Selecting The Right Camera Lens For Fish Photos

I've been getting a few questions lately about photography. Specifically, people want to know what camera is best to carry fishing? My answer is, and always will be, a Digital SLR (DSLR) -a Nikon DSLR in fact. Today I want to dive into what makes a good lens to own for taking great photos of anglers and their fish. The reason for my focus on lenses rather than camera bodies is simple. Ask any professional photographer if they would rather have a feature rich expensive camera body with average lenses, or a more basic camera body with great glass, and they will always tell you option B. I won't go into detail about the reasoning behind that; instead if you would like a little more insight about this philosophy I will leave you a link to check out at the end of this post.

From a fishing standpoint what makes a great lens, aside from high quality glass, is the speed of the lens. The wider the aperture the faster the lens. Aperture is often referred to as f/ or "f stop" , and the f/ is followed by a number. The smaller the number (f/2), the wider the ring opening and the more light that gets in. The larger the number, the narrower the opening becomes and less light gets in. Here is a great video showing a perfect example of what I'm talking about.




Not all lenses are created equal as far as speed is concerned. A lens with a maximum f/ of 5.6 means that the widest the aperture ring can open is f/5.6. This simply means that it won't perform as well in low light as a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. So why go for the faster lens with a wider maximum aperture? Because trout bums are notorious for fishing early in the morning, or late in the evening when there is hardly any light. Early bird gets the worm, or fish... Having a lens that can open all the way up to f/2.8 or wider means that you are getting brighter cleaner images when the fish bite.

If you take a closer look at the aperture video, or some of the above photos you will see another great benefit to having a lens capable of shooting at wider f stops. The foreground is in focus, and the background is blurry. This effect is called Bokeh. The wider the aperture opening the more anything in the foreground or background is blurry compared to the subject you are focused on. This is great for bringing attention to your subject.

If you look at the top photo of two of my clients holding a nice brown during a guide trip with me on the Dream Stream, you will notice that even though you can tell what's in the background, there isn't any detail in it, as compared to the two happy clients with the big fish. The photo of Kristen and our gorgeous toddler Bree is another great example. If you look at the background, the bushes that go around the bend start out really blurry at the far left where it's furthest away from my subjects, then comes more and more into detail the closer it gets to Bree on the right side. Again, remember when you are selecting your lens look for the lens that has the widest f/ or aperture you can afford. An ideal f/ would be anywhere between f/1.4 to f/2.8.

Last I would like to talk about what is an ideal focal length for portrait photography. It's been my experience that anything between 50-85 mm does the trick. Right now I am shooting with a lens that has a fixed focal length equivalent to 60mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. When a lens has a fixed focal length it is often referred to as a "prime" lens. Prime lenses tend to be more affordable than zoom lenses if you're looking for something with a wide maximum aperture. The trick is to pick a lens with a focal length that will get close enough to keep the attention on your subject, while allowing enough of the background to be in view to make the photo interesting. Both Nikon and Canon sell fixed 50mm f/1.8 lenses for around $200 that would be perfect for just about every situation you could come across while on the water.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule me for a guide trip email me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

Here is the link to a recent article I wrote that might point you in the right direction as far as camera selection is concerned!

Tight Lines!


                                                                                                     -Jon Kleis

Kleis's Korner Gear Review - Gopro HD Hero 2 Camera

Let me start by saying that I one hundred and ten percent love the Gopro cameras!  However, there are a few things that I think people need to understand before making a purchase; this especially holds true for anglers.  At the end of the day, the pros far outweigh the cons!

