Camera

[chokko]

got a feeling i have posted this question before, there were no definitive answers...and now I cannot find the thread.
 
I am interested in putting a 1080p (or better) network (not webcam) camera in front of, or to side of aquarium. Network port and power is already there ready to go
 
I imagine a camera with short focus distance would be best. Not too worried if the picture is bad when lights are off (IR will reflect off the glass anyway)
 
Anyone got recommendations?
 
ta

 

[Zikofski]

what sort of cameras are you looking at tbh, i use a nikon D5000 for all my pics, with both a standard lens, 35-55mm a 55 - 300mm lens and a 70mm fixed macro lens and tbh the normal lenses work best, i guess anything with short focus would be best, if you can get one that manually focus's even better i guess, as over time the camera will struggle with fish, plants, the tank side when it gets a tad dirty,
 
but i am interested in to why you want a camera lookin onto the tank sounds cool haha

 

[chokko]

i use the 105mm on my nikon, which is equivalent focal length of 70mm on your d5000, and it is superb

anyway per the OP, its a network camera i now require

so i can watch it from another room to see how the fish behave when i am not standing there, stream it to family/friends who don't live local, check up on it when i am out of town etc etc.

 

[raptorrex]

got a feeling i have posted this question before, there were no definitive answers...and now I cannot find the thread.
 
I am interested in putting a 1080p (or better) network (not webcam) camera in front of, or to side of aquarium. Network port and power is already there ready to go

 
I imagine a camera with short focus distance would be best. Not too worried if the picture is bad when lights are off (IR will reflect off the glass anyway)
 
Anyone got recommendations?
 
ta

bloomin expensive way to watch fish but this may help you decide.
http/www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopSearch.asp?CategoryID=370

 

[Zikofski]

yes it is expensive i guess but good link look like some nice cameras there, interesting i have wondered how the fish behave when i am not around, as i notice most of my fish don't come out when i am there

 

[raptorrex]

ok glad the link helped

 

[DrRob]

You can get foscam ones for less that also make good, cheap baby monitors.
 
http/www.amazon.co.uk/Foscam-FI8910W-Wireless-Camera-IR-Cut/dp/B0074873GK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ce_6
 
but they're not HD resolution, which is what the OP wanted. For HD, you'll end up paying.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

On a slightly different angle, Z how do you take photos of your tank? On a tripod? Do you use flash, light the tank or does your tank lighting provide enough light for the camera to take a fast enough (and therefore sharp enough) photo?

 

[Zikofski]

okay, no i don't use a tripod but i do want one, thats the reason to why most of my pictures are kinda blurry
 
and i have tecken shots with and without flash, and in my opinion flash works best, even with the tank light on, but it dose cause problems with reflection on the glass, i also use a Polarisation filter on the front of my 70mm macro lens to block some reflection on the glass but its not 100% perfect it also darkens the picture slightly but its helps with the colour
 
i am still an amateur when it comes to photo taking always learning
 
but just to give you an idea, this is without flash 

 
this is with flash

 
as you can see there is no light in the room it self just the tank light, and you can see a slight reflection on the back wall of the flash but not on the tank.
 
what are you thinking lunar, i guess instead of getting video you can take a picture every so second's or minutes but to be honest video would be better but ye no idea. oh and my camera video function only records a max of 5 mins

 

[Gvilleguy]

I use a Canon T3i for both pictures and video (youtube videos - not network streaming like the OP wants).  I find best results with the kit 18-55 mm lens set on manual focus.  The fish just move too fast front-to-back to rely on the auto focus.  And I normally wait until night and turn off all other lights in the room. I find the over-powered popup flash on the T3i washes out the aquarium colors, so I usually just go no flash and use the aquarium lighting.
 
This shot was taken a couple days go - no flash and at night.  Otherwise the bowfront tank picks up all kinds of reflections!
 
 

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Cheers Z. I'm just looking for some more close up photos of my fish and tank. I've got a D500 like you. I'll have to get experimenting!

 

[chokko]

get an off camera flash, stick it at the top of the tank, so the light bounces around INSIDE the tank.
This way...
the Flash isnt reflecting straight back off the glass you are looking through
the Flash isnt washing out your fish color
 
Back on topic:
i've already got 3 types of foscams sitting in my junk room. they're ok to see something is still alive in the tank whilst you're away..but i am happy to pay more for decent quality image. The Geovision 3MPixel cameras on the outside of my house are superb, but I want to hear of anyones experiences using something rather close to a fish tank. If i have to be the pioneer in this regard, so be it...I will post the results 
 
toys toys toys

 

[Zikofski]

haha yes toys are fun

well good luck and i cant w8 to see the outcome

i do also use an of camera flash but it don't always work

haha i find i get good results with the flash on the camera i just need to angle the camera correctly

 

[TarkMalbot]

I was thinking about this one although not HD.  would it work?
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290833027381?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649