MACRO Shots

[Critter]

Well, I might be in the market for a new camera, and the primary goal for me is macro shots. So with that in mind, I was wondering if anyone has already digested the whole macro wind and telephoto deal to understand what it all equates to. I guess I'm at the point where I'm not sure if its better to be able to take a pic at 1cm or 2cm or if it really matters, or if its more important on how far away the object can be with still getting a macro shot?
I'm looking at cameras with 8+ megapixel with 10x optical. Macro from 1cm to 90cm I believe. Maybe I should by it locally and if I don't like it return it
I'm still reading through all this, but if someone can get me there faster, It would be appreciated.

Chris

 

[Phyl]

White Balance, Shutter and Aperture. Those are three things that it is essential that you can control. If can get within 1cm of something that would likely mean that it would be 1:1 reproduction at 1cm. That means that anything further than 1cm is going to be less than 1:1 or not very macro at all. Close focus isn't critical for our aquariums since most of our tank is further than 6" away.

I speak dSLR so I can't be of any help to your selection process if you're looking at P&S. Check out the photography forum here on RC for P&S suggestions.

 

[Critter]

Thanks. I've decide on the Canon Powershot S3 IS, even though its last years model, it still competes with its newer version the S5. The nice thing about this camera, is it comes in under $300 and you can add different lenses to it, which totaly makes taking macro shots of objects halfway or more in your tank possible. Plus it has an awsome quality video mode that you can go back and forth with at touch of a button. Also it can be manually configured. now to figure out a way to get this and a new camcorder lol.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12343601#post12343601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phyl
White Balance, Shutter and Aperture. Those are three things that it is essential that you can control. If can get within 1cm of something that would likely mean that it would be 1:1 reproduction at 1cm. That means that anything further than 1cm is going to be less than 1:1 or not very macro at all. Close focus isn't critical for our aquariums since most of our tank is further than 6" away.

I speak dSLR so I can't be of any help to your selection process if you're looking at P&S. Check out the photography forum here on RC for P&S suggestions.

 

[Critter]

Good news, I'm getting a new Camcorder and Camera. The Camcorder is a Sony miniDVD most of the bells and whistles that you can get for 300. I will be ordering the Canon Powershot S3 IS (last years model). I've seen some shots people have taken with the s5 (this years model) and the reviews still hold the s3 equal with the s5 for the most part. One of the cool things is I can add extra lenses to the camera. here is a link with some info..
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/

if you go about 3/4 the way down the screen there is a video taken with the camera of a train that is awsome. So I should be posting some nice shots of the frags I got at the swap!

Chris

 

[Fizz71]

The only problem with that kind of camera is the lenses aren't really replaceblae. They're just lens you screw onto the existing lens to effect the focal lengths.

I'm not saying it's a bad camera...I just decided that if I'm going to invest that much in a camera and accessories I'm going all the way with dSLR.

I bought the Cannon Digiat Rebel XT about 2 days before the XTi came out so the price was good. I also bought 1 lens that works on ANY SLR camera and another Macro lens that works on all Canon SLRs so I know I can upgrade in the future and my investment comes with.

I will admit that my wife who has one of the smaller Powershots can take some pretty high quality shots with it...but she'll never be able to do this:

...That's was in the BACK of my tank and looks MUCH more detailed in an 8x10 than it does in that image.

I guess it all depends on your personallity and how much you're into photography.

BTW...While you're buying things...get a tripod..your tank shots will look MUCH better than without one.

Good luck.

--Fizz

 

[Critter]

Good info Fizz. and yes the other lenses do attach to the existing lense, not sure how else to do it for $249? If I had an open ended budget, I would be doing it differently... but I invite you to view the shots taken by a few folks with the s5.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1285870&perpage=25&pagenumber=8

And the tripod is a must for sure

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12395394#post12395394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fizz71
The only problem with that kind of camera is the lenses aren't really replaceblae. They're just lens you screw onto the existing lens to effect the focal lengths.

I'm not saying it's a bad camera...I just decided that if I'm going to invest that much in a camera and accessories I'm going all the way with dSLR.

I bought the Cannon Digiat Rebel XT about 2 days before the XTi came out so the price was good. I also bought 1 lens that works on ANY SLR camera and another Macro lens that works on all Canon SLRs so I know I can upgrade in the future and my investment comes with.

I will admit that my wife who has one of the smaller Powershots can take some pretty high quality shots with it...but she'll never be able to do this:

...That's was in the BACK of my tank and looks MUCH more detailed in an 8x10 than it does in that image.

I guess it all depends on your personallity and how much you're into photography.

BTW...While you're buying things...get a tripod..your tank shots will look MUCH better than without one.

Good luck.

