TitusvileSurfer
New member
It's kind of like DVR. It sounds like a good idea, but you don't appreciate how much until you have one.
Yeah, that guy knows what hes doing with a camera.
Is the new Canon XSi good for a beginner?
- Thread starter sh0tyme83
- Start date
Yeah, that guy knows what hes doing with a camera.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
He has me wanting to check out the Canon XTI bad! And that lens too! Thing is I don't have a tank yet!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Tis True! But I do want to get into tank photography, guess I can go to my LFS!
Ok well and live preview...2 things! LOL!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Are both those features found on the Canon XSi? XTi?
Live View is a fantastic feature for doing coral macro shots. Live View is available on the Canon XSi and 40D, but not the XTi. Live View is available on the Nikon D300, but nothing lower. It is not that useful for composing normal pictures.
The Canons also come with software that lets you control all aspects of the shot from a PC connected to your camera through a USB cable (Nikon has similar software, but it costs $80 I think). Together with live view, it displays the composed picture on your computer screen before you take it. You can set it to 5x or 10x zoom and use manual focus. Great stuff for reef macro photography.
I downloaded software that scripts a technique called focus stacking. With macro photgraphy, the Depth of field is extremely small. This means (depending on aperture) only a few millimeters of a 3" deep coral may be in focus. With Focus Stacking, you take many pictures, adjusting the focus a small amount each time, and use software to merge all of the in focus areas to one shot. The software I downloaded scripted the whole process.
I also own the Canon 100mm macro, and have had an absolute blast with it and my reef tank.
I have only owned a DSLR for 2 weeks, so be nice, but here are some of my pictures. Click the picture, and then the "Download Photo" to see the full resolution version. The last one was made with the focus stacking technique (NOT a good example of it though) - but that is why it has artifacts.
This is my first attempt at a "focus stack". Be sure to click through anf hit "download photo", or it is rather ordinary:
More here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/thegreenhuts/Reef
jeff
The Canons also come with software that lets you control all aspects of the shot from a PC connected to your camera through a USB cable (Nikon has similar software, but it costs $80 I think). Together with live view, it displays the composed picture on your computer screen before you take it. You can set it to 5x or 10x zoom and use manual focus. Great stuff for reef macro photography.
I downloaded software that scripts a technique called focus stacking. With macro photgraphy, the Depth of field is extremely small. This means (depending on aperture) only a few millimeters of a 3" deep coral may be in focus. With Focus Stacking, you take many pictures, adjusting the focus a small amount each time, and use software to merge all of the in focus areas to one shot. The software I downloaded scripted the whole process.
I also own the Canon 100mm macro, and have had an absolute blast with it and my reef tank.
I have only owned a DSLR for 2 weeks, so be nice, but here are some of my pictures. Click the picture, and then the "Download Photo" to see the full resolution version. The last one was made with the focus stacking technique (NOT a good example of it though) - but that is why it has artifacts.
This is my first attempt at a "focus stack". Be sure to click through anf hit "download photo", or it is rather ordinary:
More here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/thegreenhuts/Reef
jeff
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Very F'n nice for 2 weeks! I gotta get me a camera and a tank!
Which one first?
Which one first?
TitusvileSurfer
New member
Get a camera first for SURE. Were going to want you to document your tank as you build it. As I'm sure you can see, the "what are these tiny white see through things with little antenna in my tank" threads are VERY annoying without good photos. I don't even bother answering those anymore. If you have some good macro pictures of those little white things, we (usually) can easily identify them. Taking pictures of pretty stuff you want to show off is only half of it. I also really recommend the 40D over an Xti or Xsi. If it will keep you from buying a 100 macro or 24-70, then get a rebel...but if you can afford it, an XXD is a much better camera. Buy your camera without the crappy kit lens. Once you get some real glass you'll never use it anyway.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Ok thanks for the advice!
I have a quote, for a AGE tank build going right now with Kingfish John, so I'll probably be spending all my profit sharing on cameras and tanks! I also want a new Mac!!!
I have a quote, for a AGE tank build going right now with Kingfish John, so I'll probably be spending all my profit sharing on cameras and tanks! I also want a new Mac!!!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
The 40D is about what I wanted to spend on a whole camera and lens kit...is the 450D not an acceptable competitor to the Nikon D80?
It's really up to how the camera feels. To me on features (particularly for a reefer), the XSi beats the D80 on features - 3" LCD, liveview, etc. The consensus seems to be the D80 has better autofocus and "tranditional" features. The D80 has a more traditional build, and many find the XSi more "plasticky"
Also, if you want to do macro, the canon 100mm macro is much cheaper than the nikon 105 (but it has VR, which is not really useful for tripod mounted reef shots). Still, you could buy an even cheaper third part alternative for either.
Also, if you want to do macro, the canon 100mm macro is much cheaper than the nikon 105 (but it has VR, which is not really useful for tripod mounted reef shots). Still, you could buy an even cheaper third part alternative for either.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Thanks all for the continued advice! I will be in the shop this weekend...so you'll hear my feedback.
So the LiveView feature, is that like what is on most point and shoot digital cameras now...just a live view on the LCD screen?
I guess thats nice to have...but jeez the D300 is $1700!
So the LiveView feature, is that like what is on most point and shoot digital cameras now...just a live view on the LCD screen?
I guess thats nice to have...but jeez the D300 is $1700!
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TitusvileSurfer
New member
You don't use Live View like a point and shoot does though. DSLR's use the viewfinder. For coral shots on a tripod, you can use live view to get the focus PERFECT. Reefing is really the main application I can think of a use for it. Most photographers not in this hobby have only turned it on once to say "hey there is it" and never touched it again. Macro and live view go together though.
