Which lens to use when you want to take full tank photo?

[Shadow]

Which lens to use when you want to take full tank photo? What I mean is which focal length is the best?

[valice]

You can use your kit lens at 55mm.
With sufficient lighting, it will be enough.

[Shadow]

Should I use 18mm or 55mm? is wide angle better? I was thinking if I'm using wide angle, I can move closer to the tank and I can take the reflection by water surface.

[hwchoy]

the best is try many shots and different focal lengths and see for yourself.

[ranmasatome]

Actually for a full tank shot.. you want to be as far as possible to reduce the anglulation of the sides..but depending on how much space you have in front of you and the tank..you might want to use a different lense..

[zQ.]

Im using Tamron 17-50 and take pics from 1,5-2m away from the tank.

[trident]

I think a 55 mm will do fine, but must have plenty of light.
The on board flash on my camera is simply not enough
for a 5 ft tank.

[benny]

Ideally, I would use a range between 85 to 135 mm.

Cheers,

[juggler]

Ideally, I would use a range between 85 to 135 mm.

Cheers,

Provided the tank is small or you have enough working space to shoot from.
I hear Amano uses telephoto lens to shoot his tanks to give a feeling of "depth" to his setups.

[hwchoy]

not to mention the seven studio strobes.

[Shadow]

o... so the higher focal lense will give you beter feeling of depth?

My tank is small 2ft only. I just try and I should be able to use 70mm. That is the maximum, longer than that, I have to jump out of the window

[hwchoy]

longer focal length gives you a narrower field of view, so the depth axis is exaggerated by the lack of width.

[luenny]

Robert,
Again there's no right or wrong answer to this. A longer lens will give you depth as well as DOF but you have to stand further. Also longer lens can give you tanks that look rectangular. Shorter (wider) lens, you get to go near and shoot but tank may look distorted. Also shorter lens brings out subject closer to the lens so if you want a tank shot with the emphasis on certain scape in the middle of the tank, that's the lens you should try. You have zoom lens right, just try and try. Good thing about digital is it's free to try.

Oh, and remember to post your results.

[hwchoy]

actually longer lens gives you less DOF, all else being equal. but it may look like you have more DOF because you tend to be further away from the subject when using a long lens.

[Shadow]

it is difficult for newbie there are so many know to turn and try. So if I know what is the recomended setup, that eliminate big chunk of the issue and can focus my attention to the camera setting it self. At least that what I'm thinking

It may end up like when first time start planted aquarium, buy those test kits, but after a while never use it and plant grow without problem.

I guess the only way is just get on with it, take few shot with different setting and take the best out of it.

[hwchoy]

but thats the great thing about digital photography, you can try to your heart's content and see what works and what does not. and it costs nothing to your pocket nor the environment.

[trident]

Robert,
Looks like both of us got a lot of trying to do.
You can try with your 70-200 but make sure you don't fall out the window!

[luenny]

actually longer lens gives you less DOF, all else being equal. but it may look like you have more DOF because you tend to be further away from the subject when using a long lens.

Yeah, being further away gives a picture which has more parts sharp, that's what I mean. That's what macro people do when they can't focus on the whole bug, they move back and shoot and crop the pic.

[hwchoy]

yes I knew you meant that, just don't want the newbies to catch the wrong technical understanding.

[luenny]

Thanks choy.