Canon digital rebel settings for reef tank pics

kentrob11 · #1 09/13/2006, 09:52 PM

I'm trying to master taking picsi n my tank with my digital Rebel and while I'm getting some good ones, I think they could be better. Could some of you share manual settings you have when taking pics?

rsteagall · #2 09/13/2006, 09:58 PM

i 2nd this request. I just can't seem to get as good of pics as I know the camera is capable of.

Here are some I have taken.. but I know they could be better:

http://picasaweb.google.com/rsteagall

These are the best out of 5x more than that I snapped. :P

rsteagall · #3 09/13/2006, 09:59 PM

i 2nd this request. I just can't seem to get as good of pics as I know the camera is capable of.

Here are some I have taken.. but I know they could be better:

http://picasaweb.google.com/rsteagall

These are the best out of 5x more than that I snapped.

I think the biggest problem I have is having it focus on the right object. I don't do good at all with manual focus. Its like the viewfinder isn't big enough for me to use it right.

kentrob11 · #4 09/13/2006, 10:00 PM

Are you using the flash? it lokks like it...Get rid of that first of all...That much I've figured out :-P

IslandCrow · #5 09/13/2006, 11:47 PM

Hmm, those pics look pretty good to me, rsteagall. I agree that a flash generally isn't a good idea. I've had some luck with bouncing the flash, and I've been meaning to play around with a remote flash coming in from the top of the tank, but that's another story. As far as settings, if DOF is not a big factor, I open my aperature up all the way (f/1.8-2.8 depending on the lens) and generally have a shutter speed of somewhere between 1/60-1/125. I also try not to go above 200 ISO. You get your biggest jump in noise level going from 200 to 400. Other things that will help you are to make sure you're taking your pictures as straight on as possible, turn off your pumps to reduce motion (unless that's what you're trying to capture of course), and reduce any bright lighting coming into the room that may cause reflections on the glass. Anyway, I'm certainly no expert, but hopefully this helps a little.

yetti · #6 09/14/2006, 02:52 AM

These pics were taken with the following settings:
1. Tripod
2. Perpendicular to the glass
3. All pumps are off
4. The timer setting of the camera is used
5. No flash
6. ISO 100
7. F/32 - some settings were different for different pics
8. Exposure around 3 - 8" depending on where the subject is sitting in the tank.

Hope this helps....

Scott

Blazer88 · #7 09/14/2006, 09:17 AM

It all depends on what you are trying to take a picture of. If you are doing a full-tank shot, the settings would be very different than if you were trying to take a picture of a still and motionless coral. And using the smallest aperture doesn't give you the sharpest image, everything I read states that the middle aperture (F/8-F/16'ish) give the sharpest pictures. What lens are you using? That makes a world of difference as well.

rsteagall · #8 09/14/2006, 01:53 PM

I have 2 lenses:

Canon EF Zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm - f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S - Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - f/3.5-5.6(came with camera)

For all my shots so far, I've used the lens that came with the camera. I wish I had the time to take a camera class because I've not used much other than the automatic quick settings on the camera. When I don't use flash, there is too much blur with movement... even on a tripod.

Shoreliner11 · #9 09/14/2006, 02:13 PM

It might pay to get a little faster lens. Something a little lower like the 100mm 2.8 macro or even the cheap 50mm 1.8. I would always shoot on AV or aperature priority. This lets you choose the depth of field with the camera choosing an appropriate shutter speed.

Blazer88 · #10 09/14/2006, 02:18 PM

I don't use a tripod when I take pictures of fish. Try setting the camera into shutter priority (TV mode) and use like 1/60 to 1/120 depending on your lighting. Here are a few pictures of fish that I've taken without a tripod and the settings I used. And don't be afraid to use a higher ISO to get a faster shutter, Canon's still have acceptable noise (or at least easily removed) at 800 ISO.

Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/5
Focal Length: 100 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV

Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: -1/3 EV

Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/10
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV

Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 55 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV

flameangel88 · #11 09/14/2006, 03:49 PM

Blazer88: you always have great looking pictures. Thanks for sharing with us.

ssbreef · #12 09/14/2006, 09:40 PM

Blazer88 wow Thank you very much for that. Great pics too!!

Is there a thread on here where everyone puts there camera settings above there pics? I would love to see that. If not, Blazer88 should start it up.

Blazer88 · #13 09/14/2006, 10:25 PM

It's really easy to get the settings from a picture as it is all written into the EXIF data for each shot (unless it's erased by the editing program). One quick and easy way it to upload the photo to www.flickr.com and hit the "more properties" tab to the right and it will give you some basic settings. Another way is to download a program called Opanda iExif (free download) and it will tell you everything you would need. Easy enough!

240-Reefer · #14 09/25/2006, 04:44 PM

Hey Blazer88,

What lense are you using?

Blazer88 · #15 09/25/2006, 05:18 PM

I use a mixture of the 100mm F/2.8 macro, 50mm F/1.8, Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8, kit lens, or my 28-105mm USM II. The bottom two fish pictures I posted (Goby and Blenny) were with the kit lens. I took these pictures with the 100mm macro:

cobraz · #16 09/26/2006, 03:32 PM

Very nice photos Blazer88

240-Reefer · #17 09/26/2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blazer88
I use a mixture of the 100mm F/2.8 macro, 50mm F/1.8, Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8, kit lens, or my 28-105mm USM II. The bottom two fish pictures I posted (Goby and Blenny) were with the kit lens. I took these pictures with the 100mm macro:

If you could but only one right now whitch would it be

Blazer88 · #18 09/26/2006, 05:03 PM

The best lens for the tank would be the 100mm macro. I generally use my Sigma 18-50mm or Canon 28-105mm as my walk-around lens. The best bang for the buck when it comes to aquarium pictures would be the 50mm F/1.8, I got mine used for like $60

240-Reefer · #19 09/26/2006, 05:05 PM

Thanks alot. I just picked up the XTi and playing with the settings and stuff. Right now I got the lense it came with, but Im looking for a Macro

Blazer88 · #20 09/26/2006, 05:18 PM

The XTi looks to be a great camera. And the 100mm F/2.8 macro is used by many people on this board, it's a great lens.