Fun with new Canon 50D

[Blazer88]

I got my hands on a new Canon 50D today and give it a whirl. I had my reservations after reading the reviews about the noise but my mind is at ease now that I've used it. I also found the live view mode absolutely awesome. It isn't something that I thought I would have used but checking out the pics at 10x magnification before I take the shot was great for the macro shots. Checking the sharpness of the pics on the VGA screen is a huge improvement over the 30D. Any ways, here are just a few. I'll post up some more as I get around to editing them.

 

[ibanezgfx]

wow! great shots!
i was just doing some research on the 30d, as i would like to get my first DSLR. i assume thats what you used prior to this camera?

 

[Blazer88]

Yep, I used my 30D for more than two years and it was an excellent camera (and a great first DSLR). Honestly, just about any of the Canon bodies will give great results, it really comes down to who is using it and the lens being used. I would always make the sacrifice for an older body in favor of better glass.

But here are some more shots. The live view really makes macro shots even more fun.

 

[BlueCorn]

Nice stuff Rich. I'm going to have a really hard time keeping myself from buying the new 5D when it starts shipping.

 

[Blazer88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13682730#post13682730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
Nice stuff Rich. I'm going to have a really hard time keeping myself from buying the new 5D when it starts shipping.

Oh believe me, I thought about it. The thing that stopped me is that I still can't bring myself to sell my 17-55 F/2.8 IS, I just love that lens on a crop body. Plus my Sigma 10-20mm is another favorite that wouldn't fit the full frame body either. Mixing up my who lens kit just didn't make sense for right now. I'm sure I'll end up after the 50D, hopefully it will hold me over for another ~2 years as my 30D did.


Just a little FYI, my name is Rick, lol. Don't worry, lots of people make that mistake.

 

[BlueCorn]

I hear ya. My Tokina 12-24 kept me from getting the 5D for quite a while. I loved that lens.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Kudos!

 

[chicken]

Rich Great pictures. What lens are you using? Thanks

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

If I had to guess I would say he was using a
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX APO Macro EX DG HSM

 

[chicken]

Not to hijack the thread but what macro to most people like for shooting pictures of their corals? I have a 60mm I have had for a while for other Macro use ( I have a canon 40d ) and I have recently just started trying to take some shots of my corals and it just does not have the reach. I was thinking about buying a Canon 100mm Macro but after seeing Rich's pictures I am wondering if I am better of with the Sigma. Thanks!

 

[Blazer88]

The Sigma with give MUCH better reach over the 60mm. I've had quite a few macro lenses (Canon 100mm, Sigma 150mm, EF-S 60mm) and my favorite has been the Sigma. I was actually thinking of buying another 60mm to get better top-down macro shots since my Sigma can't focus close enough. The 60mm is a great lens though, I have always regretted selling it. And my name is Rick I think Doug has started a trend of calling me Rich, lol.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

:eek1: THose pics are stunning! I'm lurking around in the photog forum reading up on what DSLR cameras are being used. I'm thinking about looking into the Nikon D60. I guess it's really all about the lenses though huh?

 

[ibanezgfx]

i cant stop looking at this thread! great pictures!!!

 

[nickb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13692349#post13692349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sugar Magnolia I guess it's really all about the lenses though huh? [/B]

And the skill of the photographer.

Really excellent photographs on this thread! That's what happens when you combine a great camera with a great lens and great photographic skills.

 

[Robb in Austin]

Hey "Rick",

Nice pics, ok great pics. Even if they were made with a canon.

Quick question for ya: what PP, if any, did you do?

TIA,
Robb

 

[Blazer88]

Thanks again for all of the kind comments. Most of my time over the past few months went into setting up this new tank and now it's nice to spend a little bit of time photographing it.

Robb, I try to do as little PP as necessary. I shoot RAW and then import it into Adobe Lighroom for color correction, slight exposure adjustments, curves, and anything else that needs to be applied to the entire image. From there it goes into Photoshop CS3 for cropping, cloning of any specs, and any "local" adjustments to certain parts of an image. Here is a quick sample.

Jpeg directly from the camera (just resized):

Finished:

Not too much of a difference, certainly nothing dramatic. And thanks for the comments, even if you happen to use a Nikon

I'm sure I'll post more as I complete them.

 

[Robb in Austin]

Thanks for the info.

I scored a Sigma 150 off Ebay yesterday. Hopefully, my results will look as nice as yours.

 

[Blazer88]

The Sigma is an amazing lens, one of the sharpest I've used. The tripod collar is a nice touch as well as it balances the body/lens much better than just the plate attached to the bottom of the camera. Any ways, here are some more SPS macro's. Macro's are just too much fun.

 

[IPT]

I love your shots! Liked the older ones too. HAven't tried the Liveview on my camera yet but you just reminded me about it and a gret time to use it. Thanks

 

[ibanezgfx]

how bout a full tank shot?