Best camera for fish / aquariums?

[pangolin12]

Hi,
Fish have always been my cameras weakness, the glass combined with the water and fast pace of the fish really proves a difficulty. I would really love to be able to take some nice fish photos, what are the best cameras for fish photography? Many thanks

 

[Prochilodus246]

Hello,

I use my Canon 250D at a shutter speed of generally around 1/125. This generally works for most fish in my experience. I have never needed the use of flash to date and don't plan on using it any time soon.

What set up have you currently got for fish photography?

 

[gentle lemur]

I must apologise for having missed this thread until today.
I don't think that it matters very much which particular camera body you choose - any DSLR should be OK. The choice of lens is much more important: ideally you need to be able to focus on fishes close to the glass, which is impossible with many zoom lenses. A proper macro lens is a much better choice. I use 40mm and 105mm MicroNikkors with my D500. I agree with @Prochilodus246 that flash is not necessary - and is generally unwelcome in public aquaria anyway.
I try to avoid busy times; small children who get excited and run around shouting 'Nemo! Nemo!' should be avoided at all costs. I try to take time to watch the fishes, even the fastest swimmers slow down eventually and you can learn to recognise the moment when your chance of success is greatest - but even so, you must expect several failures for each success. The 'Delete' command is your friend

 

[Moebelle]

No matter the setting and no matter the quality of the camera, every DSLR I've ever used for aquarium shooting leaves me nothing but poor pixelation. I obtained a Sony a6400 through school and even though it's terrible for outside shots (mostly depending on the lens), the results are always clear and crisp inside even in the lowest lighting.

 

[Ebirah766]

I hate to necropost but I really need some recommendations as well. I'm looking to get some good advice on camera settings and models (maybe someone can recommend something different)?

 

[RatioTile]

I use a point-and-shoot, Canon Powershot G9X, for aquariums and reptile houses. It does a pretty good job of overcoming distortion and reflection that my DSLR cannot. Also, from my experience, it focuses better on butterflies and crawling insects.

If animals are behind mesh cages and come too close to the front, sometimes this point-and-shoot can get really good closeup portraits of them if I aim it at the gaps.