Lens help and settings

[TChristman]

I am not a photographer but have started to enjoy taking some pictures of the tank.

My current camera is a Canon EOS Rebel with the EFS 18-55 lens.

Two questions:

1. What should the setting be set at for the best pictures? I currently am just using no flash setting.

2. In order to get the really nice shots I am sure that I need some type of macro lens. What would be the best to recommend for this particular camera?

Thanks in advance.

 

[t5Nitro]

The 100mm f/2.8 macro from canon is a really nice lens.

The settings you really have to play with them depending on the room you're in and it's conditions. I personally use Tv and use a faster shutter speed with around 160 or 200 ISO for fish shots and they turn out well. I use a flash with that though (built in). For a FTS I normally use Av and normally an f/11 and then set it on something sturdy and a self timer since I can't get a tripod back enough for the FTS.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

For an 18-55 I would set it to Av and select the lowest possible aperture setting (f/3.5). This will give you the highest possible shutter speed possible for the light available. If you can go beyond 1/160 I would go to Tv and select that. Depending on how shaky your hands are (a Utopian tripod eliminated all shake), then you can use less shutter speed depending on your style. There are many ways to fillet a fish. I just try to get as much meat off the bones as possible. (T5 Nitro is a talented and knowledgeable photographer, I am not contradicting him...just offering another way to go about it).

 

[Blazer88]

Here is my tank on it. For fish, the most important thing is to freeze the action of the fish to avoid any motion blur. I generally use 1/160 (in Tv mode) or faster if possible (depending on the fish) and use ISO 400-800 depending on the lighting. Having a F/2.8 lens really helps with fish. I also rarely use a tripod for fish shots as I'm moving all over the place to track the fish. Here are a few examples.

This clown fish wasn't moving very fast so I could get away with a slightly slower shutter speed. Being up close to the fish, I wanted a smaller aperture to get as much in-focus as possible.

Tv mode, 1/100, F/7.1, ISO 800

This Anthias was a bit faster in the tank so I used 1/125, F/5.0, ISO 800

You will need a good macro lens to get well, macro shots. The most important factor, IMO, is depth of field with macro shots. I generally use F/8-11 to get the most depth of field as possible (going past F/11 will give you better DOF but you loose sharpness). I always use Av mode for macro's as the shutter speed isn't important (assuming all of the pumps/flow is turned off and the subject isn't moving). I used a tripod and remote shutter release for all macro shots.

1/2s, F/9, ISO 200

.6s, F/11, ISO 200

Full tanks shots are easy. Similar to shooting a fish, just use a shutter fast enough to freeze the fish. I don't see aperture as very relevant since you are generally standing farther back from the tank and it should be easy to get everything in focus. I wouldn't necessarily shoot wide open (ie F/2.8) but I don't see F/11 as being necessary. Here is my tank:

1/125, F/5, ISO 800

I hope that helps.

 

[TChristman]

Thank you for the replies. I will tinker with it some. The lens is the most important part the way I see it. I will try the different settings.

Thanks again.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14244816#post14244816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TChristman
The lens is the most important part the way I see it.

And you have a shady lens.

 

[einsteins]

Great tips...

Does Av=Aperture Priority Mode?

Also when I use my D50 at higher ISO I tend to get grainier pics...how can I alleviate that?

thanks
eins

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Photoshop out the grain, use a fast enough lens that won't require the high ISO speeds, or add light i.e. flash.

 

[TChristman]

Does anyone have experience with the 50mm less expensive macro lens for the Canon cameras? Still have not taken the plunge on a nice lens but I need to get one soon.

 

[BlueCorn]

Read the macro sticky.

The 50 isn't a true macro and it has a pretty short working difference.

 

[Dre59]

Blazer88, great info : ) Im going to give it a try with a 75-300mm F2.8 on a Sony A100.

 

[Misled]

Blazer88, great info : ) Im going to give it a try with a 75-300mm F2.8 on a Sony A100.

I don't beleive that's a lens available from any manufacture.

 

[Dre59]

I don't beleive that's a lens available from any manufacture.

LOL!!! You are right.. Was given wrong info by wife : )

But here is the lens