nsthreed
Junior Photographer
Hello fellow photography interests!
I am very new here so please forgive me if I have done this wrong, I'm just looking for some advice or archieveing the perfect self portrait on my own. I currently use a Canon 400d with both Canon 60mm 2.8 macro lens & Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. I have tried playing about with the self timer but when I get into position there is no focus point at all and is all messed up (was then when I realised i need to get some advice from experts) Incase it is needed to know I do infact own a tripod.
If anyone can help me out it will be greatly appreciated
thanks
I am very new here so please forgive me if I have done this wrong, I'm just looking for some advice or archieveing the perfect self portrait on my own. I currently use a Canon 400d with both Canon 60mm 2.8 macro lens & Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. I have tried playing about with the self timer but when I get into position there is no focus point at all and is all messed up (was then when I realised i need to get some advice from experts) Incase it is needed to know I do infact own a tripod.
If anyone can help me out it will be greatly appreciated
thanks
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
Use an aperture with a broad enough depth of field, maybe bounce a flash off the ceiling to get enough light to get away with the small aperture.
Shooting other models is more fun then shooting yourself (IMO)
Shooting other models is more fun then shooting yourself (IMO)
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
Can you turn off the autofocus on a 400d?
If so, turn it off and manually focus it for where you are standing.
If so, turn it off and manually focus it for where you are standing.
nsthreed
Junior Photographer
Bobfrance said:
yes i can turn off auto focus but how would I know where to manually focus if I am far away from the camera & how would I know if its in focus when I'm infront of the camera?
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
I imagine the lens should have the focal distances in feet and metres on the focus ring. Just set it to the distance that you are from the camera.
If not get a person to stand where you will be or place an object there that you can set your focus on first.
If not get a person to stand where you will be or place an object there that you can set your focus on first.
nsthreed
Junior Photographer
Bobfrance said:
aha I get it, set you focus point then go and replace the object with myself. Thank you I shall give it a try.
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
They don't call this the RangeFinder Forum for nothing!
Now all you need to do is buy yourself a rangefinder camera.
Now all you need to do is buy yourself a rangefinder camera.
gdi
Veteran
Here is the foolproof way - use canon's capture software to tether the camera to PC and set your PC up so you can see the monitor. Ideally you will use a wireless keyboard to fire the shot - you get almost instat feedback and can adjust your pose till you get it right....
nsthreed
Junior Photographer
gdi said:
I actually use mac os x leopard
gdi
Veteran
nsthreed said:I actually use mac os x leopard
I would assume you just substitute "Mac" for "PC" in my post - but I am not sure if the Canon EOS Capture software will work...
smotchx
Member
Canon has that software for Mac as well.
nsthreed
Junior Photographer
smotchx said:
yeah silly me never installed the software from the installation disk, I shall give it a go thanks
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
Ah sorry, I already assumed you were using manual focus in my post above.
Prosaic
Well-known
nsthreed said:If anyone can help me out it will be greatly appreciated
Try using a mirror.
And you know what a rangefinder camera is by the way?
nsthreed
Junior Photographer
Prosaic said:
na sorry i don't
radiocemetery
Well-known
Welcome to the forum, If you hang around here very long, you will soon understand what a rangefinder is. Take a look around some of the forums about individual brands of cameras.
A rangefinder camera has an optical device usually coupled to the lens focus. As you look through the "rangefinder" and focus on your subject with this device the lens is simultaneously focussed to the correct distance so your resulting image is in focus. Unlike an SLR you do not view your subject through the lens of the camera, but through the rangefinder to focus and a viewfinder to compose. Some rangefinder cameras combine the viewfinder and rangefinder functions into one unit. Other cameras have separate viewfinders and rangefinders.
Have fun, ask questions.
Steve
A rangefinder camera has an optical device usually coupled to the lens focus. As you look through the "rangefinder" and focus on your subject with this device the lens is simultaneously focussed to the correct distance so your resulting image is in focus. Unlike an SLR you do not view your subject through the lens of the camera, but through the rangefinder to focus and a viewfinder to compose. Some rangefinder cameras combine the viewfinder and rangefinder functions into one unit. Other cameras have separate viewfinders and rangefinders.
Have fun, ask questions.
Steve
imajypsee
no expiration date
Here's what I do with my Canons for SPs
Here's what I do with my Canons for SPs
get the cable release for your camera and put it on a table if you don't have a tripod; set the aperture for roughly f/5.6 and sit down in front of your camera with the cable release in your hand. Look into the lens -- you may need to raise the camera to a level where you can see into your lens. You should be able to see your aperture opening and in good light your own reflection. So, you line up one of your eyes with the aperture opening (you may need to use the 50 for this since the cable release isn't very long) and press the button on the cable release -- be sure the camera is on autofocus -- and when you hear the beep, press the button all the way to make the photo. Keep experimenting until you get what you like...plan on buying at least a gorillapod for future SPs. A real tripod and ball head is better.
My avatar photo was made in the way I suggested to you.
Here's what I do with my Canons for SPs
get the cable release for your camera and put it on a table if you don't have a tripod; set the aperture for roughly f/5.6 and sit down in front of your camera with the cable release in your hand. Look into the lens -- you may need to raise the camera to a level where you can see into your lens. You should be able to see your aperture opening and in good light your own reflection. So, you line up one of your eyes with the aperture opening (you may need to use the 50 for this since the cable release isn't very long) and press the button on the cable release -- be sure the camera is on autofocus -- and when you hear the beep, press the button all the way to make the photo. Keep experimenting until you get what you like...plan on buying at least a gorillapod for future SPs. A real tripod and ball head is better.
My avatar photo was made in the way I suggested to you.