Mark's 150 gallon

[wcharon]

What lens are you using in your D5500?

I also bought recently the D5600 with 18-55 and 70-300 AF-P but trying to learn a lot. Thinking if I really will invest on a macro lens.

Most articles that I have read recommend to use ISO on AUTO.

Thanks Mike, nice to see you around!

Nothing much has changed, other than more growth. Some days colors are incredible and other days colors are a bit washed out. I'm going to have to start writing down every single thing I do again to see if I can figure out what the tank likes.

New camera body arrived yesterday, a Nikon D5500. Same lenses but better sensor, more dynamic range, WiFi, 1080P @ 60fps video and other goodies I have no idea how to use. I had 15 minutes before the T5's shut off to take a few pics. RAW format has been updated so I had to install a new codec which wiped out my settings. These are mostly natural looking but some of the colors are wonky.

These last two are testing 3200 ISO, which does fantastic compared to my older D3100.

 

[markalot]

What lens are you using in your D5500?

I also bought recently the D5600 with 18-55 and 70-300 AF-P but trying to learn a lot. Thinking if I really will invest on a macro lens.

Most articles that I have read recommend to use ISO on AUTO.

I'm using a Nikon 35mm fixed lens, nice and cheap with very good optics.

I also have the kit lens from my d3100, which is pretty crappy, and a non-Nikon macro lens which I can never remember the brand of. It's considered one of the best least expensive macros, manual focus only.

 

[wcharon]

Thanks. I assume the Nikon is the 35mm D and that is where I have confusion if I go with 35 or 50 or 85mm but at least in my case I don't see getting a macro lens only for the tank.

I'm using a Nikon 35mm fixed lens, nice and cheap with very good optics.

I also have the kit lens from my d3100, which is pretty crappy, and a non-Nikon macro lens which I can never remember the brand of. It's considered one of the best least expensive macros, manual focus only.

 

[markalot]

Thanks. I assume the Nikon is the 35mm D and that is where I have confusion if I go with 35 or 50 or 85mm but at least in my case I don't see getting a macro lens only for the tank.

The 35mm ends up being equivalent to a 50mm lens on these D cameras. It's the F1.8 lens and the contrast and image quality are much better than the kit lens.

 

[wcharon]

Thanks understood... Yes that is what I have read that Prime lens are way much better.

This is a pic I took with the 18-55 and that's why to me is hard to understand the need of macro lens. By the way I am just starting in photography so maybe in the future I notice the difference.

The 35mm ends up being equivalent to a 50mm lens on these D cameras. It's the F1.8 lens and the contrast and image quality are much better than the kit lens.

 

[markalot]

Thanks understood... Yes that is what I have read that Prime lens are way much better.

This is a pic I took with the 18-55 and that's why to me is hard to understand the need of macro lens. By the way I am just starting in photography so maybe in the future I notice the difference.

a 1:1 macro lens would be focused on the individual polyps. You don't need one but it's fun to take super closeups of corals.

 

[wcharon]

a 1:1 macro lens would be focused on the individual polyps. You don't need one but it's fun to take super closeups of corals.

Thanks Buddy. That's an excellent point and for sure an interesting approach to go deeper.

Thanks once again.

 

[Arkayology]

I love all the shots of the colonies and growing frags. Great stuff, Mark!

 

[FloformAustria]

man i love this tank!!

good job Mark!

Cheers

 

[reefmutt]

New camera!?! Nice!!
ISO 3200 wow. I should try that. I've only ever gone to 1000
Does the new camera transfer videos via wifi as well as images? I wish mine did. I only have image transfer. But I do love it..
As usual, love the shots, Mark.

 

[nemodan]

Nice pictures Mark....your tank is stunning !!!

Daniel

 

[markalot]

I love all the shots of the colonies and growing frags. Great stuff, Mark!

Ark! You going to start up a new tank yet?

man i love this tank!!

good job Mark!

Cheers

Thanks Flo!

New camera!?! Nice!!
ISO 3200 wow. I should try that. I've only ever gone to 1000
Does the new camera transfer videos via wifi as well as images? I wish mine did. I only have image transfer. But I do love it..
As usual, love the shots, Mark.

It has WiFi but this refurb didn't come with a manual so I'll have to find one online and figure out how to use it.

Oh, and by the way, that boring green acro frag I bought.

Muhahahahahaha *cough* *wheeze*

Nice pictures Mark....your tank is stunning !!!

Daniel

Thanks Daniel, still working on that wild forest look.

 

[Arkayology]

Ark! You going to start up a new tank yet?

I'm in the planning stages right now I'm hoping Fall 2018.

 

[markalot]

Not sure how I managed this next shot. It's at an angle and looking down but focus is clear with minimal parallax distortion. This is with a foxed focus lens (prime), maybe that is the reason?

Anyway this is my big milli that is super hairy, green polyps and red/purple skin. Not showy but neat looking.

This one, the one that woke up, continues to morph. Shin is white to greenish with a pink or purple blush on the tips.

 

[Pife]

Because of all your great pictures I think I'm going to pick up a prime lens tomorrow. Your tank is just looking better and better.

 

[Hentz]

Wow Mark, always blown away by your tank!

I also never realized how much Xenia and things you have covering your rocks in-between corals! Guess I'm just so mesmerized by your huge colonies that I overlook the crevices between the corals!

Maybe one day I'll get a nice camera like you guys have. Love these close-ups!

 

[reefmutt]

I don't own a prime.. I'm sure the fewer layers of glass make a dramatic difference for the parallax effect.. hm..
Mark I love that sleeper coral. Like, I love it! It is way cool...

 

[markalot]

Because of all your great pictures I think I'm going to pick up a prime lens tomorrow. Your tank is just looking better and better.

Good luck, hope you like the lens.

Wow Mark, always blown away by your tank!

I also never realized how much Xenia and things you have covering your rocks in-between corals! Guess I'm just so mesmerized by your huge colonies that I overlook the crevices between the corals!

Maybe one day I'll get a nice camera like you guys have. Love these close-ups!

The Xenia needs to be pruned on a regular basis. It's about time for me to roll up the short sleeves (damn tall tank anyway), break the purple cap back and use my ice tongs to pull a ton of it out. It's not a horrible pest and killing them doesn't harm corals but it's still a pain.

I don't own a prime.. I'm sure the fewer layers of glass make a dramatic difference for the parallax effect.. hm..
Mark I love that sleeper coral. Like, I love it! It is way cool...

Thanks Matt.

Here's a quick video I took to test the camera. Much better quality than the D3100. I use a free PC program called ShotCut to fix the white balance but it's not perfect. Presentation is horrible, just a sloppy handheld tour.

<iframe width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WYn44RUxzfY?rel=0?ecver=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[codydemmel4]

video is awesome Mark!

 

[Ucantwin]

Great video!