2Tall 185g - Build
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bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
Thanks!
Been doing a lot of reading on cameras, lenses and photography.
This hobby continues to take me on an extensive learning journey, I will surly have a Masters of Reefing degree by the time I call this build finished.
Thanks Pete, the Krypto is crazy bright, but the camera added to the glow....
bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
I made a new algae scraper today that will not bend or break like a few others I had.
Its 40" long made with 1/2" PVC and a $5 Topfin acrylic scraper which I cut the handle off and epoxied into the PVC.
I have had hard green and purple Coralline growth explode since the LED's came online. My Algae Free magnet cleaner is not removing it. This is where a tall tank becomes a PITA - cleaning the 6" of acrylic above the sand line!
That's okay though, I make more of a mess cleaning my 8g nano reef...:spin2:
The Scraper:
The Coralline:
Tyree Neon Green Toad Stool:
Urchin:
Zebra Crab/RBTA:
Its 40" long made with 1/2" PVC and a $5 Topfin acrylic scraper which I cut the handle off and epoxied into the PVC.
I have had hard green and purple Coralline growth explode since the LED's came online. My Algae Free magnet cleaner is not removing it. This is where a tall tank becomes a PITA - cleaning the 6" of acrylic above the sand line!
That's okay though, I make more of a mess cleaning my 8g nano reef...:spin2:
The Scraper:
The Coralline:
Tyree Neon Green Toad Stool:
Urchin:
Zebra Crab/RBTA:
zibba
New member
Congratz on the new camera! Canon makes an awesome 100mm macro lens. Don't waste your money on a cheaper alternative. Save your pennies and do it right the first time! I promise you won't be disappointed. It might even rival the Nikon 105mm 
(says the Nikon-guy). Seriously though, the Canon macro is fantastic.
The new additions/tank look great too!
(says the Nikon-guy). Seriously though, the Canon macro is fantastic.The new additions/tank look great too!
jporter
New member
Agreed on the 100mm canon macro lens. The other must have is a good tripod and remote shutter. Then its snap as many pictures as you can. I keep a very small percentage of them.
I would love to have one of those "custom" scrapers. My tank is only 30" deep but tough to reach the bottom none the less.
Great photos with the new camera.
I hope FRAG is able to have a professional photographer speak at a upcoming meet.
I would love to have one of those "custom" scrapers. My tank is only 30" deep but tough to reach the bottom none the less.
Great photos with the new camera.
I hope FRAG is able to have a professional photographer speak at a upcoming meet.
bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
That would be great if FRAG could get a pro photographer to speak and demo!
I will make you a Bugs Algae-Be-Gone scraper:lol2:
I believe you have a glass tank correct? Do you want metal or plastic blade?
Cost is $5, the cost of the scraper head, metal might be a few dollars more.
Let me know.
:thumbsup:
I will make you a Bugs Algae-Be-Gone scraper:lol2:
I believe you have a glass tank correct? Do you want metal or plastic blade?
Cost is $5, the cost of the scraper head, metal might be a few dollars more.
Let me know.
:thumbsup:
bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
Will get it made later this week and let you know.
:beer:
zibba
New member
Absolutely agree! Tripod + 2-second self-timer + lots and lots of pictures to cull through = your friend!
Not that you asked, but here are my standard recommendations (in order of importance):
(1) Clean your glass!
(2) Turn off your pumps (all of them) -- just temporarily while you're taking pictures of the coral
(3) Use a tripod or prop up your camera on a stool, chair, or some other stable platform.
(4) Shoot using the "self-timer" set to a 2-second delay -- that way you'll avoid having a blurry image.
(5) Shoot in "P" or priority mode, or "A" or aperture mode so you can have a little more control over the amount of light that is let in.
(6) Set a white balance*
(7) Take lots of pictures until one turns out (remember, there's a "delete" button) and cherry pick before you post!
*For aquarium lighting, I've always found that white balance is easier to adjust when you pull up the image on your computer.
For more info, I've found this to be one of the better websites on aquarium photography. http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html
Hope that helps!
I remember talking to someone on the forum last spring who said they were a professional photographer. I'll see if I can find out who that was and send them a PM to see if they'd be interested.
I'm a novice but I'm always happy to sit down and show people how I edit aquarium pictures.
