New Canon Rebel T2
- Thread starter ellinas
- Start date
TriggersAmuck
Premium Member
I don't know how experienced a photographer you are, but just remember that most lenses perform best in terms of sharpness when stopped down in the middle of their ranges, so not wide open (f/3.5 I believe for your lens) and not overly stopped (e.g. nothing beyond f/11 normally). Some make the mistake of setting it fully stopped (f/16 or f/22) thinking that maximum depth of field is the way to go when they would get better results by positioning foreground objects just far enough and stopping to only f/11 or f/8 (due to diffraction in small openings causing less center sharpness). Of course if you are going for that "3D" pop, then stopping it down to f/3.5 may be just what you need, but in that case try f/4 or f/5.6 and bring the foreground object in closer to exaggerate the depth of field difference with the out of focus background.
I'll definitely take this advice. I'll be taking more shots over the weekend and we'll see how it goes. I'll try and post some pics and maybe you can critique them.
Also, this seems like 'general' advice that would work for most SLRs (which is great and I definitely appreciate it), but I was also wondering if there is anything "special" about the canon T2 that sets it apart from its predicessors that would help taking "better" photos (besides its pixels)?
Thanks!
TriggersAmuck
Premium Member
Got it....I have only looked at this camera (don't own it) to potentially use it with my older Zeiss 35mm lenses, so I will let somebody else who owns it speak up as to a "deep dive" look at its features.
Don't know if you have discovered Ken Rockwell's photography site yet, but he mentions only a little about this camera body, but there are a few features in the "Image Tricks" paragraphs that may be what you are looking for:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/t2i.htm
What suburb of Chicago are you from? I'm formerly from the Oswego/Montgomery area (near Aurora).
Just briefly looking through the link I saw a couple things that would help my picture taking skills(or lack there of). Thanks for that and the original advice. Like I said any advice would be good since I'm a total noob when it comes to photography.
I'm currently living in Arlington Heights though I grew up in Skokie. Thats too bad you're still not around. I'd like to find some people in the area to trade corals with.
TriggersAmuck
Premium Member
How about touching base with members of the Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society?:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=180
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=180
TriggersAmuck
Premium Member
He does get a bit opinionated about some views!
For example:Don't even get me started about tripods; tripods went out with ASA 25 Kodachrome. On DX, I can shoot at night hand-held, and on FX and with f/1.4 lenses, I can shoot under moonlight without even needing to brace myself.
That is a pretty awesome night shot, having said that. Some of his guidance is good in bringing people back to earth after getting equipment crazy.
Jacob D
New member
LOL, Ken's strategy seems pretty clear: fly in the face of conventional wisdom. Hey it keeps people talking about him and his site. There is some useful info sprinkled between his ludicrous opinions
This will be very helpful thanks Triggers!
LOL, Ken's strategy seems pretty clear: fly in the face of conventional wisdom. Hey it keeps people talking about him and his site. There is some useful info sprinkled between his ludicrous opinions
I will probably read his advice, try it out and see what works best. I'm looking forward to reading more of his ludicrous opinions!
Thanks guys!
TriggersAmuck
Premium Member
LOL, Ken's strategy seems pretty clear: fly in the face of conventional wisdom. Hey it keeps people talking about him and his site. There is some useful info sprinkled between his ludicrous opinions
Contrarian and opinionated, yes, but as they say, "The proof is in the pudding." Take a look at his pictures on the site and decide for one's self.
Contrarian and opinionated, yes, but as they say, "The proof is in the pudding." Take a look at his pictures on the site and decide for one's self.
Exactly. He's an average photographer, at best.
Lego&Jacub
New member
I just bought this camera a couple weeks ago and have been trying lots of different settings. You might want to consider buying the "nifty fifty" lens... some of my best pics so far have come from it. Canon 50mm 1.8... it's only about $100. Also, setting your camera's AF to Al Servo will help... as well as continuous shoot mode. Turn off room lights, wear black clothing... these are some other things that can help.
Here's a canon photography forum that you can ask questions and post pics for advice as well...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php
Good luck... can't wait to see some pics!
Sandra
Here's a canon photography forum that you can ask questions and post pics for advice as well...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php
Good luck... can't wait to see some pics!
Sandra
Recty
New member
Hah, I was trying to think of how to say that, you nailed it though.
I looked over his site for the first time yesterday and can say with honesty that I think I regularly have photographs come out better than his (definitely not ALL my shots but some) when I'm trying to take a good photograph. A lot of times I just snap a quick picture because I'm not planning on publishing it or trying to teach with it, but if I was taking pictures with the intent of publishing them on a photography website, I'd be putting a lot more effort into it than he seems to.
Anyway, I wasnt impressed with his site at all and I've only been doing the photography thing for 2 years. Plus the fact that some of his statement are flat out wrong and thereby hurting the newbies trying to learn from his site sort of irritates me. I'm glad I didnt find his site when I was first learning to use my camera
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OO another good link, thanks Sandra. Here are a couple of photos I've taken so far. I just feel that they are overexposed (not sure if thats the right word for too white).
See this cap how 'white' it is?
Lego&Jacub
New member
Good shots. But regarding them being possibly overexposed... are you watching your light-meter when taking the photos. That will tell you if they are over/under exposed. You want to be on center or slightly below.
Sandra
Sandra
That's greatly dependent upon what metering mode your camera is in and what part of the scene you're metering on. If what you're metering on is very close to a middle tone, yes, that's correct information. If you're metering on a lighter or dark object, it will not be a correct exposure.
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