New Digital SLR pics

Dano999 · #1 12/31/2007, 10:02 PM

I purchased a Nikon D80 with a 105 mm Macro a few weeks ago and have been practicing since. This is my first Digital SLR and the tank is only 4 months old so all I have are a few frags.

Below a a few of the hundreds of shots I have taken that I felt were worthy to post.

Your comments are welcome.

Namyar · #2 12/31/2007, 11:59 PM

Those are great pics I need to get myself a nice camera like that.

Dano999 · #3 01/01/2008, 03:43 AM

Here's a few more.

sditch · #4 01/01/2008, 12:11 PM

Those are really nice pictures.......What lens are you using?

Dano999 · #5 01/01/2008, 12:40 PM

These were shot with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro.

ferg822 · #6 01/01/2008, 06:57 PM

Those are really nice. Especially the second one on the first page.

flameangel88 · #7 01/01/2008, 08:45 PM

Beautiful pictures. I like the 2nd picture as well and the last one on the hermit crab.

Don't stop and keep the pictures coming.

Namyar · #8 01/01/2008, 09:41 PM

wow even better

Saiyan · #9 01/02/2008, 08:42 AM

Those are some very nice shots. I will have to look at that lens.

Dano999 · #10 01/02/2008, 04:27 PM

Today's photo

thor32766 · #11 01/03/2008, 10:43 AM

the duncans are awesome.. also love the hermit shot!!!!

thin crust · #12 01/03/2008, 02:37 PM

it's niicce! thanks for sharing.

dapettit · #13 01/03/2008, 05:49 PM

What are you using for lighting? These are amazing!

JeffReef · #14 01/03/2008, 05:53 PM

I like the "Blazerized" effect of the last shot.

Dano999 · #15 01/03/2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dapettit
What are you using for lighting? These are amazing!

I use a Nikon SB-600 flash set up on a remote tripod. I turn off the tank lights and change the angle of the remote flash that best suits the subject.

The blue background on the Duncan photo comes from the tank moon lights. I was able to only capture the Duncan with the flash and keep the moon light on everything else.

ziyaadb · #16 01/04/2008, 09:15 AM

Amazing Pics man awsome. I wish i can afford a camera that would be able to take pics like that someday

dapettit · #17 01/04/2008, 05:01 PM

Di dyou use any special mode or setting other than the remote flash?

I wish there was a book on photographing home aquariums!!!

Dano999 · #18 01/04/2008, 05:48 PM

The glass gets cleaned real well and all the pumps and lights are turned off.

I wait ten minutes for everything to settle and shoot everything in Manual mode using a high quality tripod and a remote shutter release. This allows for very sharp detail at slow shutter speeds.

I will shoot 20 to 30 shots of each subject using different flash angles to get just the right one. This is the best thing about a digital SLR. You can shoot virtually unlimited amount of shots and review each one immediately to make adjustments.

I then use Capture NX and Photoshop to adjust exposure and composition and to clean up any particles that may still be floating in the tank.

Dano999 · #19 01/04/2008, 11:03 PM

Latest Photos

Same Duncan with different lighting. I need some more coral.

Dano999 · #20 01/04/2008, 11:06 PM

oops

drdoolittle · #21 01/05/2008, 02:00 AM

how do you take a close up photo?

I have the D80 with Nikor 105 VR.. but still cant take such clean pictures.

Dano999 · #22 01/05/2008, 08:10 AM

Besides what I listed in the previous post.

Use ISO 100. Set the aperture between f/8 and f/11 to make sure the entire object is in focus. A low aperture on a close up shot will only get a small portion of the object in focus. Unless you want a real close up like photos 6 thru 8 back up a little on the shot and zoom in and crop it closer during the processing.

Use a flash like the SB-600 or SB-800 the built in flash is not sufficient.

Use a good tripod and a remote shutter release to eliminate any possible movement.

Shoot in RAW.

Use Capture NX to adjust the RAW data. Use Photoshop to clean up any remaining floating particles.

The last two shots were in real low light and were shot at ISO 200, f/11 at 25 sec shutter speed. This was a real long exposer time and it reduced the overall clarity but created intesting colors.

Visit the forum below for other info on the D80.

Nikonians.org

Attached is a spreadsheet with D80 setting recommendations.

dapettit · #23 01/05/2008, 09:54 AM

Dano,

Thanks for the info. I do not have Capture NX but I do have PS CS3.

Thanks again this should help me on my war to take great photos of my tanks.

Dano999 · #24 01/05/2008, 09:59 AM

Does PS CSE allow you to work with NEF files? I use PS Elements and rely on Capture NX for the NEF file.

dapettit · #25 01/05/2008, 10:04 AM

I haven't tried but all my research says yes. CS3 is brand new to me. I know CS2 does not. All the Nikon/PS forums say to update to CS3 to use NEF files.