Shooting through curved glass

[Bongo Shrimp]

So I'm no expert when it comes to optics but I had this idea about shooting through curved glass (I have two biocubes which are slightly bowed at the front) where you would shoot through a bowed prism which bows in the opposite direction of the tank glass, maybe somehow make it into a filter which could screw on over the lens. Get what I'm saying?

Would that negate the bowed distortion effect?

If not, does anyone have techniques for this short of not having a bow front tank?

 

[BlueCorn]

All you can do is try to be as perpendicular to the glass as possible.

 

[Recty]

Take pictures through the side glass

 

[BlueCorn]

Once our 29G BioCube finishes cycling, I'll probably be able to offer additional tips.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Once our 29G BioCube finishes cycling, I'll probably be able to offer additional tips.

Ok yeah, for now I do shoot as perpendicular as possible but there is still a noticeable distortion. Please let me know anything you figure out!

My pics would be so much more pro if only I didn't have this issue!

 

[BBraker]

How about using a lens with a short minimum focus distance? Seems to me that by getting closer, the arc of the curved glass would be much less. If the lens is just about touching the glass of the tank, there shouldn't be any distortion. Or - maybe, will Photoshop correct for that type of distorition?

Bill

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

How about using a lens with a short minimum focus distance? Seems to me that by getting closer, the arc of the curved glass would be much less. If the lens is just about touching the glass of the tank, there shouldn't be any distortion. Or - maybe, will Photoshop correct for that type of distorition?

Bill

That's how I always shoot but it still gets distorted.

 

[Misled]

From someone with curved glass. First the thickness and amount of bow matter the most. I have a 54 corner with a 1/2 inch piece of "glass" bowed in the front. It's next to impossible to get a pic. Perpendicular or not, it doesn't matter. I can't say what happens if the tank is acrylic. That may be worst. Now the 29 bowfront I have isn't as bad. A bowfront's glass isn't bent as far and doesn't create as much distortion. Plus it's not as thick. I've had a few acceptable pics from my 54. The biggest help is the item being done needs to be as close to the front as possible. That and being as close to the glass as possible, (the lens sees as less glass as possible), are about the only help.

 

[eohlin]

I don't have a bowed from aquarium...but I never thought about the amount of distortion when shooting from an angle.

My images have improved 100 fold by keeping the lens as close to the glass as I can and as parallel as possible.

Eric