Question for all Canon EOS Rebel XSi owners

[nats]

Just ordered my Canon XSI (450D) yesterday from B&H Photo,
I got the standard 18-55mm IS lens with it.
I will be taking lots of close macro pics with it, and was wondering
how good this stock lens is for that purpose.
I have a EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro autofocus lens on my "wish list":

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=371176&is=USA

I want to take some nice close-ups of my leos.

I know the fine folks at B&H would be happy to help me, but I thought
I would first ask you experienced owners :main_yes:

Any advise, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[OhioGecko]

I just purchased my XSi the other week. All the photos on our website with our url imprinted or with a blue background was taken with the stock lense. I shot all the photos using the close up setting with everything else set to auto.

You will definately be impressed with the ease of use and quality of pictures.

 

[bleeding_sarcasm]

Well, I am a 50d user, but I used to have an xt so they are close enough that I feel qualified to comment haha. I could never understand the reasoning behind spending a thousand dollars on a really excellent camera and then using the "auto" features. If "auto" is what you want, then buy a point and shoot for 1/2 the amount of money?

So, our nickname for ef-s lenses is extra effing poopy (insert the word that starts with the letter S here) for a couple reasons. Ef-s is the "economic" buy. it is a "Great for this camera but not a long-term investment" sort of thing. Ef-s is ONLY compatible with entry-level DSLRs. The pro level and 35mm canons only take an ef or an ef-l lens. So if you ever want to upgrade in the future, then you will have to sell your ef-s lenses with the body when that time comes.

I am not the type of person who is interested in spending 600-1000 dollars on a lens multiple times

As for what lens to get, beyond the mount, unless you want some serious close ups (as in, no body in the shot, just the eyeball) dont do like over 100mm, that is technically a telephoto (even tho they have a 100mm macro) and you would need to stand back 6 feet to get the whole gecko in. Zooms are nice so that you dont have to change lenses frequently (opening your camera up to dust) but they can sometimes be heavier because of all the extra glass, etc.

I would suggest you see if you can rent a couple lenses at maybe a local or online place, try them out, see how they feel, the weight, the quality of images, and then buy based on the outcome of those tests.

An excellent site is http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

If you check out "My recommendations" he lists the best to the worst lenses for a variety of applications. His macro section is a bit lacking, as those lenses are a bit too telephoto for my liking, he doesnt review things like a 50mm macro or whatever.

 

[OhioGecko]

Well unfortunately not all of us can afford a 50d, which is my camera of choice, and have your photo experience Tamara. I was speaking from a beginners level. I thought my photos were OK but you must think differently.

I can honestly say that a point and shoot is not nearly as clear and cannot get the close ups that the XSi does, even on auto. I do beleive once I figure out all the lighting arrangements and features of the camera I can get better close ups of the eyes. Here is an eye shot that I cropped from a head shot.

View attachment 19919

I've seen better but my point and shoot Canon could have never of done that. The other disadvantes of the point and shoots is the time it takes to take the picture. There is a long pause before the actual picture takes which makes it almost impossible to get a good picture of a moving gecko. The XSi is immediate and can follow the face of the leo if it moves. Another advantage is I no longer have to spend several minutes to edit exposure, contrast and brightness on every image. With the XSi the picture is almost perfect every time.

In my opinion the XSi is a great starter camera even using auto features. I will learn more and become a better photographer in the future. I would even like to know what setup you would suggest to use with the XSi instead of the auto feature to improve my pictures. I've seen your pictures and just by looking at them I can tell you know your photography.

I do agree with Tamara in the investment thinking. If you have the money to get the 50d then it would be much wiser to do so. It has many additional features and better lenses.

Tamara definately knows what she is talking about, but I think she was looking at this post as professional photographer and not a beginner, IMO.

You can see some of her work at this link, they are simply amazing.

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=25938&highlight=tamara+locke

 

[bleeding_sarcasm]

I didnt say anything about your pictures personally, as up until now, your avatar was the only picture I have ever seen that you had taken. Nor am I trying to come across as insulting. What I DO think, is that sometimes we get "acceptable" results and then operate inside our comfort zone. The camera you have is an excellent learning tool, and you should always try to change things so that little by little, you try new things, new settings, and see what works for you.

Here is a picture of mine taken with the XT, which is on the same level, and 3 years older:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/ghettogeckos/IMG_1738e_c.jpg

Same camera that took all the pics in that thread (thanks for the complements). The XT (350D) and The XSI (450D?) and the 50D or any xxD or xxxD have both a ef and a ef-s mount. So ef lenses, and ef-l (top of the line) lenses absolutely will work on your camera, and your next camera. When shopping around, the XSI and the 40d were a VERY close call. Most reviews I read said that the XSI was better then the 40d (for the money and features) when it came down to it, and that the 50d isnt outrageously better then the 40d.

I chose the 50d, because I felt a need to challenge myself instead of just upgrade features on a model that I (basically) already know.

I used a canon powershot A95 for pore shots 5 years ago. Sharp, clear photos can be taken with a point and shoot. Canons point and shoots actually give you a lot of manual control over exposure, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, etc.

I am totally self taught. I started with a point and shoot camera, then bought myself an xt, and then bought myself a 50d, and it has been a learning process every step of the way. My number 1 advice is read your manual and find out how to take the very best pictures using the features it offers. I might even venture to say that the pictures I have taken with the 50d, composition wise is not as good as they were with my xt (yet) but I still have a lot of learning and tweaking to do.

I actually passed on getting the 5dmII because I think that I still have a lot of learning to do, and also need to take "baby steps". I wouldnt know what to do with a full frame DSLR! except die if I dropped it hahah.

I dont know how helpful it would be to tell you my set up (and I am guessing you mean what settings I am using, as opposed to what camera, lens and lighting) because it really comes down to what your goal is as a photographer. How much do you care about your depth of field? How much do you care about ISO? How much do you care about shadows and lighting? When you decide what you want, research what settings you need to accomplish these goals. (higher F Stop so you have more in focus in the image, etc) You may have to sacrifice some settings like shutter speed. Youd be shocked at what I consider an acceptable shutter speed, but again, its about comfort level. You might not be able to deal with anything slower then 1/250, where I aim for 1/60-1/100.

My personal struggle is, and will probably always be, trying to get the whole animal in focus

I know this is a bit OT. I hope it helps explain things.

 

[OhioGecko]

Tamara, thanks for the informative post. I thought you were goofing on my auto setting post therefore the reply. :main_rolleyes:

I look forward to seeing more of your photos. I have alot to learn so I hope you don't mind if I ask you qustions every now and then. I would be thrilled to be able to take photos like yours someday.

 

[nats]

Thanks everybody for your input.
I also found tons of tutorial websites so I can take a refresher course.
Of course, with photography, the best teacher is experience, so when
I get my camera, I plan to experiment with everything.
Yes, thanks, I did find some places that rent lens for pretty cheap.

 

[nats]

I got my camera today w/ the companion book "The Canon EOS Digital
Rebel XSi/450D" by Ben Long.
I also have a 60mm macro lens on order.
I have alot of reading, studying and practice to do!!

This is my very first true DSLR. It replaces my old Nikon Coolpix 8700
which has alot of the same features as a SLR, but I always used it as
a "point and click" camera.

I doubt I will ever use my new Canon that way.

It kills me when folks spend a ton of money on a DSLR and never take it
out of "auto" mode.

I have owned regular (non digital) SLR's before, and took alot of pictures.
So photography is not a new concept for me. I just need a refresher, and
take tons of pictures :main_yes:

This is great! I can finally post some nice pics of my 3 leos :main_thumbsup: