I have a new toy

[reefinsomnia]

nice!!! looks good!

 

[kczoogirl]

Tank looks good! I have used lightroom 3 a little bit when it was beta. Definately could use some classes. I too use a mac and use apeture some. Think Lightroom better fits.

 

[psykobowler]

Alright I definitely have a new plan. I somehow ended up in the nikonian forum and found out that I can use the nikon d50 with the older 105mm AF-D lens on top of the AF-S lens since this nikon body has the focus motor. The nikkor AF-D 105mm sells on average $400+ used. For taking tank pictures on a tripod, I think the AF-D will do just fine. I think for this camera I will purchase the AF-D lens, adobe lightroom and a good tripod all in one swoop this Friday. I have not been to this local store "action camera" but I think I will pay a visit tomorrow to see what they got. They might have budget tripods there that are stable and will do the job. FYI, I am also looking at the new nikon d7100, nikkor 105mm vr, etc. I think I am getting really hooked to this photography thing. Friday will be a really good day.

 

[psykobowler]

I got the software in the mail. I just installed it in my mac pro.

 

[psykobowler]

I played around with lightroom 4.
before tinkering

after tinkering - the difference is night & day

 

[toofrigginswt]

Awesome Glenn. Quick question. I've been trying to make out how and where you have your tank set up. Are all of your tanks in it's own private room for your view pleasure? or is it in your living room?

 

[toofrigginswt]

Disregard the last post. I found your build thread. Now you have to teach me how to talk the wifey into allowing me to have three tanks in the living room like that?

 

[psykobowler]

The tanks are located in the formal living room opposite the dining room. You'll see the display tank as soon as you open the front door. I made a u shaped workstation out of the living room. We have a separate family room which is where the large tv, couch, fireplace are located so I do not worry about tank noise, etc. Feel free to stop by sometime to check out my system. I am only 10 minutes away from yourreef.

 

[xxvietxjustinxx]

I played around with lightroom 4.
before tinkering

after tinkering - the difference is night & day

I think you over photoshopped your pictures a little. Try to lighten up on the saturation and maybe turn the white balance more towards a lower kelvin. I personally like my photos to look more realistic and true to life so take my suggestions with a grain of salt if that's not what you're going for.

Here's a old picture of my tank that I personally think represents it it relatively fairly in terms of both the color temperature and exposure:

I also recommend turning off or dialing down your pumps and powerheads while taking photos so that you don't get the "snow" effect from the particles in the water.

Here are some helpful links:
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html
http://jimsviewfinder.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-coral-photography.html
http://www.lightandmatter.org/2009/photo-expeditions/reef-tank-photography-tips-a-quick-guide/

Hopefully you don't get too addicted to taking pictures! It could be your next hobby :lolspin: Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions

 

[psykobowler]

Disregard the last post. I found your build thread. Now you have to teach me how to talk the wifey into allowing me to have three tanks in the living room like that?

My wife wanted a bigger house in 2011 - I wanted a bigger house to run one huge system. With 2 kids we had outgrown our previous house faster than expected. We upgraded to a 4000 sq ft house from a house that only had 2000 sq ft living space. I had all of these tanks set up before as individual systems and the 300 gallon tank was in the garage. When we shopped for new houses we found this one with all the features that we wanted and I finally found the house that would accomodate a huge system so I connected most of the tanks I already had and sold off the rest. The only thing I regret is not doing a 600gallon display in the first place. I basically would clean 2 eight foot sides of the display whether it is a 300 gallon or 600 gallon display. I've been reefing for quite some time and my wife finally "got it" what I am doing all these years of reefing. Trust me, we almost divorced because of the fish tank but we pulled through because our children keeps us together. Funny thing is when we first got married she told me "do you really need all that guitars/amps, etc?" I never allowed myself to be dominated. I knew she would get used to whatever I do. Trust me, the house is big enough to accomodate our stuff so the tank area is just a small part of it. Just pass by to my place when you are in the area to check it out.

Glenn

 

[psykobowler]

I think you over photoshopped your pictures a little. Try to lighten up on the saturation and maybe turn the white balance more towards a lower kelvin. I personally like my photos to look more realistic and true to life so take my suggestions with a grain of salt if that's not what you're going for.

