Canon PowerShot pics suck?

[MikeP]

We have an 8.0 megapixel powershot S5 IS. I thought this would take some nice pics of my tank, but my old 3.2 megapixel powershot took much nicer pics. I thought the S5 would be a much better camera. Is it me not knowing how to use the camera or does anyone else have issues with this model? My biggest problem is trying to take nice detailed close up shots of corals. Anything close up actually. Can someone educate me or confirm that this camera just doesn't work that well for aquarium pictures.

Thanks

[Hairytank]

I have a Canon Powershot A95 5 megapixel camera and have similar problems. Even when it is on macro, it will not focus very well on anything close up in the tank.. of course if your glass has anything on it (algae, scratches..) then it will try and focus on the glass. I have found, if you use the zoom, it has an even harder time focusing. One thing I have done is get the best picture I can without zooming in and then croped the photo to "zoom" in. Not great alternative.

I have tried several different settings, but have had little success with this camera for good quality aquarium shots. Part of the reason I have not posted tank photos...
Would like to pick up a Canon Rebel SLR.

[Tom R]

This thread on RC might be some help to you. There is a lot of good camera info on RC.

Try this thread.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1285870

Tom R

[Veng68]

Thanks Tom :)

That is a great thread :).

I'm thinking of getting these attachments:

http://www.lensmateonline.com/

Cheers,
Vic

[Marlin65]

If you are too close the lens will not focus, as most have a range that the can focus in maybe try backing up a bit.
The SLR's are well priced right now with that you will be able to manually focus and get a macro lens. I have been looking at that Canon 50D

[Marlin65]

HaHa thought hairytank was the first post.:redface:

[MikeP]

Great link, thanks for posting it.

[Veng68]

Check out this little program you can put on Canon Power shot cameras :)

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

I'm thinking about it :)

Cheers,
Vic

[Pescador]

Thanks, that looks interesting, I might try it on my S5 IS.

[es355lucille]

I have a Canon Powershot SD 800 IS. Its 7.1 mega pixels. It takes wonderful pictures unil I want to take picture of something in my aquarium. Then it turns into a last century piece of equipment.


What's the answer? I have seen some beautiful pictures on Can-reef and elsewhere on the net. What is everyone using for Cameras? Underwater Types?

Thanks
Brad

[MikeP]

I have a Canon Powershot SD 800 IS. Its 7.1 mega pixels. It takes wonderful pictures unil I want to take picture of something in my aquarium. Then it turns into a last century piece of equipment.


What's the answer? I have seen some beautiful pictures on Can-reef and elsewhere on the net. What is everyone using for Cameras? Underwater Types?

Thanks
Brad

This is how I feel too. I've been looking into why and I think part of it is due to the optical zoom. Although even with no zoom my pictures still aren't all that good. My camera even has an aquarium setting (which seems to do nothing!). I've tried using the manual settings as well so the camera doesn't "think" for me but no luck there either.

[om6acw]

usually problem with pic quality is between camera and floor or chair ;)
first of all you have to carefully read manual for your camera, specially part about macro photography and minimal focusing distance, you have to know what's dept of field, how distance from the subject its affecting it, how different source of light its affecting your pictures, then you have to understand difference between shooting somewhere outside and in fish tank, its lot so stuff what you have think about it before you push the button. It's more ways how you can accomplish success in photography, you can go way "trial and error" or you can join local photography club and learn from somebody there or also you can buy book :)

[bullit67]

Well I dont know about the S5 but I have a S3 and it dose OK for aquarium picks I just took this today

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/Bullit67/AllPics508.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/Bullit67/AllPics509.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/Bullit67/AllPics546.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/Bullit67/AllPics559.jpg

[Lance]

I have a Canon Powershot SD 800 IS. Its 7.1 mega pixels. It takes wonderful pictures unil I want to take picture of something in my aquarium. Then it turns into a last century piece of equipment.


What's the answer? I have seen some beautiful pictures on Can-reef and elsewhere on the net. What is everyone using for Cameras? Underwater Types?

Thanks
Brad


I have the SD1100 IS (8.0 mega pixels) and I too have trouble taking tank shots with it. It seems to be a pretty good camera for anything else. Maybe I just don't know how to use it properly

[JDigital]

Most of the time with the "point and shoot" style cameras, where they fall short for aquarium photography is with their Macro abilities (or minimum focusing distance), as well as the limited range of shutter speeds. While most camera's may be in the 7-9MP department, the sensor on a p&s camera is alot smaller than the sensor in a Pro Body like Canon 40D/5D/Nikon D80/D300, therefore limited in its ability to replicate the quality of the more expensive cameras.

Here are a few samples from my Canon Powershot TX1. Untouched, straight off the memory card. I'd say they are fairly acceptable shots for most people.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/IMG_0017.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/IMG_0016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/IMG_0015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/IMG_0013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/JDigital/IMG_0011.jpg

[bullit67]

Oh yah now that you mention it the shots I posted were untouched from the mem. card too the HD to Photobucket

[whatcaneyedo]

I've used my little PowerShot A570IS for all of my aquarium pictures. The best ones I've taken were with the underwater setting using a submersible housing. However I've never been able to get a full tank shot that I liked.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/Picture026-1.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/pic034.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/29.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/31.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/26.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh109/whatcaneyedo/12.jpg

[JDigital]

^^ That last shot is awesome! Clam looks amazing!

[wickedfrags]

Just gotta practice. I use a Powershot S3IS, one model older than the 5S. I am generally pleased with the quality of my pictures.