One of the biggest attributes and what makes this camera so popular is that it shoots broadcast quality high def. 1080p video and it's extremely small. It is waterproof while in it's waterproof housing so you don't have to worry about taking a spill with your camera on you, and the HD Hero 2s actually take great still photos as well.  Gopro has done an excellent job of taking the guts that would be in larger HD cameras and shrinking it down to size.  The picture quality is as good as cameras that would cost four times as much.  Here is a sample video with the camera mounted on my head to show you guys what I'm talking about.  Make sure to turn the quality up to 1080 to get a full appreciation of this clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvdU_enMBDQ&list=UUykRVZCzc45NtHBn-HQRnkQ&index=9&feature=plcp

Now let me explain the things that aren't obvious that most buyers would expect to have that this camera does not.  This camera does not have a built in LCD screen or viewfinder.  What does this mean for you?  It means that you have to get really good at either guessing what the camera is seeing based on it's wide focal length, or you have to fork over the extra 80 bones to get the LCD BacPac.  This is the price you pay for being able to have the guts of a more expensive camera and still keep the cost low.

Another small downfall is that as long as the camera is in the waterproof housing it cannot record sound. Each Gopro kit comes with a back that is sealed so the elements stay out, and a replacement back that has open vents so you can pick up sounds while risking getting the camera wet if you fall in.  Last and most important for anglers is the fact that if you planned on shooting great underwater video with this camera then you need to invest in the "Dive" housing.  The reason you ask?  It's because even though this camera is advertised as being waterproof the normal housing for the camera is horribly out of focus while submerged.  The Dive housing corrects this and it runs $50.  I'm sure that after watching this you will agree that it is definitely worth the extra cash!  Again turn this one up to 1080 before watching.






Let it be known that all of these "cons" I'm talking about aren't really that bad considering what you're getting for the price.  These are just things that consumers need to be aware of, and is why I wanted to write this review.  Make no mistake this is a very good camera for an even better price that a lot of professionals are using these days.  It might surprise a lot of people to know just how many commercials and t.v. shows we see every day that were shot with the Gopro.  I give this camera a 9 out of 10 for it's size, versatility, and above all else picture quality.  For $300 there currently isn't a better video camera on the market in that price range.

For questions concerning this article or to find out my rates and availability for a guided trip shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

Building A Camera Stabilizer Rig

I wanted to share with everyone my custom camera stabilizer rig made out of PVC pipe.  It is 1/2 inch pvc and various elbows and t-joints all covered in electrical tape.  There are a ton of waterproof video cameras on the market and plenty of anglers and photographers using them.  Many of these underwater camera's are small handhelds, and that makes them hard to hold steady.

When searching the web for an affordable solution I came across this gem.



This guy put out this video with a killer and affordable home made rig.  Mine is literally the same with a few modifications.  I made the front wider because my gopro cameras have a pretty wide angle and I have huge hands, and I didn't want the sides of the rig or my hands to show up in my footage.  I used electrical tape instead of the hockey tape he used in the video because it is a little more water proof and I fully intend on submerging this thing in a trout stream.  Also I couldn't find a bicycle handle grip that I was happy with so I opted for tennis racket handle tape.  The cost was a little more than he advertised in the video but that was because I purchased the materials at Lowes rather than online.

Anyone interested in having me build you one or have any questions shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

Tight Lines!

Buying A Fishing Camera

This shot was taken with my Nikon D90 DSLR

I was inspired by my friends at outtherecolorado.com and decided it was time to write an article on what to look for when purchasing a camera to take with you on the water.  Do you buy a compact point and shoot camera, or a larger Digital SLR?  What about low light?  Do you want your camera to shoot full 1080p video?  How important is it that your camera is water proof?  These are the questions I will attempt to answer along with giving you suggestions on the current options available for purchase.


First lets start with what I have talked about in previous articles, and that is the simple fact that most point and shoot cameras aren't much better than the cameras built into many of the current generation smartphones.  I say "most" because there are a few extreme exceptions to that rule.  Does that mean you can carry your iphone with you everywhere and you're good?  It depends on the quality of photo you want and the size of the prints you plan on making. When a "point and shoot" or smart phone camera has 8 mega pixels it doesn't mean that it will make better prints, or produce a higher quality photo for sharing on the web than a DSLR with a larger and more accurate sensor that is only rated to 6 mp.


