Reef Alchemist

when is the next meetin...maybe...just MAYBE... we could plan one intense delivery.

Just make a post if you decide to.

If you ever make it up to the portland area I will take 2 frags...but at 4.20 a gallon the drive is a tad expensive for the frags. So let me know if you decide to make a trip up here or if you just come up here for any reason, just PM me.

There was a huge thing on HDT the other day that talked about all of this...It was very interesting and mind opening...

I really like a tiger tail to keep the sand clean...they do a great job!!!!

You have a PM

It is all looking really good!!!!!! Your photos are looking great. I have photoshop cs3, but I also purchased corel paintshop pro x2 for like 49 bucks on ebay (nothing illegal and full version and most of the functions of photoshop that the average person will use.

Andy, did a very good job covering everything...The most I can emphasize, is just go shoot and pay attention to what your settings are so you know the outcome of the picture...I would also go through each thing, shutter speed, aperture, iso...only adjust one and see the differences and then start mixing them up together to get a feel a for what you will get as an outcome of a photo...

You have a PM

The kit lens DOES take 52mm filters, though I agree that using UV filters as protection is a bad idea -- why buy a decent quality lens only to screw a cheap UV filter onto the end of it? Besides, a serious knock to the end of the lens is going to punch through that cheap filter like it isn't there and put a hurt on the front element anyways. The best protection is putting the lens cap back on as soon as you finish shooting.

 

Thom Hogan's eBooks are worth every penny. I bought the version for my camera and really got a lot out of it. The D40 version is here: http://www.bythom.com/d40guide.htm

 

The IR remote is always out of stock. I've been trying off and on for years to buy one. Every time I think to check, it's out of stock (laugh) For slow shutter speed shots I just use the self-timer... though a remote would be nice.

I apologize for my wrong answer in saying that the kit lenses will not take a filter. But I am totally with you Andy, no need for a filter.

I am not sure why you have had such trouble getting the remote, ebay might be a place to try, call I can say is that the remote is one of my best investments, not just for the tank, but night shots and big ND filter shots that require a slow shutter speed. Like you said Andy, the self time works, just kind of a pain, but it does work just as well :-)

I have a decent tripod already.

 

Wired or wireless release?

 

Apparently the package does not come with a bag, so I will need to get one of those also.

 

What about something to protect the lens? Something similar to a case for an ipod or a filter that is simply screwed on for protective perposes.

I have a killer Tamrac Express 7 Camera Bag model 3537 http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm, I got it brand new for 45 shipped. Perfect for what you have and walking around.

Some people get UV filters for their lenses, I do not...I do not think you can get one for the kits lenses, cause they do not allow screwing of filters on the front of them. you should be ok, just be careful. if you are really worried about the camera and lens you can get nikon armor, but just be careful and you should be ok.

Get the nikon wireless remote, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207373-USA/Nikon_4730_ML_L3_Remote_Control_Transmitter.html

Also I would suggest getting a flash, amazing investment, I would either get the sb-400, good for most family shots and what not, if the budget allows get the sb-600, not quite as powerful as the sb-800, but the read out screen is way better then the sb-800. I am telling you a good flash is worth its weight in gold!!! If you do get a flash you will want a diffuser to go with it, they are cheap (clap)

All terrific information, thanks so much.

 

The camera is ordered and could be up to a couple weeks in transit. Ill post when I get it if I am not exhausted from taking photos. (scary)

The one thing I would do is read the manual front to back to understand all the little features it has.

I have seen this before, it would be so cool to stay here!!!!!!!

Macro photography is, by definition, when the image captured on the film plane (sensor in digital cameras) has a 1:1 or better size ratio to the actual item photographed -- this requires a special lens that can focus on objects very close to the camera. The Nikon branded lenses are their Micro-Nikkors. They're pretty expensive, relatively speaking (starting at around $800 and increasing rapidly); some third party macro lenses are actually quite nice (Tamrons, some Sigmas) and are much more affordable. The Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens is only $400 and is a sweet lens.

 

However, you don't *have* to have a macro capable lens to get decent tank, coral and fish shots. Most of the shots I post up are shot with my Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5.

 

Here's a couple of examples...

 

Shot with macro gear:

 

 

Shot with "normal" gear:

 

 

 

While the 'normal' shots are pretty nice and tight, you can see the magnification that the macro lens provides. FWIW, I don't own a macro lens yet (I'm lucky, I can borrow one from work when I get the urge).

 

I really don't shoot off a tripod much anymore. I use a wireless speedlight positioned to fire up into my metal halide reflectors. This gives me a lot more flexibility wrt shutter speed and aperture, and not having to deal with the tripod is really nice. Flash photography is one place that Nikon really shines -- the higher-end cameras act as masters, allowing remote wireless control and triggering of Nikon CLS speedlights (the lack of this ability is, imo, the biggest trade-off you'd be making going with one of the lower-end Nikon bodies. I can't imagine not being able to do this...). I just turn on the speedlight, put it into slave mode and prop it up in my hood... the camera does the rest.

