View Full Version : One Lens One vision - 4 EOS 350D
Morpheus
05-22-2005, 8:59 AM
Hi All
I have a 350D with a 50mm f1.4 and the 18-55mm standard LENS.
I want to take photos of everything from killifish to discus and angels where the fish is virtually 100% of the viewfinder shot. I also quite like taking the odd macro shot too.
Would I be best to buy:
1) An extension tube if so which one?
2) A new lens, if so what would you recommend (I am used to zoom lenses and am finding prime lens difficult to work quickly with) I would prefer to keep lens budget between £100-£250.00 if poss.
Also
is it worth investing in an addiaitonal flash for this camera . . .if so what would you recommend
TIA
Obliviou$
05-22-2005, 9:05 AM
A flash is a must apparently...
If you don't buy one soon you will feel a lot of pressure from the members and moderators of this forum...
I'm not that sure of which flash is the best for a Canon.
totally up to you. kenko has some tubes that are supposed to retain ttl metering and af (so long as there is enough light) - 50mm worth of tubes on a 50mm lens will give you 1:1 reproduction. of course true macro lenses are "flat field" and are optimized for maximum sharpness corner to corner. tubes might leave you soft in the corners, rob you of some light, and possibly slow down autofocus. i can't think of any good zoom macro lenses for canon.
paradise
05-22-2005, 1:51 PM
A flash is a must apparently...
If you don't buy one soon you will feel a lot of pressure from the members and moderators of this forum...
I'm not that sure of which flash is the best for a Canon.
Alex, I hope we are not PRESSURING you, it's mostly a joke :)
Though most people here who have tried a DSLR / Flash combo will agree that it's the most importatn addition, more important for aquatic photography than anything else. Keep in mind, with Canon, you will also need a cable or the STE2 controller.
Morpheus
05-23-2005, 1:12 AM
Do you mean that I should really be going for an off camera flash for fish photography.
Any tips or photos to browse.
Any advantage of the 580 over the sigma flash?
Are either true e-ttl and does it matter?
yes, an off the camera flash makes a huge difference for fish photography. sorry i haven't used the flashes you mention so i cannot give a good comparison for you.
paradise
05-23-2005, 2:40 AM
Morpheus, yeah, I would really recommend it. Look for pics by me, hiro, bobby (phishphornum), benny or many others, all are taken w/off camera flash from the top. You get true colors of the fish, and a lot of other benefits. Keep in mind, with your cam, again, you need to also buy either a synch cord, or a STE2 wireless flash controller. I would recommend the STE2, as it's quite versatile.
As far as the flashes types go, I would stick w/Canon ones. I hear a lot of problems with the sigma flashes, with units burning out from repeated flash exposures in a short time, or the element being too close to another solid surface. They are cheaper, but they are also made cheaper. I still run a 420 ex only. The 550 and 580 offer more features, and more importantly, more strength. The 420 is a bit on a weak side, but who can beat that price :)
Obliviou$
05-23-2005, 6:40 AM
Alex, I hope we are not PRESSURING you, it's mostly a joke :)
Though most people here who have tried a DSLR / Flash combo will agree that it's the most importatn addition, more important for aquatic photography than anything else. Keep in mind, with Canon, you will also need a cable or the STE2 controller.
Haha, I'm not that weak :) I'm just kidding along.
Actually I'm looking at a well used flash over here. Including a softbox of some kind.
Can get it 250$ cheaper. A little cheaper then I can get it new from the U.S w/shipment.
All warranty included. So I'm pretty sure I'll strike on this one ;)