Where is the best place to buy the Canon XTI?

[TitusvileSurfer]

Well your tripod will really help. Unfortunately for the "real close up shots of polyps" your (probably) going to need to look into a set of extension tubes. Your 100 mm lens will let you get twice as close as the 55, and it is so sharp you could cut your eye looking at the pictures. You also have a 1:1 macro which will help mucho with closeups. Use the same tactics I explained earlier, accept now you have a much more suitable tool for the job. Get the lens right up to the tank and make sure the lens is pointed perpendicular to the glass. You can also go all the way to f/2.8 now! The draw back is only a specific portion of the subject being in focus. Later, once you are proficient, you will learn how to take multiple images of the same coral at different focus points and merge them together!

 

[Maximus]

Could you post some settings I should use? Also, how close do I need to position the camera with respect to the glass tank? The tripod sort of prevents me from getting too close to the tank.

 

[Maximus]

Please critique this pic.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

The exposure looks pretty good, but the subject is rather blurry. I don't really understand why though. I am assuming you used a tripod.
Shutter speed was 1/125, which should override movement caused by pressing the shutter button.
Aperture f/5.6 alllmost gave perfect depth of field, but the top of your coral is just out of focus. I would bump the aperture down slightly.
Remember that 1/3 in front (towards you) and 2/3 behind of the selected focus point will be in focus. Press the auto focus select button and make sure only the center point is selected, as opposed to all of the points.
While using your tripod, try the 2 second timer. This way you'll take your shot without actually touching the camera. Using mirror lockup will also reduce camera shake from the action of the shutter itself.
All that said the issue looks like camera shake, but with 1/125 on a tripod, camera shake shouldn't be an issue so I'm pretty confused on the whole matter.

 

[Maximus]

I agree, I think it is camera shake. I'll try a couple more shots using the timer. Just gotta figure out how the timer works.

 

[Maximus]

Do you know which iso or setting I should be in to capture fish?

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12590296#post12590296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maximus
Do you know which iso or setting I should be in to capture fish?

I am not a professional but the higher the iso, the quicker the shutter speed. This means open, capture the image, close; all at a quicker speed.

Did you get your 100mm yet?

 

[Maximus]

Yeah, I got the 100mm lens today.

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12590261#post12590261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maximus
I agree, I think it is camera shake. I'll try a couple more shots using the timer. Just gotta figure out how the timer works.

The remote shutter release is a great toy as well

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12590322#post12590322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maximus
Yeah, I got the 100mm lens today.

Now the frustration starts. It took me a good month before I even started learning what I was doing. The slightest shake--blurry; unless you are in a super low f-stop which then limits your corals depth of field.

 

[Maximus]

LOL, the frustration has already set in! Damn, this thing is hard to take clear pics of fish!

 

[Maximus]

I just wonder why my shots of echinos cannot capture the full color and brilliance of them?

 

[mpoletti]

There are certain colors that are very hard for me capture, especially lighter blues to teals.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Well the 100 macro is no fish lens. It has painfully slow focus lock and is solely meant for subjects that don't move.
ISO - Your main concern is shutter speed for movement and Aperture for Depth of Field (DOF). Always start at ISO 100.

With fish (things that move), set Tv mode and pick your desired shutter speed. The camera will select the aperture for the "correct" exposure. If you don't think the camera's choice is actually correct, use the -2..-1..0..1...2 exposure needle to adjust. If you can't get enough shutter speed or if you want a deeper DOF, bump your ISO up until you achieve the desired settings.

With corals (things that don't move) you do the opposite, select Av and the desired aperture. The camera picks the shutter speed and you play with the ISO until everything is kosher.

M mode lets you pick everything. Until you master Av and Tv however, I wouldn't bother with it. I use M when the light conditions are not changing and I want a consistent exposure on every frame. About 90% of my shots are Av/Tv, 9% with M, and 1% between P and A-DEP.

 

[Maximus]

Thanks again. I will try those different modes. Once again, I appreciate it.

 

[Los]

Maximus-

You have inspired me to join the Canon club. GREAT pictures. I'm very impressed that a "beginner" could make pics like those! Wow.

