Nikon D70 Night shots help!!!

[bristol_rich]

Hi all, i have borrowed the shops camera to see if i can get some nice shots of the tank, now ive kind of got the hang of the macro settings using a Tamron SP 24-135mm lense.

My question is i have a led that shines the full lengh of the tank as a moonlight and in total darkness gives a really nice look to the tank, but i just cannot capture it on film.

Any help on this would be great, many thanks

Rich :thumbsup:

[Reef bloke]

sounds like you need a tripod and long exposure as the available light is probably too low for handheld photography

[bristol_rich]

Okey doke i have the tripod sorted but how do i prolong the exposure time, im from the point and shot one click job done or stick it on macro and it looks a bit better type of thing, is it to do with the ISO setting, cheers reef bloke, your photos are outstanding so any help would be great :thumbsup:

[Reef bloke]

You need to get the camera into bulb mode if the moonlights are very dim,im not sure how you get into this in a Nikon menu system but you usually need to be in AV,Shutter priority or full manual mode.Try this Set the iso as low as poss(100) so you dont get too much noise in your long exposure,stick the camera in manual mode and set an aperture of around f8,stick the metering into spot metering mode and meter a part of the aquascape that is lit by the blue led.Adjust the shutter speed until you get a good exposure using the exposure meter in the viewfinder.If the lens cant focus due to lack of contrast/light then you will have to focus manually.
If you cant get a decent exposure you will have to go into bulb mode for a longer shutter period.Take the picture and have a look see,if its too dark go for a longer shutter speed and visa versa.
Keep all the room lights and tv off so they dont create reflection or mess with the exposure.
The only problem you will have is that if any fish are out and about they will be blurred by the long exposure.Id also turn the pumps off to stop any inverts and corals swaying about.
If in bulb mode you should really use a remote release or you will shake the camera due to the fact you will be keeping your finger on the shutter release button.
Ive never shot anything under moonlight leds so will be interested to see how this turns out.In theory it should work as long as the camera/tripod doesnt move.

[bristol_rich]

okey doke ive selecter 200 on the iso can find bulb mode but have found shutter speed which goes from 1/60 to 1/2 then 1" 2" 4" 8" 15" 30" if thats anything to do with it and i have alsop found the timer funtion to take a pic after i have pressed the button which should stop any movment of the camera for the duration of the image capture, thanks again

[bristol_rich]

i had a go and this is what i managed to get out of it, god knows how i managed to get a longer shutter speed but here they are:-

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/led.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/led 2.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/led3.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q3/led4.jpg