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Which camera?
- Thread starter Kwyet
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Well, that's like asking "which car is the best one to purchase" (in the US)! There are different answers to that question. The world of photography is a massive sprawling hobby/industry.
Learning the basics will be far more important than high-end gear (I worked in photo/video for 8 years as a passion project and eventually main source of income!).
What is your budget?
Learning the basics will be far more important than high-end gear (I worked in photo/video for 8 years as a passion project and eventually main source of income!).
What is your budget?
- Thread starter
- #3
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Thanks for the reply! I want something that will give satisfactory photos should I decide to participate in contests, but it doesn’t need to be the Rolls Royce of cameras, just the basic level that will get the job done. The budget would be determined by that, so I don’t want to say $500 or $1500 or something specific. I want to know what people are using and make a budget from that.
I know this is a very general, subjective question. But i have seen that the Sony Alpha series is very popular amongst professional contestants.
@Burr740 takes those amazing photos with his phone. He has described it somewhere. I don't see how it gets everything so crisp and clear.
- Thread starter
- #6
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Really? Wow!
This is what he messaged me sometime back. I know I have seen him describe it in forums in the past too. I saved it because my tank pics are so awful.
"Seriously Im a photo noob. I use a Galaxy phone in pro mode. ISO 150-200, white balance on fluorescent or auto, exposure usually in the -1.5 - -2 range. Everything else left auto
I dont even know if those are optimum settings, its just what I've arrived at that seems to look best. Also it helps to take darker pics than you want, and adjust the brightness after the fact."
- Thread starter
- #8
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Okay, thanks for that. Mine is an iPhone. It seems like the settings I need to make things look right change every time I use it. Maybe I should borrow my daughter’s phone, lol!
Not to hijack this into an iPhone vs Samsung thread, but I think the iPhone has a much better camera. So I'd like to think you could get something out of it. My Samsung wants to do all this crazy post processing crap and now it has AI that I can't turn off. It's a nightmare. I will say though that I can get lots of different settings that I don't think come on the iPhone, but I'd rather have a picture that actually looks like what I was taking the pic of.
I'd switch to iPhone, but I've had Android so long. There are certain apps that I rely on daily and I can't find substitute methods on the iPhone. It goes back and forth over the years. They trade places with who has what.
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My Pixel 9 pro takes great photos but I wanted to start posting video on youtube just for the fun of it and didn't think my Pixel would cut it. I was looking at the Sony Alpha and Canon R50 for good all-around photos and video but then came across a great deal on a new (store going out of business) deal on a Canon R8. It's more advanced than any camera I've used before so I'm still learning. My biggest issue though, is I'm struggling to understand what the best camera settings are, that will translate best when converted and compressed for youtube. My video looks great on the computer without any conversion but once converted and compressed, the colors look horrible. Granted, I also have to learn the editing software. Some of the photos and video I supplied to Waterbox also looked off as well though which is why I think it's my initial camera settings.
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Sony Alpha 7C II
So I hesitate to post this, because I'm not a camera expert. I only know the basics, but I have access to the above camera. It didn't do well for me at first, but then I changed lenses. Honestly, I'm a hack at this, and literally with just a few minutes of fiddling, and I had one of the better aquarium pics I've ever taken.
If you Google it, you'll see it's not an entry level camera or price, but I wanted to back up the people who are suggesting Sony Alphas.
I'm not posting the pic. I will eventually. If you've seen my journal, you know I've been having an algae nightmare. I think I'm I'm back on top of things (I hope) and plan to post pics eventually when everything is turned around. Right now I'm in the annoying time and patience stage of the recovery.
So I hesitate to post this, because I'm not a camera expert. I only know the basics, but I have access to the above camera. It didn't do well for me at first, but then I changed lenses. Honestly, I'm a hack at this, and literally with just a few minutes of fiddling, and I had one of the better aquarium pics I've ever taken.
If you Google it, you'll see it's not an entry level camera or price, but I wanted to back up the people who are suggesting Sony Alphas.
I'm not posting the pic. I will eventually. If you've seen my journal, you know I've been having an algae nightmare. I think I'm I'm back on top of things (I hope) and plan to post pics eventually when everything is turned around. Right now I'm in the annoying time and patience stage of the recovery.
- Thread starter
- #12
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
I’m waiting for things to turn around too.
Thanks for the info. Maybe people could post the lenses they’re using along with the camera model. It’s probably just as important, and may help other people down the line.
- Thread starter
- #13
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
I found this George Farmer video, and learned some things. I’m going to buy a tripod and do a lot of experimenting. I would still love to hear what everyone is using. Even if I don’t get a camera this year, I might save up for something for next year. I would love to get better pictures of the beautiful scenery here as well.
