Digital Camera Advice and Tips

[SlamaJama]

I figured I would start this thread because I don't know what I am doing with my new digital camera. I thought it would be a place for all you pros's and novices to post questions and hopefully answers to help shoot all the great livestock in our tanks.

I also thought that any pictures that would be posted could accompany the specs of the shot (ie, focus, aperture, etc.), anything that could help and inspire.

This is a thread for all to SHOUT OUT all your tips and tricks, what works what don't....can be about equipment, or DIY to get the best macros!

thxs

 

[SlamaJama]

i have a question, how do you determine the focal distance accurately, i cant seem to get certain centered items in focus on the macro settings...do i need to some how bybass the auto feature...
i now have my canon a610 w/mini tripod
thxs
mike

 

[House of Laughter]

Mike, you'll need to bypass the auto focus feature if you can - I have found that if the item is too deep in my tank, and the camera has something larger to focus on, it will only focus best on the larger item - just my experience.

Look at post 32 - the last picture is a purple grape cap and was what I was focusing on - but look how nice a crisp the coralaine algae is in this picture.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8689&page=2

Jim

 

[Gmandese]

Another thing, if the glass isn't really clean, it can confuse the auto focus, as well as particles swirling around and swimming fish. If you use auto focus, select SPOT focus, the narrowest. Use a tripod if you can, and the self timer, for no-shake exposures. Some fish swim by at the wrong time, though. You just have to take it again.
To get things how you want them, just take lots of pics at different settings, try all of them that relate to what you're doing. Don't worry about taking too many, the delete button is your friend!

 

[SlamaJama]

i noticed top to the bottom tank shots, wat do u use to get the camera past the water surface...

 

[Gmandese]

That's almost impossible. The rippling surface bends the light, you'll never get a clear shot, even with all the pumps off. Just the fish swimming is enough to disturb the surface. You'd have to get the lens under the water, and with your camera that's impossible unless you find some kind of underwater case.

 

[Gmandese]

Mike, do a Google search for the Canon A610 tips & tricks, there's a bunch out there, see what you can use.

 

[SlamaJama]

thxs jim

thxs gerry will do

 

[Salesbig]

Macro.. try the macro feature.. when you get to close the camera cant focuse.
New word for manhattan reefs MACRO

and when you take pictures through glass you need a filter, I dont rememebe which filter, but they make a specail one that clears up the picuter.

Not all cameras allow to use a filter
Check your manufacturer.

Well I know all this from my days of working in camera store. The good aole dayse of manual focus

Good luck

 

[SlamaJama]

gerry mentioned a box for taking pics from the top (past the water line) to the bottom ...does any1 have any ideas on how to use this or even make 1?

 

[DEEPWATER]

gerry mentioned a box for taking pics from the top (past the water line) to the bottom ...does any1 have any ideas on how to use this or even make 1?

Mike ,If you want to take really nice top to bottom pics ,Get yourself or mkae yourself ,a square box made from acrylic with the top open ,use some DIY strap to hold in place with the cam ,Kinda like Camera goggles :wink1:
this way you can surfthe top of your tank any way you want
you will get the best pics IMO for top to bottom

 

[ctxmonitor]

Top down pics are hard to take because of space limitation from our canopy. Unless you have an easier access without blocking too much light..

If you do get access, just like deepwater, make a box and float it on top and take the pics.

 

[Deanos]

Aquarium Photography

 

[Pedro]

For top down pictures you need to turn off ALL form of circulation. Any ripples and it's a no go. Secondly, try to avoid flash if possible. If you have an off shoe flash that would work better.

For macros, a fast shutter helps out greatly, unless you have a tripod. Flash, so long as it's not so harsh, helps out too. Try and stay perpendicular to the glass. With macro photography any deviation from this angle can result in blurryness. You don't need a filter. I don't know if salesbig was refering to some kind of polarizer, but it's not needed. As suggested, manual focus is nice, but for me the autofocus works just as well.

Don't be discouraged by how many pictures you throw out. All photographers get a certain amount of keepers, the rest are garbage. Just keep that shutter going.

I have posted numerous pictures throughout the site, feel free to see the exif.

Happy shooting!

Deanos, thanks for the link, GO NIKON!

 

[Rborgia]

Mike,

Melev made a box for surface / overhead shots... and shows it on his website... go check it out...

http://www.melevsreef.com/topdown.html


Rich