If you're reading this and you're thinking, "Jon Kleis what the flying french toast are you talking about?  What is a sensor?", then let me share with you fellow trout bums that a sensor on a digital camera does the same thing that film does in a 35mm camera.  When you press the shutter release button on an old school 35mm camera the shutter opens and the image is captured on a piece of film.  Digital cameras record what your eye sees through the viewfinder onto a sensor, and that information is then transferred to whatever storage device it uses (ex: a SD memory card).



Digital cameras come with different sizes of sensors the same way that film comes in different sizes/formats.  Smart phones and "point and shoot" cameras typically have smaller sensors than a Digital SLR.  Larger still is a "full frame DSLR", which is the digital equivalent to 35mm.  Many of you will not need a full frame digital camera unless you plan on making wall sized professional prints.


In other words the size of the sensor in your camera will greatly determine how large a print you can make.  Point and shoot/smartphones cameras = small sensors which are fine for small prints up to 8x10 inches, DSLR's = medium sized sensors which are good for making up to poster sized prints,  Full Frame DSLR = HUGE sensor and huge prints which won't be necessary for most fishing applications.



This is why I carry a DSLR when I fish.  The second reason I prefer my Digital SLR to most "point and shoot" cameras is because they tend to perform better in low light conditions.  Many huge fish are landed either first thing in the morning or during that magic hour before the sun sets in the evening.  For this reason it is my humble opinion that a camera that takes high quality photos under low light conditions is extremely important.



How well a camera does in low light is determined by its ISO range.  The average point and shoot/camera phone will have an ISO between 50-800.  A good camera for shooting in low light has an ISO between 100-3200.  The higher the range typically the better the camera does in low light.  Tip: you can find the technical specs such as a camera's ISO range on the box it is packaged in or online on most manufacturer's websites.  Both of the following shots were taken in low light free hand during sunrise with my 6mp Nikon D40 DSLR.

Dream Stream Sunrise

Guy Fishing The Surf On The Outer Banks North Carolina

The downside to carrying a DSLR with you on fishing trips is that these cameras large and can be heavy.  If you insist on having a more compact camera to carry with you everywhere, and still want to capture amazing professional looking photos there are a few "point and shoots" on the market that have a lot of the same capabilities as their DSLR counterparts.  The Canon Powershot G12 has a high ISO range up to 3200, built in image stabilization, and shoots 720p video with stereo sound.  Honestly I don't think there is a better point and shoot for the money other than the camera that will ultimately replace the G12 which is the Canon Powershot G1 X.


Because the G1 X has: a larger sensor, a high speed USB connection, ISO range up to 12800, and shoots full 1080p video it is the ultimate fishing compact camera.  The G1 has an elite price tag though at $800.  The G12 currently sits at $450 which is a steal, and that price will probably continue to drop so my advice is to go for the G12 for almost half the price.  Neither camera is waterproof, but the only scenario I can imagine you would need it to be waterproof is if you are shooting underwater or taking your camera out with you on a float tube in which case get a real submersible camera like the Gopro Hero 2.  Ninety percent of the time if you are wanting a picture of a big fish you will be dragging it to the bank so leave the camera there where it's safe and dry.


DSLR's have many benefits for someone wanting to get the best possible photo of their fish or their beautiful surroundings.  The first benefit I previously mentioned and that is that they are considerably better for shooting in low light.  Next you have the option of interchangeable lenses which is huge because the glass your sensor records the image through is every bit as important as the sensor itself.  You will see a tremendous increase in the quality of your photos if you invest in good lenses for your camera.  Last but not least another huge benefit to keeping a DSLR with you when you fish is the fact that you can crop the image and still keep a high quality in your photos.


Their are two major players in the DSLR market (Canon and Nikon), and they each have a cult following neither of which I subscribe to.  That being said I have only owned Nikon cameras.  It is my opinion that Nikon does a great job of including options in their entry level cameras that make it easier for new photographers to learn the technical aspects of photography.  However both Nikon and Canon have the option to take pictures in full Auto which is what most people will be shooting in anyway.  I believe that Nikon has extremely good quality glass in their entry level lenses as well.