Another good video about taking photos for IAPLC entry.
- Thread starter
- #15
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Thank you!
If you want to know my own specifics, I take all my current photos with my iPhone 15 Pro!
I use an Sony A7Siii for real video work and a Panasonic S1 for photo/video. Almost more important than a full-frame sensor body, is a good set of "fast" (low aperture) lenses for proper depth of field blur. If you were to spend thousands on a modern mirrorless camera, but only get the standard "kit" lens (usually f/4 or worse) you would probably be better using an iPhone, which really does take fantastic photos (all my journal photos are with my iphone!).
If you were to go with a true camera, I'd suggest getting something beginner-budget friendly that has a full-frame sensor, and skip the kit lens in favor of a 35mm f/2.8 lens, and a ~80mm f/2.8 lens too for macro/isolated photos of fish and plants. Or splurge and get a good 24-70mm f2.8 lens and one dedicated macro-telephoto lens for real closeups!
I use an Sony A7Siii for real video work and a Panasonic S1 for photo/video. Almost more important than a full-frame sensor body, is a good set of "fast" (low aperture) lenses for proper depth of field blur. If you were to spend thousands on a modern mirrorless camera, but only get the standard "kit" lens (usually f/4 or worse) you would probably be better using an iPhone, which really does take fantastic photos (all my journal photos are with my iphone!).
If you were to go with a true camera, I'd suggest getting something beginner-budget friendly that has a full-frame sensor, and skip the kit lens in favor of a 35mm f/2.8 lens, and a ~80mm f/2.8 lens too for macro/isolated photos of fish and plants. Or splurge and get a good 24-70mm f2.8 lens and one dedicated macro-telephoto lens for real closeups!
Good info. I hadn't been considering a full frame due to cost until this Canon R8 popped up on FB Marketplace at such a great price. I then added a Canon 35mm F 1.8 Macro and a Canon 24-105mm F 4-7.1. Dang, this hobby can be expensive!
- Thread starter
- #18
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Thank you! Would you mind sharing the settings for your iPhone? Mine is a 12, but it might still help.
I have been down this rabbit hole! I’m currently using the Canon R8 with two lenses: a 16mm prime and the 28-70mm. I upgraded from the Canon R which I still use for talking head shots. The R8 paired with the 28-70 makes for a surprisingly lightweight and capable travel setup—light enough to bring along on hikes too.
The only downside for me is the battery life, but I just carry a couple of spares and it’s never been an issue. You can see the results in my videos on YouTube and in the photos I’ve posted here. Look for deals if going this route. I bought mine as refurbished directly from Canon.
I have use used my iPhone 15 pro sometimes for aquarium photos and video and I find that the colors are usually off and the image is really low quality compared to my camera. Ive even created a rig to shoot in log and used 3rd party software for full controll. The images were still poor. I think it is an issue with the light spectrum from LED aquarium lights. And no matter how good the software magic that they develop it will never overcome physics of the tiny lens and sensor vs a full frame with high quality glass.
Also, I use Lightroom to post process and sometimes that is just as important as the camera itself. Lightroom is a bit pricey and there are plenty of alternatives out there. But I encourage everyone to get used to it in their process.
I actually got into photography through this hobby, and now I enjoy it almost just as much. Hope that helps!
Photo Acadia National Park:: Canon R8 with Canon 28-70mm, 28mm, f16, f160,iso250
The only downside for me is the battery life, but I just carry a couple of spares and it’s never been an issue. You can see the results in my videos on YouTube and in the photos I’ve posted here. Look for deals if going this route. I bought mine as refurbished directly from Canon.
I have use used my iPhone 15 pro sometimes for aquarium photos and video and I find that the colors are usually off and the image is really low quality compared to my camera. Ive even created a rig to shoot in log and used 3rd party software for full controll. The images were still poor. I think it is an issue with the light spectrum from LED aquarium lights. And no matter how good the software magic that they develop it will never overcome physics of the tiny lens and sensor vs a full frame with high quality glass.
Also, I use Lightroom to post process and sometimes that is just as important as the camera itself. Lightroom is a bit pricey and there are plenty of alternatives out there. But I encourage everyone to get used to it in their process.
I actually got into photography through this hobby, and now I enjoy it almost just as much. Hope that helps!
Photo Acadia National Park:: Canon R8 with Canon 28-70mm, 28mm, f16, f160,iso250
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This is valuable. I watched a how-to video on post processing and thought maybe my issue was that I needed to shoot video in log and then use a log profile in post processing to automatically adjust/correct color for optimal upload to Youtube. A lot to learn, and the editing software is pricey (says the guy who spent over a thousand for the camera gear) but I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet if I want anything close to what I see on channels like yours.
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