JacquesB's new camera - Nikon D40 - tips & tricks?

[jacquesb]

Hi guys - I got a new toy - a Nikon D40 DSLR.

Now - I would like to get a few tips and tricks from you guys/gals on taking pictures of my corals/fish using my DSLR....

Things like what shutter speeds to use for ie. fish, and for corals?
What aperture settings to use for ie. fish and corals...
ISO settings?
Macro?

The camera has the "standard" 18mm to 55mm telephoto lense on it...

Many thanks.
Jacques

 

[viper357]

Some nice links in our links directory

Links and Downloads Manager - Photography - Marine Aquariums of South Africa

 

[jacquesb]

Thanks Viper - BUT - NONE of these sites actually deals with HOW TO TAKE aquarium pics!
Therefor the request....

 

[jacquesb]

OK - sorry - I just saw - IT DOES ACTUALLY go about taking fishy pictures of our tanks... I am looking at it now! Thanks again Viper! Sorry

 

[Shaun]

To be honest I don't know too much about the settings all I do is

1 try always use a tripod
2 Take pic's 90deg to glass, you have distortion other wise.
3 Try not use to high a ISO most of mine are 100.
4 Turn off all pumps.
5 Then I play with the rest of the settings to try get a good pic with col and brightness etc.

Fish are another story. as they move so then you may go for a higher ISO.

I am sure Crispin should have some good tips.

My2c for now.

 

[seank]

I only sometimes use a tripod. Try this: Dunno how strong your lights are but you can always set your shutterspeed a bit faster:

TV: 50
AV: 4.5
ISO:800

OR

TV: 40
AV:9.5
ISO:1200

I take most of my pics on these settings.

Set it on manual and do not use a flash

 

[Mike]

Jacques, pop across a continent and ask Reef bloke, he is without doubt the best fishy pic taker i have ever seen, he drives the same camera as your new one

 

[Shaun]

I see at UR they say lower ISO.

Upping the ISO will result in grainy images.

 

[Shaun]

How are the experiments coming along?

 

[jacquesb]

Jacques, pop across a continent and ask Reef bloke, he is without doubt the best fishy pic taker i have ever seen, he drives the same camera as your new one

Thanks Mike - I would sure do so....

 

[jacquesb]

How are the experiments coming along?

Hi Thalion - no - unfortunately did not have the time again to spend on trying again.

We had an AWESOME get-together with Hennie last night. Shame - I wonder how he will coping today. Me and my wife left last night at 11:20pm..... And Hennie was still there!

I will be trying this evening again....

Thanks everyone for your input.

Sean_K - thanks for the suggested settings - I will sure try them out!

 

[Shaun]

So how are things going with the new Toy.

Some info to read.
Capturing the Unseen - Reefkeeping.com

 

[jacquesb]

Hi Thalion - thanks man! I am quite sure you saw my efforts in my tank's thread

So far - so good.... it seems that I am improving week-by-week!

Thanks for the interest!

BTW: How did your 20 second shutter speed pic come out? Tried it yet? I think - with your actinics only, you should rather perhaps try 4 to 8 seconds....

Cheers mate!

 

[Shaun]

Did not work, don't have any moon light so it just comes out black.

Got some in IR but my video cam does not take good pic's.

 

[jacquesb]

LOL! Why does it come out "black"? Does your camera have a "manual"/BULB shutter speed setting perhaps? Try this - set your timer to 10 or 15 seconds..... that you don't have to touch the camera during this time..... believe me - you WILL get SOME cool pics at least!

 

[Shaun]

Turned all my light off as I did not want reflections, and set the camera to max.