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tazdevil

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I have a Nikon coolpix 5700- 8*optical zoom, 2*digital zoom. Looking for any suggestions on how to film fish/shrimp with it the best.
 

mkirda

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tazdevil":2ggk4t44 said:
I have a Nikon coolpix 5700- 8*optical zoom, 2*digital zoom. Looking for any suggestions on how to film fish/shrimp with it the best.

The best?

With no expenses barred, I'd vote for two large strobes with modelling lights mounted on the ceiling, pointed directly down into the tank. Additionally, I'd have soft boxes mounted on them large enough to cover the surface of the tank.

Given the size of this, I'd recommend some sort of remote triggering device rather than having a cord. You may need a flash meter as well, plus the housing for it so you can change the flash output if needed for the top third of the tank vs. the middle vs. the bottom third.

Figure this running between $3-5000.

When you are done, you can have a second career shooting weddings or school portraits. :wink:

Regards.
Mike Kirda
P.S. Buy one of the Nikon digital camera flashes, an off-camera sync cord and a decent tripod. Try mounting the flash on a tripod above the tank, firing down. Shoot with the Nikon as a smaller f-stop and see what your results are. That would be the first thing I'd try in your shoes.
 

tazdevil

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Well, my pic in the March contest was the standard flash, f 1/1600, 8*opt, no dig zoom, and (hold your breath) no tripod! just wondering if theirs more I can do to get better shots, tripod I understand, when you say Nikon flash, you mean adding a more powerful one to the top mount on the camera I take it?
 
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Anonymous

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On-camera flashes are typically almost useless. They tend to wash out the colors (not just of fish) and either overflash or underflash.
 
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Anonymous

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That's the one thing I really hate about my C740, and if I could have afforded it would have gone with the C750 (has a hotshoe).

I have since learned that I can help the washed out look doing a few things, using a bit of cardstock among them, and am looking into a digital slave flash unit. Seems Vivitar may make one that's good for me. Problem is, I don't know how to use THAT without the on-camera flash, and I don't know if covering up the on-camera flash will disable the slave.

Right now getting a polarizing filter and telephoto lens are more important.
 
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Anonymous

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seamaiden":2t20ds6g said:
That's the one thing I really hate about my C740, and if I could have afforded it would have gone with the C750 (has a hotshoe).

I have since learned that I can help the washed out look doing a few things, using a bit of cardstock among them, and am looking into a digital slave flash unit. Seems Vivitar may make one that's good for me. Problem is, I don't know how to use THAT without the on-camera flash, and I don't know if covering up the on-camera flash will disable the slave.

Right now getting a polarizing filter and telephoto lens are more important.

To use a slave, you could always put some white tape (medical tape) over part or all of the onboard flash. That way it'll send out enough light to trigger the slave(s), but won't add a significant amount of light to the scene.
 

azcaddman

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one method, that I read in the ebook "Mastering Nikon Compact Digital Cameras" by Peter Inova (sony version is also avail) loactated http://www.digitalsecrets.net/ is to cover the built in flash with a piece of unexposed, but devloped (ie the leader section) piece of film, this blocks all but the IR light from the flash, and IR is all thats needed to trip the slave flashe(s), so the built in flash will still trigger the slaves, without adding any visible light itself
 

TomViolence

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Be very patient, and take your time. Your best shots are when you least expect it. I will start posting some pics here soon of some faster fish, ie tangs, triggers, and my puffer.
Scott


ps
take some shots after you feed your fish, I have noticed that I get my best shots when they are full and kinda tired out from eating, and with the shrimp, for me they tend to come out at night, so I have some killer pics from the night watching.
 

tazdevil

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Thanks Scott, and BTW


rdo_welcome.gif
 

TomViolence

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Sharkky":nis1wrsy said:
On-camera flashes are typically almost useless. They tend to wash out the colors (not just of fish) and either overflash or underflash.


agree, and they are only good for about 3-6' after that they are useless.
 
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Anonymous

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TomViolence":2s14qj5y said:
Sharkky":2s14qj5y said:
On-camera flashes are typically almost useless. They tend to wash out the colors (not just of fish) and either overflash or underflash.


agree, and they are only good for about 3-6' after that they are useless.

Yup, my Canon speedlite 550EX will flash out to about 40' in near total darkness. I love it! :-D
 

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