how do you tell your clownfish to stand still?

[dzeadow]

Darn guys keep moving around! So I just bought a Pentax Optio Z10, basically for work, but I thought it'd be good to snap pictures of the tank and critters. I realize people turn pumps off for taking pictures of coral, but what about livestock? They're obviously not gonna stand still while I rap off a picture! Do you really get good pics from waiting til lights off when they're less mobile? TIA

 

[Reefdrumz]

When taking fish pictures, I generally try and use a larger aperture opening and faster shutter speed. It may take a lot of tries but I can usually grab a couple of good ones.

I'm not familiar with the type of camera you have, so I can't really help with aperture and shutter settings.

 

[Phyl]

Bumping up the ISO a bit (800, if your cam still produces great images there) will also help you get enough light to snap a really fast picture of a moving fish.

 

[dzeadow]

Thanks for the help guys! word to the NJRC for throwing out some assistance!

 

[zenya]

When taking fish images I usually use shutter priority mode and start at 1/125, at least, and using flash always helps to freeze the motion.

 

[Phyl]

And yet another from NJ chimes in!

Hi Zenya!

 

[zenya]

Hi Phyllis!

 

[dzeadow]

I don't know where my shutter priority mode would be on this camera, at least it's not called that in particular, is there a different term it could be? Also, you New Jersians are all over this photo stuff!

 

[Phyl]

According to DPReview.com your camera doesn't have aperture/shutter priority modes. Sorry!

Your auto will only go to 400ISO, but you can switch the ISO manually to as high as 3200 (but I'd expect that to render very grainy. Worth a shot though). Your best bet seems to be playing with the ISO settings to find a balance between fast shutter speed and tolerable noise.

DPReview of the Optio Z10

 

[dzeadow]

That stinks! I guess I'll always be taking somewhat grainy shots then. I noticed when I was playing with the settings, that when I actually took a decent picture, it was wicked grainy. I'll have to play w/ it some more. thanks for the link tho, lots of info there!