To Upgrade or Not ?

C

cheech

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Edit My Images
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Hi All,

This is my first post, so I'll try and keep it brief.

Having finally converted from 35mm to digital and it has rekindled my interest in photography [not that I was very good previously] due mainly to the fact of convenience.

However I am not getting the results I would like in some fields. I mainly shoot wild life, landscapes, sports [long distance] and laterly koi carp.

I purchased a Canon 400 D to see how I went along. I also wish to experiment with photoshop but have stuck with the Canon versions until I understand the miriad of options out there.

Problems are probably technique and being a little technophobe !

My main goal at present is trying to take decent pics of koi and have been advised to leave in 'totally auto' due to the cameras capabilities.

I appreciate I probably need a speed light even though I can overcome the reflection problems, but it appears I cannot alter the photos very much when shooting in RAW.

So queries are;

1; Do I upgrade [thinking of a 50 D or 7D or ultimately a 5 D due to the fact I don't want to buy lenses now that won't fit a full frame camera at a later date]?

2; Will something like photoshop be much better than the Canon programmes and should I stick with what I have got and persivere? What programmes do you recommend?

3;I need a long range zoom lens, how big is it safe to go using hand held with an IS type lens?

4; Would a lens for my camera be suitable if I upgrade the camera at a later date [ie; I think it will fit a 50d or a 7d but not a 5d properly]?

5; Is there much difference with speed lights as there is a large difference in price?


I would appreciate any advise

Thankyou

Cheech
 
I'm gonna skip the Canon related Qs as I'm not familiar with them..

2 - PS in my opinion will be better than any manufacturer's software.
3 - 70-200/300mm?
5 - It's mostly to do with reliability I would think,aswell as size, refresh rate,power output... but if you're looking at Canon's own speedlights, if they're like Nikon's they're all pretty good.

Not much help there I'm afraid..
 
Welcome aboard :D

1. I would stick with the 400 until your happy with it and what it can do, I am new to Digital Photography but find AV alot more useful than full Auto which is very rarely used.

2. I predominantly use DPP which should come with the camera to play with the RAW files and only really use PS for adding borders/resizing. DPP is superb and very easy to use although others use elements/lightroom.

3. Depends what lenght your after, I have found myself mainly shooting in Zoo's and use 300mm regularly and Cosmix regularly shoots at 400mm with no problems with IS

4. If you buy EF lenses rather than EF-S lenses they will be compatible with the higher spec cameras (5d etc)

5. ???

Hope that helps a bit for a start but sure someone will be along to elaborate shortly...
 
400D is a hugely capable camera.

DPP is a good bit of software, but clunky. Try downloading Adobe Lightroom 3 Beta (free at moment) and see if that offers a friendlier experience. Photoshop Elements offers 80% of Photoshop functionality but at 20% of the price.

EF-S lenses are comatible with xxxxD, xxxD, xxD (except 10D) and 7D cameras. You can't fit them on 5D or 1D cameras

Long lenses need good technique which can be learnt. Peoples upper body strength varies and some people can hold a lens rock steady for hours at a time. Others can't and either need an IS lens, or could use a monopod to get a bit of extra support.

Flikr gives a lot of photos of Koi, and you can check settings they're using on a lot of the shots.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=koi+carp&m=text
 
With respect, why 'upgrade' to another camera if you feel unsure how to operate the camera that you currently have. I also own a 400D and shoot similar areas to those you wish to shoot. I feel overwhelmed by the myriad settings and possibilities that are present.

It is unclear from your post what lens you are currently using. Many photographers advise using a 50mm lens to learn how to photograph; this is as it is nearest to 'seeing' as the human eye sees. It enables you to learn composition and how to manipulate the light into the camera effectively. Probably the two major necessities to learn in this field.

There are many books available at the local library to help learn the 'technicalities' of film free shooting. I have a small stack I borrowed recently and am working through.

I've found the short time I've been here I am aware that I'm viewing images differently and i hope with the beginnings of knowledge.

Enjoy the learning curve, it is fascinating
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the replies.

Igor, not fussy about make, my 35mm are Nikons,

Tina, I only have std lens, only asked question as someone advised me to only use auto,. I thought they meant I could not do much editing with what I had.

Looks like you guys have saved me some dosh:) Thankyou.

I work abroad a lot so I can easily go into a shop to look at equipment.

Can you recomend some books so that I can bring them out with me next time please.

I do pretty much understand the basic relationship between settings, just need to find the 'sweet spots' then.Looks like a big learning curve coming up,
especially with DPP etc

Many thanks
 
The 400 is a perfectly capable camera. I would learn how to use it fully before wasting money on an upgrade personally...
 
I would suggest a circular polarising filter for use when photographing the Koi Carp, it will remove the reflection from the surface of the water.
 
been advised to leave in 'totally auto' due to the cameras capabilities
Click to expand...

That sound suspiciously like complete and utter bull. I would ignore that and learn to use the camera and get the results you want. Why don't you tell us what sort of effect you are after and show us what sort of thing you are getting. Maybe we can steer you right.
 
Thanks All,

You have put my mind at rest.
I will post a couple of pics to show what I am aiming for.
 
Hi All,

Thankyou for your responses.

It was suggested I posted some pics for comment. These are the only ones I could find where I have a decent photo [2412 which is what I am aiming for] and a couple that I have taken. Posted them on here TP.

I must say they were not intended to be posted on somewhere like this, they were taken as a quick reference photo in poor light the evening I got home with this koi, but at present I can't find a similar reference of the same koi taken with my present camera.

They are a little out of focus I know.

What do you think ?

