Canon DSLR cue photo help

gh8st

gh8st

Registered
I am looking to take a pic of some of my cues and was wondering what some of the Canon DSLR photo geeks here have as a lens preference. I was hoping to get some lens suggestions and go out and rent one or two of the lenses. Im shooting on a crop body.

Appreciate any other tips.

thanks

gh8st
 
gh8st said:
I am looking to take a pic of some of my cues and was wondering what some of the Canon DSLR photo geeks here have as a lens preference. I was hoping to get some lens suggestions and go out and rent one or two of the lenses. Im shooting on a crop body.

Appreciate any other tips.

thanks

gh8st
Click to expand...

24-70 would do nicely.
 
gh8st said:
I am looking to take a pic of some of my cues and was wondering what some of the Canon DSLR photo geeks here have as a lens preference. I was hoping to get some lens suggestions and go out and rent one or two of the lenses. Im shooting on a crop body.

Appreciate any other tips.

thanks

gh8st
Click to expand...

24-70 nice walkabout. Expensive
70-200 2.8 IS nice med zoom.. Expensive
I don't have the 16-35, but I heard the two is pretty nice.
The first to L's cover most of what people need.
400 2.8IS is awesome, but there is a learning curve.
200 1.8 is amazing and much cheaper now the 2.0 is out. Of course it came out right after I bought a 1.8
135L is probably the best 135mm in the world and the least expensive L.
85L is nice, but if you don't need wider than 1.8 the standard lens is good.
35L is nice but I used the zooms and sold it..
I have a 50mm reg lens but never use it..
I would stick with the first two.
the 70-200 f4 IS is suppose to be quite good.
You didn't say WHICH crop. I shoot 1 series so the factors are 1.3.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, just to clarify, Im specifically looking for lenses suggestions for cue pics.

Agree that 24-70 is a great lens for all around-its the lens that i think I am going to purchase for my walk around lens even though it is quite heavy.

I was thinking about renting a macro lens for the close ups.

Thanks
gh8st
 
I have a 50D. I use the kit lens (can't remember what it is) for the full cue and forearm shots and a macro lens for the rest.

I just posted some I took yesterday here.
 
Tony Zinzola said:
I have a 50D. I use the kit lens (can't remember what it is) for the full cue and forearm shots and a macro lens for the rest.

I just posted some I took yesterday here.
Click to expand...

I have a 40D and agree with Tony. For cue pics I don't think you have to go all out lens-wise. I use the kit lens for most pics and got a very inexpensive macro lens to take shots like the following.

Scott
 

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ScottR said:
I have a 40D and agree with Tony. For cue pics I don't think you have to go all out lens-wise. I use the kit lens for most pics and got a very inexpensive macro lens to take shots like the following.

Scott
Click to expand...

I would like to point out that IMO and experience,(if you can afford it of course) buying a used(most camera guys take very good care of their equipment and some just buy and let it sit) premium lens is more practical than buying something "cheaper".

More times than not, if you don't like it or...whatever, it is easily possible to flip it for the same price, or more, than you paid for it.

Sadly, as I think of my bodies, this is not even close to what happens when you buy a digital slr...

Here is a very good resource.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/
 
pescadoman said:
24-70 nice walkabout. Expensive
70-200 2.8 IS nice med zoom.. Expensive
I don't have the 16-35, but I heard the two is pretty nice.
The first to L's cover most of what people need.
400 2.8IS is awesome, but there is a learning curve.
200 1.8 is amazing and much cheaper now the 2.0 is out. Of course it came out right after I bought a 1.8
135L is probably the best 135mm in the world and the least expensive L.
85L is nice, but if you don't need wider than 1.8 the standard lens is good.
35L is nice but I used the zooms and sold it..
I have a 50mm reg lens but never use it..
I would stick with the first two.
the 70-200 f4 IS is suppose to be quite good.
You didn't say WHICH crop. I shoot 1 series so the factors are 1.3.
Click to expand...


wow you sure do know alot about lenses and photography, i'm just aweful at photography. I have a good camera and lenses but am in desperate need of lessions.

Best
eric
 
Fatboy said:
wow you sure do know alot about lenses and photography, i'm just aweful at photography. I have a good camera and lenses but am in desperate need of lessions.

Best
eric
Click to expand...

It is more expensive than pool, unless you REALLY collect cues. I have owned all the lenses I mentioned, plus a 300 2.8 IS, but I have been forced to sell several due to the economy.

