Top downs

gflat65 · Jan 31, 2009

How do you guys get good macro-ish top downs? I can't figure out how to get my camera mounted above a coral completely perpendicular to the water surface. If it is at any kind of angle off 90, I get a lot of distortion.

Also, my camera seems to have a lot of crap on the mirror. Can I clean that, or would it be best to take it to a camera shop? With bodies not being the expensive part of the camera (with an XTi, anyway), I'm loathe to spend too much on a cleaning, but if that's what I've got to do...

gparr · Jan 31, 2009

For top-down shots, I have a horizontal arm that connects to my largest tripod. I put a ball head on it and suspend the camera over the water. Before I had the arm, I moved the corals to the edge of the tank, leaned the tripod against the tank, extended the column, and aimed the camera straight down.

For more on top-down shooting, see this thread.

If you have dirt/dust on your mirror, a blower will usually remove it. I highly recommend the Giotto Rocket blower. If the dust is on your sensor, that's a different issue. For that I've been very happy with the Arctic Butterfly brush. The first thing to do is use a blower on the sensor. That'll remove most of the dust. Hold the camera face down so the dust will have a better chance of exiting the camera chamber. If you still have dust, the Arctic Butterfly will get it.

This is the arm I use

This is a less-expensive arm

Giottos rocket blower

Arctic Butterfly Note that there are several versions/packages. They're not cheap but well worth the money.

Gary

JuniorMC8704 · Jan 31, 2009

A full tune up that includes just about every inch of your camera body being cleaned, lubricated, and all work guaranteed should only run about 100-150 bucks from a certified repair center.

gflat65 said:
How do you guys get good macro-ish top downs? I can't figure out how to get my camera mounted above a coral completely perpendicular to the water surface. If it is at any kind of angle off 90, I get a lot of distortion.

Also, my camera seems to have a lot of crap on the mirror. Can I clean that, or would it be best to take it to a camera shop? With bodies not being the expensive part of the camera (with an XTi, anyway), I'm loathe to spend too much on a cleaning, but if that's what I've got to do...

gflat65 · Jan 31, 2009

Excellent info. Thanks guys. I've got more reading to do and some things to order

.

How often would you say you should have a full cleaning and lube on your dSLR (assuming dirt on the mirror and sensor are not the driving factor)?

JuniorMC8704 · Jan 31, 2009

most pros do it once a year...i haven't done it myself yet...but will be asap.

Tomasz · Jan 31, 2009

gparr said:
For top-down shots, I have a horizontal arm that connects to my largest tripod. I put a ball head on it and suspend the camera over the water. Before I had the arm, I moved the corals to the edge of the tank, leaned the tripod against the tank, extended the column, and aimed the camera straight down.

For more on top-down shooting, see this thread.

If you have dirt/dust on your mirror, a blower will usually remove it. I highly recommend the Giotto Rocket blower. If the dust is on your sensor, that's a different issue. For that I've been very happy with the Arctic Butterfly brush. The first thing to do is use a blower on the sensor. That'll remove most of the dust. Hold the camera face down so the dust will have a better chance of exiting the camera chamber. If you still have dust, the Arctic Butterfly will get it.

This is the arm I use

This is a less-expensive arm

Giottos rocket blower

Arctic Butterfly Note that there are several versions/packages. They're not cheap but well worth the money.

Gary

Gary, what ie the arms reach on the top down? How close do you have to be with the tripod to the tank?

gparr · Feb 1, 2009

The total length of the arm is about 2 ft. I've run it out over the water a couple of times as far as it would go and I'm guessing the camera lens is 15 to 18 in. from the tank edge, if the tripod is as close to the tank as possible. Note that, to do this, you need a heavy, sturdy tripod that isn't going to easily tip over and it's probably wise to have some kind of weight on the tripod to keep it stable.

It always makes me nervous when I do this kind of shooting because one slip-up could result in a soaked camera. It's also helpful if you have an angle finder on your camera viewfinder so you can compose the photo. A remote release is essential, as is mirror lockup. Camera vibration and movement will be a factor with this type of arrangement, so take your time and make sure all movement has stopped before making the exposure.
Gary