Do most folks use a tripod for aquarium photography?

[snorvich]

As the title says. I have trouble getting the really crisp detailed images that many of you are getting. Is this a tripod issue?

 

[Blazer88]

I only use a tripod when shooting corals since I use a slow shutter speed and small aperture. I don't have a problem getting a crisp shot of a fish while hand-holding the camera, just make sure you are using a fast enough shutter speed and are perpendicular to the glass. What equipment are you using?

 

[BlueCorn]

I frequently use a tripod when shooting fish but I don't lock the ball-head down. It just gives me a little extra stability.

 

[Gawain1974]

I almost always use a tripod because I think my hands are too shaky. For my macro shots, I always use a tripod with no exceptions, and I use a remote trigger so I don't get any shake from pushing the shutter release.

 

[dapettit]

I almost always use a tripod as well and a remote trigger too.

 

[snorvich]

I had not thought about the remote trigger. (I use a Nikon D100) I will have to get that, I had forgotten about those.

 

[J. Montgomery]

I almost always use a tripod and remote shutter as well.

 

[dapettit]

The best $30.00 I ever spent.

 

[bdepp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12716938#post12716938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
I frequently use a tripod when shooting fish but I don't lock the ball-head down. It just gives me a little extra stability.

This is what i do also. the ball head tripods are great for this feature

 

[IPT]

Ditto - unlocked ballhead for fish. For coral locked down ballhead and remote release (or 2 sec timer). If I am really feeling crazy I'll even use the mirror lock up

 

["Umm fish?"]

It depends. If I can get a fast enough shutter speed then I'll handhold. If I can't (for example, some acros look horrible with flash), then I'll use a tripod.

 

[afex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12719193#post12719193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
I had not thought about the remote trigger. (I use a Nikon D100) I will have to get that, I had forgotten about those.

you can skip the remote trigger by simply using the timer functionality of your camera (assuming your subject isn't moving )

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for all of the great ideas!!

 

[griffithimage]

you can also use a monopod - which is basically a tripod with 1 leg. It is not self supporting but will give you some extra stability.

 

[griffithimage]

Also the general rule of thumb for SLRs in regards to a fast enough shutter speed is linked to the length of the lens. The longer the lens, the heavier it is and thus more vibration from your hands is created and thus a faster shutter speed is needed. Hand holding for a 100mm lens usually requires atleast a 1/125th shutter speed etc. Tis is a general rule and with some image stabilization lenses you can break it, but its a good starting point for beginners.

 

[kuramura]

Not shure about your camera but my dslr has 2 timers 10 sec and 2 sec
with camera mounted on tripod use 2 sec which locks mirror and fires shot 2 sec later further preventing camera shake

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12719193#post12719193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
I had not thought about the remote trigger. (I use a Nikon D100) I will have to get that, I had forgotten about those.