Got a T1i ! Critique/advice needed!

[Rskillz]

Got the camera about two weeks ago and I love it. The biggest issues are the struggle to correct the white balance (tried the PVC in water) and the lack of a macro lens. So far auto WB has worked best. Also, I have a bowfront tank, which makes shooting seem harder (not sure it really is). I use a tripod, pumps off, and try to clean glass =)

Anyway, tell me what you think and any advice would be great concerning the white balance!

 

[Brett9917]

First off, congrats on the new camera!!

For the WB, try shooting in RAW format, then you can correct it in software. If you don't have software already, ie Photoshop, or anything like that, I believe Canon comes with editing software with their cameras.

As far as the bow-front... it does make it difficult to take pictures from head on...
The only other things would be make sure the ISO is at the lowest number possible 100-200, and for corals try closing your aperture to f/8 to f/11 to get most of the colony in focus. It will longer exposures, but with the tripod and pumps off, it should be no problem. Also, use the time or shutter release remote to minimize shake...

All in all looks like you are off to a great start!

 

[Rskillz]

Thanks for the help!

Erm, dumb question, but where is Raw mode? Not seeing it? :idea:

Also, you're saying the only way to really dial in the WB is to fix it after the fact? That sucks.

I tend to shoot in Av mode because it automates the Shutter speed which is nice.

 

[Rskillz]

Thinking of getting a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD for my first macro lens. It's cheap and reviews seem decent.

Any reason I should stay away? The cheapest canon macro is 400ish.

 

[Brett9917]

Hmmm, well I am a Nikon guy, so I can't be 100% sure how to change the format for you, but for us it's under Menu -> Shooting Menu -> Image Quality.

For the WB, yes, for aquariums, reef especially, I would say yes that's the easiest/best way, if not the only. There is just so much blue that we don't see with our eyes, that the camera does, that's it's near impossible to correct... or maybe our eyes are advanced enough to correct it themselves and the camera is not. I don't know which, but either way, after the fact, is the way to go.

Aperture Priority is the way to go 90% of the time for me (even outside aquarium shots).

 

[Brett9917]

Any zoom lens are not going to be true macro lenses. What makes a macro a macro is the super close minimum focusing distance, less than a foot, and it's 1:1 (or greater) magnification ratio.

If you want a Tamron, look at their 90mm macro, also Sigma makes a really good 105mm macro. The 70-300mm would be a great telephoto lens used for taking sports pictures or birding or whatever. I have the Sigma 70-300mm and love it! It is decent at getting close-up aquarium shots, but they aren't true macros...

 

[Rskillz]

Any zoom lens are not going to be true macro lenses. What makes a macro a macro is the super close minimum focusing distance, less than a foot, and it's 1:1 (or greater) magnification ratio.

If you want a Tamron, look at their 90mm macro, also Sigma makes a really good 105mm macro. The 70-300mm would be a great telephoto lens used for taking sports pictures or birding or whatever. I have the Sigma 70-300mm and love it! It is decent at getting close-up aquarium shots, but they aren't true macros...

so what is the most reasonably priced "true macro" lens?

 

[Brett9917]

I think the word reasonable should be the one in quotes! haha
But the Sigma 105mm and the Tamron 90mm I have heard are good for decent prices. I don't have a macro myself because of the cost...

 

[Rskillz]

What about the Canon Auto Focus Extension Tube EF 25 II for macro shots? I read the sticky up top, and I'm still trying to figure out a cheaper way (200 or less) to improve my macro shots.

Anyone used one of these?