Picture this: What type of camera do you use to take pictures of your reef tank?

[Steven Garland]

I feel like a potato should have been an option to vote on. Because it definitely looks like some people use one to photograph their lol.

 

[MW319]

iPhone 14 pro no filter Just before lights out.

 

[PGD123]

I use a sony a6000 with a the stock kit lens and vintage minolta macro lens.

I have the same camera - just got my tank build going... if you have time would love to know the lens u r referring to and your settings for this pic!
Thanks!

 

[gunflintcamper]

Just a tip for iPhone pro users…(might work on new non-pros also)…face the camera at the subject and flip to video and back to photo mode. The iPhone tends to do a decent job at the white balance on its own.

This is during reg blue lighting….not cropped or edited with no orange filter. iPhone 14 Pro

 

[jasonrusso]

Cell phone and a Canon 70D. I have been messing with the canon and still cannot get the white balance right.

I have a 70D also. If you aren't using a filter (I have the best luck with brown. You can also screw a yellow and orange together for brown) you can set a custom white balance. Hold a piece of white paper in the blue light and use that as the reference for the white balance.

 

[jasonrusso]

I use a Canon 70D or a 5D3 with a brown filter. One thing no one mentioned is you need VERY clean glass. These are old. I should try to take some better shots now that I know how to use the camera better.

 

[jasonrusso]

This is with my phone. OnePlus 10 Pro

 

[jsker]

I have a 70D also. If you aren't using a filter (I have the best luck with brown. You can also screw a yellow and orange together for brown) you can set a custom white balance. Hold a piece of white paper in the blue light and use that as the reference for the white balance.

Thank you very much, I will give it a try. Be ready for questions

 

[DannoOMG]

Cel phone. Doesn't mean I am happy with it though.

 

[jsker]

I have a 70D also. If you aren't using a filter (I have the best luck with brown. You can also screw a yellow and orange together for brown) you can set a custom white balance. Hold a piece of white paper in the blue light and use that as the reference for the white balance.

May I asking what setting you use on the camera, for example there is A+. P, ect.

 

[jasonrusso]

May I asking what setting you use on the camera, for example there is A+. P, ect.

I almost always leave it in Av mode. The only time I change it is if I can't get my shot because of the shutter speed being too slow.

The problem with cell phone cameras is the aperture is too small. Most are F1.8 which gives you a razor thin focal plane. If you open up the aperture you deepen the focus range.

 

[jsker]

I almost always leave it in Av mode. The only time I change it is if I can't get my shot because of the shutter speed being too slow.

The problem with cell phone cameras is the aperture is too small. Most are F1.8 which gives you a razor thin focal plane. If you open up the aperture you deepen the focus range.

I will give the advice a try tomorrow, thank you

 

[JCATL]

Various Sony alphas with native and vintage lenses and some color filters from amazon. #sonyalphacrew

 

[jsker]

My experiment with the help I received

I set the white balance using white paper, but could not ever get the camera to take the picture of only the white paper.

 

[Dave-T]

Iphone 13 Pro max and also a Wifi microscope (Amazon $20) I am happy with the quality of the optics with the microscope for what it is, but the focus on it is starting to wear out. The under $50 dollar ones are all the same until you get to ones that are over $400 and those you can't use your phone you need a laptop.

The Cilla on the back of my SeaStar (microscope)

Iphone

Iphone

Microscope

Nice pics! How do you hold the microscope still? Do you use a tripod?

 

[ALittleHoarse]

I like to use a Canon 5Dmkiii just because it's what I've owned for a while. 100mm Macro with as many extension tubes as a I can stomach. Admittedly I don't have my own reef tank at the moment but I used to work in public aquariums so I've got some fun photos from those. Here's a banded pipefish laden with eggs - a particularly difficult subject considering how much they move and the tiny depth of field this close up:

Nowadays I work in wildlife TV and we take videos using Red and Phantom cameras so get some great shots - mostly because we have the time to spend weeks getting the framing and lighting right. Can't really share a lot of the new stuff but I set up and maintained all the tanks on Apple TV's Tiny World 'Reef' episode which had some great stuff in it!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Nice pics! How do you hold the microscope still? Do you use a tripod?

Flat against the glass, hand held is the only way. If you tried to use a tripod it would be impossible to focus be cause the depth of field is so small and the focus ring smoothness is terrible.

 

[EmreCev]

Nikon D750 with an old Sigma 105mm macro. I've never been able to take good photos with a smartphone.

For more photos and info:

Some photos from my tanks

Hello guys, This is my first post in the forum, I've been keeping saltwater tanks for the last six months and by now I've found it quite a rewarding task. My other hobby is amateur photography and it goes quite well with fishkeeping:) I have two SW tanks and a total of 4 fish (2 in each tank)...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Kieran McBride]

Sony A7 IV with the Sony 90mm macro.

 

[Astronomical]

Just recently got a samsung 23 ultra..

Am I the only one who uses my sweet, orange reef viewing glasses held sideways as a camera filter?