Just Bought A Nikon D3100!!!! Reef Photography

[Djtonton]

So I finally made the jump. Went from a decent Sony TX1 to a Nikon D3100! Just got the camera about 30 minutes ago and have a couple test shots!!! I know the next thing ill need to get is a nice macro lens but that's gonna be awhile seeing they are nice and expensive :tongue:

If anyone has any advice please feel free to give it :xd: While the battery is charging I'm gonna check out: Junior's Aquatic Photography How-To (The Basics)

Here are my test shots:

Nice Reflection Shot:

Shrimp hidden under the rock:

it also came with another lens for shooting far distances here was a shot i took with it from across the room lol

 

[Mike J.]

Very nice. I'm a little jealous as I sure could use a good camera. It's almost a necessity if you want to show off your reef. Those fish pictures you took are proof. With my camera they never stop and pose. (Except my Powder Blue, he's a camera hog and has to get in every picture.) I guess now you won't have an excuse not to post pictures.

 

[turok]

if you are only going to use it as macro, you don't need the autofocus. You will be manually focusing with f-stops and apertures settings.
I use 'A' aperture setting f18 and let the camera figure the speed.
Read the sticky post here for setup.
I bought a used Tokina 100mm macro off CL for 225. The Nikon ones are at least double that. Remember, lenses last longer than bodies. You might have that lense for a long time.
Don't forget to set the white color balance, but you image looks pretty good.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Awesome! Great pics!

 

[Djtonton]

if you are only going to use it as macro, you don't need the autofocus. You will be manually focusing with f-stops and apertures settings.
I use 'A' aperture setting f18 and let the camera figure the speed.
Read the sticky post here for setup.
I bought a used Tokina 100mm macro off CL for 225. The Nikon ones are at least double that. Remember, lenses last longer than bodies. You might have that lense for a long time.
Don't forget to set the white color balance, but you image looks pretty good.

Thanks!! yeah i just had it set on auto since i really dont know where everything is at on this camera. I ll change it to manual and try changing some of those settings.

 

[revsgirl]

Very nice! Congrats!


Chasing the Dream Giver, not the dream! Tonya

 

[Djtonton]

So i changed the lens to manual and i couldnt get the thing focused at all i cant figure out what im doing wrong.

With it auto focused and a little help from adobe lightroom heres some new pics

Full tank shot:

a couple outdoor shots:

 

[Djtonton]

Round 2 of pics started shotting in RAW mode and downloaded the Trial of Adobe LightRoom

 

[Zoas]

Nice looking pictures

 

[Djtonton]

Nice looking pictures

thanks i need to get a better sump to get these particles and bubbles outta the tank!

 

[Djtonton]

More pictures can be found on page 2 of my build:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/115155-my-120-gal-reef.html

 

[Xingu]

thanks i need to get a better sump to get these particles and bubbles outta the tank!

Take photos when you have the pumps off for feeding (before you add the food) it will help with the bubbles and particles.

 

[Djtonton]

Take photos when you have the pumps off for feeding (before you add the food) it will help with the bubbles and particles.

I just started doing that. I think today im going to get a real sump which should stop a ton of the particles in the water.

 

[Djtonton]

Here are some outdoor pics:

 

[jasonrodreef]

Tripod is your friend...Ya i know who wants that in front of tank but steady the camera hit the timer button and shoot. I will use anything to keep still also with a tripod you will be able to use the HDR on the camera more effectively. HDR on corals looks amazing. A set of macro filters are a cheap way to get closer,,i use them over my macro lens.
One tip i can give you for a new camera...Set it up on one coral in your tank. Tank one picture per setting on the camera A,P,S,A,M. From there you can get into the setting you like the most and adjust the camera to improve your pictures...They all look good but taking tons and tons of pictures will be good to learn.
When i got my newest dslr i was blown away how good pictures look. But looking at the pictures i take now with the same camera are twice as good. I look in old folders like eeh those where not that great.

 

[Djtonton]

Tripod is your friend...Ya i know who wants that in front of tank but steady the camera hit the timer button and shoot. I will use anything to keep still also with a tripod you will be able to use the HDR on the camera more effectively. HDR on corals looks amazing. A set of macro filters are a cheap way to get closer,,i use them over my macro lens.
One tip i can give you for a new camera...Set it up on one coral in your tank. Tank one picture per setting on the camera A,P,S,A,M. From there you can get into the setting you like the most and adjust the camera to improve your pictures...They all look good but taking tons and tons of pictures will be good to learn.
When i got my newest dslr i was blown away how good pictures look. But looking at the pictures i take now with the same camera are twice as good. I look in old folders like eeh those where not that great.

yeah im working on getting a tripod now i think that will def help thanks for the tips!!

 

[jasonrodreef]

For a couple bucks "$50" i think a month you can have ALL the adobe programs online.
Photoshop is the next part of the camera. The people who hate photoshop do not own dslr cameras you need this to take pictures up a notch or two. NO you do not have to alter picture to death but clean it up adjust tones what ever.
If i took one of these flower pictures on CS6 clicked auto tone, auto contrast.DONE. Your D3100 looks like it shot D4 pictures.

 

[jasonrodreef]

I borrowed your picture....to show how two clicks and a small adjustment can take a D3100 to the next level.
Sure its fun taking pictures but its work as well..work smart not hard you do not need a $6,000 Nikon to take Priceless pictures.
Hope this helps so you can turn your corals or fish pictures in to screen savers people will never believe your that good with a camera.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Awesome pictures. Keep them coming.

 

[Djtonton]

Awesome pictures. Keep them coming.

Thanks alot I love this camera cant stop taking pictures!!

Man i love your tank im trying to build up my zoa collection. Going to be adding (2) 250w MH bulbs to the tank to try to increase growth and color.

If you ever create a frag pack let me know !!!