PlanetCatfish.com

Hi,

Been trying to get some goods photos of my new LDA33. Whats the best way - any tips?

This should help.

Here are some of my better shots so far..... I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks. the first ones were really bad. you pick it up quickly though.







These obviously aren't that good, but good enough for ID purposes etc.

I have a regular compact digital autofocus (a pentax optio s4)

1) clean the glass in and out. as you can see i didn't.

2) i use the macro setting with the flash on.

3) my camera finds it really hard to get enough light to focus, so i often use a torch to illuminate them first. you will need very patient fish!

4) point at a 45 degree angle to the glass to avoid reflection. i do this to usually left, right or above.

5) take loads of pictures. eventually some of them will come out ok.

6) best of luck

cheers.

So the flash is ok to use then? I wasn't sure. Is it better to have the house lights on? Should I have the tank lights on or off?

What's the first plec? Looks similar to my LDA33 I'm trying to photgraph

Many thanks.

I'll read that thread too, much appreciated.

you get better results without the flash (better more natural colours), but it's very hard to get enough light to make it work (unless you invest in serious equipment).

i have the tank lights on.

it doesn't really make much difference (to picture quality anyway) about room lights when the flash is used.

however, if the room lights are on the camera will find it easier to focus as there's more light (in a dark tank like mine anyway)

but conversely the fish will see you much easier pressed up against the glass with a big scary camera and may be more reluctant to display.

my plec is also an LDA33. i have two.