AusBonsai

Hi all,

i just bought a new toy for myself!

A Canon 60D DSLR. So far so good.

I also got an 18 to 200 zoom lense and it also seems good.

Still lots to learn.

Grant

Good news Grant, does this mean more photos for us to look at?

OK We are ready

Gerard wrote:Good news Grant, does this mean more photos for us to look at?

OK We are ready

Yes; Once I work out how to set the date!..

Fat finger syndrome!

Grant

Brilliant! I didnt know Canon had brought a new model out. You'll be happy with what you've got. I have the old 10D, a 40D and a 5D and all of them are great cameras. The 10D still goes as good as the day it left the factory in 2003 and I have used it for everything from Billboards to Rock Concert Shoots..

Welcome to the world of digital photography Grant. Canon does make great cameras. If you are going to take photos of bonsai trees, I recommend a cheap prime lens with reasonable large aperture (you don't need a zoom lens for it - zoom lens with large aperture are very expensive). It is suggested that taking bonsai without flash with make the pictures look more natural. This can be done by stop up the aperture. The result will be nice as the colour will be more natural and the tree will stand out from a nice background blur.
Cheers,
DK

they are a really top camera, i can only imagine the quality the photos of you your bonsai will be. i cant wait to see some.

Thanks guys,

I will slowly add to the goodies as I go along and learn as I photograph.

But of course I must keep my bonsai in good shape.

grant

Lucky you, Im saving up for a canon 500D, it's gunna take a while to get enough money but it will be well worth it I think.
Well have fun with it!

Hugh

I Do not have a Canon, but a Pentax K100

Nice Lower end camera especially for those that do not have too much coin floating round, but want to get into Digital with an SLR

Nice one Grant
Ken

Canon 5D and 24-105mm here. 50mm prime as well, left over from my 350D days.

It's quite the learning curve but I'm sure you will be capable. I have noticed a lot of shots of bonsai haven't really taken advantage of DOF (can still see background clearly - wrinkles etc) so your shots should only get better. Next up, expensive and fast primes, strobes and off-camera flashes. The sky is the limit.

Have fun. Just remember though, you get what you paid for. Fast lens are expensive for a reason, because they remain very sharp stopped down (lower apertures). Cheap lenses are fine, but at higher apertures (usually F5.6 and above. F8 is always a sweet spot).

The first off recommended prime for you, being a Canon body, is the 50mm F1.8. It's cheap and very sharp at F4 and above. Keep it in mind when you get it all worked out...

Yes, go for a good quality prime lens. canon 50mm family is a good choice. I had a canon 50mm f1.2 and it's great for low light condition. People do experience back focusing issue with this prime lens but I just use the microadjust option in the camera to correct it and it was the sharpest lens I've ever used. I sold it last week as I needed the cash.
As far as taking photos of bonsai, you will never need anything with aperature larger then f2.8 (smaller f number means larger aperture and shallower DOF - see the picture below to see what I mean). The reason is you do want the tree to stand out and so blur backgrounds. However, you also want the tree to have depth as well. As S.O.P mention, the canon 50mm f1.8 is cheap and sharp. You could get a good second hand lens from eBay for under $100. Itr will be the best investment you'll make for photographing bonsai trees and everyday portraits.
Please share your photos with us here.
Cheers,
DK
Edit: Add picture.

Gday Grant,
50mm is a good choice but just make sure you have the space to get back far enough with a 50mm. There isnt much width to the NBPCA (or length in the back room studio) leaving you not a lot of space to back up to get a big, wide tree in the frame. I mostly use a 24-70 2.8L which is a great allround lens and will get me out out almost any situation, but they cost more than a 60D for the lens alone. I think you are bet to start playing around with what you have already. When you get to the stage where you feel as though your needs warrant spending big bucks, then go out and make some decisions on what you want out of the camera.

I agree Webos. The 24-70mm 2.8L is the best lens I've ever had. Cost a fortune but you only get one chance to take a great photo.

A lens is like bonsai stock. The more you spend, the more you get but make sure you can afford what you get!

What about the f1.4 lense.

Any opinions?

F1.8 is only $149 new.

Grant

The 200mm should do everything you need it to in the studio. Might sound like an odd statement, but it will frame a big tree and zoom in for smaller ones. It also at full zoom and minimum working distance (about 1m), will give you close to true macro... Just need a very steady hand or a tripod.

I used it for lots, prior to investing in "L" glass.