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Best Canon eos to permanently tether with 100mm macro

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Mak65

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Hi,

I've been trying to get my head around all the canon models. What I want to do is permanently setup a camera with a canon ef 100mm macro lens to take photo of cut gemstones for the web.

So I don't need a high resolution or onboard camera functionality but would like lots of tethered functionality and a great image quality(not resolution). The camera doesn't have to feel good in the hand or be rugged as it will always be mounted.

The lens is the easy bit, but which camera?. Do all canon cameras you can tether using canons EOS Utility program have the same functionality or are the older models limited. Would I get any real benefit from a newer camera compared to say a 1000D(one of the oldest models support by EOS Utility 2.14)?

I notice there are atleast two version of EOS Utility how much has the functionality changed? I think the newest version 3.5 doesn't support some of the older models supported by 2.14. Still looks like canon is supporting version 2.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Mak.
 
Mak65 said:
Hi,

I've been trying to get my head around all the canon models. What I want to do is permanently setup a camera with a canon ef 100mm macro lens to take photo of cut gemstones for the web.

So I don't need a high resolution or onboard camera functionality but would like lots of tethered functionality and a great image quality(not resolution). The camera doesn't have to feel good in the hand or be rugged as it will always be mounted.

The lens is the easy bit, but which camera?. Do all canon cameras you can tether using canons EOS Utility program have the same functionality or are the older models limited. Would I get any real benefit from a newer camera compared to say a 1000D(one of the oldest models support by EOS Utility 2.14)?

I notice there are atleast two version of EOS Utility how much has the functionality changed? I think the newest version 3.5 doesn't support some of the older models supported by 2.14. Still looks like canon is supporting version 2.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Mak.
Click to expand...
New Canon EOS Utility software does drop support for discontinued camera models. Your best bet is to get a recently released entry level camera, if you're looking for cheap, to insure it will have support for a few year to come. As far as added tethering functions, there are present, but grayed out if the camera model you are using does not have that feature. If you're looking for those features you'll have to send more money for a upper entry level to mid level camera. What tethering features are you looking to add?
 
Thanks for the reply. I suppose I'm only after pretty basic functionality and I'm pretty much a novice photographer. I would like to be able to focus on a point and change focus incrementally so I can focus bracket. Controls over exposure time and aperture, maybe white balance, easily store images straight to may laptop. It would also be nice if the software let me review an image just taken easily.

Have you used the EOS Utility on older cameras, how did you find it to use? If going for a new camera, is it worth considering the M series cameras. Even the M10.

Cheers

Mak
 
I don't think that the software is going to let you focus incrementally. You'll still have to grab the lens and focus manually, which will not be particularly easy or pleasant to do, and certainly won't be accurate. And then, you have to run software on your computer to stack the photos together, which won't necessarily work well or easily.

I would suggest finding an alternative camera than Canon, one which has built-in focus stacking, which includes models from Panasonic and Olympus. As these cameras have smaller sensors that the Canon, these have strong advantages when it comes to macro photography.

Or, you can hire a photographer to do the job for you; if you throw enough business at them, they might give you a discount. I assume that you don't want to spend endless hours than can better be spent doing other things.
 
Could you provide links to sample photos on the web which can show us just what you are trying to achieve?
 
Mak65 said:
Thanks for the reply. I suppose I'm only after pretty basic functionality and I'm pretty much a novice photographer. I would like to be able to focus on a point and change focus incrementally so I can focus bracket. Controls over exposure time and aperture, maybe white balance, easily store images straight to may laptop. It would also be nice if the software let me review an image just taken easily.

Have you used the EOS Utility on older cameras, how did you find it to use? If going for a new camera, is it worth considering the M series cameras. Even the M10.

Cheers

Mak
Click to expand...
Canon makes great cameras, but not so good at creating software!!! Helicon Remote is a great 3rd party solution for what you are looking to achieve. It does support most Canon cameras, including the EOS 1000D you had mentioned in your first post. Not sure if you already have software program that will combine the images like, Photoshop or Affinity Photo , but Helicon also offers Helicon Focus for combining your image stacks, but I see it as being a bit pricey!! I use Affinity Photo to do my stacking, as it is cheap, and can do the majority of what Photoshop is capable of doing!!!