I also own Epson 4000, 4800, and 9800 printers. Feel free to ask any questions you like and i'll answer to the best of my ability.

Fred Miranda is as good a resource for photography as this is for pool.
 
it can be difficult without very expensive glass to focus within 5 inches of something for real detailed shots.

i have often used tripod and telephoto lens for nice detail shots.....its the way to go sometimes.

wontonny said:
do you think he'd need a telephoto to take pictures of a cue? lol
Click to expand...
 
I definitely using a tripod, im just trying to setup the lighting for least amount of glare.

Thanks for the tips, keep them coming.

gh8st
 
I use an old Nikon Point-n-Shoot digital. Part of the key is to set up a light box, to avoid glare.

Since I am broke, I make a make-shift light box on my pool table, using the lights over the table. I used two oak tv tray tables set up spread apart, draped an old light blue sheet over the top and back and ends, put down on the table a nice piece of fabric I had laying around from a project I never got to, used a tripod, and the Macro setting...and got some decent pics.

Here is one pic I took using this method:

allers4.jpg


Here's another:

josey4.jpg


They're not perfect, but considering the equipment I am using, it gets the job done.

Lisa
 
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pescadoman said:
24-70 nice walkabout. Expensive
70-200 2.8 IS nice med zoom.. Expensive
I don't have the 16-35, but I heard the two is pretty nice.
The first to L's cover most of what people need.
400 2.8IS is awesome, but there is a learning curve.
200 1.8 is amazing and much cheaper now the 2.0 is out. Of course it came out right after I bought a 1.8
135L is probably the best 135mm in the world and the least expensive L.
85L is nice, but if you don't need wider than 1.8 the standard lens is good.
35L is nice but I used the zooms and sold it..
I have a 50mm reg lens but never use it..
I would stick with the first two.
the 70-200 f4 IS is suppose to be quite good.
You didn't say WHICH crop. I shoot 1 series so the factors are 1.3.
Click to expand...
Yup....Took the words right out of my mouth!
 
I am looking to take a pic of some of my cues and was wondering what some of the Canon DSLR photo geeks here have as a lens preference. I was hoping to get some lens suggestions and go out and rent one or two of the lenses. Im shooting on a crop body.

Appreciate any other tips.

thanks

gh8st
Click to expand...

Brother! You do not need to buy or rent expensive lenses. If you have a Canon 1.6x crop it most likely came with a 28-135mm KIT - It will do a fantastic job Fine TAC SHARP! The key is 1) TRIPOD IT! 2) Diffuse a light over your cue fairly close. When I say Diffuse I mean get a thin white bed sheet and spread it over your cue and put a light behind it. Preferably Flourescent like the ones they use at stores or pool halls. That's it! You'll be amazed with the results. Of course that's the cheapest way to go but if you have a portable flash you have plenty for a cue the secret is diffusing your light!

Examples below are taken with my Nikon 24-70 lens @ F2.8 which can also be taken with my Canon 28-135mm but only as wide as F3.5. with no loss in image quality and sharpness. At F8 You could not tell the difference if I used both. I just happen to have my Nikon out when I shot the cues. I also used 1 portable flash over a white umbrella. F8 will give you sharpness through out I just like to shoot wide open. Have fun! :)
 

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gh8st I forgot the settings lol. Make sure you shoot at Manual or AV Mode and set your Aperture to F8 @ 125th And set your ISO to the lowest your camera can go like ISO 100. You're ready to bang! At these settings almost any lens while Tripoded can produce Excellent results! As far as lighting you MUST shoot OFF Camera Flash to get professional results. On Camera just won't cut it. Your Lighting Set Up will hover directly above your cues! Shoot in ETTL for Canon or I-TTL for Nikon. Let me know your gear and I'll show you how to maximize with what you have. I shoot Glamour here in Vegas and So Cal - a more challenging subject than pool cues!

PS. Get a 33" or 43" Umbrella for as low as $15 if you have a Flash Head. This method is the least expensive and will suffice most jobs.

Your Success,

Chris
702.338.8326
 
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canonshooter,
thank you very much for the detailed advice, I am working on the lighting which is my biggest challenge.

I will shoot you a pm with additional questions

thanks
gh8st
 
Lisa-I definitely like the cloth background idea and will incorporate.
Thanks for the tips.
gh8st
 
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