Tank photos coming out grainy

[ToXIc]

Hey R2R i'm pretty new to DSLR world, and having a problem.

my tank photos coming out grainy.. regular photos are fine the come out great but when i take any tank photos its really grainy.

 

[returnofsid]

Are you using one of the Automatic settings? If so, the camera is probably boosting your ISO. Higher ISOs will cause "graininess."

 

[ToXIc]

Sorry forgot to add that..
using a Nikon D3100.. and using the highest ISO in shutter priority mode..

 

[cparka23]

High ISO = noise. ISO is analogous to film speed on old cameras, where you'd sacrifice film sensitivity to light for picture graininess.

On a high ISO setting, the camera sensor will be very sensitive to light. This isn't really necessary with the amount of light that we typically have over our tanks.

Edit:
It sounds like you've set your shutter speed too fast for the lens. The camera generally opens/closes the aperture before it adjusts the ISO too much. If its aperture is all the way open, it'll crank up the ISO to get correct exposure. Remember, faster shutter speeds mean less light hits the sensor. Your camera is compensating as much as it can, sacrificing graininess in the process.

 

[gparr]

I've found with Nikons that the default setting seems to be autoISO, which constantly adjusts the ISO, making it extremely difficult to get quality aquarium photos. Turn that off, set the ISO to 400 and you should be in good shape. As others have stated, high ISO equals noise/grain.
Gary

 

[ToXIc]

thanks for your comments... i found the error in my ways..

i use the highest iso when talking dark antinic photos and honeslty have been using the same for day shots..

i'll use iso 400 as a starting point and see what i get..

thanks again guys..

 

[ToXIc]

hey guys examples of before and after.. i'm still kicking myself for forgetting to change the iso between day and night photos of the tank

before (he graininess)

After

 

[pickupman66]

Kevan... Bring your Camera to Barts House this weekend and ill show you some tricks to use with it. I have the same one...

One trick I have learned is to shoot in Aperature priority mode. this seems to give me teh best shots. put the camera on a tripod and put the lens right up to the glass (not toughing). also take them straight on. if it wont focus, throw that baby in MF and turn the tip of the lens till its focused.

also setting a manual white balance did alot for my colors as well.

 

[pickupman66]

Oh yea, and bring a frag of that acro in the photo and ill bring you some zoas...

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I feel ya Toxic...i have the same camera and have had lots of learning to do. One thing i havent tried but i heard helps a lot is shooting the photo in a RAW format. It will then need to be convert to jpeg on the computer but i heard it works wonders....just been busy. Tripod also is a must and major difference!! GL

 

[ToXIc]

lindsey i shoot in raw and have been told that you dont have to worry about white balance because in RAW you can change it..
but i'll bring it with me..

i was kinda lazy so didnt use the tripod..

 

[fsu1dolfan]

lindsey i shoot in raw and have been told that you dont have to worry about white balance because in RAW you can change it..
but i'll bring it with me..

i was kinda lazy so didnt use the tripod..

Busted LOL

 

[ToXIc]

:tongue: lawls..

 

[pickupman66]

Gotcha.. yea Raw no need to WB them. I gotten lazy and just started shooting in Jpeg.