[Reefland]

Here you go Mike.

The first one is 1/4 and f7.3.
The second one is 1/12 and f4.6.

I think the 1/4 and f7.3 looks better?

[Poseidon]

Yup! The first is definately sharper, no question. I think you are getting this down now right? Just keep playing with different settings. Once you get exposure down, then we can work on composition, white balance, depth of field, etc etc..

[zhenya]

It looks like I'm late to the party but Mike got you covered...

You made great progress there, Scott. I think bulk of your problem may have been due to the fact that you used zoom. I had similar problems with my old Nikon p&s. The last two images are pretty good on my screen but the best two shots are the ones in post#13, especially the first uncropped image. Sharp and in good focus. I think with practice you can do much better than those two shots.

[charlie]

I totally missed this last nite. It seems to me , that you were starting to get it dialed in after post 14. The pic of the M. cap. is really nice, and they seem to get better after that. Keep working on it, and stay away from the digital zoom!!!

[Reefland]

Thanks guys. I wasn't using the digital zoom, only the optical zoom (where the lens extends)...but I think I am starting to get it. I am going to take several more tonight or the corals I couldn't get a decent picture of a few nights ago and see how they come out.

[charlie]

The more you take, the better you get. I know it is frustrating sometimes, but stick with it!!!!

[Reefland]

Do you guys find the one "sweet spot" setting on your camera's for taking coral pictures and stick with it, or do you find that you have to adjust it constantly to get good pictures of different corals based on where they are placed, etc.? From my "training" last night, I am liking the lower shutter speed and higher aperture...like the 1/4 and f7.3 above.

[charlie]

Scott, if I remember correctly, back when I had sps, I was pretty much adjusting right when I started taking pics, but I left it alone after that. Alot depended on the amount of lites that were on at the time. I may be all screwed up on this, so I would wait to hear from Mike or Gene.

[Reefland]

I think I am getting the corals down, then it will be time to move on to fish and then full tank shots.

[charlie]

If it was me, I would go on to the full tank shots first, at least the tank stands still. Unless you got a mean old clown like Gene has, the fish just don't seem to stay put!!!
My Naso is pretty photogenic, but the rest of the lot are a bunch of turds!!!

[Reefland]

Well we only have the 1 fish right now and it is a Flamehawk so he shouldn't be too hard to get a picture of.

[charlie]

They do tend to "perch" a little, don't they? Good luck, and keep the recycle bin full, I do.

[Poseidon]

Scott, the settings you used last night for corals, well they wont work at all for fish. Set your camera at 7.3, take the camera off the tripod, and take a picture of your Flame hawk. Post the results- No matter what it looks like.

[Reefland]

Your right Mike, the fish didn't turn out so well. The flamehawk picture is 1.4 and f7.3.

Although, the coral pictures are still turning out great at those settings.

[Reefland]

Another question. I found a setting on the camera for "noise reduction". This was set to off, but I turned it on thinking it would help. The Hydno picture is one of the ones with the NR on...and that one I think is an awesome picture. Should I leave this on?

[charlie]

Mike, you created a monster.

I agree Scott, that hydno is excellent.

[Reefland]

I also realize that part of the problem with getting really close shots of our frags right now is that they are very small. Once they get to be 3-4" small colonies I imagine it is much easier.

[charlie]

Ah yes, but then you will be moving them to different places in the tank. I found that there were some corals that I could not even get close to with the lenses I had at the time. Then Mike made me buy that 200mm zoom lens ........................ ah, but I digress.
Do you have a way to take top down shots Scott?

[Poseidon]

Hey Scott, those are pretty darn good!

That fish pic is actually much better then I thought it would be, the hawk stayed still.... Try that with a tang!

Fish pics are a whole different ballgame Scott, and to get good results you will need to crank up the ISO or use flash. What is the highest ISO setting for your camera?

[zhenya]

Scott, try using either flash or shutter priority when taking pictures of fish. Set shutter to something like 1/125 and ISO to 100 and go from there. For me, I like to use flash when taking pictures of fish, however in yur case the built-in flash is more problem than help, I hate those things with the passion. They create more shadows than you can shake a stick at...
Regardless though, give it a try and see if it helps freeze the motion of the fish. Those hawks usually pretty still when they perched on something.