Almost all of the entry level $600-$800 Digital SLR cameras come with a kit lens that will get the job done.  Just about all of the 2011 to 2012 DSLR cameras shoot video as well.  Another sound piece of advise I will give you is not to buy the camera based on its video taking capabilities alone unless it is your intention to start shooting and producing your own fishing videos.  Many of these cameras shoot great video but they are built as still cameras.


One of the many downfalls shooting video with these cameras is that if you are shooting with the lens set on full auto focus you can hear the lens focusing as background noise.  Video on DSLR's is just an option that is great for catching those family moments, or the moments no one will believe unless they are seeing it unfold.  If you want great video the best way to go is to purchase a dedicated video camera.


If I were to purchase a new entry level DSLR based on my experiences and knowing what I know now it would be the Nikon 3200.  Seven hundred dollars gets you the camera body which has an ISO range of 100-12800, 24.2 mega pixels, full 1080p video, and a built in guide mode that teaches you how to use the camera.   A great 18-55mm lens with built in Vibration Reduction which will also help you get clean looking hand held shots in low light.       


I have read the reviews, seen the sample photos, and looked at the tech specs of both the Canon Powershot G12 and the Nikon 3200 and would recommend either one of those cameras for fisherman.  Not taking video into consideration I give a slight edge to the Nikon 3200 based on its user friendliness and the quality of photos.  But if you want a camera that you can throw in your fishing pack that won't take up a lot of space the G12 is still an excellent choice.  For more gear reviews and helpful tips subscribe to my blog at www.coloradoflyfisher.blogspot.com

    
















        


      

Photography And Flyfishing Part 1

What makes a great picture?  Fishing and photography go hand in hand just like fish stories in a fly shop.  Cameras are a necessary piece of equipment in a fisherman's arsenal for one simple reason.  Evidence.  That's right ladies and gents you need a good camera to take good pictures of that huge fish so that your story isn't just a story.  It's cold hard fact.

Yes a good camera is important, but what many people don't understand is that the lens you are using is equally as important.  The camera records the data.  The lens is what sees it.  This means that the image you are framing before you press the shutter release button has to pass through the lens to get to your camera's sensor.  The better the glass the more light is captured, and the sharper the image.  I am far from an expert on the subject, but I have put this theory to the test and I agree with every passionate photographer that claim you invest in lenses and not a camera upgrade if you want better photos.

That's if you own a film camera or a dslr.  Most people will be carrying point and shoot cameras, and even more people will be using their smartphone.  Caution:  many point and shoot cameras in the $100-$200 price range have similar optics and sensor size as a smartphone and obviously aren't worth the investment if you just so happen to have the iphone 4S.  Also let it be known that many point and shoot cameras claim to have incredible zoom distances but that is misleading. 

For instance a camera will say that it has 15x zoom when the actual lens can only zoom up to 7x.  The rest of the claimed 15x is what is referred to as "digital zoom" which is gibberish for cropping.  You read this right.  The additional 8x magnification is actually your camera cropping the image to make it appear as if you are zooming up to 15x. The more you crop an image the more noise you see in the photo.  Try your best to make your purchase based on the optical zoom magnification and the quality of the glass.  If you can't afford a dslr, or don't want to carry one around then don't worry because there are still plenty of other factors that you have control over that can help you make professional looking photos.  

Vibrant color, good light, depth of field, and how the shot is framed are all things that determine what makes an amazing photo.  Notice I didn't mention mega pixels?  More mp's does not mean your camera is better.  I owned a Nikon D40 which has a whopping 6 mp and it took photos that were every bit as good as my D90 which has 12mp.  Again glass is everything and I recommend Nikon cameras over most other brands because Nikon understands what makes great photos, and Nikon has some of the best glass available for hobbyist and professionals.  For more on the megapixel myth check out Ken Rockwell's site here.

As much as vibrancy makes for great photos there is still something to be said for black and white.  Spend some time shooting monochrome to better understand how light affects your photos.  Here is one of my favorite photos of a rainbow I landed on the Arkansas river last year shot in Sepia.

Here is a great shot taken in Elevenmile canyon by my good friend Daniel Zimmerman.

To be continued...