photographing marine aquarium

[etaf]

I'm off tomorrow to take some photos of a marine fish set-up

not sure of the size of the tank - but I seem to remember 6' x 4' x 3' i think it may be bigger
I know its a huge set-up and takes over half a room

he also has a full light set up that simulates, sun, moon, and all computer controlled along with tides and waves also computer controlled

he has fish and a full range of other marine life on the rocks

i have a 60D, 50mm 2.5 macro , tripod
and thats about it

i was planning

at 4ft distance - which is probably the furthest , as its in a 'snug'
i can get 2" DoF at 2.5 aperture
so if i use a higher aperture
probably F11 to get 9" of DoF
then i suspect i will need to up the ISO and here the 60D is good upto 1600 and even acceptable up to 3200

advice would be helpful

[watt100]

Originally Posted by etaf

I'm off tomorrow to take some photos of a marine fish set-up

not sure of the size of the tank - but I seem to remember 6' x 4' x 3' i think it may be bigger
I know its a huge set-up and takes over half a room

he also has a full light set up that simulates, sun, moon, and all computer controlled along with tides and waves also computer controlled

he has fish and a full range of other marine life on the rocks

i have a 60D, 50mm 2.5 macro , tripod
and thats about it

i was planning

at 4ft distance - which is probably the furthest , as its in a 'snug'
i can get 2" DoF at 2.5 aperture
so if i use a higher aperture
probably F11 to get 9" of DoF
then i suspect i will need to up the ISO and here the 60D is good upto 1600 and even acceptable up to 3200

advice would be helpful

if all you have is a 50mm 2.5 then that's it. Raise the ISO to get a good shutter speed (1/500) and shoot lots of pics. I've got good aquarium photos using the 50mm 1.8, Tamron 17-50 and 18-55IS

[jimmy_beaner]

Does he have corals? If so, there will be a lot of intense lighting that will help a lot. If it's a fish only, he likely has rather weak lights... and it'll make your pictures more difficult.

[etaf]

Does he have corals? If so, there will be a lot of intense lighting that will help a lot. If it's a fish only, he likely has rather weak lights... and it'll make your pictures more difficult.

yes, all sorts of things on the rocks, cucumbers, anemones , and the lights do get very bright

[imonkey89]

I have no advice unfortunately. I would be very interested in seeing the results!

[etaf]

I would be very interested in seeing the results!

looking forward to it

Now have found my polariser , not sure if circular or linear - but i will manual focus
and my big black velvet sheet , to help with reflections - all in the loft and not used for 8-10 years

will post here probably Tuesday

[etaf]

well , didnt have as much time as i had hoped today - spent a long while in a jam on motorway + day got away from me
dispite having polariser . black sheet , tripod - just lost time today
just hand shot with 50mm2.5

here are a few shots from today

[etaf]

and a few more

[etaf]

and here

[MTAKMAN]

Very nice shots ... and saltwater tanks are the winning ticket.