Aquarium help

Ambient

Senior Member
Hi, I hope I am posting in the right area. My husband is taking me to the new Ripley's Aquarium for my birthday in March. So I have some time to figure out if it is worth taking my camera and trying some shots. So I looked it up online and the advice I got was this:
Use a macro. He suggested a 40 but I own a 60 so that is what I will use.
Use a rubber lens hood so I can put it right against the glass to block light that causes reflection.
Shoot in manual with auto ISO at 1/125 at f5.6 and auto white balance.
These are to me pretty specific but it was someone who teaches a class on photography at an aquarium somewhere in the states. (First Google hit that I came to that sounded fairly creditable).
So I thought I would ask any of you who may have experience. Does this sound good. Any tips? I will possibly try this out ahead of time if I can find a pet store that will let me try.
I am pretty excited to be going!

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pedroj

Senior Member
Those settings sound OK but if you can get a faster shutter speed might help...You can probably try F2.8 to achieve it...
 

Ambient

Senior Member
Ok, thanks. I will try that. I really hope I can find somewhere to tryout a few things ahead and make some notes on what is working.:)
 

nidding

Senior Member
Is it a marine or a fresh water aquarium? Marine aquariums often times use lights that are somewhat blue compared to what we usually point our cameras at, which can make it hard for the auto ISO to adjust right. Therefore I would advise shooting raw to get a chance to control white balance.
The tip about shooting right up in front of the glass is not bad, as reflections can be a real bugger. It all depends on what lights are in the room you are standing in, though. All the same, it is however important to keep the lens parallel to the front glass of the aquarium. If you don't the image will become unclear.
And make all the tests you can get. Honestly, I find aquarium photography to be quite hard to get right.
The best of luck :)
 
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Ambient

Senior Member
I believe it has both marine and fresh water. They have displays from the great lakes and the Indo Pacific region. Does using my macro lens sound right. I don't want to carry too much with me. I was thinking two lenses and my camera. I haven't decided on which other lens. I may want to shoot other things while I am in the city! Sound like a country bumpkin don't I! Hehehe!

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Scott Murray

Senior Member
Hold the lens against the glass and frame from there as it takes away the 2nd lens portion that is the glass of the fish tank, then use any ISO / Aperture / Shutter speed that you rare happy with. fast lenses are good, flashes are bad.
 

Ambient

Senior Member
Hold the lens against the glass and frame from there as it takes away the 2nd lens portion that is the glass of the fish tank, then use any ISO / Aperture / Shutter speed that you rare happy with. fast lenses are good, flashes are bad.

OK. I bought the rubber hood for my lens so I can put it up to the glass without scratching it. I will try out a few shots and I have my tablet set up so I can check the results. My lens is the 60 mm f2.8. Thanks for the help.

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Ambient

Senior Member
I would use the 40mm macro. Manhy times the fist are close and large and the 40 will give you a better chance of getting the shot.

I wish I could afford a new lens! But I can' t right now. 😢 I even phoned a couple people I thought I might be able to borrow one from but no one has that macro so I will do what I can with my 60.

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