Accessories
From ReefPedia
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Accessories you need. Accessories you don’t.
One of the first things many people do when they buy a new camera is look for goodies to make it even better. Some of these are absolutely necessary. Some are good only under certain conditions. Many are just a waste of money.
Tripods
Chalk this up in the “absolutely necessary” section. Don’t even think about skipping one if you plan on spending any time with the camera in front of an aquarium. Often the light levels are so low in aquaria that you simply won’t get a good shot holding the camera in your hands. And even when you do, it would probably be an even better shot if it were taken using a tripod.
If you get a small digital point-and-shoot, you can get by with a cheap tripod. Right now, serious photographers have probably joined and are forming a lynch mob to come take me away for saying that. But they’re serious photographers, and you may not be yet. Digicams are small and lightweight enough that you can get away with a rather cheap, even plastic, tripod. You’ll find you can get by with it for quite some time. When you’ve got the basics down and you’re ready to upgrade to a better camera, you’re probably ready to upgrade to a better tripod. Then keep the cheap one as a spare, or in your car. A second tripod comes in handy, even a cheap one.
Just make sure that cheap tripod has all the features. It should extend high enough that you can photograph the top of your tank dead-on. It should have the full range of tilt and swivel motions. And you should be able to flip the camera 90 degrees, on its side, to take portrait-style (vertical) shots.
Filters
There are all kinds of filters, with varying degrees of usefulness.
Polarizing filters
Probably the most useful in general, though I haven’t had great results using them for aquarium photography. They can eliminate glare and deepen a blue sky. But if you’ve got a glare problem when shooting an aquarium, the polarizing filter probably won’t help much. If you get one, get a good one- cheap polarizing filters can negatively impact image quality. Don’t spend money screwing up your photos, we can all do that much more efficiently for free.
UV filters
These really don’t do much of anything on a digital camera except protect your lens. There’s been much argument about whether or not they negatively impact image quality. If you’re worried about scratching your lens, pick up a good one and leave it on there. I find them unnecessary, personally.
Neutral-Density filters
These have a good use to the advanced aquarium photographer, but 99% of you should skip them. There are many ways your time and money are better invested elsewhere.
Wide-angle/Telephoto adapters
If your digicam isn’t zooming in or out enough, these are the solution. Be aware that using one will yield unpredictable results when shooting macros- much of this depends on your specific camera. If you want to zoom in for a tighter macro shot, I recommend you try it out at the store or purchase the adapter somewhere with a good return policy.
If you decide to get one of these adapters, again, don’t cheap out. I highly recommend you purchase one made by the manufacturer of your camera. Cheap ones degrade image quality. So do good ones, as a matter of fact, but not nearly as much in most cases.
Macro lenses
Sets of stackable filters are readily available. These are called diopters. They allow you to move the camera physically closer to your subject. Again, on digicams, the results can be unpredictable. And all but the best and most expensive can have a noticeable impact on image quality.
What always surprises me is that so many people buy these diopters thinking it will magnify the image. Not so. It just lets you get the camera closer. Take a look at your camera’s minimum focus distance in macro mode. If it’s less than a couple inches, you’ve probably got no business buying diopters- what you probably want is more zoom. The way to get that is not with diopters but with a telephoto converter or, preferably, a new camera.
Flashes
Many major-brand digicams are now compatible with SLR-level flashes. This will, without a doubt, improve your photography. Especially when shooting fish. They’re expensive, but they’re the only way I recommend using flash with aquarium photography. I recommend you get comfortable with photographing aquaria for some time before getting the flash. When you’ve got the basics down, this is a big step forward.
Extra batteries
Now here’s an easy one. Get an extra battery. Murphy’s law dictates when your clownfish decide to spawn in front of your very eyes, the battery will invariably poop out. Generic batteries are now available for most digicams and in my experience work just as well at a fraction of the cost.
Monopods
Better than handheld, not as good as a tripod. Spend your money on the tripod first. You can get an added element of flexibility with a monopod over a tripod. And where they really come in handy are places that don’t allow tripods - Public aquaria being the prime example.
