The ReefBox Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 So thinking about getting a real camera to start shooting pics of corals so I can upload into website, facebook and here on the forumn. Would like to know what people are using and what works well. I am not looking to spend a fortune but would like something that works well and a Macro lense is a must I am guessing. Please give me suggestions and feel free to add pictures you have taken with your current set up. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Im still using my canon rebel xti. Great camera body, lots of different lens you can purchase for it. As for a good macro lens i use the canon ef 100mm. Its a good lens to use with or without stablization 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I use a Nikon 3400 with the stock lens (18mm-55mm and 75mm-300mm) But I use extension tubes for macro shots on my 75mm-300mm ($50 on Amazon). No need to buy a $500 lens when the extension tubes work just as well. I also use an Avast Porthole which is a must in my opinion. They work well and I'm very satisfied! As for how the camera does, I take all of Northwest Aquatics coral photos so check out their website and here are some personal pics I've recently taken. I think the camera takes great pictures personally. And they aren't the clearest because when I transfer them to my photo via Bluetooth on the camera (super handy) it makes them only 2 megapixels (camera shoots 24 megapixels). When done on the computer they are way better. But being able to just connect your phone via bluetooth for texting photos is so nice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 Wow Cody those are from an extension lens not macro? Any SPS SHOTS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 3 hours ago, stylaster said: Im still using my canon rebel xti. Great camera body, lots of different lens you can purchase for it. As for a good macro lens i use the canon ef 100mm. Its a good lens to use with or without stablization Roy any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Wow Cody those are from an extension lens not macro? Any SPS SHOTS?All extension tube shots. They are awesome! They work similar to how a macro works. Same principles. I don't really keep sps but I have a couple pieces, I'll try tonight. And I'll take a few pics of my equipment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 11 minutes ago, Paratore said: All extension tube shots. They are awesome! They work similar to how a macro works. Same principles. I don't really keep sps but I have a couple pieces, I'll try tonight. And I'll take a few pics of my equipment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks Cody Opening small biz (River City Corals) and need to be able to take decent pics 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 1 hour ago, stylaster said: ........i'll need lessons from you guys 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Yeah getting the camera is one thing, using it well is another lol! Took me forever to get the hang of it hahahaSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 I think getting the blue out is tough IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Yeah that's why most people struggle! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I have a cheaper one but to lazy to break it out............... The guy I picked it up from took great pics with it. White balance is the key to getting the blue out. Good luck finding what works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Does anyone keep records of the lens, f-stop, shutter speed, iso, and lighting for each shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Does anyone keep records of the lens, f-stop, shutter speed, iso, and lighting for each shot?All info are saved in the raw or jpg files automatically.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Extension tubes are great cheap option for marco shots with regular telephoto lenses but auto focus may stuggle vs a true macro lens.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 My suggestion is if you're getting a new camera mainly to take pics of your corals, consider a high end point and shoot and underwater casing.1) Shooting through glass require lens to be prefect 90deg to prevent optical distortion. Underwater case will allow you to shoot at any angle without distortion and get closer.2) Point and shoot have smaller sensors than DSLR or mirrorless. This is actually a benefit for taking macro with greater depth of field. Otherwise you'll have to stop down the aperture way down and bump ISO up on DSLR which degrades image quality. Other option is to focus stack but will need to on tripod and minimum subject motion.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 39 minutes ago, danlu_gt said: My suggestion is if you're getting a new camera mainly to take pics of your corals, consider a high end point and shoot and underwater casing. 1) Shooting through glass require lens to be prefect 90deg to prevent optical distortion. Underwater case will allow you to shoot at any angle without distortion and get closer. 2) Point and shoot have smaller sensors than DSLR or mirrorless. This is actually a benefit for taking macro with greater depth of field. Otherwise you'll have to stop down the aperture way down and bump ISO up on DSLR which degrades image quality. Other option is to focus stack but will need to on tripod and minimum subject motion. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk I have a canon g10 with underwater case but not sure i can get that true macro shor i am looking for. Im liking paratores idea to start with a camera body and lense then add a cheap extension tube if i understand it correctly?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 I have a canon g10 with underwater case but not sure i can get that true macro shor i am looking for. Im liking paratores idea to start with a camera body and lense then add a cheap extension tube if i understand it correctly??G10 can focus as close as 1cm but newer camera would have 2x or more megapixels for more details.There are 2 types of extension tubes. Cheaper type have no electronic pass thru so only manual focus.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 52 minutes ago, danlu_gt said: G10 can focus as close as 1cm but newer camera would have 2x or more megapixels for more details. There are 2 types of extension tubes. Cheaper type have no electronic pass thru so only manual focus. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Teach me sensei! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Teach me sensei!The ones I got on Amazon have the electric auto focus! Can't beat $50 vs a $500 macro lens lolSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbasketreef Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Lots of practice and a good lens make good picture Options are endless to the point that you have to limit / budget yourself. Knowing what you are trying to accomplish with the camera will dictate what you have to buy. New camera body being release recently so the previous model will drop in price. Some people like to shoot video also, most of the new models are capable of doing 4K video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Do I need Lightroom or similar to view the raw data once I have downloaded the images onto my desktop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratore Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Lightroom is super helpful for editing photos! It's what I use, and I know a bunch of other people use it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Do I need Lightroom or similar to view the raw data once I have downloaded the images onto my desktop? Canon comes with it's own professional raw converter for free, DPP. Nikon basic converter is free but used to charge for the pro version. I don't know if that have changed.I tried trail version of Lightroom but I like Canon's DPP V4 better and it's free.Goto dpreview.com for buyer's guide, reviews, and discussion forums.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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