Setting Questions for All You PROS!!!

[joyful23]

I recently purchased a Nikon D50 with 2 lenses ( 18-55 and a 55-200). I took it on our vacation to Disney World last week and got some GREAT shots, but now I'm trying to get some of my tank and can't get anything decent. Any suggestions on settings, flash/no flash, etc. I purchased my first fish today and a few corals and zoos and can't wait to show them off. Thanks in advance for your expert advice!!! I love this site!!!

 

[mystic7]

Congrats! I have a D70. Well, you can go two ways. Either use your flash which will allow you to shoot at a faster shutter rate, but which will lose the "ambience" of your tank, or, since you have a reef tank, use a tripod and shoot at a slower shutter speed. The smaller your aperture, say 1/9, 1/11, etc., the deeper your depth of field. You'll have to slow down your shutter speed to compensate. But there's no law that says you have to get it right the first time. Set your aperture, then play with your shutter speed until you get a good exposure.
For fish, unless you're shooting something that will stay still for a period of time, you're better off using your flash with a faster shutter speed. Hope that helps.
Here's an example using the flash. Note how the rocks in the background look unnatural.

 

[reefman22]

Well, I'm not a pro, but I get some decent shots (see thread "LOTS OF PICS...") But I have a cannon Power Shot SD300 (not a fancy one with a special lens or anything) I just put it on a tri pod, turn it on the macro setting, no flash, and shoot. Works for me! Hope this helped.
REEFMAN

 

[nm reef]

The D50 is a nice piece of equipment...I bet in no time at all you'll be posting some great shots.
I'm not a pro by any stretch...but I can say that I seldom ever get any decent aquarium photos using a flash...the colors are always washed and the exposure just seems extremely difficult to get right when using a flash.
I'd suggest a tripod...no flash...and manually adjust the aperture/shutter speeds until you get exposures than turn out decent under your conditions. Once you get a idea of what combination will work well in the lighting conditions your tank provides you can work on fine tuning your results from there. White balance can be very difficult to compensate for and it'll take time along with a lot of trial and error. One thing I find challenging about aquarium photography is that it changes from tank to tank...settings that work well for me may not suit you.
To catch fish in action I sometimes set my camera up on a tripod and pick a specific location to shoot...then I set the timer up to take shots at specific intervals...sometimes I get a fish in the photo...others times I don't...but when I do catch one in the frame using this method they can be sweet. Attached below is a example.
With the equipment you have the potential for great photos is right in front of you...it'll take time/experience and lots of practice.

 

[joyful23]

Thanks everyone! That helps alot! I better get shooting and as soon as I get some decent shots I'll post them!