Thankyou



Can't seem to get the URL onto the thread just the better photo ! :bonk:
 
I've got a 350D [yeah, I know...] and am still learning with it. I've had it for ~3 years now [I guess], and beyond the fact that I need to clean the sensor, I still think it's great. Funnily enough, my brothers 5d mkII puts it to shame with high-ISO image quality, but stick a good lens on, and in good light the difference is [to my eyes!] imperceptible!

If you're not happy with results, I'd strongly suggest upgrading the lenses LONG before you upgrade the body!

Hope that helps!
 
Hi All,

If you double click on pic it will show you the others.
Don't know how I managed it but you should see 3 photos.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks
 
2412 - Where is this photo from?

The other two photos have information about the settings used in the photo [F4,1/60s,ISO800,18mm lens] - do you have the same info about 2412? This should give you some clues as to how the photo was taken, and enable you to better replicate this.
 
donald said:
Koi photography - good man. You may find something useful here:

http://www.koimag.co.uk/blog/koi-photography-tips
Click to expand...

Hmm - good info there - it lists f-stops and shutter speeds to get good results - the shutter-speeds seem a bit OTT, but maybe koi are faster than I gave them credit for... A rule of thumb [for stationary subjects] is 1/<lens length>, but don't forget the crop factor - i.e. a 200mm lens on a 1.6 crop factor body [such as the xxxD's] requires a shutter speed of at least 1/320s.
 
Hi,

Donald thanks for the link, looks like I need to be a little faster, I was aiming to get as much light in as possible.

Tyrone, HHMMMMM, I can't make my mind up at the best of times, thanks but I thought my technique wouldn't justify it so going with the majority at mo.

Nigel the other photo is from where I purchased the koi, so do't know unfortunately, I do know he has a lot more expensive gear though.
Koi don't move particularly fast [unless spooked] but I think its because you are shooting through water, I find the lens will hunt far more easily as the water distorts the image.
I noticed you have a similar camera and the other thing I was asling about was a large zoom lens, you seem to have two, any recommendations ?
Also need a speed light of some sort ?

Thanks again

Cheech
 
Snap_Happy said:
the shutter-speeds seem a bit OTT
Click to expand...

it is a bit 1/125 - 1/250 but I wrote it last year and I am a little wiser now - anyway rules are made to be broken;)

Most of mine end up at 1/60 flash assisted as you loose a lot of light with the cpl. Do not be afraid of using flash and/or pushing the iso.
Here is one I took at the weekend:



Taken on a canon 20d - you don't get a lot older than that! But recently picked up my first L lens and the difference is clear between that and the Sigma 17-70 f2.8 - f4 macro I was using before.

In terms of processing I use Photoshop Elements (6) and all I ever use is the exposure and white balance controls, gentle sharpening along with a lot of cropping. Nearly all the rest of the features go over my head.

Donald

PS Which dealer was the koi from? Looks like a lovely Shiro Utsuri, how is the sumi developing?
 
I think it'll come down to light. Autofocus performs better in good light, but angle it wrong and you'll get nothing but reflection. Do you have a strong lamp or similar you can position near the tank without risking it falling in? I'd think it should be positioned off to the side , between you and the fish. If you want to eliminate surface ripples you could float a large glass dish in the water above the fish. I'm not sure it won't do strange things to the light but its worth a shot.
 
Donald,
Looks like my settings weren't far off, I was in very poor light though.
Lovely Kohaku by the way, where was that one from?
I have only recently picked the shiro up so not much change yet, I am expecting it to be slow as I have very soft water, one for the future.
PM sent Cheech
 
cheech said:
I find the lens will hunt far more easily as the water distorts the image.
I noticed you have a similar camera and the other thing I was asling about was a large zoom lens, you seem to have two, any recommendations ?
Also need a speed light of some sort ?
Click to expand...

I think the reflection will also probably confuse the autofocus - bearing in mind the tips on picking a spot, then photographing the koi in that spot, you might want to try sticking the lens on manual focus? [although that may depend on how still you reckon you can keep the camera!]

As far as zoom lenses go, I'd recommend looking at what you can afford, and then spend slightly more than that :D

Unhelpful as that may sound, the difference in quality between a cheap lens and a good lens is incredible. I started with the 18-55 [non-IS] kit lens on my camera, along with the world's cheapest zoom lens.

I then upgraded my kit lens to a Sigma 17-70 which gave astounding results compared to my kit lens [although I hear that the 18-55 IS lens is a much better lens]. I then upgraded my cheap-as-chips 70-300mm sigma to a [somewhat more expensive :nuts:] 100-400L - OMG - what an image quality difference! The lens will be the strongest limiting factor of your kit until you are desperate for higher ISO quality or higher number of pixels [but bearing in mind I have one shot on my wall that is ~A2 taken with my camera (which has less MP than yours), I don't think the latter will cause too many issues for you!]
 
Nigel,
Thanks, thought that would be the case [pay for what you get] I didn't think the 'L' range was compatable though, something to do with the lens sitting too close to the internals of the camera, I read some where.
Do you know the difference between EF and EFS, can't even find it on Canons site.
There is too much choice !!!!!!!!!!!
 
Nah - the EF-S doesn't fit on the normal EF style range for just that reason, but there's nowt wrong with doing it t'other way round - just costs a fortune. As far as I know, although I'm no kit expert - if you really want to know definitively, post the question in the talk equipment forum, although this is off wikipedia:
"The EF-S lens mount is a relatively new offering from Canon, so the selection of available lenses is limited compared to the full EF range, but it is backwards compatible with the EF mount, and can therefore still accept all EF lenses."
 
Nigel,

That has totally lost me. Will have to look harder or post question as you say.

Thanks
 
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