view" mode, the mirror will flip up to show the image on screen. This means you can't auto focus. For macro work the digital zoom feature with the live view is great, since you will be manual focusing anyway. The only other situation I have used live view would be holding the camera way above my head and manual focusing because of thick crowds. For any other type of photography this method is next to worthless however.

 

[Reef Bass]

When I bought my first slr (Nikon FM) 30 years ago it was all about looking through the viewfinder to see what the lens saw. Parallax sucks though some could argue some subjects look better with half of them cut off.

I will re-evaulate my pro display position when I have the camera in hand.

I hear your point about the uselessness of live view for many purposes as it disables autofocus. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[lampcov]

Here's one vote for the 50D w/Tamrom 90mm. It's not my best work but I just snapped this real quick before the lights went out. Since Eagle Eyes was the topic...

 

[Reef Bass]

I like it! Wonderful detail. The tentacle of each polyp clearly defined. Even the texture of the plug becomes interesting. That's the kind of resolution I'm looking for but not getting from my old point and shoot. Of course, it's not a fair comparison.

Neat little arachnoid too.

 

[90sShooter]

I wanna play! Here is my shot with my plain old Sony cybershot... I can't wait until I get my SLR for christmas!

BTW I think these are actually watermelon zoos, but not sure there is a difference...