Reefer_Madness April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 So, I am not a camera guy or a person that wants to spend a bunch on camera with an acronym in front. But I am mad enough at my photos that I need to do my due diligence and see what it would cost to do my corals justice. They are very photogenic, but my iphone pics suck for the most part. Does anyone out there have suggestions for a camera that will take cool pics, but not cost a ton of money? I'm looking for personal experience. Suggestions on everything I would need to take good pics would be much appreciated, I.E. filters, and such. I have no idea about cameras, so feel free to explain like you are talking to a 5 year old. FYI - I have tried the theater filter method with the gels. Didn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness April 29, 2016 Author Share April 29, 2016 Below are a couple of my 'amazing' pics. They suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 FYI - I have tried the theater filter method with the gels. Didn't work. Bummer that didn't work. I thought that Sam (L8 2 Rise) used the gels (kind of an orange color as I recall) with decent results. I've never tried it myself though. Have you got samples of your gel pictures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness April 29, 2016 Author Share April 29, 2016 Bummer that didn't work. I thought that Sam (L8 2 Rise) used the gels (kind of an orange color as I recall) with decent results. I've never tried it myself though. Have you got samples of your gel pictures? I got the assortment pack that had 100s of colors. To be honest I only messed around with them for one evening. Maybe I should look up Sam's thread. I was going of another thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 I couldn't fine the thread I mentioned above, but found this on RC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 And this. Which led me to this. In the second link, MikeC names four different filters that he recommended trying: L622, L624, L626 andL628 from https://www.pnta.com/lighting/gels/. The "L" seems to correspond to products from Lee filters. I just found them on this page: http://www.pnta.com/lighting/gels/lee/?sort=featured&page=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flooddc April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 Try to use one of those light orange film filter and put over the phone camera? I also found that you can take phone pics without filter by turn down the blue light and powerheads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 I used the orange ones with success. I messed around with it back in my thread Two tanks, One room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 U can always buy a cheap DSLR on Craigslist and rent the high dollar 105mm macro on lumoid.com It's only about $10/day to rent. Worth every penny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Puckstable April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 The best advise I was giving was the keep the camera perpendicular to the glass. Also tuning off all water movement helps. Do you have a look down box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucelli April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 I was going to say perpendicular to the glass as probably one of the top three. If you're off even a little, the pictures will be blurry. You won't be able to tell until you open it and view it at full resolution. I'm afraid there's no getting around having a good DSLR. The sensor size and quality makes all the difference. The point and shoots usually don't have a big enough sensor. To be honest, I bought my DSLR just to shoot tank pics. I haven't used it since the last tank pic. For gatherings, everyday moments, the cell phone has pretty much taken over those tasks. Really though, those pics are pretty good for phone pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thakki April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 The orange filters worked out good for me...its hard to get the pictures under blues though..which really pops out the color. Anyway, I suggest you try under lighter blue color with an orange filter. See if that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucelli April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 (edited) the problem with using filters is that you are reducing the total amount of light hitting the sensor, which means you will have to use a wider aperture. A wider aperture results in less clarity and you may also need to decrease the shutter speed, which also makes it harder to get sharp pictures. You could probably find a used Nikon D90 for around $300. Add a fast (f1.8) manual 50mm prime lens ($50 used) and I think you will be much happier with the results. oh and use post processing to remove the excessive blue and you're golden! Edited April 29, 2016 by chucelli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime April 29, 2016 Share April 29, 2016 +1 on removing excessive blue. When I had my evergrows, I turned whites up 99%, 1% blue. Read past the particular post I linked above and you'll find great technique and camera/lens info from knowledgable users. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness April 30, 2016 Author Share April 30, 2016 I'm going to try using all the good advice you guys posted when my lights come on today. If I can get good pics from my gels that would be great. Sounds like my technique needed some refining. The only advice I can't use is turning my blues down. I have MH/T5 so the best I can do is turn T5s off and only use the Radiums. They are still blue heavy. I'll post a couple pics today if I have luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness April 30, 2016 Author Share April 30, 2016 the problem with using filters is that you are reducing the total amount of light hitting the sensor, which means you will have to use a wider aperture. A wider aperture results in less clarity and you may also need to decrease the shutter speed, which also makes it harder to get sharp pictures. You could probably find a used Nikon D90 for around $300. Add a fast (f1.8) manual 50mm prime lens ($50 used) and I think you will be much happier with the results. oh and use post processing to remove the excessive blue and you're golden! Thanks for the camera info. Very insightful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness April 30, 2016 Author Share April 30, 2016 Do you have a look down box?Nope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yauger April 30, 2016 Share April 30, 2016 Get rid of the iPhone. I switched to a Samsung S7 edge and the pictures are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals May 1, 2016 Share May 1, 2016 I agree, Samsung takes pictures so nice you won't need a dslr Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraffitiSpotCorals May 1, 2016 Share May 1, 2016 Unedited, just threw the camera in a dirty viewer. Not much to it. Turn down the blues with LEDs and no problems. I do love taking some nice macros with a DSLR though. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greengalaxy May 2, 2016 Share May 2, 2016 Get rid of the iPhone. I switched to a Samsung S7 edge and the pictures are awesome. I agree, Samsung takes pictures so nice you won't need a dslr Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk I agree, Samsung takes pictures so nice you won't need a dslr Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk These guys know whats up Androids for life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness May 2, 2016 Author Share May 2, 2016 Ok I experimented a little more with the gels. With all lights on. Radiums, Actinic, Blue+, and AquaBlue+. I tried a couple different orange colors. I decided the gels CAN make iPhone pics better for sure. I just need to fine tune it. There are about 10 other shades of orange to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer_Madness May 2, 2016 Author Share May 2, 2016 These guys know whats up Androids for life Knowing Josh I would assume they have photoshop in the android App Store. . THATS why his colors look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yauger May 2, 2016 Share May 2, 2016 Haha nah I'm too lazy for that bruh!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greengalaxy May 2, 2016 Share May 2, 2016 Knowing Josh I would assume they have photoshop in the android App Store. . THATS why his colors look good. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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