Weyrman
New member
Bugs,
Great shots from the new camera!
Christmas showed up early here too. I'm still figuring it out as of yet. Your shots are better than any I've managed to get so far...
I took a look at the 100mm Canon Macro lens yesterday and am seriously considering it. The lens I have now does macro but doesn't get down as close as I'd like to. It was $1,100 at Fry's Electronics. The Adorama link shows it as $900.
One of the things I've heard/read about this lens is that it has a shallow DOF. I figure any macro lens will have a shallow DOF but does the Canon have one that's more shallow than usual? Can anyone comment on this that has used it? (sorry for the hijack bugs but figured you might be interested too)
Great shots from the new camera!
Christmas showed up early here too. I'm still figuring it out as of yet. Your shots are better than any I've managed to get so far...
Congratz on the new camera! Canon makes an awesome 100mm macro lens. Don't waste your money on a cheaper alternative. Save your pennies and do it right the first time! I promise you won't be disappointed. It might even rival the Nikon 105mm
The new additions/tank look great too!
I took a look at the 100mm Canon Macro lens yesterday and am seriously considering it. The lens I have now does macro but doesn't get down as close as I'd like to. It was $1,100 at Fry's Electronics. The Adorama link shows it as $900.
One of the things I've heard/read about this lens is that it has a shallow DOF. I figure any macro lens will have a shallow DOF but does the Canon have one that's more shallow than usual? Can anyone comment on this that has used it? (sorry for the hijack bugs but figured you might be interested too)
bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
Thanks Roy!
No worry of hijack, I've got a lot to learn!
I'm still recovering from the sticker shock of good lenses.... but I'll get over it and buy one dammit! :spin1:
What kind of camera did you get?
Weyrman
New member
Sorry for the delayed response. I'll chalk it up to holiday visitors, traveling, and birthdays! And there's more coming!
I picked up a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with an EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens. Combo of late birthday, early Christmas, and a $500 off sale... Still learning about it but I'm already sold on the USM lens version. Its auto focus speed is almost instantaneous. That alone will cause me to save up for the 100mm USM macro.
The 24-105 has a macro function but it doesn't get as close as I'd like. If I can figure out how to post a picture from Picasa I'll do that. One thing is for sure as zibba said in his post. Cleaning the glass and shutting down the pumps is a priority! Didn't do that on these initial shots and it shows.
These shots are all cropped and/or resized. No other touch up though. The white balance is handled by the camera and the colors are pretty close. I couldn't get close with my other Canon under the LEDs.
I'd like to figure out how to use Picasa to post pictures.
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bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
Nice pics!
The 5D has the WOW factor build in... what a great camera! My friend has the 5D which helped talk me into a DSLR. You know you HAVE to get a premium macro lens now Roy!
There is definitely a learning curve with these cameras, learning the functions and what they do is taking me some time also. I've taken a good 5000 pics since I've had my XTI and they are getting better, but got a long way to go. Further, I have not decided yet just how deep I want to dive into photography... seems like another money pit hobby and I have two of them already haha
My cats have been test subjects... hopefully they will not go blind with all the flash... One of the clowns in the 185 is also a photo hog, I've got some great pics of her.
The 5D has the WOW factor build in... what a great camera! My friend has the 5D which helped talk me into a DSLR. You know you HAVE to get a premium macro lens now Roy!
There is definitely a learning curve with these cameras, learning the functions and what they do is taking me some time also. I've taken a good 5000 pics since I've had my XTI and they are getting better, but got a long way to go. Further, I have not decided yet just how deep I want to dive into photography... seems like another money pit hobby and I have two of them already haha
My cats have been test subjects... hopefully they will not go blind with all the flash... One of the clowns in the 185 is also a photo hog, I've got some great pics of her.
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Weyrman
New member
I'm finding out about the learning curve. 307 page manual plus 4 additional PDF files. Plus all the additional computer programs to make it all work. Fun stuff though. Sure enjoy learning new stuff.
Holy smokes! You've taken 5,000 pics already? I've only managed about 500 in the last few days.
You post another pic of your cat and I'll have to recipricate! Nice looking cat BTW.
And money pit hobby is absolutely correct. Yes dear, I promise I'm going to stop at the macro lens... But remember, I was already into photography before we met... And, yes dear, that coral has been there all along...
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