reptile photography

[FireDrake]

Hi, I am brand new to this forum.

Just got a rebel Xsi for birthday/xmas, it is my upgrade from a fuji finepix S7000 which I have loved dearly for almost five years now. I thought it did so well with the auto functions I rarely went beyond that. And I LOVE it's macro!

I keep and breed snakes and very often use them as photo subjects for my own art as well as my website. I did ok photo'ing them with the fuji mostly because of the sheer number of photos I took (hundreds and thousands) and just chose the better ones to keep and display while never learning why they were better.

Now with my new canon I am trying to force myself to learn the other functions and am doing well with the rebel xsi book for dummies.

My problems are getting the entire subject in focus when I try to shoot my snakes... AND, on the camera it may look focused perfectly, but when I get it on my computer it looks blurry. My old fuji photos are consistantly WAY more crisp and clear than this rebel, and I cannot figure out why. Even when I shoot in auto.

Any tips?

Thanks

Sarah

[Randy McBum.]

Ok if you want the subject to be in focus from forground to background set the Camera to AV and increase the Fx.x number but doing this will almost certainly make the shutter speed slower so you may have to invest in a tripod so that the camera doesn't make any of those much hated shudders. (but sorry if you already knew this) and there is nothing wrong with taking loads of pics :).

[FireDrake]

Thanks, I'll try that, and yeah I have a tripod so I can do that.

But when you say fx.x you mean ?? Fstop? Forgive me I am still learning all this stuff....

(I REALLY need to take a class)

Thanks!

[sandpiper]

Thanks, I'll try that, and yeah I have a tripod so I can do that.

But when you say fx.x you mean ?? Fstop? Forgive me I am still learning all this stuff....

(I REALLY need to take a class)

Thanks!

Yes, he will mean F stop. Smaller aperture (F stop) gives greater Depth of Field so more will be in focus (smaller apertures are the larger numbers).

You need to consider that cameras with smaller sensors give more depth of field, due to using shorter lenses to give the same field of view (framing). As such, you will find it harder to keep the whole snake in focus with the XSi, compared to your Fuji which has a much smaller sensor.

It's hard to say why you aren't getting sharp shots, it would help if you post a few problem images and we may be able to help more. likely possibilities are camera shake due to too slow a shutter speed, poor focusing technique (using all-points AF is a common cause of problems as the camera will often focus in the wrong place). If the critter isn't moving, select an appropriate focus point and focus on the eyes, using one shot focus and keep the point in place while you take the shot. Focusing and then recomposing, while half pressing the shutter button, before taking the shot can cause problems at close range.

If you have an IS (image stabilised) lens switched on, you need to allow time for it to spin up to speed after half-pressing the shutter button, or you can get blurred shots as it may not have stabilised.

The XSi should be capable of easily outperforming the Fuji, but it needs a little more involvement to get the best out of it. DSLRs can be unpredictable when left to make decisions themselves, take full control of what is happening and the results should be the better for it.

Anyway, get some pics posted and we can get a better idea where the problem lies. In the meantime, watch the apertures and shutter speeds, use a tripod and practise the focusing techniques. Stick to one-shot focus for stationary subjects and AI-servo for moving ones, don't use AI-focus it's a complete waste of space.

[Randy McBum.]

I think that the 450D or XSi will give you amazing shots that you will love. It just takes soo much time learning we all wish that we could just pick up the camera and produce those amazing shots we all see, what i suggest is to read the 450D's manual so that you are fully aware of all the buttons and their purposes. keep tring and try out some of the stuff Sandpiper has said. :) but it would be much more helpful if you post some shots.

[FireDrake]

You need to consider that cameras with smaller sensors give more depth of field, due to using shorter lenses to give the same field of view (framing). As such, you will find it harder to keep the whole snake in focus with the XSi, compared to your Fuji which has a much smaller sensor.

I had no idea about that, thanks.

poor focusing technique (using all-points AF is a common cause of problems as the camera will often focus in the wrong place).

I have it on auto select most of the time.... tried manual with just the center selected (i think) and it didnt seem to help.


