Which Lens to Take to Public Aquarium

[amcarrig]

Good morning folks. I'll be headed over to the Atlantis aquarium in Long Island with my reef club this weekend and because I don't want to lug my camera bag around, I was wondering which lens I should bring with me for good all around shots. I have a Canon Rebel XT DSLR and I have the stock lens that came with it, a 55mm macro and a telephoto lens. Also, since I'm still a novice, if you could share some tips/camera settings/flash options that would help me take good pics in this type of setting, that would be grand.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions/help!

 

[hans1976]

I wouldn't bring any. Trade it in and get a Nikon.

 

[amcarrig]

:lol: You stay outta this Jeff :lol:

 

[fatrip]

i have been there and it is pretty dark in the area where the salt reef tanks are. i would use a high ISO and Low fstop setting...i would also not use the flash...on there reef tank i think the guys said it was 3 inch thick acrilic and all you'll get is your reflection... you should be fine with the stock lensor the 55mm which ever has the lower F stop/ larger apiture...and why would he want to lug around a giant niko all day when he could be carring his nice smaller and lighter cannon...lol...it was pretty cool when you go behind the scenes...let me know if you guys get to go behind the salt reef tank because they wouldnt take us back there as just tourests....because if you get to go behind there i am making a trip for my reef club...lol...http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1121058 here are some pics from when i went...this was just with a p/s cannon.

 

[amcarrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10317115#post10317115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatrip
and why would he want to lug around a giant niko all day when he could be carring his nice smaller and lighter cannon...lol

:lol:

Thanks for the tips fatrip! I'll post pics of my trip if any of them turn out to be presentable!

 

[MCary]

Truthfully, if you have time and can afford $80, I would get a Canon 50mm f/1.8. Your going to need a fast lens. Even better of course would be a f/1.4 but a little pricey.

Mike

 

[BigMojo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10316972#post10316972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hans1976
I wouldn't bring any. Trade it in and get a Nikon.

:lol: I like the way you think!

 

[Ebn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10317835#post10317835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCary
Truthfully, if you have time and can afford $80, I would get a Canon 50mm f/1.8. Your going to need a fast lens. Even better of course would be a f/1.4 but a little pricey.

Mike

+1, especially the f/1.4.

 

[amcarrig]

Forgot to ask but what white balance would be best for indoor shots at the aquarium? Thanks again everyone!!

 

[juniormc8704]

i would just shoot in RAW format, and deal with the temp adjustment when you get home. Keep it simple, and enjoy being there. Too many times im so busy looking through the viewfinder that i forget to just sit back and take it all in. When half way across Europe doing that.

 

[maroun.c]

I have used flash with succes through very thick glass or acrilic. just get a rubber lens hood and press your lens on the glass which will stabilize your hand more and also avoid having reflections in your shots.
You can shoot with lens perpendicular to glass which is best to minimize distortions. Shooting with lens pointing down can still work but I find that shooting with lens pointing up ends up giving a harsh light on your subjects with some reflections on the glass.
I used an omnibounce on my flash (even if not bouncing from any surface which is how an omnibounce is recommended to be used) and I beleived it served a bit in drecreasing the harsh lighting and provinding a smoother one.
my best shots (Lighting wise were with camera pointing down a bit and flash pointing upwards (45-60 degrees) Still you have to check if you're allowed to use flash.
As for lenses I once used my 18-200 Vr (yes Nikon) worked great Vr was very nice to have on coral shots especially that I was handholding, ( I love flash on fish shots however I believe it still washes out coral true colours which calls for much more PP)
on another trip when my 18-200VR was broken and in repair i used my 50 mm 1.4 which gave great pics (sharper than any zoom lens could give) still having to zoom by mooving forwards and backwards was a pain.
Now I recently bought the Tamron 17-50 2.8 which I believe would be great for such trips as it offers very sharp images (Still testing it but am very happy till now) which allows for faster shutter speeds as well as a compact size and weight.

 

[MCary]

The best thing for white balance is to have the wife dive in the tank and hold a nuetral grey card.

Wait, your probably a woman. Unless your a huge Rosie O'donnell fan, you won't have a wife.

Nevermind

 

[amcarrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10349790#post10349790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCary
Wait, your probably a woman. Unless your a huge Rosie O'donnell fan, you won't have a wife.

:lol: I am a woman but am hardly a fan of Moby O'Donnell :lol:

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I'm still sorting through my pics and most came out "ok". Even the worst photographer could make this tank look good though:

 

[edwing206]

That tank is amazing! How big is it?

 

[amcarrig]

20,000 gallons of heaven :lol: My ISO was too low for these pics and I haven't had time to touch them up any but here's a few more anyhow: