Nikon Users, I need your help.

[Chrisq0904]

I have a Nikon D3200 and when I take pictures of my tank they come out super blue. (which I understand because of my leds) I tried taking pictures in raw to put them on photoshop but photoshop says it's an invalid format.

The help I need is what do I have to do to get some decent looking pictures from my camera? I've tried messing with white balance but always fail miserably and can never get it to work when I try to set it manually.

[JaYbIrD1969]

You may need to download the latest update for your PS software. Its free and you can go into the help center of photoshop and select check for updates. In the mean time, send me one of your RAWs and I'll see what I can do with the image. If it works nicely I'll walk you thru it. jayspencer69@gmail.com

[Chrisq0904]

Sorry I meant to say that I have a D3100 NOT D3200. Jaybird I will send you a picture now. The format that it shows is .NEF

[xtm]

You can try using Nikon ViewNX which is free and good for quick editing your NEFs. Your D3100 should come with this software on a CD, or you can download it online.

[Chrisq0904]

i just upgraded to that 9.99 plan that adobe has and im able to open it in lightroom. Now i just need to learn how to edit I guess.

[JaYbIrD1969]

I did a little work to the photo but it honestly was not that bad. A Broader picture of the tank might be more suitable for dialing in the WB.

The original pic is at the bottom

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/jbird35086/Project1_zpsnfxsu9hl.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jbird35/media/jbird35086/Project1_zpsnfxsu9hl.jpg.html)

[Mpfaff77]

I haven't tried it or found one yet. But I think an Amber filter is suppose to help to lessen the blues.

[Chrisq0904]

I haven't tried it or found one yet. But I think an Amber filter is suppose to help to lessen the blues.


I have something like that for my phone that helps A LOT guess I'll try finding one for my camera

[Chrisq0904]

I did a little work to the photo but it honestly was not that bad. A Broader picture of the tank might be more suitable for dialing in the WB.

The original pic is at the bottom




So don't zoom in on a certain spot? Should I stay zoomed out and put white paper in front of the tank or am I better putting foam in the tank? Did you have any issues getting the file into photoshop?

[JaYbIrD1969]

No. zooming isnt the issue, but for post processing and changing the white balance to something more realistic, an overall view of the tank would help judge the adjustments. Once you know those adjustments you can easier apply them to the specific corals. I personally would continue shooting on auto white balance and make your corrections in photoshop RAW

No trouble at all opening it in PSE 9 RAW editer.

[Chrisq0904]

No. zooming isnt the issue, but for post processing and changing the white balance to something more realistic, an overall view of the tank would help judge the adjustments. Once you know those adjustments you can easier apply them to the specific corals. I personally would continue shooting on auto white balance and make your corrections in photoshop RAW

No trouble at all opening it in PSE 9 RAW editer.


Ok I'll try that, I might try some shots tomorrow.

What do you guys think of the AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens for some close shots for corals/fish? Right now I only have the lens that came with the camera.


Sorry for all the dumb questions just trying to learn my way around the camera.

[Chrisq0904]

Here are some pictures I managed to make "ok" I know they aren't the best but I gotta take baby steps. ALL critique is welcome even the bad.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/chrisq0904/DSC_0041.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/chrisq0904/media/DSC_0041.jpg.html)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/chrisq0904/DSC_0037.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/chrisq0904/media/DSC_0037.jpg.html)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/chrisq0904/DSC_0026.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/chrisq0904/media/DSC_0026.jpg.html)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/chrisq0904/DSC_0040.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/chrisq0904/media/DSC_0040.jpg.html)

[blitz49]

Did you try to download Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter (http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=106&platform=Windows) to import RAW or NEF into Photoshop. Pictures came out good.

[Chrisq0904]

Did you try to download Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter (http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=106&platform=Windows) to import RAW or NEF into Photoshop. Pictures came out good.


I was using an older version of photoshop, so I deleted that and signed up for that 9.99/mo plan and now everything works great. Those photos above are edited, well not really I just played with the temperature and that's something else but I forgot. I have no idea how to do anything else, I'll be glued to YouTube for a while I guess lol.

[Coffeeinbed]

think of the AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G

i've never owned that lens but it's well thought of as a sharp DX lens.


Depending on your funds I'd also highly recommend the Nikon 105 2.8d. It will give you more distance away from your subject - more room to work. On your camera it WILL NOT AUTOFOCUS - manual focus only. But you don't need autofocus for most macro work anyway.

Used 105mm lenses can be bought on Craigslist cheaply and can be used on either Canon or Nikons (need an adaptor for Canon). it is a pro lens and will give pro results with practice.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/105af.htm

all the best...........

PS - you also will need a tripod

[Chrisq0904]

i've never owned that lens but it's well thought of as a sharp DX lens.


Depending on your funds I'd also highly recommend the Nikon 105 2.8d. It will give you more distance away from your subject - more room to work. On your camera it WILL NOT AUTOFOCUS - manual focus only. But you don't need autofocus for most macro work anyway.

Used 105mm lenses can be bought on Craigslist cheaply and can be used on either Canon or Nikons (need an adaptor for Canon). it is a pro lens and will give pro results with practice.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/105af.htm

all the best...........

PS - you also will need a tripod


Will I still be able to do real close up shots with that lens?

[kissman]

If you can set you white balance set to about the Kelvin your lights are at. I dont know Nikon but i do know DSLR's. I set my white balance to about 14k or above