Need camera advice

[t5Nitro]

I don't think my pictures I am taking are top quality for what my camera can take. I use a canon 30D with 100mm f/2.8 macro lens for the tank shots.

I don't know anything about ISO or f-stop etc... I was told to put it at 1/160 and 800 ISO for fish shots and 2.8 aperture? I don't know what to put settings on to make the pictures look better.

I will get some pictures up later.

 

[zenya]

Why not take a look at the article gregr wrote for the Reefkeeping magazine? It is fairly easy to understand and should start you off on the understanding of shutter speed and the aperture size that would relate to that. ISO and what f number means. I think it is best to understand this things instead of relying on someone elses advice as to what settings use. After all it is you that are looking through the viewfinder...

Here's the linky to the article http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/gr/index.php

And good luck in your quest for the knowledge of photography, it is worth the time I assure you.

 

[t5Nitro]

Cool article, thanks for posting!

 

[zenya]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10120258#post10120258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t5Nitro
Cool article, thanks for posting!

You bet!

PS> Forgot to add that the eqipment you have is top notch.:thumbsup:

 

[t5Nitro]

Cool, thanks. I just went with others advice again on what to order :lol:

I kind of understand that article, but this is my first camera that I am getting into photography skills more where I want to learn about the settings. The article was a little confusing and I sent gregr a message to see if I can get a few things cleared up.

I was told for nice fish shots use aperture of f/2.8, and on that article it shows use a smaller aperture to get the whole fish in focus, but then you have to change the shutter speed, double it or something, or halve it? Things like that I wasn't sure of what to do. I get the idea that a smaller aperture will give you more DOF and more in focus, but then it looked like you had to change some other settings for lighting purposes.

One thing I was also told was use 800 ISO for tangs and such. That article said use maybe 400 and 800 ISO can really start showing the grain, which is true. The pics I have, some are good it seems, but others look more grainier.

 

[zenya]

If it helps any, I usually use shutter priority mode for "fishies" shots and start off with about 1/125. In this mode the camera will set the proper f# for you with the shutter speed you have chosen. As far as ISO goes, I use 200 most of the time unless it is really dark, then 400 is where I stop with ISO. However, I think you can safely crank it up to 800 with the camera you have, I use it on occasion with my 350D and noise is really not a problem (except in extreme shade spots, of course )