Don't worry, I just installed the software and playing around with it. I use 4 400watt radiums so the kelvin actually matched my tank.

Here's a old picture of my tank that I personally think represents it it relatively fairly in terms of both the color temperature and exposure:

I also recommend turning off or dialing down your pumps and powerheads while taking photos so that you don't get the "snow" effect from the particles in the water.

That was taken during feeding time. I just added mysis and brine in the water when I took the picture. It will be clear when I do it next time.

Here are some helpful links:
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html
http://jimsviewfinder.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-coral-photography.html
http://www.lightandmatter.org/2009/photo-expeditions/reef-tank-photography-tips-a-quick-guide/

Thanks for the links. I will check them out.

Hopefully you don't get too addicted to taking pictures! It could be your next hobby :lolspin: Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions

I already am addicted to photography. SPS corals are not as challenging to me as it was before. Been doing this for almost a decade. I just never joined RC until 2009 and MARS just this year. My tank is now under cruise control. I just needed something else to get me super hyped up with reefing again. I think macro photography will allow me to appreciate my tank more and document my journey. Cheers.

 

[toofrigginswt]

I'll definitely stop by when I'm in the area. Checking out your set up has been long overdue.

 

[psykobowler]

I forgot to mention - I had both the 4 x 400watt radiums and 4 x 110 vho super actinic running when I took that picture - haha! My rocks really have that much coralline.

 

[psykobowler]

Yes. The macro lens came in today in the mail. Will shoot stuff later. Ironically, I am still waiting for the remote shutter/release for this camera so mostly point and shoot for now in automatic focus rather than manual focus.

 

[psykobowler]

I think the moment has come when I really have to read the manual for the camera. I took a lot of pictures last night shot in raw, autofocus and every single one was out of focus and dark. I noticed a blinking iso when I look into the viewer. Hopefully I get a better hang of it today. I definitely hate reading manuals. Ironically, Lightroom 4 did not come with a manual. off to YouTube on that one.

 

[artkwan]

I think the moment has come when I really have to read the manual for the camera. I took a lot of pictures last night shot in raw, autofocus and every single one was out of focus and dark. I noticed a blinking iso when I look into the viewer. Hopefully I get a better hang of it today. I definitely hate reading manuals. Ironically, Lightroom 4 did not come with a manual. off to YouTube on that one.

Hi Glenn -
I am not familair with Nikon, as it has been over 15 years since I used one, and they were not digital back then. If you are shooting in Manual or Aperture based shooting, have you considered checking your exposure compensation and increasing it, especially if you are using a tripod? Other things to consider is to check you ISO levels and see what they are? Smaller f stops will increase light into the sensor, but blur out the background. Bigger f stops will widen the field of view, less blur in background, but let in less light through the shutters.

Art

 

[psykobowler]

Ok, I will do more research tonight a d play with the camera. I will use the tripod tonight. I think I will take pictures when the halides are on to let in more light.

 

[artkwan]

Yes. The macro lens came in today in the mail. Will shoot stuff later. Ironically, I am still waiting for the remote shutter/release for this camera so mostly point and shoot for now in automatic focus rather than manual focus.

What is a shutter release? Is it a "remote" to activate the shutter? If so, staedy hands and a good tripod will do the trick. Been doing it that way for the last 6 years. However, I am getting old, so maybe a shutter release IS what i need, LOL!

 

[artkwan]

Ok, I will do more research tonight a d play with the camera. I will use the tripod tonight. I think I will take pictures when the halides are on to let in more light.

This was shot yesterday without a tripod, free hand at ISO 2000, Light compensation (-1), f stop 2.8 on a 100mm Macro lens - only T5's on, with no metal halides on....

 

[psykobowler]

What is a shutter release? Is it a "remote" to activate the shutter? If so, staedy hands and a good tripod will do the trick. Been doing it that way for the last 6 years. However, I am getting old, so maybe a shutter release IS what i need, LOL!

I bought the remote in ebay. It still hasn't arrived yet so I was shooting holding the camera in my hand while i was sitting in a stool. I will try the tripod tonight.