If the critter isn't moving, select an appropriate focus point and focus on the eyes, using one shot focus and keep the point in place while you take the shot. Focusing and then recomposing, while half pressing the shutter button, before taking the shot can cause problems at close range.

That's the problem... these guys are usually not still, especially my corn and rat snakes, so that is why I had the camera set to AI focus because my manual said it would switch from one shot to to AI-servo as needed.

If you have an IS (image stabilised) lens switched on, you need to allow time for it to spin up to speed after half-pressing the shutter button, or you can get blurred shots as it may not have stabilised.

I do, and I thought I was.....

The XSi should be capable of easily outperforming the Fuji, but it needs a little more involvement to get the best out of it. DSLRs can be unpredictable when left to make decisions themselves, take full control of what is happening and the results should be the better for it.

I thought it would, but to be honest, I am pretty dissapointed. I am aware, however, that the canon is much more involved than using my fuji as a point and shoot. I think I was spoiled rotten by the fuji (which I still refer to as "My Precious")

Anyway, get some pics posted and we can get a better idea where the problem lies. In the meantime, watch the apertures and shutter speeds, use a tripod and practise the focusing techniques. Stick to one-shot focus for stationary subjects and AI-servo for moving ones, don't use AI-focus it's a complete waste of space.

I will do all that, Thanks very much!!!

[FireDrake]

I think that the 450D or XSi will give you amazing shots that you will love. It just takes soo much time learning we all wish that we could just pick up the camera and produce those amazing shots we all see, what i suggest is to read the 450D's manual so that you are fully aware of all the buttons and their purposes. keep tring and try out some of the stuff Sandpiper has said. :) but it would be much more helpful if you post some shots.

Yeah I am still learning so much about this camera, it's amazing all the things I missed with the fuji. I would still LOVE to take a class, just need the time and money!!

Thanks!!!!

[FireDrake]

Here are two photos I thought were pretty ok.... both adjusted a tad for lighting in elements

[FireDrake]

Another...


I always focus on the eye or nose. One thing that is frustrating me is a lot of my photos have the eyes in focus, but not the nose....

[FireDrake]

and a couple, obviously not reptiles, that I thought came out very nice

[FireDrake]

And just a couple of my best from the fuji

[FireDrake]

Oh one more thing... I am having a REALLY hard time looking through the eye piece and seeing if something is in focus, so I am really relying on the camera to tell me with that little green dot in the corner. I dunno what's wrong with my eyes, I have pretty decent vision.... maybe another handicap I got from using the fuji because I always used the screen to compose my shots so now when I shut my left eye then they both get blurry, and when I try to shoot with both eyes open I find myself focusing on what the other eye is seeing, not the one looking through the camera. Did that make sense?

But again I am trying to retrain myself on all this....

[Randy McBum.]

There is a little wheel next to eyepiece this is focus the AF dots that you see from inside the veiwfinder make sure these are perfectly focused (focus them in a bright light) before you do any MF. :)

[FireDrake]

There is a little wheel next to eyepiece this is focus the AF dots that you see from inside the veiwfinder make sure these are perfectly focused (focus them in a bright light) before you do any MF. :)


Yeup, already did that.....

thanks

[FireDrake]

Ok, starting to get it.....

f/14.1
ISO 200
No Flash

snake is more grayish in real life tho....

[Rainyday]

Sarah

First off, I admire your courage in dealing with snakes. They scare the bejesus outta me! However, I too have a Xsi and like to photograph snakes at the zoo. Here's my suggestions: use manual focus. Use a flash, if you've got one. If not, dial up your ISO. You can get excellent pictures up to ISO 800 and don't let the pixel peepers tell you otherwise. About a class, Canon used to sponsor one specific to the Xsi and it was absolutely terrific. However, I don't know if they offer it anymore. Call your local pro shop and ask. Or check on Canon's web site. If you can't get to to a class, you can get a DVD that is part of the Magic Lantern DVD series that is awesome.

Here's a picture I took at the zoo with the Xsi and no flash but the ISO up as high as I dared push it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3347435445_eb4e585868.jpg