Why can't I get WB right (D5000)

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Fishamatank

New member
I recently got a Nikon D5000 and am still learning (and will be for a while!)

One thing that irks me is that I can not get the WB even close. This is not something that is generally a problem, other than when taking pics of an aquarium lit with blue lights.

I've tried taking a picture of the sand bed and using that image as the reference, I've tried taking a picture of a tissue up against the glass and it seems the same result. The picture is bluer and the colors are worse than if I had just used auto. I have not been able to get the camera to "measure" correctly, I have had to use a preset image. Is there a trick to getting the camera to measure?
 
Honestly, and I think most people will tell you this. Shoot in RAW mode, then you can adjust WB in your photo editing software of choice. When I shoot in RAW mode, I just put WB on auto, then make any correction post-snap and it makes all the difference.
 
Thanks for the input. I'm not much for editing photo's. The most I typically do is cropping, resizing, etc...
I have an old version of photoshop, is there anything else you'd recommend that might be a little easier to use (and free)?
 
A good starting point is to set manually the WB to 10,000k ( the highest in Nikon I believe).
Depending on your own light fixture (10,000 + 15,000 + fiji pink and so) you can start from that.
I´m lazy about shooting raw for my tank as well, so try this. Then, if its to warm, low to 8000k or so. Color K in photo works on oposite than in light nomenclatures when trying to balance. 5000k on your camera with 15000k in your lights will be blueish. i.e. Setting camera to 8000k will warm the picture, but not so much to keep this "cool" feeling. As I said, it depends on your light bulbs.
Also, you can choose from "normal" to "vivid" in color and put a little bit of contrast manually as well.
 
I've tried taking a picture of something white and using that brent, but it seems to only make things worse.

aztec, how can you manually set the color temperature as you've described? The only white balance settings I see are the pre loaded settings, (incandescent, florescent, etc) and either using an image or measuring.

I downloaded GIMP, it is pretty easy to use. I'm beginning to realize that if I want to take really crisp clear pictures of up close things I'm going to need a macro lens and a remote.
 
Macros and tripods are a must if you want good, up close, crisp shots of your aquarium. I don't have a remote, so I just use the timer...
 
Fishamatank said:
aztec, how can you manually set the color temperature as you've described? The only white balance settings I see are the pre loaded settings, (incandescent, florescent, etc) and either using an image or measuring.
Click to expand...


Check your instructions manual. There is all you need to know.
Here is an idea:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5000/page11.asp (about half of page)
Go to WB (yes, where daylight, incandescent or flash appears) and then "preset manual". Move the dial until "10000".
I hope this helps.
About a macro, you can get a cheap manual 55mm micro nikkor over ebay.
For that, you will have to learn first how to use the d5000. Easy thing to do.

Saludos from Mexico
 
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