Tank Pictures

[ed946]

In everyones experience, what is the best way to take pictures of the fish.

I have tried using no flash, but it comes out really blurry, I have also tried to take pictures using the flash, and although this is better for pictures of the full tank, close ups just reflect the light.

Any ideas?

Ed

 

[platypus]

Hi Ed,

I have always had the best results when the tank light is on, all other lights in the room are off, and it's dark outside. I usually switch my flash off. I also think it's necessary to rest the camera on something stable (a tripod if you have one, I usually just use a chair), to stop it getting too blurry. But my pics are rubbish compared to a lot of people's on here so I wouldn't take that as gospel!

 

[Sinuhe]

It's tricky. Using a tripod or something else to rest your camera on is good when using no flash, but it still won't stop the fast swimming fish from looking blurry! If you're using a traditional camera, with film and all, get the fastest film you can find, that makes the needed exposure shorter (but faster film also tends to be grainier). If you're able to mess with the aperture and exposure of your cam manually, go for the largest aperture (the larger the aperture, the smaller the number, for example an f4 aperture is much bigger than f16). When you're photographying just one fish, you don't need much depth of field, so it should be ok.

 

[ed946]

I am using a Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera, I think it is a CX4210.

I will try to post some of the better pictures on here later.

 

[Feline]

Get to ISO 400 or more if u can, go on macro mode. U can also zoom in the fish, then lock the focus there by half pressing the button b4 taking the pic.

 

[ed946]

Thanks Feline, although I don't really understand what you mean by ISO 400 and Macros. I will have a look when I get home from the hell hole I call work.

 

[Feline]

No probs ed! There should be a button where u can change settings, like digital tele, ISO, or card setup etc. U can choose between ISO 100, 200, 400 (or mayb 800, 1600) just like normal 135mm films. U'll want to choose ISO400+ in darker environments so the shutter speed will be faster, n the image won't be that blurred.

The macro mode is the "flower" button u see in cameras. It's used to take close up pictures.

Btw, u have to turn the flash off.

HTH!

 

[ed946]

Thanks, I will have a look tonight, it is quite a new camera so I have not really got the hang of it yet.

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Ed

 

[lizard]

The macro mode is the "flower" button u see in cameras. It's used to take close up pictures.

Dude, cool! That's what that flower icon/button is for! I always wondered...just never pulled out the manual to look. I just tried taking a picture with the "flower on" and it did a close up so much better!!!! I'm so excited and happy now!

Thanks for the info! If I didn't have a Microbiology lab report to write, I'd go take more pictures

Pamela
aka Lizard

 

[david27]

I now cheat and use my studio flash which I put over the top of the tank so that the flash goes into the top of the tank and doesn't get bounced of the front glass. If you don't want any reflection on the front glass get a circular polariser but be warned it does slow the shutter speeds even more.
Below is a pic I took using my fuji S5000 dig camera. It was set on ISO200 and as you can see the subject is still sharp. Its just a shame I didn't clean the glass.

David

 

[Feline]

Cool pic david!!

It's a good idea to use studio flash! What flash (or brand) are you using? Is that with softbox or standard reflector, or umbrella? How many Ws?