Indoor Aquarium Shooting--Which Lens is Best?

[evilmichael]

Hi folks, I will be visiting Atlanta's new Aquarium this month and I have one question...which lens would give me the best picture through 3" glass and differing light situations??? Money is no object because my wife is buying the lens for me (LOL).;) I have never been to an aquarium and i don't know what to expect.

Thanks!

[tim]

Most say you can't use flash. I tried with my 100mm F2.8 macro and couldn't get good enough shutter speeds, so my suggestion is a 1.4mm lens.

[evilmichael]

Thanks Tim, I guess my 50mm 1.4 will be making the trip!

[Gordeez]

Your pretty much going to need a Fast Lens (1.8 ) with High Shutters for shooting Public aquariums. At home, I shoot my aquarium with the 50 1.8 at f3.5 shutter speed about 200. But I also have good lighting. (265 watts on a 55 Gallon)

[evilmichael]

Thanls Gordeez. I'm not sure on the lighting but it can't be perfect for sure ;-)
The 50 will be my man next week!

[PhotosGuy]

Take something to clean fingerprints off the glass.
Shoot at an angle & watch for reflections in the glass. A rubber lens hood pressed against the glass might help.
Expect to start with ISO 800. ;)

[Reptile Bob]

I got some nice results with the 100mm macro. If you have a flash bracket, then you should be able to use the flash no problem. I usually have the lens a few inches from the glass and the flash a foot or more above; no reflection that way. It works really well for the up close detail of the fish or inverts. A cheep 50 1.8 or not as cheep 1.4 would also be great for the more wide angle shots.

I've had best results with my lens almost touching the glass. That way the scratches and fingerprints don't show up. The only other thing I'd say is you need to be careful with the focus. Sometimes the water or a curved tank can distort things a bit so if you're DOF is narrow it’s quite hit or miss. You also might want to shoot in raw because the WB is different in each tank when they use different lighting.

~Robert

[markubig]

I visited the Georgia Aquarium this past summer. Used my 28/1.8 at 1600 ISO. It's not the easiest place to shoot in. All these shots were handheld.

http://images1.fotki.com/v333/photos/1/113845/3778561/IMG_9815-vi.jpg?1152759561

http://images1.fotki.com/v334/photos/1/113845/3778561/IMG_9845-vi.jpg?1152759917

http://images18.fotki.com/v328/photos/1/113845/3778561/IMG_9890-vi.jpg?1152760713

http://images1.fotki.com/v334/photos/1/113845/3778561/IMG_9822-vi.jpg?1152759695

[Woolburr]

I have a gallery with several images from the Tennessee Aquarium...the lighting is similar at both locations. Some areas of the aquarium have prohibitions on flash. In those areas that allow you to use flash....take a lens with a rubber lens hood that you can put tight against the glass and cut down on the reflections from the flash. If you choose to go the high ISO route...take either a 50mm f/1.4 or an 85mm f/1.8....expect to be at ISO 1600 or 3200 to get a high enough shutter speeds to stop the motion of the fish. Here is the gallery with EXIF info intact if you are interested. Both flash and non-flash images are included. http://www.pbase.com/woolburr/aquarium_tn

[evilmichael]

Thank Youeveryone who posted. I have been having pc problems the last few days and unable to access the web. All is good now and I WILL use your advise to make my aquarium visit all that more memorable.

[daclozer]

post some pics of the whale sharks... I am dying to get down there and see them. I am passing right by there on the way to the Keys on xmas day, but won't have time to stop. Most of the tips are right on, especially getting as close to the glass as possible and bring some wipes to clean the fingerprints.