Help with settings for taking tank pics

thin crust · #1 12/31/2007, 06:49 PM

i just received my canon xti along with a 17-55mm f/2.8 USM lense. can any of you photography gurus advise on a good Av or Tv setting for taking pics of my tank?

TIA

TC

surfnvb7 · #2 12/31/2007, 07:13 PM

set to Av (aperture priority)

set ISO to 100, and f/stop to f/9. shutter speed will be set automatically.

that should be a good starting point. (btw you will need a tripod with shooting in Av)

MAXreefer · #3 01/01/2008, 11:22 AM

Have a XTi also.
Not a real pro here but I learned to make some good shots by practicing.
If you go for the manual mode definitely use the AV mode. Can't tell you a lot about the shutter speed etc.
But for sure you should adjust the white balance accordingly. There is a section in the manual that explains how to do that. You have to put a white object in the tank and then shoot a picture. The camera will then adjust the white balance automatically.

Otherwise I make good shots with the pre settings : Sports and No Flash.
In most cases you never should use the flash.

Michael
MAXreefer

thin crust · #4 01/01/2008, 06:33 PM

thank you both for your input. i've made the recommended steps and the pics have improved dramatically.

happy new year!

"Umm, fish?" · #5 01/01/2008, 09:35 PM

And just to be difficult, I'll add: Adding a flash was the best thing I did to increase the sharpness in my photos. I wouldn't use a flash with some acros, as it tends to highlight the browns and they lose their beautiful colors, but I do use one with everything else.

BTW, with a flash, I can set the aperture to f/16 or f/32 for depth of field, and still set the exposure to 1/125th or 1/250th of a second.