I have only two lenses my kit lens that came with my rebel so a 18 - 50mm and my telephoto which is 55-250mm. Which should be my primary lens?
I have a lens hood, macro filters (+1, +2, +4, and +10) and then standard filters (polarized, UV, and a magenta colored one).
I only have an on board flash and I might bring my small tripod, I think the large one will be too hard to carry around (I have 1 1/2 year old I've gotta keep track of too :) ). I don't really plan on using flash as I don't want to harm or scare the animals.
What settings do you usually use? I know it's mostly trial and error, but I'd like to have a good starting point so I'm not all over the place :)
depends on the lighting in the aquarium as to what settings you use a standard lit aquarium should be something like 1/500 shutter speed at about F8 no flash (not only does it scare the fish it also gives off strange reflectlions) would suggest getting as close to the glass as it is possible to get using the lens hood (as this does dramatically cut down on reflections on the glass so the 18 to 50mm lens should be fine. Heres a couple of mine using these settings
Thanks for your tips and sharing your pictures with me. You can't even tell that there was even water at all!
I read on some site you could use the flash with the hood, you put your camera against the glass and fire the flash, it supposedly lights up the tank but because you're using the hood you don't get the reflection. I dunno, I don't want to hurt the animals, it's so bright!
Do you think I'd have any use for the bigger lens? If I put on one of the macro filters, I can usually get closer to the subject to shoot. I think I'll bring it with me just in case. Plus I think the aquarium I'm going to has some outdoor area, I'm going to it for the first time this weekend (for my birthday).
@fawkesreborn 1/10, f/5.0, 800, 43 mm. Do you know how to check other ppls exif data? I have to admit, this was way before I knew how to use my camera so the settings probably are not correct and it took me probably 50 shots to get this. Maybe I'll try again and see if its any easier ;)
@fawkesreborn LOL, thats ok. Yea so I tried it again and its hard with my kit 18-55 to get enough light and fast shutter speed. A tripod with shutter release would probably be best.
I do a LOT of aquarium photography because I love going to aquariums. I'm not sure what technical info I can share, but I've found taking a photo at an angle usually results in a good photo. I use a Nikon D40x with a 18-55mm lens exclusively.
Crystal I agree with @clarissajohal I press my self on the glass and pray that the animal im shooting doesnt decided to swim away at rapid speeds.
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length - 18mm
ISO 400.
I took about 60 photos of him and he is still a bit blurry - Not the best aquarium shot but it was my first that I really tried.
Ive had bad luck with flashes at the aquarium unless you go at an angle while semi pressed against the glass (to avoid glare.) Also try a higher iso if the aquarium is pretty dark, it may result in a little grain though. Cant wait to see your photos!
@clarissajohal That second photo of yours - is that a personal aquarium photo as it looks like they are Tinfoil Barbs, or is that at a commercial aquarium?
@shortperson2002 Thanks Caren. I'm going to try the hood technique as well. I've never been to this aquarium, so I'm not sure what to expect as far as their set up goes. I'm super excited though, it's a perfect birthday activity! :)
Here are a few that I took (in a HURRY as I was trying to keep up with my kiddos) on our recent trip to an aquarium on vacation. I was using my kit lens (18-55mm) on my Canon Rebel XS.... I have a wonderful 50mm 1.4 lens for low light, but I couldn't get a lot of the wider angle shots (with the kids in them) with that lens b/c it was too crowded. So, surprisingly, I did ok with the basic lens. Would love to have used some of those lower F-stops, though....
speckled frog settings:
1/50 sec
f/5.6
55mm
blue frog settings:
1/50 sec
f/5.6
55mm
For the "Jellies" exhibit, I did switch over to my prime lens... SO glad did, because I love the shots I was able to get with it.... Jellies are just such beautiful creatures!
blue jelly settings:
1/50 sec
f/1.4
50mm
pink/purple jelly settings:
1/250 sec
f/1.4
50mm
hope that helps a little! I'm sure you can improve a lot on my techniques, though. have FUN!
@webfoot That one (and the Blood Parrot Cichlid on the bottom) are from my personal aquariums, I have ten of them.
And they are Tinfoil Barbs--good eye!! That wasn't my best of photos, I had just started my Project.
The only thing really that I would suggest(like everyone else) would be to get right up to the glass and use a lens hood. And don't worry about the flash hurting them; at every aquarium I have been to, there are always signs posted when to not use flash for the sake of the creatures. Other than that, it should be fine to use it. But I would suggest trying it with and without flash to compare. Here's a few of mine:
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Thanks for your tips and sharing your pictures with me. You can't even tell that there was even water at all!
I read on some site you could use the flash with the hood, you put your camera against the glass and fire the flash, it supposedly lights up the tank but because you're using the hood you don't get the reflection. I dunno, I don't want to hurt the animals, it's so bright!
Do you think I'd have any use for the bigger lens? If I put on one of the macro filters, I can usually get closer to the subject to shoot. I think I'll bring it with me just in case. Plus I think the aquarium I'm going to has some outdoor area, I'm going to it for the first time this weekend (for my birthday).
This was taken at Melbourne Aquarium...
Camera: Canon EOS 550D
Exposure: 0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO Speed: 2500
Focal Length: 55 mm
when you say angle, do you mean an angle to the glass?
Exposure: 0.0125 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO Speed: 800
Focal Length: 50 mm
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length - 18mm
ISO 400.
I took about 60 photos of him and he is still a bit blurry - Not the best aquarium shot but it was my first that I really tried.
Ive had bad luck with flashes at the aquarium unless you go at an angle while semi pressed against the glass (to avoid glare.) Also try a higher iso if the aquarium is pretty dark, it may result in a little grain though. Cant wait to see your photos!
speckled frog settings:
1/50 sec
f/5.6
55mm
blue frog settings:
1/50 sec
f/5.6
55mm
For the "Jellies" exhibit, I did switch over to my prime lens... SO glad did, because I love the shots I was able to get with it.... Jellies are just such beautiful creatures!
blue jelly settings:
1/50 sec
f/1.4
50mm
pink/purple jelly settings:
1/250 sec
f/1.4
50mm
hope that helps a little! I'm sure you can improve a lot on my techniques, though. have FUN!
Here are my (very) amateur attempts at photographing my tank. More like diary entries than good photography really...
And they are Tinfoil Barbs--good eye!! That wasn't my best of photos, I had just started my Project.
@tamallamma Wow! Your octopus photo is amazing. The colors are beautiful! I love this!