actinic shots, looking for advice

[belgian_waffleman]

I'm trying to take pictures with my digital camera, while the actinics are on.

I have a Canon Powershot S500
I set the Camera to manual, ISO400, and manually set the white balance to that of a white piece of paper under the actinic lights.

The pic is always blurry, no power heads or filter are going as I take this picture.

The colors do not resemble the real colors in the tank.

Also the picture looks very grainy, not so in auto mode, or normal pictures.

Any pointers?


Thanks
Nico

 

[dreaminmel]

Did you try setting the white balance using something white inside your tank with the camera adjusting through the water? That may have a better affect I think...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11125137#post11125137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dreaminmel
Did you try setting the white balance using something white inside your tank with the camera adjusting through the water? That may have a better affect I think...

ditto that advice.
It also appears that your shutter speed may be too slow- try 1/60 of a sec or higher (ie: 1/80 or 1/100).
FWIW I never take pix with my Canon Powershot using ISO 400 because it's too grainy. I always use ISO 50- but then again I've not taken too many shots using just actinic lighting.
Using ISO 50 for actinic shots (dimmer light) might require a slow (longer) shutter speed. Slower shutter speeds will require that the camera is held still in order to prevent picture blurriness. Mount the cam on a tripod or rest it against a wall, table or the aquarium glass.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

I will try that tomorrow. The fishes are already sleeping...

I did adjust the WB above the water.

Thanks.


Waffleman

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

it could be a REAL challenge taking pix of fast moving fishes if you're using just actinic lighting. I'd start with something stationary like corals.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

geez What a shot! Caulastrea?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11126783#post11126783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr.maroonsalty
geez What a shot! Caulastrea?

yep. Also known as "candy cane" and/or "trumpet" coral.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

After adjusting the WB with a white object in the water I started to play with the ISO settings. The pictures look a 100 times better already. Thanks everyone for the input.

I think I need 10 more years in the hobby before I can take pics like Gary, if that is even possible. :thumbsup:

This is my favorite: ISO 100

For reference this is ISO 50 (a bit too dark imo)

Also ISO 400 (too grainy)

I don't think I can adjust the shutter speed separately with my camera.


Thanks again,
Nico

 

[Brent Thomann]

along with tripod, try using remote switch or timer.

you can also try using photoshop to manually adjust your white balance.