Trouble with nano FTS

[FishyBiz]

Ive been trying to get a decent FTS of my nano but cant ever seem to get the "depth" to be portrayed in the pic. It probably has a lot to do with my lens. Im shooting with a 18-270 Tamron lens on a Canon 50D body. I usually shoot in AV mode, adjust the WB, low ISO, low f-stop, ect.... ect.
Should I be using a wide angle lens?

 

[Recty]

Maybe show an example shot?

That lens at 18mm should be WAAAAY wide enough to get a whole nano in from just a couple feet away, so I doubt focal length is the issue.

Your depth of field (the amount of stuff in focus) is determined by the f stop you're at. So if you're shooting wide open (you indicate low f-stop) then that's probably the issue. Try going to a higher f stop, something like 7 or 8 and I bet you'll see the photo to want, or at least heading that direction.

 

[FishyBiz]

I thought this one was ok.

This one is terrible.

 

[kmoze2001]

First suggestion is to turn the room lights off so you don't get reflections on the front of the glass. If you have off flash capability, use it at an angle for the same reason. Also, it looks a bit off kilter, hope it's the camera and not the tank, either way you can fix it by adjusting the tripod or in post.

 

[FishyBiz]

Better

 

[swjim]

Also, try to keep the lens perpendicular to the glass, shooting at an angle causes distortion as you can see in the first shot. The last shot looks good. Nice tank!

 

[FishyBiz]

Also, try to keep the lens perpendicular to the glass, shooting at an angle causes distortion as you can see in the first shot. The last shot looks good. Nice tank!

Right. I just get so tired of the same ol' shot.