Going to the Aquarium!

[ejlkicks]

Hey folks,
I plan on going to the aquarium and im excited to take some shots.

I shoot with a Rebel XTi and I have a 18-55(stock) lens and a 28-80 Tamron lens, and a 70-300 Tamron.

Which lenses should I stick with?

Can you guys give me some tips and modes to shoot on and what not to get clear and crisp shots?

Thanks!

[HaroldC3]

It's too bad you don't have a fast lens because most of the aquariums I've been too are somewhat dark.

[rebecca12]

Someone on here once recomended taking a cloth to quickly clean the glass with.

[ogre1231]

Shooting my own aquarium, shutter speeds should be relatively high. my fish like to move a lot and it can be tough to get a shot with them not moving. off camera flash can be helpful for getting light onto your subjects without flashing against the glass.

[smallpotatoes]

Can you pick up a nifty fifty before you go? That's what I've used for aquarium shots & they've come out pretty well.

Jaci

[monokrome]

You're going to need a fast lens. I went to Ga Aquarium very dark. I took my 24-105 off of my camera to let a girl take a picture of moonfish with her XT, she was trying with a kit lens.

[m-bartelt]

A thrifty fifty would be prefect.

[krb]

Get one of those cheap rubber lens hoods for whatever lens you are using. You can press it against the glass to eliminate glare/reflection.

[kvanlear]

Hey folks,
I plan on going to the aquarium and im excited to take some shots.

I shoot with a Rebel XTi and I have a 18-55(stock) lens and a 28-80 Tamron lens, and a 70-300 Tamron.

Which lenses should I stick with?

Can you guys give me some tips and modes to shoot on and what not to get clear and crisp shots?

You're going to need a different lens first, none of those are going to work at all. You need f/2 or faster. A 50mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 will be your best and most economical choice. If you really want to do this without breaking the bank get the 50mm f/1.8. It will get the job done.

Don't use flash, the glass will cause reflections and all kinds of weird results. Use a monopod if you can - it helps out a great deal.

[ejlkicks]

Thanks guys!

How much will a nifty fifty run me?

EDIT:

Is this the nifty fifty you guys are talking about? The 50mm @ 1.8?
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU

[Calicajun]

That's the one. It's a very good (IMO) lens for the price, you'll find lots of uses for it other than just the aquarium.

[rang]

Get one of those cheap rubber lens hoods for whatever lens you are using. You can press it against the glass to eliminate glare/reflection.

Ditto

Get one like this so you have some compressiblilty.

http://hvstar.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=279

Has metal threads so filters don't get frozen on them like these:

http://www.slphotogear.com/View.asp?Id=K618-B066062166043-H703-Y20080308161908

Besides not being deep enough to bend very much for curved tube shaped tanks, they have plastic threads which metal lens and filter threads seize up on when tightened.

[farhaded]

All of the above advice is sound, a fast lens is advisable, however depending on species selection and general tank lighting, it is possible to get some reasonable shots with very basic equipment.
The pics below are at london aquarium, with a 450D and 18-55 IS kit lens.

For the cardinal tetra, I did use a tripod (very quickly, as its against the rules)

Farhad.

[prinspaul]

you defintly need a fast lens like a nifty!!
once I have been there too...it was in the zoo and I was using my 70-200f4 IS...I didn't know there was this aquarium anyway I went inside and had to bump my iso all the way up to 3200 (I wasn't allowed to use flash though) to get some decent shots at 1/60..I was glad I had IS..but those fishes are too damn fast;) lol..

[BravoBrad]

A few years ago I had a visit to an aquarium. It was with a new 350 with the 18-55 kit lens, and a nuwbi from the P&S sill level. From memory I took this on full auto.

For the record, I took dozens of photo's, and 90% of them were unusable.

I look forward to another visit with the 40D & 50-1.4.

[macro_shooter]

Would it be possible to use an off camera flash and not get the crazy reflections?

[ebann]

Would it be possible to use an off camera flash and not get the crazy reflections?

I think security guards will be all over you before you even realize it. I don't think the aquarium will enjoy you flashing at their fish... hmm... that didn't come out right eh?

[Coffee999]

If nothing else, don't point the flash straight on to the glass. Angle so the flash bounces off into a different direction.

[Edgar in ATL]

I have photographed at the Georgia Aquarium almost from the day it opened. Flash photography is strictly forbidden in most areas; however, it is probably almost impossible anyway to use flash without including ghostly mirror images of yourself. I have had best results using my 85mm f/1.8.

[krb]

Would it be possible to use an off camera flash and not get the crazy reflections?
If by some strange chance they actually did allow flash photography, using a rubber lens hood pressed against the glass would prevent any glare from appearing in the shot.

[40Dude6aedyk]

Flash is often used by visitors to aquariums that I go to. I guess each site has their own policy. If you touch the front ring of your lens on the glass, then there will be no reflection from your built-in flash from the glass. It's a great way to get good photos.

But often you don't even need flash. While the aquarium hall is dark, tanks are often lit well. The main trick is to get your lens to touch the glass.

[zooxanthellae]

Might also be worth taking a 100mm macro if taking pics of corals
A few of mine below and a few fish pics with the 100mm and sigma 17-70

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/morebluetip.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/greenacro.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/majestic1.jpg

with flash

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/maxoutput/tusky2.jpg

[ejlkicks]

Thank guys!

I ended up not going to the aquarium but instead I will be soon.

I just ordered my nifty fifty and a rubber lens hood.

Really appreciate all the help/feedback/suggestions/sample pics!

[hungryseacow]

Did you use a monopod with the 100mm macro?

[Jpiano]

I was thinking about borrowing my buddies 17-55 f2.8 for this. Do you think it will be fast enough?

[Persephone]

Heheheh.

The Vancouver Aquairum allowed flash photography.

I really didn't enjoy it though, since I was not being very nice. The only way to not get the flash glare was to turn my 420EX completely backwards - that is, have the flash hit everyone else to get my shot in. Nobody complained nor did security come over, but still, I really didn't feel that good about it.

[ebann]

Heheheh.

The Vancouver Aquairum allowed flash photography.

I really didn't enjoy it though, since I was not being very nice. The only way to not get the flash glare was to turn my 420EX completely backwards - that is, have the flash hit everyone else to get my shot in. Nobody complained nor did security come over, but still, I really didn't feel that good about it.

I think you would need to put your lens almost glued to the glass so that there is not enough room for flash glare.

[Jpiano]

I need help!! I was wondering if i should borrow my buddies 17-55 f2.8 for this. Do you think it will be fast enough taking pictures at the aquarium? or should i use something faster like a nifty fifty?

[kruang]

I took some shots with 17-50 f2.8. It's some what fast if there is enough light. In the dark tank area, it was no help since fish don't stay still. LOL... Nifty fifty would be a better choice.

[Jpiano]

I took some shots with 17-50 f2.8. It's some what fast if there is enough light. In the dark tank area, it was no help since fish don't stay still. LOL... Nifty fifty would be a better choice.


Thanks!!!

[DerekRob]

A few years ago I had a visit to an aquarium. It was with a new 350 with the 18-55 kit lens, and a nuwbi from the P&S sill level. From memory I took this on full auto.

For the record, I took dozens of photo's, and 90% of them were unusable.

I look forward to another visit with the 40D & 50-1.4.That is stunning shot of the jelly fish.

[JCH77Yanks]

A thrifty fifty would be prefect.

Absolutely...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Shogun613/FoundNemo.jpg