Matt's NADA Atlanta 2012 log

[LizStreithorst]

I don't know because I'm stupid with photography, but I think the main thin is flash from above rather than the flash on the camera. It's expensive. I'd like to know what lens would work best for my Nikkon. I have an 18 to 200 hunderd and a 50mm 1:1.8D.

[nc0gnet0]

I don't know because I'm stupid with photography, but I think the main thin is flash from above rather than the flash on the camera. It's expensive. I'd like to know what lens would work best for my Nikkon. I have an 18 to 200 hunderd and a 50mm 1:1.8D.

As long as we are asking, I would like to know what lense to get for my Olympus E-410 too?

Rick

[Chad Adams]

A big "Thank You" again from the club Matt. You far exceeded our expectations and was awesome to see such dedication.
You're the best & because of people like you this truly was the best discus show ever in North America!

Chad

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks again all, I used a 24-105mm lens for these pictures on a Canon 5D Mk II camera body. No macro lens, though I do have one. The shots of the whole room were done with a 14mm wide angle. And yes, flash above. IMO for aquarium photography more light is more important then a fast lens.

[Skip]

Thanks again all, I used a 24-105mm lens for these pictures on a Canon 5D Mk II camera body. No macro lens, though I do have one. The shots of the whole room were done with a 14mm wide angle. And yes, flash above. IMO for aquarium photography more light is more important then a fast lens.

WTH!!!>. that camera cost like one or two BEST IN SHOW FISH!!

[magewynd]

How about some tips on buying flash equipment specifically for this use.
Thanks

Thanks again all, I used a 24-105mm lens for these pictures on a Canon 5D Mk II camera body. No macro lens, though I do have one. The shots of the whole room were done with a 14mm wide angle. And yes, flash above. IMO for aquarium photography more light is more important then a fast lens.

[wdeleon01]

Hey Matt , great pics, do you recall whose fish is picture #6, in post #153 (the second red Discus). Also what strain is that, looks like a Red Valentine.

Crockett

It looks like the first one is the Royal Ruby Red from angelfishusa and the second red Discus is the red valentine also from AngelfishUSA.

http://www.angelfishusa.net/shopcont...ay-tt-shipment

[angelfishusa]

It looks like the first one is the Royal Ruby Red from angelfishusa and the second one red Discus is the red valentine also from AngelfishUSA.

http://www.angelfishusa.net/shopcont...ay-tt-shipment

Okay, I'm impressed. that's right.

[wdeleon01]

Okay, I'm impressed. that's right.

I told you I liked the discus you brought in but specially the reds and the galaxies.

[yusufm52]

Wow the pics are amazing..

Yusufm52
sent from tapatalk2

[buddha1200]

Great,Great pictures your skills with the camera are top notch.

[Poco]

Thanks again all, I used a 24-105mm lens for these pictures on a Canon 5D Mk II camera body. No macro lens, though I do have one. The shots of the whole room were done with a 14mm wide angle. And yes, flash above. IMO for aquarium photography more light is more important then a fast lens.

Thanks Matt. Mk II is going to cost me a leg and arm . I have a 40D will try my luck with it.

Did you use a tripod?

[Discus-n00b]

Thanks all, hey the Mk II will come down a little in price....the Mk III just came out!

Being critical of my own photos, I had to twist my own arm a bit. Seeing edges of the next tank an the rims of the tank and stuff bother me LOL, but hey...just trying to show off the fish. Its really a different animal in the showtanks. This was the first show I've EVER shot. Took some pics at ACA in Atlanta a few years ago....with a point and shoot. This time knowing I was doing it seriously I contacted Mo Delvin (Aquamojo), some might know him he is one of the best, and picked his brain. He gave me some good tips and I think they turned out pretty good for the conditions. Lots of ambient sunlight in the daytime, showtanks, stress, etc. I really really really like the 20 Extra Highs for photography tanks, it actually made a world of difference in some of the tanks. With the height, it really gives the flash time to get down to the bottom and cast a nice soft light over everything instead of on a normal 20 where the flash is bearing down and really puts some hard shadows and light on the fish. The tall tanks also calmed the fish a lot more. Putting a flash above the tank made some in the normal 20s nervous as they could easily see something above them. The taller tanks the fish didn't care one bit.

Honestly I would say the Body of the camera is about 10% of the equation. 70% is lighting, and 20% is lens. I've seen lighting setups as simple as a single flash and a styro cooler to reflect it above the tank. Those of you there saw I was shooting with a round diffuser on my flash. You need something to diffuse the light. You can buy a commercially made one like I did or use something like rain gutter or a styro cooler. Point the flash up into the cooler or gutter material and the light will reflect down into the tank and not be as harsh. It will also spread the light out a little more instead of a beam of light. I opted to go the wireless route. I have a two Canon speedlite flashes, diffusers for each, and then a wireless controller for the hotshoe of my camera (its infrared). You just want a flash that can be used as a slave flash, wired or wireless is up to you. If you use it at home and have the camera on a tripod and the flash setup just sitting there wires would be fine (wires going from the camera to the flashes by the way). If you need something that moves, you might look more at a wireless setup like I have. Not sure what to recommend Nikon wise but for Canon its the St-e2 I use. I'll show you a couple pictures later tonight to show a flash setup above the tank.

I did not use a tripod with these photos Poco.

[John_Nicholson]

Matt I think we need to change your name from Discus-nOOb to Photo-King.

-john

[roclement]

Matt I think we need to change your name from Discus-nOOb to Photo-King.

-john

How about..."Most Patient Guy Around"!

Rodrigo