Looking for good all around settings for 100mm macro rebel xt

[rsteagall]

I really need to find a place and take a photography class. I have a Macro lens - 100 mm - f/2.8 USM - Canon EF that I'm using on my 350D. I'm having much trouble with DOF and focusing properly. (Yes, I have a tripod). Can someone please list some basic all around settings that I can try? The subject will generally be 1'-2' away from the camera.

Out of about 50 pictures... here are some I took with this camera and lens this weekend:

http://picasaweb.google.com/rsteagall/Eyebedam


Again, I'm a noob... so if you have suggestions and settings... please be specific. It would help me greatly!!!!

-Ryan

 

[Blazer88]

I don't think there is really any such thing as good all-around settings and I setup the lens/camera differently for each shot depending on what I want. I will try and give you some general tips that work well for me.

-Shoot perpindicular to the glass! Glass causes distortion when you shoot through it at angles. Don't be afraid to put the lens right up on the glass.

-Use a tripod and shutter release (much more convenient than the timer) whenever possible.

-For shooting fish, I use shutter priority (1/60 to 1/400, depending on type of fish and lighting) and bump up the ISO. Let the camera determine your f/stop. I try not to shoot wide open (F/2.8), but some of my favorite shots have a very narrow DOF. Most of my fish shots without a tripod since the shutter is fast enough to eliminate hand shake.

-For shooting corals, I shoot in aperture priority or full manual. Use a tripod and shutter release, low ISO, and longer shutter times. Remember to turn off the pumps as well (for fish to if possible).

I just downloaded and looked at one of your images and it was shot at F/32. If you use too high of an f-stop (smaller diameter), you will loose sharpness to diffraction. I try and personally stick between F/8 and F/16. Give some of those a shot and see how they turn out.

 

[rsteagall]

Thanks for the quick tips. I'll start messing with them.

Is there a way to preview or save pictures taken directly to a computer without taking out the memory card and downloading? I think when experimenting with a bunch of different settings, a big preview on a computer screen would do me good.

 

[Rosseau]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9472472#post9472472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rsteagall
Thanks for the quick tips. I'll start messing with them.

Is there a way to preview or save pictures taken directly to a computer without taking out the memory card and downloading? I think when experimenting with a bunch of different settings, a big preview on a computer screen would do me good.

Well you can plug the camera into the computer via USB then go to My Computer --> Canon XT --> (just click to open, or right click on the camera icon and select "explore")


Now you should be able to open the images and view them on your computer without directly copying them onto your hard drive.

This can be slow howevev, USB out of the XT has some limitations. You would almost save more time by just copying everything over and viewing all of the pictures more easily.

I'm not sure if that was what you were looking for.

 

[rsteagall]

I'm actually looking for a way to take a picture... and it automatically pop up a preview on a computer screen. From there allow me to save the picture or just go ahead and take another shot. It would also be nice in this software if it would allow you to make quick adjustments such as brightness/contrast.

Kind of like in the mall at Christmas time when you take your kid... set him/her on Santa's lap... they snap a shot and instantly you see the picture on a screen. Make sense? =\

 

[BlueCorn]

The Canon software that came with your camera allows for that function.

 

[rsteagall]

Hmmmm... My software is at home today, but I did download RemoteCapture 2.7 and install it. However, it doesn't connect to my camera. I tried it on 2 different computers. Both computers error out as if the camera isn't connected via usb, but it is. There might be a prerequisite.

 

[BlueCorn]

Check the manual - the camera (via it's builtin menu) has to be set for the right type of connection.

 

[rsteagall]

beerguy, thanks... I think that helped but I'm still fighting with it a little. I've got my cd now... I'm sure this will help. Most of the software is only "updateable".

Blazer88, thanks for your tips. I didn't have my tripod tonight, but here are some new shots.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rsteagall/20070314_TankShots

What do ya think now?

 

[Blazer88]

Those look MUCH better to me, great job. Looks like you are a fan of F/9, lol. And there is really no right or wrong with this type of stuff, experimentation is the best part to see what works for your eye.

 

[rsteagall]

I need to sit down and take the same shot over and over with different F/x values. F/9 just happened to look good at the time. Also the DOF preview button was helpful determining the F/x I liked. I actually held it down... while scrolling through the F/x and stopped at 9. It just happened to be in the range you suggested.

Thanks again,
Ryan

.. I also should clean both sides of the glass before taking pics Both inside and out were dirty in those pictures.