Titus-

I've been really enjoying your photography posts and I've cut and paste a ton of your advice into my notes. I'm just about to place an order and would like your advice:
Camera: I was planning on getting a Canon 40D. I can get it with just the camera ($939), with the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ($1454), or with the 28-135 IS lens ($1119). Which would you recommend?
Macro Lens: Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8 ($455) and LP1219 Soft Lens Case ($33). It seems this is the lens everyone gets. Is there a better one or is this the way to go?
Tripod Mount: It's $149. From what I've read, I can skip this.
Additional Lens: What would you recommend, given the package you suggest and the lens that comes with that one? BTW, thanks for the list you gave earlier in this thread - very helpful.
Remote Release: Adorama ($37)
Grip: BG-E2N Vertical Grip/Battery Holder ($189)
Sandisk 4GiG Extreme III (on sale $35 at Circuit City)
Battery: 1 extra - Impact or other off brand
Screen Protection - $15 (I know you said it's not necessary, but...)
Filter: Adorama 58mm Circular Polarizer Glass Filter ($25) Is this recommended? It is supposed to cut down on glass glare, which I figured might be an issue in the aquarium
Tripod: I was going to get the Canon Deluxe Tripod 200 (quick release) for $40, but reading this thread has made me reconsider. 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black) with 488RC2 Midi Ballhead (Quick Release) - Supports 14 lbs (6.3 kg) for ($274) - what you recommended before. Is there really that big of a difference between the two?

Anything else I need to get? I'm especially interested in lens recommendations and whether I should get the base unit with no kit lens and instead buy a better lens to start out with. If that's the case, then which lens would you recommend I get.

Thanks in advance and sorry Maximus for hijacking the thread!

 

[Gdubb]

Max I just got an Xti for a birthday gift, what settings did you use on these pics?

Also I see you used MF on the 2nd, what did you use on the 1st.

thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12574981#post12574981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maximus
While I am patiently waiting for my macro lens, here is a pic I just took. It's a bit blurry but looks nice to me. I can't wait until my lens shows up tomorrow!

Here's another pic but this time I used MF.

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12654042#post12654042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Los

Camera: I was planning on getting a Canon 40D. I can get it with just the camera ($939), with the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 ($1454), or with the 28-135 IS lens ($1119). Which would you recommend?

Get the 17-85. The 28-135 is a terrible lens.

Macro Lens: Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8 ($455) and LP1219 Soft Lens Case ($33). It seems this is the lens everyone gets. Is there a better one or is this the way to go?

For aquarium work that lens has a nice working distance. It's very sharp and quite fast. Unless you always plan on carrying all of your gear around in seperate pouches, I'd skip the case

Tripod Mount: It's $149. From what I've read, I can skip this.

You'll need a tripod at some point but you'll want to save for a decent one.

Additional Lens: What would you recommend, given the package you suggest and the lens that comes with that one? BTW, thanks for the list you gave earlier in this thread - very helpful.

Depends on what you shoot. The Canon 70-200 f/4L would be a fine follow-on

Remote Release: Adorama ($37)

Yes

Grip: BG-E2N Vertical Grip/Battery Holder ($189)

If you have big hands this can be helpful but it's really not necessary. You'll also find that it adds flex which you'll notice when shooting macros.

Sandisk 4GiG Extreme III (on sale $35 at Circuit City)
Battery: 1 extra - Impact or other off brand

Yes

Screen Protection - $15 (I know you said it's not necessary, but...)

No

Filter: Adorama 58mm Circular Polarizer Glass Filter ($25) Is this recommended? It is supposed to cut down on glass glare, which I figured might be an issue in the aquarium

A polarizer can help, I use one almost all the time when shooting outdoors. Buy a good one, not a $25 one. Everything that you put in front of the lens alters it's quality. Why spend $500 on a lens and then stick a $25 piece of garbage in front of it. Hoya PRO, B+W are good ones to look at.

Tripod: I was going to get the Canon Deluxe Tripod 200 (quick release) for $40, but reading this thread has made me reconsider. 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black) with 488RC2 Midi Ballhead (Quick Release) - Supports 14 lbs (6.3 kg) for ($274) - what you recommended before. Is there really that big of a difference between the two?

Yes. The later will be much more stable.

 

[Los]

Thanks Beerguy. I'm ordering now!

 

[BlueCorn]

Anytime.

Cheers