The New lens

MarineManiac

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f8-11 is great for macros. dont be afraid to bump your iso for quicker shutter speeds. stay below 800 though.
 
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Now you are getting into more technical terms..... I have the ISO set on 100. I have never messed with the ISO and compared photos. I will have to try that.
 

gparr

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Good stuff. You'll not regret getting the macro lens. Once you get used to it a whole new world of photography will open up to you.
Gary
 
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I have been messing around with it a little bit today. It will take some getting use to. Since all of the coral tht I have require a top down shot, I plan to go to a friends house this evening and take some pictures of his reef.
The lens does not auto focus very well, but I dont think any of them do? I had Lasik surgery not too long ago and I cant see perfectly yet, not throught the camera. I think that is why the photos do not have a crisp look.
 

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The lens does not auto focus very well, but I dont think any of them do? I had Lasik surgery not too long ago and I cant see perfectly yet, not throught the camera. I think that is why the photos do not have a crisp look.

I've not yet seen a macro lens with fast autofocus. It's so rare that anyone would use autofocus on a macro lens that it just doesn't matter. However, if your eyesight is recovering, it could be valuable, at least for the short term.

Most of the "softness" I'm seeing in your shots appears to be from water surface movement and DOF issues. Move the corals you're photographing to a corner where the water surface will be quieter. You'll end up using slower shutter speeds because it's darker, but that shouldn't matter. Also, make sure the front of your camera lens is parallel with the water surface. With a little practice, you'll get it. Also, always use a remote release or the timer and mirror lockup.
Gary
 

Kris Zmurk

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Gary, don't bring that camera if you plan on stopping by on Monday. I don't want anyone seeing a picture of it right now, much less a macro pic of that mess!!!!!!:cry:

But you got some awesome pics!

Kris
 
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All of the pictures that are posted are with manual focus and they are no good! I just cant see detail all that great yet.

Water surface is working against me. I have a hippo tang and a yellow tang, everytime I shut off the water flow they think its time to eat. In the middle of taking photos there fins touch the water surface because they think its time to eat and the process starts over.....
I think I will set up a tank just for taking photos, the tank will have no fish!!
Most of those photos were taken with the camera at an angle. Sounds like there are a lot of small factors that go into a nice photo. knowing all of this will make it so much better.
All of this advise helps greatly and I appreciate it!!



I've not yet seen a macro lens with fast autofocus. It's so rare that anyone would use autofocus on a macro lens that it just doesn't matter. However, if your eyesight is recovering, it could be valuable, at least for the short term.

Most of the "softness" I'm seeing in your shots appears to be from water surface movement and DOF issues. Move the corals you're photographing to a corner where the water surface will be quieter. You'll end up using slower shutter speeds because it's darker, but that shouldn't matter. Also, make sure the front of your camera lens is parallel with the water surface. With a little practice, you'll get it. Also, always use a remote release or the timer and mirror lockup.
Gary
 
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Gary, don't bring that camera if you plan on stopping by on Monday. I don't want anyone seeing a picture of it right now, much less a macro pic of that mess!!!!!!:cry:

But you got some awesome pics!

Kris

Kris - No worries, I will help you get the issue taken care of. Thats the great thing about getting advice from several people, someone will come up with a solution.
 

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Yes, fish and top-down shots are a bad combination. Maybe you have a piece of glass/plastic you can use to contain the fish at one end of the tank while you shoot at the other?
Gary
 

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You are off to a great start! Did you check out the depth of field sticky? That may help a little too...

OR, since you are focusing on a top down, get a top down box to get the lens below the water surface ever so slightly, that will eliminate the ripples from the fish.
 
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Thank you! I have not had time to read the sticky. But, I plan on reading them tonight while adjusting the camera to see how I do. This way I can relate what I am reading to what the camera does.

I spoke with a guy today about making an acrylic look down box. I wanted to give it a try. I would have built it myself but he is just wanting to trade some frags for it, I couldnt go wrong. I should have the box next week.



You are off to a great start! Did you check out the depth of field sticky? That may help a little too...

OR, since you are focusing on a top down, get a top down box to get the lens below the water surface ever so slightly, that will eliminate the ripples from the fish.
 

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