--Fizz

 

[Fizz71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12397497#post12397497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Critter
Good info Fizz. and yes the other lenses do attach to the existing lense, not sure how else to do it for $249? If I had an open ended budget, I would be doing it differently... but I invite you to view the shots taken by a few folks with the s5.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1285870&perpage=25&pagenumber=8

And the tripod is a must for sure

They do look nice...like I said..they take good pictures you just lose SOME of the flexibility on formatting your shot and you can't "take it with you" when you get the itch to go dSLR. Trust me...it happens...my dSLR is my 4th digital camera each one more expensive than the previous. It's just like reef keeping.

And I'll throw in two more tips in case you've never taken macro photos of corals before... 1. Get the lens as close to the glass as possible to avoid a miss-focus (since you won't have manual focus) and flash reflections. and 2. Use the timer..especially if it's low light..even with a tripod your pushing the button can shake the frame. I actually bought a wired (and a wireless) remote so I can take pictures without touching the camera.

Post some shots once you've played around!

And oh yeah...Cannon's software: DPP (Digital Photo Professional) is an excellent tool that you should get for free with your camera. Download the latest version from their website. It's great for correcting color variations in your shot. There is a feature called "tone curve assist" that adjusts the tone curves of your images programmatically for those of us who aren't good at doing it manually..it really makes the shots look nicer. And it's not considered cheating like photoshop. Long live the digital dark room!!!!

--Fizz

 

[Critter]

Actually from what I'm reading its fully auto and manual focus. So hopefully I won't get the miss-focus shots. This will be my first "adult" camera coming from a Kodack easy-share... So it should prove to be quite the experience. White Balance, Aperature etc lol... I should have the money for it in a few weeks and will probably get the added marco lense in June. As far as posting pics, you guys will have to tell me to stop :rollface:
Thanks for the info, I'll definetly download that software.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12400090#post12400090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fizz71
They do look nice...like I said..they take good pictures you just lose SOME of the flexibility on formatting your shot and you can't "take it with you" when you get the itch to go dSLR. Trust me...it happens...my dSLR is my 4th digital camera each one more expensive than the previous. It's just like reef keeping.

And I'll throw in two more tips in case you've never taken macro photos of corals before... 1. Get the lens as close to the glass as possible to avoid a miss-focus (since you won't have manual focus) and flash reflections. and 2. Use the timer..especially if it's low light..even with a tripod your pushing the button can shake the frame. I actually bought a wired (and a wireless) remote so I can take pictures without touching the camera.

Post some shots once you've played around!

And oh yeah...Cannon's software: DPP (Digital Photo Professional) is an excellent tool that you should get for free with your camera. Download the latest version from their website. It's great for correcting color variations in your shot. There is a feature called "tone curve assist" that adjusts the tone curves of your images programmatically for those of us who aren't good at doing it manually..it really makes the shots look nicer. And it's not considered cheating like photoshop. Long live the digital dark room!!!!

--Fizz

 

[Critter]

Finally the camera is ordered... I opted not to get some of the extras at first but instead put the money towards a 5 year extended warranty. I went with the Canon Powershot S3 IS. Can't wait to start putting up photos.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12401755#post12401755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Critter
Actually from what I'm reading its fully auto and manual focus. So hopefully I won't get the miss-focus shots. This will be my first "adult" camera coming from a Kodack easy-share... So it should prove to be quite the experience. White Balance, Aperature etc lol... I should have the money for it in a few weeks and will probably get the added marco lense in June. As far as posting pics, you guys will have to tell me to stop :rollface:
Thanks for the info, I'll definetly download that software.

 

[GL]

Can't wait to see some tank shots.......

good luck with it. I was looking at that same model when I was reviewing what to get. I never did get anything new yet

 

[Critter]

Ok, here are a couple of the dozen or so I shot. Didn't get the hang of the new camera untill I read the manual about 20 times lol. I still have some things to work out.. but here are the first of many.

and

 

[Critter]

and
Greg, these are the frags I have for you, the 4 in a row left to right.

and

 

[GL]

Very nice!!!!!

 

[Critter]

How does that Montipora look to you guys.. its my first SPS.. got it from Sanjay at the swap. I believe the lighter colored edges is new growth.. To me it looks like its doing well... If this sps keeps going what would be a good next step branching sps? More of the same but different colors?

Chris

 

[rigleautomotive]

green slimer(a.formosa) is a durable acro and does well under vho usually.some milleporas will do well also.the pics look great critter.as far as montipora go,the new ora spongodes is a beautiful coral.one of the nicer branching montiporas in my opinion.

 

[rigleautomotive]

green slimer

 

[Critter]

Thanks, I need to clean my glass and get the tripod out next, to see what more I can do. Going to get a Macro lens in a bit, that will let me get in even closer. (I got to get more stuff for the tank to shoot first lol) Thanks for the info on the corals..... I'll be looking for those next then.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12587484#post12587484 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rigleautomotive
green slimer(a.formosa) is a durable acro and does well under vho usually.some milleporas will do well also.the pics look great critter.as far as montipora go,the new ora spongodes is a beautiful coral.one of the nicer branching montiporas in my opinion.