The Camera Thread

[Falling inward]

hey i got some new pic up in my fish photography folder.

**OK to the Real Question... i have a Sony Alpha A230L(DSLR) with a 18-55mm lens coming next week and i was wandering what lens should i get for photographing aquariums and my fish?

camera i'm using now is a kodak easyshare C875 so don't hate lollol

 

[Chaitika]

What sort of fish will you be taking pictures of?

If you read through this thread, you'll see that light is more important than the lens. i'm going to suggest a speedlight system before getting into a higher end lens.

 

[143629]

Used a nokia n97 mini phone camera using close up scene mode and no flash.

 

[3dees]

photography has been my hobby for 40 years and all I can say is that I'm really impressed with those shots considering they were taken with a phone. guess they have come a long way.

 

[Szar]

i just jacked my sisters Sony a380 dslr.

dt18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM lens


Any ideas how i should set the camera for good pics ?

 

[3dees]

the lens will be fine. for pics like some you see here you need to get an off camera flash or two, and shoot down into the tank. here is the setup I use most of the time.

 

[TheBlackOperations]

the lens will be fine. for pics like some you see here you need to get an off camera flash or two, and shoot down into the tank. here is the setup I use most of the time.

How much typically for that boom set up? Just picked up a Canon 60D, still debating which speedlite to get 430 or 580? I want to pretend to look like I know what I am doing eventually and all the help is greatly appreciated.

 

[SteveR]

It's just a light stand with 2 speedlights attached. Search for lightstand.

 

[3dees]

it's a boom stand. you can find cheap ones from ebay for about 60.00. the 430's would be fine.

 

[Shadowraven]

New to this forum, but have a question for you 3dees.

I normally just use bright external lights (worklights or some other) to take pictures of the fish. I have gotten some good pictures this way, but not consistently.

I assume you are shining the light down into the tank to avoid reflections from the glass. Will this also avoid the washed color you can sometimes get? If not what can you do to avoid that? Also just how many flashes are you typically using?

I always see pictures of tanks with bright, vibrant colors and that is what I'm trying to achieve.