Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone here have any experience with the Canon A540? If so could you please post some macro pics or other closeups and post your experience with it good or bad. Thanks

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Vichris

Vichris Variables

Ill give it a shot !
Just received one for x mas and it has some grest features but close ups like head shots isnt one of them. If you use the macro in auto mode the best you can do is around 4-9 inches without a blurr.........I found that the apeture priority is the best........Turn the dial on top to AV ...in low light you would want the apeture around 2-3 and turn the flash off. It is nice to take multiple pics with no flash........The animals stay calmer without a flasher.Then push the icon for macro until mf shows on the screen for manual focus.........Dont use the zoom wheel by the shutter release button but instead use the 4 way rocker button left aand right. Also theres a zoom seting on the menu ...........When you turn the camera to AV and turn it on to shoot push menu.........The 4th item down is point zoom .....That needs to be on, it gives you a zoomed in image for focus. Play with the apeture if there too light or dark. You can get to about 1-2 inches from subject this way. Dont try to use the normal zoom or it will be out of focus, Heres a few I took of a boa........Sorry guys the balls are busy!!!

Thanks! I just got a Canon A540 too. I know pretty much nothing about cameras though. I tried messing with it to find good settings for taking pics of my snakes but not much luck.

Heres a great link for the A540........Best I could find!!
Try using the color swap feature its very cool!!! Page 60-61 in your user advanced manual. If you have more questions let me know I spent a full day reading and fuguring out the functions.
Link

Its given me some things to think about before purchasing. I'm still leaning towards the A540 but not positive its the way I'll go.
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Vichris

Vichris Variables

If you go with the A540 you need to figure in another 50.00 due to the need for a larger memory card and rechargable batteries and charger. The camera comes with standard batteries and no charger . The supplied memory card will only hold 5 pics. 16 mb
But this is one of the few cameras with man and auto settings at the price offered. For close ups of snakes I seen some nice shots with a canon coolpix !