As far as the Canon M10 going, you would need an adapter to use the EF 100mm macro, which may compromised its focusing ability IMHO!!

--
Big Chief "Run-a-muck"
 
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Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of doing it like this bloke on youtube.


I just have to figure out which canon cameras give me the functionality I want and need when connected with ESO utility.

Cheers

Mak
 
I was just looking at another youtube clip and the 600D looks to have all the controls I'm after tethered. So going older has anyone tethered older EOS cameras than the 600D and had focus and manual controls?
 
The 550D had them, don't know of any older than that though.
 
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has posted replies :) They have been helpful, I am narrowing down on the camera to buy.

A few notes/answer about comment:

-I've been having a look at Helicon Remote and some other packages, they look great.

-I'm going to get canon camera with live view, and basically from the era of 550D onwards

-I've gone with canon due to the availability of lens for auction on ebay compared to nikon.

-Regarding posting pics, when I get it all going I'll post one here. Setup and result.

Cheers

Mak
 
Mark Scott Abeln said:
I don't think that the software is going to let you focus incrementally. You'll still have to grab the lens and focus manually, which will not be particularly easy or pleasant to do, and certainly won't be accurate. And then, you have to run software on your computer to stack the photos together, which won't necessarily work well or easily.

I would suggest finding an alternative camera than Canon, one which has built-in focus stacking, which includes models from Panasonic and Olympus. As these cameras have smaller sensors that the Canon, these have strong advantages when it comes to macro photography.
Click to expand...
With all due respect, but the EOS utility does allow incremental focus. And you never need to touch the camera other than to switch it on.
 
Mak65 said:
Thanks for the reply. I suppose I'm only after pretty basic functionality and I'm pretty much a novice photographer. I would like to be able to focus on a point and change focus incrementally so I can focus bracket. Controls over exposure time and aperture, maybe white balance, easily store images straight to may laptop. It would also be nice if the software let me review an image just taken easily.

Have you used the EOS Utility on older cameras, how did you find it to use? If going for a new camera, is it worth considering the M series cameras. Even the M10.

Cheers

Mak
Click to expand...
No, you do not want the m10 for tethering. It does not support eos utility like the dslrs do. Instead, it only works through wifi, which means reading it off a laptop or tablet. The level of control is restricted and the quality of liveview are not nearly as good as tethering through a usb cable. I bought an m10 for tethering but ended up not using it for this and converted it to an infrared camera instead.
 
Mak65 said:
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has posted replies :) They have been helpful, I am narrowing down on the camera to buy.

A few notes/answer about comment:

-I've been having a look at Helicon Remote and some other packages, they look great.

-I'm going to get canon camera with live view, and basically from the era of 550D onwards

-I've gone with canon due to the availability of lens for auction on ebay compared to nikon.

-Regarding posting pics, when I get it all going I'll post one here. Setup and result.

Cheers

Mak
Click to expand...
I do tethered photography of fossils, for scientific purposes. Ive been using a 600d for this, together with the 60mm efs macro. It is a pleasure to work with and, like i said earlier, you only need to touch the camera to turn it on. The eos utility works like a charm, and i just import the images into cs6 whenever i want to stack them. I do not see myself upgrading any time soon, as there is no notable improvement with newer models. Your best bet would be the 100d, or the 600-700d. Anything more expensive is not worth it if you are only interested in tethered shooting.
 
Thanks for the correction!
 
I'm looking out for deals on a 100D or 1300D in the end of financial year sales(in Australia). Fingers crossed a bargain appears. Some crazy prices are being paid for older cameras on ebay.

Phase One Capture one has a list of cameras they support and could be good guide to what cameras of any brand will tether. Need yes for tethering support and live view in their table.

https://www.phaseone.com/en/Products/Software/Capture-One-Pro/Supported-Cameras.aspx
 
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