actinic pics.

[ssbreef]

lets see some actinic shots.

 

[astrogazer]

Here's a couple ...

 

[ssbreef]

VERY VERY NICE! what lens did you use?

 

[astrogazer]

Thnx ... It's the Sigma 105mm Macro, it's just tack sharp.

 

[thor32766]

nice pics!

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

astro,

I assume that lens is sharp even at 2.8?

 

[astrogazer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8152583#post8152583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheVillageIdiot
astro,

I assume that lens is sharp even at 2.8?

Sure is, but of course you get like no depth of field wide open.

 

[astrogazer]

The photos above were imaged @ F/22

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

I've spent so much money on equipment for the hobby lately (tunze stream, euroreef skimmer, wood for a new stand) that i'm having to hold off on the 105mm.

That and a simple tripod, and i will be in tank photography heaven.

down the road, i'll look to add remote flashes... diffusers... man, why do i pick the expensive hobbies?

 

[astrogazer]

Get the tripod first and image with the glass you have, then when you can afford the lens, go for it.

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

indeed, the tripod is much cheaper, as it will be simply for taking shots of the tank... I have a 50mm F1.8 that works quite well for aquariums, but I've only ever used it for hand-held shots.

here's a non-actinic shot of my LMB...

 

[astrogazer]

Very nice!

 

[ssbreef]

ah ah ah JUST actinics here!! lol Nice shot.

"man, why do i pick the expensive hobbies?"

I ask myself the same question every day!!

 

[steve68]

astrogazer what settings do u use to get nice shots like that?
i cant seem to get good atinic shots they just come out blue.

 

[astrogazer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8157211#post8157211 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steve68
astrogazer what settings do u use to get nice shots like that?
i cant seem to get good atinic shots they just come out blue.

One thing that really helps is to shoot in RAW mode and alter the final WB and exposure settings during the conversion process, gives much greater flexibility over the color temperature.

 

[Snowsurfer]

 

[ssbreef]

I get blue and purple aswell. Need help setting the WB on my rebel Xt. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[astrogazer]

Are you guys shooting jpeg files?

 

[drummereef]

Very cool shots!

 

[astrogazer]

If you shoot in your camera's RAW mode you can alter the white balance settings as you convert the file to an editable model. This gives some incredible hindsight into both color temperature and exposure value, the image below was shot under actinic lighting and then balanced to appear as seen under the conditions when imaged. I cannot overstate the flexibility of a RAW file.


And then you can always deviate from the mainstream once you have an initial image to play with ... and don't ever be afraid to play!