The uShaka Visit

Hey all.

These are a few pics from my last visit to the aquarium. Have a look and I hope you enjoy:


Don't you wish you had a tank/pond like this?


Crayfish close-up


Regal Tang


Octopus being semi-cryptic


Goose Scorpionfish


Jellyfish


Stingray mouth


Eagleray


Lionfish


Cuttlefish


Giant Guitar Shark and company


Cutlassfish (my favourite on the visit - willing to pay $$$ to any daring sponsers who can find some )


Sea Goldie


Atlantic Tarpon


Potato Bass


That's all for now folks
Cheers

 

Beautiful pics!! What camera u use?

 

Awesome pics
I need to go visit there again

 

really good snaps
did you manage to visit Captains Cabin

 

Stunning quality pics dude!

I went to CT aquarium... wasn't hugely impressed. Now we need to find a FRESH/TROPICAL water aquarium. Anyone know where to find one?

 

Hey Zoom, maybe TASA could get major sponsorship, and we can set up our own! We could call it the 'uTASA' Aquarium!! Haha!

Cheers
Big G!

Oh, and Salmon meant to say.... Very, very nice pics! I'd be really intereted in what gear you used to take those shots?? I'm a semi-pro photographer, but struggle to take decent pics in an aquarium!

Would like to get a decent Macro Lens for taking shots of my tank, but just don't have the dosh at mo!

Cheers
Big G!

 

Nice pics ^_^ Would also like to know what equipment you're using!

 

Thanks guys :bigsmile:

I use a Canon EOS 450D with a Canon EFS 18-55mm lens - I haven't been able to get a better (preferably macro lens) as of yet, but I'm saving up. No flash equipment was used either (still have to get that too ) but in most cases with aquarium photos I'm very cautious with using any flash.

I recommend you do - I normally go once a year, and everything has changed so much since last year I couldn't believe it!

Thanks man. No I didn't hey... I normally take my pics, enjoy the view and get outta there to upload my pics to the PC. I'll be sure to visit the Cabin soon though.

Thanks :bigsmile:

The best freshwater aquariums I've seen so far were those in Pretoria Zoo when I visited about 3 years ago. Not too many tank, but the stock was amazing with many tankbusters and oddballs, as well as several species that us regular fishkeepers aren't allowed to keep which make the visit beyond worthwhile.

The problem with having a freshwater orientated 'park' is that you'll find that most facilities here are geared towards local wildllife. With marine species this is easy enough as there are beautiful marine fish off our coast and many to choose from. However, our freshwater fish are rather plain looking, and the diversity is lacking... to create a successful aquarium will be a challenge.

 

I thought it was a Canon.
(LOL have to keep my company's name up)

But Seriuosly Canon Cameras and Printers is tops!

 

Bog standard 450d with kit lens? Wow, I need to take lessons

 

Nice Salmon! Those kit lenses are better than most people think.

 

Yup. I wanted to take my first step into DSLR photography with a decent camera and a good deal - and the Canon camera kit fitted the bill. Even though the lens isn't ideal, it's proved quite effective so far. Definitely sticking to Canon with future equipment.

 

Would love to comment on the Canon, but I'm afraid I'm a Nikonite
See if you can't find a nice Sigma macro lens for your camera... they much cheaper, but the quality is pretty decent.

 

What settings did you shoot at? Did you use a tripod?

 

I started out with a Canon 300D, and the same 18-55mm Lens, and it took some beautiful shots! I think the main problem with this budget lens is that you can get a great one, or a completely rubbish one! I have 2 friends that both had the same lens on theirs, but they wouldn't focus or anything! Always had to focus manually!

I guess the saying is true... 'Canon S lenses are like a box of chocolates.... You never quite know what you gonna get next!

If you have a good one which it looks like you do, keep a hold of it! Never part with it unless of course you get rid of the Canon altogether!! I regret parting with mine, and I'm using the L series 28-70mm now! Great Lens, but I miss the Macro ability of the 18-55 S lens!

As for the SIgmas, they are a good trade off between the L series and the bog standard canons! But once again, you can get caught out! Some of them are utter Cr@p!! Its always best to take your camera with when you wanna buy lenses! Test them out with YOUR gear then!

Anyhow, I'll stop now since this is after all a fish forum!!

Well done on the great shots!

Cheers
Big G!

 

Nope, carrying around a tripod at uShaka during the holiday season just wasn't an option; the place was packed and I hardly had room to move as it was.

Varied settings for the various shots - for example with the exposure time, most of the tanks are very well lit (either by powerful lights or in direct sunlight), while others (like the crayfish tank) are pretty dim lit. So I had to adjust the exposure accordingly. I didn't spend too much times fiddling and changing settings though.

@ Big G - I won't be getting a new lens for a while now, just rather spend my time shopping around and seeing what I'm really looking for. If I'm going to spend so much cash on a lens, it'd better be a good lens

 

I know nothing about photography, but my wife uses a Canon (I think it's a 50D,??) for her photography business. She swears by Canon. Picture quality is superb. She says she will never use anything else. A bit pricey, but hey, you get what you pay for.
Would like to try taking photos of my fish and tanks (when they are presentable) with it, but all the settings are a bit too technical for me, even though I am in the IT industry. LOL
Just my 2c.

 

LOL Darryn, just ask her to show you the ropes... it should be easier for her to explain it to you than you having to go and research everything.