Lens for shooting fish and corals in marine aquarium ??

[dave1dave]

January 21, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Hi Folks,

New to the site, actually 1st post. Came straight here as I’m really intrested in Macro photography.
Got a camera for Christmas EOS 1000D with 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm lens.

Now thing is I want to take shots of aquarium I have and I’m looking for a macro that would be suitable.
I was thinking of a Canon EF-S 60mm F2.8 USM Macro if I can get one 2nd hand as I don’t think I can afford a new one at the mo.

Am I on the right track with this lens or should I be looking at somthing else.

Thanks for looking,

Dave.

[JMac-2006]

January 21, 2009 at 8:32 pm

Dave

I wouldnt have thought you’d need a macro lens, check the closest focusing distance on your lens I reckon you should be able to get close to the glass to get a big enough image
if your camera has a macro setting might help aswell. try it out with the lens you have before spending any money.

I have an 18-55 lens and just gave it a go – you can get quite close here’s one of mine – i’d say if you set up properly you could get some great pics

[JMac-2006]

January 21, 2009 at 8:34 pm

Dave

thought i’d share this – a link to lighting set up for aquarium fish

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/11/on-assignment-zebra-fish-and-zygotes.html

[Piotr M]

January 21, 2009 at 10:07 pm

I’d try first the 18-55, then you can see, what you need. Canon 60/2.8 is a nice macro, but it gives 1:1 macro at a very short distance (circa 6cm). Sometimes it is too close. So it may be a bad choice. I’ve bought recently sigma 105/2.8 for 250 sterlings in Belfast. Nice lens. In the past i tried diopters, reverse mount and extension rings, but macro lens is the best.
I have some experience now, and in my opinion try first 18-55, because it focuses very close. You should learn how to operate with light and to be patient.
You may need a tripod too.

[dave1dave]

January 22, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Thanks for replies,
Heres a few pics I took but I don’t seem to be able to get the level of sharpness or detail I want any ideas??
Thanks for looking.

[/img]

[eshortie]

January 25, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Davve, what shuter speeds are you getting? If they are low that may be the reason for lack of sharpness.
Try upping the ISO or using a tripod maybe?

Would be handy if you posted the settings used.

[fishjam45]

January 28, 2009 at 8:36 pm

Wow – I just posted a question in the Q+A section asking about hints on shooting aquariums . . .

hope to post a few over the next few days . . .