Good and accurate info...

The flash off the reflector is a very interesting idea I may have to look into.

Do you have pics of the gen x pumps?

I have a decent tri-pod and I will have to look into the wireless remote.

 

Oregon Camera...never heard of it. I suppose I will have to check it out.

 

With my current camera, I have played around a lot with different settings... specifically f-stop and shutter speed. I plan to dabble and give the advanced features a try and will hopefully become more proficient.

 

With the lenses listed in the link, will I be able to get some decent macro shots?

You will need to get manual focusing down, but you will not be able to get the super macro shots that you see on boards sometimes. However you should get some shots you are happy with. It will take some time to figure it out. If all else fails you will need to get a micro (what nikon calls macro) lens.

Ya, I cannot beat the price, however, my wife can beat me for buying a 600 dollar camera(will take advise on how to convince wife too .

 

I think the D40 with the two VR lenses that auto focus, unlike older lenses with the D40, will be perfect for me. I am a novice photographer and I will not be using/needing most of the advanced features that a professional photographer would use. It's all just a matter of time now.

I would try to sell her on the fact that the family pictures will be amazing and they truly will...

Yeah, you for sure need the AF-S nikon lenses. You may not use the advanced features yet, but you should play with them. Even if you never use them, your pics will be way better then a P&S. Also I would highly recommend getting a decent tri-pod (most on ebay will be just fine for your needs) and the wireless remote for taking shots of the tank.

Can not wait to see pics.

Here is the deal that inspired me. I figure I cannot really beat the price....ebay is not even close as far as I can tell.

 

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11243346&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=〈=en-US&s=1

Yeah, no one can touch costco's prices...I think you will be very happy with the camera. What Andy said about bigger sensors is very true, however I think you will get the results you are looking for with that camera. The 300 bucks you are saving can go towards a good tri-pod and the nikkor micro lens to get some amazing shots of the tank...Can not wait to see pics!!!!(clap)(clap)

Ok, but that's not what you said in your previous post. You said that larger sensors allow camera manufacturers to claim more megapixels and the difference wouldn't be noticeable unless a picture is printed at 11"x14" Neither of those things are true -- quite the opposite. When shooting macro under challenging lighting conditions, a larger sensor pays off in spades... delivering a better exposed, sharper, and more detailed image with less noise. All of which allows much tighter cropping, which is very desirable in aquarium photography.

 

Whether the cost of the larger sensor is worth it is a decision for the buyer.

Sounds good...

set up a 20 for fish only its 1 watt per gallon. from what i read thats enough for fish. i know it sounds low compared to my reef which is almost 5 per gallon. i know sun corals dont need light. is there anything else that could survive and do ok? i might ad another 20 watts. just wondering if anyone knows of anything

Please do not get caught up in the watts per gallon thing, it is about the intensity of light. I completely understand where you are coming from, but 150 watts of PC compared to 150 watts of halide is completely different.

As for your question, there are alot of corals you can keep...you have been provided with some great links above.

Larger sensors aren't just about greater megapixel ratings. Larger sensors (particularly those used in a DSLR) lead to sharper images' date=' higher sensitivity and less noise[/quote']

 

I understand this and do not disagree with you at all, however the mega pixel has become an marketing game for companies, the average person is not going to use the advantage of the more mega pixels and more money spent. A person, that is just wanting to print simple 4x6 photos of the family and post pics on the internet, can do with out the extra 4 mil. mega pixels and a smaller crop sensor. However if someone is wanting to produce professional type prints, then the obvious choice is the full frame sensor.

 

I was simply stating that the OP would probably not notice a 300 dollar difference in their pictures, if they went with the d40 instead of the d40x or d60. That 300 bucks would be better spent on a better piece of glass and a better flash. (clap)(clap)

If you think you will be perfectly content on sticking with an amature DSLR, then the d40 is probably the best option out there, the d40x and the d60 are the d40 with a bigger sensor for advertisers being able to claim more megapixels, but you will not see the difference unless you are printing about 11"x14" prints (google "do megapixles matter and you can read up on what I am talking about), which my guess is not what you will be doing.

The savings you get from going with the d40 you can put towards a good flash and a better lens, the flash will make a world of difference shooting family indoors as well as outdoors as a fill flash. Also the d40 has more room due to the lower space used for the smaller sensor offers a better flash synch speed. I mentioned getting a better lens, one I would recommend is the nikon 18-200mm walk around lens, this lens will let you get almost every type of shot you will need, but it does not have the tact sharpness that other lenses will have, but again if you are taking photos for viewing on computers or standard 4x6 prints you'll never see the difference and either will anyone looking at your photos.

This is very cool, are you planning to make a stable business out of this or is this just a hobby thing and if you make some money, then cool?

This game continues to amaze me. They did such a good job on it!

I would hope so, they spend 100 million to produce it...they have made 400 million gross on it world wide...It is a great game.